SWFA 3-9 or Something Else?

[Mtys999]

Hey all, I am looking to upgrade my Bushnell 3-9 scope on my Ruger M77 chambered in 30.06. Primary motivation is my OIL Oryx hunt. Goal is to get something that I can use to shoot out to about 600 yards. I’ve been hunting for quite some time but always kept my shots around 300 and in since my current scope just has crosshairs.

I’ve heard good things about the SWFAs and am kind of leaning towards that direction but open to recommendations. Budget is around $1k, I also have access to military pro deals if there’s any scopes on those someone would recommend.

Also curious how these scopes work as far as “dialing?” I’m a noob to shooting longer distances so not familiar with the mechanics of getting the scope configured to shoot past the distance the rifle is zeroed at. I called SWFA yesterday and the tech just told me you make a chart with distances and holdover and then use the reticle. This confused me because I thought you actually dialed the elevation turret for the distance (like an archery slider sight)

All thoughts welcome, thanks in advance!

 

[WyldGoose]

I use a SWFA 3-9 on two rifles and shoot regularly out to 600 yards and beyond. It dials as it should. I use the MQ reticle for “holdover” shots at 300 yards sometimes too.
Great scopes.

 

[43.6N]

Hey all, I am looking to upgrade my Bushnell 3-9 scope on my Ruger M77 chambered in 30.06. Primary motivation is my OIL Oryx hunt in September. Goal is to get something that I can use to shoot out to about 600 yards. I’ve been hunting for quite some time but always kept my shots around 300 and in since my current scope just has crosshairs.

I’ve heard good things about the SWFAs and am kind of leaning towards that direction but open to recommendations. Budget is around $1k, I also have access to military pro deals if there’s any scopes on those someone would recommend.

Also curious how these scopes work as far as “dialing?” I’m a noob to shooting longer distances so not familiar with the mechanics of getting the scope configured to shoot past the distance the rifle is zeroed at. I called SWFA yesterday and the tech just told me you make a chart with distances and holdover and then use the reticle. This confused me because I thought you actually dialed the elevation turret for the distance (like an archery slider sight)

All thoughts welcome, thanks in advance!

Love that scope. Your instincts are correct. Treat it like an archery slider.
-Zero at 100yds.
-Range new target at distance.
-Consult a ballistic calculator (lots of good apps).
-Dial your elevation.
-Hold crosshairs on target and execute a fundamentally good shot.

 

[Steve300xcw]

Interesting questions 4 months away from an OIL hunt

Yes thats a solid scope.

 

[1000yards]

Get that scope and learn quickdrop! Depending on the ammo that you use, the 30-06 can line up very well with it. For my 20-in barrel, the 165/168 class of projectiles lines up perfectly.
Since you're getting a new scope, now is the time to evaluate your ring situation. Does your M77 come with the rail? If so, those nightforce ultra lights are great. If you have to use the M77 integrated rail, then my opinion is the regular Ruger rings are your best bet. Either way tighten the rail screws to at least 55 lbs or more.

 

[fmyth]

I have a SWFA 6x and 3x9 (milquad) on 2 of hunting rifles. I've killed elk/deer with both out to 400 yards and practice out to 1k yards on steel. I don't use the reticle to holdover for elevation as I prefer to dial. I do practice dialing and holding for wind. You'll need the following to get started dialing: Choose a ballistic calculator and download to your phone. I'm using Strelok, not sure if you can still download it. Choose the ammo you'll be hunting with. Look up that bullets BC. You'll need to use a chronograph to find the actual speed at which your rifle shoots it. You can use the number on the box but it will be more difficult to get your ballistic calculator trued. Measure the height of the scope relative to the bore(center line to center line). Get your location elevation and temperature. Enter all of this into a ballistic calculator application on your phone. The app will give you your corrections for distance/wind. This table is for my 6.5C. It's zeroed at 200yds. If you look down the chart to 600yds you'll see that I would need to dial the top turret on the scope up 4.2 MRAD. These corrections will vary slightly with different ammo, elevation and weather. I'll make a chart like below prior to a hunt using the weather, elevation, and ammo for that specific hunt and location. I print this out and tape it to the stock of my rifle. I did not include windage corrections in the chart below.