SWFA 3-9X42 vs SWFA 6X

[Crow Hunter TN]

If you were going to setup 3 rifles in .308, .223 and .22 LR identically for general purpose hunting which SWFA scope would you use if cost was not a factor in the decision?

 

[Kbhillhunter]

I have 308 and 223 t3x compact both set up with 3-9 SS. So I guess that gets my vote

 

[Jimbee]

I have both. The more I use the 6x, the more I like it.

 

[ElPollo]

I have both, plus the 3-15. The reticle, weight, and durability are basically the same on the 6 and the 3-9. If cost is an issue go with the 6x. If not, the variable provides a little more utility. The glass is also a bit better on the 3-9, although I think that is the least important variable to consider as both are totally usable. I personally like the 3-9 best among the three.

 

[JCMCUBIC]

Of the two mentioned, I've come to prefer the 3-9x42 for most hunting rifles over the past few years. It has better glass to my eye. That said, I much prefer the 6x42 on a rimfire because of the parallax adjustment for shorter shots. Not what you wanted to hear, but I'd go 3-9 on the .223 and .308, and 6x42 on the .22 rimfire.

 

[sndmn11]

The 6x

 

[Crow Hunter TN]

Of the two mentioned, I've come to prefer the 3-9x42 for most hunting rifles over the past few years. It has better glass to my eye. That said, I much prefer the 6x42 on a rimfire because of the parallax adjustment for shorter shots. Not what you wanted to hear, but I'd go 3-9 on the .223 and .308, and 6x42 on the .22 rimfire.

I was thinking about that.

I use a 3-9X40 Trijicon Credo on my T1X now and at lower powers, I don't notice too much parallax but if I turn up the power, it becomes more noticeable and at shorter ranges the targets are pretty blurry. So I pretty much stay on the 3-6'ish range most of the time shooting 50-75 yards. The only thing would be if the 6X is too much magnification for close shots/squirrels.

 

[sndmn11]

The 6x

Caveat
I don't have a good zero stop solution for the 3-9x yet. If I did, it'd be a toss up but for certain the rimfire gets the 6x.

 

[Crow Hunter TN]

The 6x

I plan on eventually going on a Elk hunt. Do you find the 6X limiting for that? I don't think it would be a problem for me here in West TN on deer and coyotes (.308 and .223) where most of my shooting is inside of 150 yards but having never been hunting anywhere with open country like the Western states, I was not sure.

 

[Jimbee]

I plan on eventually going on a Elk hunt. Do you find the 6X limiting for that? I don't think it would be a problem for me here in West TN on deer and coyotes (.308 and .223) where most of my shooting is inside of 150 yards but having never been hunting anywhere with open country like the Western states, I was not sure.

I'm from Iowa and pretty new to rifle hunting/ long range shooting. I used to be the guy that thought you could buy a super magnum with a big scope and put the crosshairs on a distant animal, give the trigger a yank and go get it. Try the 6x and do some shooting....I think you'll be pleasantly suprised.

 

[ElPollo]

Of the two mentioned, I've come to prefer the 3-9x42 for most hunting rifles over the past few years. It has better glass to my eye. That said, I much prefer the 6x42 on a rimfire because of the parallax adjustment for shorter shots. Not what you wanted to hear, but I'd go 3-9 on the .223 and .308, and 6x42 on the .22 rimfire.

Agreed. The parallax adjustment makes the 6x a great scope for rimfires and Airguns. Not so important on a 308 or 223 at normal hunting ranges.

 

[ElPollo]

Caveat
I don't have a good zero stop solution for the 3-9x yet. If I did, it'd be a toss up but for certain the rimfire gets the 6x.

So the standard Home Depot washer route is not a good option? Seems to work fine for me.

 

[JCMCUBIC]

.... The only thing would be if the 6X is too much magnification for close shots/squirrels.

It works well for me at short ranges on movers.

 

[JCMCUBIC]

Should note that I also really like the 6x SWFA on a .22 for dialing when playing at longer ranges...it's a great reticle for holding windage as well.

 

[sndmn11]

So the standard Home Depot washer route is not a good option? Seems to work fine for me.

I thought it would before I had one in my hands. With the 6x and the 3-15x (non-HD turrets) the turret can be any height on the brass cylinder that the set screws bite into. So you just stack washers under the turret.

With the 3-9 and other HD turrets you have the bolt inline with the cylinder pulling the turret against it. If you stack washers to get a perfect zero stop, you aren't fully tightening the bolt down as it should be. You are tightening against the washers, and then when you dial you are moving away from the washers and subsequently can tighten that bolt more. One could stack washers and to where the turret is tightened down fully and the stop was below 0.

I think the next solution I am going to explore is some sort of set screw through the top of the turret or maybe a nut and set screw underneath.

I plan on eventually going on a Elk hunt. Do you find the 6X limiting for that? I don't think it would be a problem for me here in West TN on deer and coyotes (.308 and .223) where most of my shooting is inside of 150 yards but having never been hunting anywhere with open country like the Western states, I was not sure.

I think it would be a great choice.

 

[Formidilosus]

I plan on eventually going on a Elk hunt. Do you find the 6X limiting for that? I don't think it would be a problem for me here in West TN on deer and coyotes (.308 and .223) where most of my shooting is inside of 150 yards but having never been hunting anywhere with open country like the Western states, I was not sure.

The 6x isn’t remotely limiting. My group has killed a hundred plus elk, deer, antelope, etc in the mountain west from powder burn distances to past 700 yards.

 

[Crow Hunter TN]

The 6x isn’t remotely limiting. My group has killed a hundred plus elk, deer, antelope, etc in the mountain west from powder burn distances to past 700 yards.

@Formidilosus in your opinion, if price isn't a consideration, would it be better to have the 2 T3X and the T1x setup identically with SWFA 6X or would there be a function performance benefit for going with 3-9X42 on the centerfires and the 6X on the T1x?

I really appreciate your willingness to share your experience.

 

[Formidilosus]

@Formidilosus in your opinion, if price isn't a consideration, would it be better to have the 2 T3X and the T1x setup identically with SWFA 6X or would there be a function performance benefit for going with 3-9X42 on the centerfires and the 6X on the T1x?

I really appreciate your willingness to share your experience.

6x 100% on the .22. The rest…. Ehh. The 6x is more than sufficient for the 223 and 308 ranges, and for someone learning riflesdom correctly, it’s probably ideal. However I do like the 3-9x a lot. Probably 6x on .22 and 223, 3-9x on 308 is what I would do.

 

[Crow Hunter TN]

6x 100% on the .22. The rest…. Ehh. The 6x is more than sufficient for the 223 and 308 ranges, and for someone learning riflesdom correctly, it’s probably ideal. However I do like the 3-9x a lot. Probably 6x on .22 and 223, 3-9x on 308 is what I would do.

Thank you.

If I could bother you one more time.

If I wanted to keep the same Mil-Quad reticle when adding optics to a Tikka T3X Varmint in .223 (Primarily for Prairie Dogs) and a Larue PredatAR in .308 18" bbl, (Primarily "Tactical" Target shooting) which SWFA optics would you recommend for those applications?

 

[Fatcamp]

I prefer the 3-9 simply because it is a trimmer package, not by a lot, but enough to matter to me.