SWFA Gen 2 Fixed 6 - when??

[Nine Banger]

It's a manufacturing miracle to have "both of them" in hand finally.
I was surprised they weigh "the same". The 3-9x feels heavier but the 6x is 20.25oz and the 3-9x is 20.45oz. 6x weight is with the bigger turret knob on the elevation turret and the thread protectors installed.

I had deer at my place at 100 yards but went to the neighbors to get a look at 400 yards which is about the end of the road for lethality with 77gr bullets in my 223 barrel.

These pics are about 30 minutes after sunset, so it was much darker...these are around a 3 second exposure. I'm legal to shoot here until 1 hour after legal sunset.


I was viewing deer at my place around 10 minutes earlier than these pics and the glass and reticle is OK in both but the 3-9x is brighter. The reticle at 6x power in the 3-9 is a little smaller; it looks the same as the 6x when set between 7-8x. The reticle in the 3-9x is a wee bit thicker. From the fence at 400 yards I'd rather take the shot at near dark from the 3-9x42.

The turrets are better on the gen2 6x. The zero stop is a nice upgrade. The turret covers on the 3-9x42 are perfect. The ones that come installed on the fixed 6x are "too small" and the optional knob is "too big". 3-9x turret covers are just right.

In Rokslide fashion, what would I change about the 6X:
- make the reticle a little bigger, as though it was an 8x
- send it out with the same turret knobs as the 3-9x42.
- dump the chungus turret covers and eliminate the threads on the scope body
- put the same glass in it as the 3-9x42 and charge us more

 

[Ajsomp]

It's a manufacturing miracle to have "both of them" in hand finally.View attachment 903903
I was surprised they weigh "the same". The 3-9x feels heavier but the 6x is 20.25oz and the 3-9x is 20.45oz. 6x weight is with the bigger turret knob on the elevation knob and the thread protectors installed.

I had deer at my place at 100 yards but went to the neighbors to get a look at 400 yards which is about the end of the road for 77gr bullets in my 223 for lethality.

These pics are about 30 minutes after sunset, so it was much darker...these are around a 3 second exposure. I'm legal to shoot here until 1 hours after legal sunset.
View attachment 903904View attachment 903905

I was viewing deer at my place around 10 minutes earlier than these pics and the glass and reticle is OK in both but the 3-9x is brighter. The reticle at 6x power in the 3-9 is a little smaller; it looks the same as the 6x when set between 7-8x. The reticle in the 3-9x is a wee bit thicker. From the fence at 400 yards I'd rather take the shot at near dark from the 3-9x42.

The turrets are better on the gen2 6x. The zero stop is a nice upgrade. The turret covers on the 3-9x42 are perfect. The ones that come installed on the fixed 6x are "too small" and the optional knob is "too big". 3-9x turret covers are just right.

In Rokslide fashion, what would I change about the 6X:
- make the reticle a little bigger, as though it was an 8x
- send it out with the same turret knobs as the 3-9x42.
- dump the chungus turret covers and eliminate the threads on the scope body
- put the same glass in it as the 3-9x42 and charge us more

I’m surprised at the weight - the 6x was always heavier than the 3-9. I didn’t even bother to weigh the new one.

 

[Q_Sertorius]

I’m surprised at the weight - the 6x was always heavier than the 3-9. I didn’t even bother to weigh the new one.

____________________
“Keep on keepin’ on…”

 

[Ajsomp]

It's a manufacturing miracle to have "both of them" in hand finally.View attachment 903903
I was surprised they weigh "the same". The 3-9x feels heavier but the 6x is 20.25oz and the 3-9x is 20.45oz. 6x weight is with the bigger turret knob on the elevation turret and the thread protectors installed.

I had deer at my place at 100 yards but went to the neighbors to get a look at 400 yards which is about the end of the road for lethality with 77gr bullets in my 223 barrel.

These pics are about 30 minutes after sunset, so it was much darker...these are around a 3 second exposure. I'm legal to shoot here until 1 hour after legal sunset.
View attachment 903904View attachment 903905

I was viewing deer at my place around 10 minutes earlier than these pics and the glass and reticle is OK in both but the 3-9x is brighter. The reticle at 6x power in the 3-9 is a little smaller; it looks the same as the 6x when set between 7-8x. The reticle in the 3-9x is a wee bit thicker. From the fence at 400 yards I'd rather take the shot at near dark from the 3-9x42.

The turrets are better on the gen2 6x. The zero stop is a nice upgrade. The turret covers on the 3-9x42 are perfect. The ones that come installed on the fixed 6x are "too small" and the optional knob is "too big". 3-9x turret covers are just right.

In Rokslide fashion, what would I change about the 6X:
- make the reticle a little bigger, as though it was an 8x
- send it out with the same turret knobs as the 3-9x42.
- dump the chungus turret covers and eliminate the threads on the scope body
- put the same glass in it as the 3-9x42 and charge us more

The real question is - are you going to keep the 6x?

 

[Nine Banger]

The real question is - are you going to keep the 6x?

I put it on my beater 22 creed.

I want it on my 223 but my zero is nearly perfect and I have another 400 rounds or so of that ammo before I want to mess with it.

 

[sndmn11]

It's a manufacturing miracle to have "both of them" in hand finally.View attachment 903903
I was surprised they weigh "the same". The 3-9x feels heavier but the 6x is 20.25oz and the 3-9x is 20.45oz. 6x weight is with the bigger turret knob on the elevation turret and the thread protectors installed.

I had deer at my place at 100 yards but went to the neighbors to get a look at 400 yards which is about the end of the road for lethality with 77gr bullets in my 223 barrel.

These pics are about 30 minutes after sunset, so it was much darker...these are around a 3 second exposure. I'm legal to shoot here until 1 hour after legal sunset.
View attachment 903904View attachment 903905

I was viewing deer at my place around 10 minutes earlier than these pics and the glass and reticle is OK in both but the 3-9x is brighter. The reticle at 6x power in the 3-9 is a little smaller; it looks the same as the 6x when set between 7-8x. The reticle in the 3-9x is a wee bit thicker. From the fence at 400 yards I'd rather take the shot at near dark from the 3-9x42.

The turrets are better on the gen2 6x. The zero stop is a nice upgrade. The turret covers on the 3-9x42 are perfect. The ones that come installed on the fixed 6x are "too small" and the optional knob is "too big". 3-9x turret covers are just right.

In Rokslide fashion, what would I change about the 6X:
- make the reticle a little bigger, as though it was an 8x
- send it out with the same turret knobs as the 3-9x42.
- dump the chungus turret covers and eliminate the threads on the scope body
- put the same glass in it as the 3-9x42 and charge us more

I would give you two gold stars in a useless star system if you set up a FOV test since you have both newest production versions. I am curious if the fixed has a better FOV than the variable at 6x.

That's the down payment.

 

[5811]

I would give you two gold stars in a useless star system if you set up a FOV test since you have both newest production versions. I am curious if the fixed has a better FOV than the variable at 6x.

That's the down payment.

Not trying to steal stars here, but I tried this and came away thinking the 3-9 had a wider fov at 6x.

Of course it's just an estimate as to the real 6x vs dialed 6x at the exact setting, but the 3-9 is awesome to look through. The image absolutely fills the eye piece with almost zero tunnel or shadow (above 3.5x).

The fixed 6 is really easy to get behind and has a nice eye box, but does have just a little more tunnel or shadow than the 3-9, which I think cuts into the fov.

*all of the above is just my opinion. I have no photos or data to back up my observations.

 

[sndmn11]

Not trying to steal stars here, but I tried this and came away thinking the 3-9 had a wider fov at 6x.

Of course it's just an estimate as to the real 6x vs dialed 6x at the exact setting, but the 3-9 is awesome to look through. The image absolutely fills the eye piece with almost zero tunnel or shadow (above 3.5x).

The fixed 6 is really easy to get behind and has a nice eye box, but does have just a little more tunnel or shadow than the 3-9, which I think cuts into the fov.

*all of the above is just my opinion. I have no photos or data to back up my observations.

I have a gen1 6x, possibly irrelevant for this test now, and a this year 3-9.

I keep meaning to do my own test with fence pickets so it's easy to measure, but then I forget.

 

[5811]

I have a gen1 6x, possibly irrelevant for this test now, and a this year 3-9.

I keep meaning to do my own test with fence pickets so it's easy to measure, but then I forget.

I think that will work. I don't see a difference between gen 1 and gen 2 aside from the turrets. Maybe a little more clear glass but the view and eyebox feels the same.

 

[sndmn11]

I think that will work. I don't see a difference between gen 1 and gen 2 aside from the turrets. Maybe a little more clear glass but the view and eyebox feels the same.

Someone would find a reason to complain! Actually, I just remembered, my boss bought a gen2.

Problem solved

 

[nm.otter]

FOV on my Gen2 6x is indistinguishable from that of my 20yo Simmons 3-12x40. SWFA has ~10% longer eye relief and far less CA.

 

[Speaks]

I put it on my beater 22 creed.

I want it on my 223 but my zero is nearly perfect and I have another 400 rounds or so of that ammo before I want to mess with it.

View attachment 904175

Yea I keep thinking I should have my 6 on my 223 and move my rs1.2 to another rifle but its mounted and zeroed and I shoot it so well I just cant bring myself to mess with it.

 

[Nine Banger]

I would give you two gold stars in a useless star system if you set up a FOV test since you have both newest production versions. I am curious if the fixed has a better FOV than the variable at 6x.

That's the down payment.

I'm seeing around 20-24" wider FOV at 110 yards with the 3-9x.

I'm not measuring but using a pole pine as a left side hold point for both scopes. The reticle in the 3-9 shifts over about the entire width of a 12x20 torso target I can see that is placed at 100 yards. I'm multiplying that "ish" by 2.

 

[sndmn11]

I'm seeing around 20-24" wider FOV at 110 yards with the 3-9x.

I'm not measuring but using a pole pine as a left side hold point for both scopes the reticle in the 3-9 shifts over about the entire width of the 12x20 torso target I can see that is placed at 100 yards. Multiplying that "ish" by 2.

That's backwards from my assumption, thanks.

 

[Nine Banger]

That's backwards from my assumption, thanks.

#metoo

 

[Ajsomp]

I put it on my beater 22 creed.

I want it on my 223 but my zero is nearly perfect and I have another 400 rounds or so of that ammo before I want to mess with it.

View attachment 904175

I’ve got a 223 and 22 creed I’m debating on putting the 6x on. Neither are zeroed at the moment. But I also have two 3-9s on hand with some zero stop shims from @pods8 (Rugged Stitching) inbound. If the shims do the trick for zero stop, I’ll likely stick with the 3-9s. I had a 6x on my 223 last season but it was a placeholder until I got another 3-9. No bad options really as long as Swfa doesn’t go dark again for two years

 

[Nine Banger]

I’ve got a 223 and 22 creed I’m debating on putting the 6x on. Neither are zeroed at the moment. But I also have two 3-9s on hand with some zero stop shims from @pods8 (Rugged Stitching) inbound. If the shims do the trick for zero stop, I’ll likely stick with the 3-9s. I had a 6x on my 223 last season but it was a placeholder until I got another 3-9. No bad options really as long as Swfa doesn’t go dark again for two years

If you set the 3-9x at 6x or 7x and taped it up and left it that way the decision seems to come down to:
- is $250 worth it for better glass
- do you need parallax adjustment

 

[Nine Banger]

That's backwards from my assumption, thanks.

One more thought before we move on...

Is this relevant:

The reticles aren't the same size when the 3-9x is set at 6x.

So is the 6x not really a 6x or is the 3-9x set at 6x not really a 6x or are the reticles just different because of the 2 makers?

We'd have to set some parameter here before checking FOV officially.

 

[5811]

One more thought before we move on...

Is this relevant:

The reticles aren't the same size when the 3-9x is set at 6x.

So is the 6x not really a 6x or is the 3-9x set at 6x not really a 6x or are the reticles just different because of the 2 makers?

We'd have to set some parameter here before checking FOV officially.

I'm guessing the reticles aren't the same size at 6x, but I agree with your point. It's hard to figure out where real 6x is, but also, is the fixed 6 a true exact 6?

I think its getting bogged down in details and it doesn't matter in reality. You can look through the 3-9 and see your view fills the ocular lense noticeably more than the fixed 6.

Also, i think the lack of parallax on the 3-9 is completely overblown. Most fixed 6 scope guys just set it at 100 ish and leave it when hunting anyway. The lack of parallax on the 3-9 is, and this cannot be overstated, a complete non-issue.

 

[Nine Banger]

I'm guessing the reticles aren't the same size at 6x, but I agree with your point. It's hard to figure out where real 6x is, but also, is the fixed 6 a true exact 6?

I think its getting bogged down in details and it doesn't matter in reality. You can look through the 3-9 and see your view fills the ocular lense noticeably more than the fixed 6.

Also, i think the lack of parallax on the 3-9 is completely overblown. Most fixed 6 scope guys just set it at 100 ish and leave it when hunting anyway. The lack of parallax on the 3-9 is, and this cannot be overstated, a complete non-issue.

So for $250 you get wider FOV, some flexibilty on reticle size and brighter glass.