SWFA 6x or 3-9 for my 6.5cm

[thinhorn_AK]

Hi guys,

I've got a Tikka t3x SL that needs a scope, I want to put something on it to get into doing more dialing and I think SWFA is the obviuos choice for this rifle.

Main uses would be just practicing and possibly sheep hunting although I have another rifle that works well for that. I hear people talking about shooting some pretty solid distances with the fixed 6x so wondering if the 3-9 is worth 2x the price. The 3-9 has HD glass and apparently the dials are a bit nicer.

Again, this wont be my main hunting rifle as I don't shoot animals at long range really past ~300 yds, I just want to set up this rifle once and for all and not think about scopes anymore.

thanks.

 

[Fatcamp]

I have both and vote 3-9.

 

[Mike 338]

The 3x9.

A 6x is a beaut for strictly hunting where the shots are unlikely to exceed about 350 or 400. With a 9x you can leg it out well past that and those short action 6.5's don't mind the distance so much. With the HD glass, you really begin to notice the difference out past 400 or 500. Something about the sight picture that gives you more confidence. Can't say if the 3x9 HD is worth it. I know the 10x HD is impressive for the cost. As always, paying double never gets you double the quality.

 

[Ndbowhunter]

If your SL is long action go with the 3-9.. you may run into ejection issues with the 6x big windage knob. I know the new t3x have a lowered ejection port but stil.

That said I do think the tunneling on the 3-9 is a big disadvantage.. it's basically a 4-9..

Parallax adjustment sure is nice feature and both scopes at 6x the fixed six will have a wider FOV, deeper field of view and a larger eye box..

I used to run a 3-15 sfp swfa pinned at 7.5x.. shot a chamois at 12 yards when it charged me..

Are the new t3x that much heavier then the old t3's?? My 300 was 7.75lb with 3-15 and a muzzlebrake.

 

[Fatcamp]

If your SL is long action go with the 3-9.. you may run into ejection issues with the 6x big windage knob. I know the new t3x have a lowered ejection port but stil.

That said I do think the tunneling on the 3-9 is a big disadvantage.. it's basically a 4-9..

Parallax adjustment sure is nice feature and both scopes at 6x the fixed six will have a wider FOV, deeper field of view and a larger eye box..

I used to run a 3-15 sfp swfa pinned at 7.5x.. shot a chamois at 12 yards when it charged me..

Are the new t3x that much heavier then the old t3's?? My 300 was 7.75lb with 3-15 and a muzzlebrake.

Hey. I saw in another thread you mention tunneling which led me down a rabbit hole of searching the term. The one thing I couldn't figure out is if other than lost field of view does tunneling impact the scopes performance? The black ring I get, but everything else is working. I found people saying it matters and doesn't, which is part for the course in any internet discussion. I messed around with mine and didn't see much of a problem with it.

Why did you pin your 3-15? Do they tunnel as well?

 

[Formidilosus]

Hey. I saw in another thread you mention tunneling which led me down a rabbit hole of searching the term. The one thing I couldn't figure out is if other than lost field of view does tunneling impact the scopes performance? The black ring I get, but everything else is working. I found people saying it matters and doesn't, which is part for the course in any internet discussion. I messed around with mine and didn't see much of a problem with it.

Tunneling does not effect performance. 99% of people will never notice it unless it pointed out to them. 90% of those, don’t care.

 

[BAKPAKR]

If your SL is long action go with the 3-9.. you may run into ejection issues with the 6x big windage knob. I know the new t3x have a lowered ejection port but stil.

That said I do think the tunneling on the 3-9 is a big disadvantage.. it's basically a 4-9..

Parallax adjustment sure is nice feature and both scopes at 6x the fixed six will have a wider FOV, deeper field of view and a larger eye box..

I used to run a 3-15 sfp swfa pinned at 7.5x.. shot a chamois at 12 yards when it charged me..

Are the new t3x that much heavier then the old t3's?? My 300 was 7.75lb with 3-15 and a muzzlebrake.

My T3x SL in 6.5 CM is just a hair under 7 pounds with the Talleys and 3-9 Leupold I put on it for the last few days of our deer season.

Based on all of the positive reviews I have read here, I am going to get a SWFA 3-9 in the next sale. I already have the Hawkins rings.

 

[Ndbowhunter]

Thinhorn... the apparent FOV gets smaller even though you drop magnification.. going from 4x to 3x you don't see any more real estate through the scope. Should add that now that you think of it dropped a goat at about 8 yards with it at 7.5x and had a 200gr eld-x totally disintegrate.. different story tho.

The 3-15 eyebox sucks past about 12.. so I just kept it at 7.5 and used the reticle subtensions like a mil dot.



Anyone want to measure the size of the ocular lens on the 6x vs the 3-9.. if memory serves the 3-9 is a bit smaller then the 6x.. it's like having a 27" vs 32" tv.. sorta.

not throwing shade on the 3-9 too much.. there aren't many sub 24oz scopes formidilosus recommends. The great thing is if you buy the 6x and hate it you won't lose much. Maybe shipping and a 20spot.