SWFA 6X vs 10X vs 3-15

Schmo

WKR
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I have a Tikka 223 trainer that I use for the bulk of my shooting practice. I sold the optic that was on it, and I’ll need to get a replacement when I have the funds on hand. What should I get from SWFA? The 3-15 definitely would work. The 6x seems like not enough magnification to shoot steel to 1,000 yards. Maybe the 10X is enough? Is a 10x going to handicap me at closer distances? When hunting and such, I typically follow the rule of 1-1.5x per 100 yards.
 
I would get the 3-15x for what you are doing. My SWFA 6x, 10x, and 12x have been good on groundhogs and 8” steel from 0-600 (I just haven’t even tried shooting past that yet). I think the 6x and 10x are better than the 12x.
 
6x out to 1,000 seems like a stretch… I don’t have the other two but might get a 10x at some point, I do have lots of 2.5-15 scopes although 2nd focal plane and they work great as well
 
I can't speak personally to the fixed magnification scopes, but I have a pair of 3-15s sitting on Tikkas. Confess that I don't think that I've ever turned them beyond 9x, but I've been happy with them.
 
The 10x is an awesome all-rounder. The 6x is an even better all-rounder, but that doesn't mean the 10x won't do a great job. I have both and like both.
 
easy answer is the variable 3-15x. now with that said, the 10x and 6x are all capable to do what you want but might not be ideal.
the 10x will work to 1000meters, the 6x is possible but it maybe a stretch for consinstant long range shooting at that distance. you can see people shoot out to 800 meters on a 556 AR with red dots and magnifiers or LPVOs that are under the 10x range. the 3-15 will be able to do it all.
personally i enjoy the fixed optics quite a lot for just hunting. my 6x S&B is my favorite for hunting, there is no thinking. see the animal get behind the rifle and scope and shoot. I had a PMII 10x that i really regret selling as i would of loved to got into long range shooting with it, but for my hunting style i didn't like pulling up on an animal within 100 yards with it. so 6x is my preferred. if you want the capability of it all the variable 3-15 will be the one. the only trade offs are the weight, and some will argue not as clear of glass.
 
I’ve owned a bunch of SWFAs. 6x gets my vote for a hunting and training gun. 10x for something that’s target shooting first and hunting second. 3-15 if you really feel you want magnification with a zero stop and parallax. 3-9hd is a great scope for consideration.

I run the 6x on my 6.5 PRC and 223 tikkas. it’s really easy to get behind, no messing with magnification or parallax and I’m using it as an aiming device for killing - not spotting or counting tines.
 
I have a Tikka 223 trainer that I use for the bulk of my shooting practice. I sold the optic that was on it, and I’ll need to get a replacement when I have the funds on hand. What should I get from SWFA? The 3-15 definitely would work. The 6x seems like not enough magnification to shoot steel to 1,000 yards.

The SWFA 6x is perfectly fine shooting steel, rocks- whatever at 1,000 yards. It’s no harder to aim at a 10” target at 1,000 than it is a 1” target at 100 yards. Every S2H class every student is shooting several hundred shots at 1-2 MOA targets from 100 yards to well past 1,000 yards on 6x.


Maybe the 10X is enough? Is a 10x going to handicap me at closer distances? When hunting and such, I typically follow the rule of 1-1.5x per 100 yards.


10x is fine. It’s not my preference under 150’ish yards or so, but it’s fine.
 
I have a Tikka 223 trainer that I use for the bulk of my shooting practice. I sold the optic that was on it, and I’ll need to get a replacement when I have the funds on hand. What should I get from SWFA? The 3-15 definitely would work. The 6x seems like not enough magnification to shoot steel to 1,000 yards. Maybe the 10X is enough? Is a 10x going to handicap me at closer distances? When hunting and such, I typically follow the rule of 1-1.5x per 100 yards.
Frankly, a 223 at 1k is a stretch. The wind really blows that little bullet around and it’s really hard to see your hits.

I have the gen 1 versions of the 6, 3-9, and 3-15. I think the 6x is the best hunting and 0-600 yard scope, the 3-9 comes second purely because I keep mine set at 6x and don’t really need the extra complexity. It’s a little smaller in form factor and weighs about the same, but doesn’t have the parallax adjustment. The 10x would be a good option if you need just a bit more than the 6x. The 3-15 is my least favorite of the bunch. I find it to be not particularly useable above about 12x. They eye relief gets really short and it gets tough to get on target quickly. The 3-15 also has a reticle with hollow diamonds for hash marks. It’s a minor irritation to me. It works fine, but is just a tiny bit harder to see the hash marks at 6-8x (which is where my scopes tend to stay). All the other SWFAs listed here have the same reticle with solid diamonds.

I personally would really love it if they made an 8x50 scope. Split the difference between the 8 &10 and a larger bell to let more light in. I would probably sell all my SWFAs and replace every one of them with that.
 
I’ve had all of the scopes listed…. Still use the 10x as a scope to proof new guns..
I’ve got 2 3x9s that I’ve been really impressed with. That’s what I’d get
 
10x is a great plinking or open country antelope/deer scope. 6x is a better hunting scope.

Having said that, nobody with a 10x ever starved to death, but it would be like leaving a 3x9 turned all the way up.
 
I run a 10x on my 223 but that gun is almost all training, some hunting.

I run 6x on my 6.5 and 308 and really like them from 0-600 thus far.

I also have the 3-15 and it’s a great scope but heavy.

6x is hard to beat, but I’d be lying if I didn’t admit I wish I had a 3-9. That’s seems like the sweet spot for pure hunting scope.
 
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