Swfa scope question?

[Dinglebottoms]

Here’s my dilemma, I have about $800 for a new optic for a predator rifle with ranges from 20 yds to 400 ish. I want a bullet proof scope and have narrowed it down to one of the following swfa scopes. I want either the 3-9 or the 3-15, I’m going to use the reticle over dialing and don’t like the idea of exposed turrets with no zero lock. Does electrical tape hold the turret on the 3-9 solid enough to set and forget? Is the glass on either comparable to a Leupold vx3 hd or worse?

 

[fmyth]

Here’s my dilemma, I have about $800 for a new optic for a predator rifle with ranges from 20 yds to 400 ish. I want a bullet proof scope and have narrowed it down to one of the following swfa scopes. I want either the 3-9 or the 3-15, I’m going to use the reticle over dialing and don’t like the idea of exposed turrets with no zero lock. Does electrical tape hold the turret on the 3-9 solid enough to set and forget? Is the glass on either comparable to a Leupold vx3 hd or worse?

Yes electrical tape will hold the turrets in place. I don't tape my turrets and I've hiked hundreds of miles carrying my rifle with a SWFA 6X in my Kifaru gun bearer. The windage turret is literally digging into my packs waist strap enough to give me a bruise and it has never moved. I dial when I have time and use the reticle hash marks for quick shots. I have the SWFA 6X on my 6.5C and the 3x9 on my .300WM. Both have been rock solid. You don't need 15X for 400 yd shots unless you are hunting ants. I shoot steel out to 1k w my 6X and have taken big game animals at 400 yards no problem. My .300WM has the 3x9 because I can't find another 6X. I don't know how the glass compares to a Leupold VX3 because I would never consider hunting with a scope that has proven to not hold zero no matter how good the glass is. I use my binos to find animals and my spotter to confirm if I want to kill it. My scope is only used as a precision aiming device once I have decided on an animal to kill. Do a web search and you'll plenty of failures on Leupolds. Sure Leupold will fix it for free but that doesn't matter when it takes 7 years to draw another elk tag.

 

[Dinglebottoms]

I don’t disagree on the Leupold, it’s just something I have to compare. I also agree on the magnification range that’s why I’m interested in both scopes not being a fixed power scope. I’m glad to hear you’ve never had a turret move on the 3-9 I think I’ll get one of those

 

[Johnwell]

For 400 yards and in I’d definitely recommend the 3-9. Fantastic little scope that has a great track record for durability. 9x is way more than what’s needed for 400 yards.

I used to worry about exposed turrets too, but I’ve hunted with a 3-9 swfa for the past 5 years and never had it be even a click off.

 

[Dinglebottoms]

For 400 yards and in I’d definitely recommend the 3-9. Fantastic little scope that has a great track record for durability. 9x is way more than what’s needed for 400 yards.

I used to worry about exposed turrets too, but I’ve hunted with a 3-9 swfa for the past 5 years and never had it be even a click off.

That’s what I’ve wanted to hear, it’s the one I wanted anyways, the rifle I want to put it on is a x bolt hells canyon 223 spr so I didn’t want a big scope.

 

[Ckat]

I used to worry about exposed turrets too, but I’ve hunted with a 3-9 swfa for the past 5 years and never had it be even a click off.

Same…

 

[Dinglebottoms]

Same…

Well I just ordered a 3-9 this afternoon so that’s what I’m gonna roll with

 

[black dawg]

Used to worry about the turrets getting moved. Have 3 that get used often, usually with light gear piled on top. When the scopes where new, was pretty common for the windage to be off a click, but never more. Last couple years havent seen one move.

 

[Weldor]

Buy a set of zero stop shims for the SWFA 3x9. That should give piece of mind.

 

[Dinglebottoms]

Used to worry about the turrets getting moved. Have 3 that get used often, usually with light gear piled on top. When the scopes where new, was pretty common for the windage to be off a click, but never more. Last couple years havent seen one move.

Perfect, it should be a great scope. If I’m paranoid about it I’ll just slap some electrical tape on it.

Buy a set of zero stop shims for the SWFA 3x9. That should give piece of mind.

I might have too

 

[Dinglebottoms]

Buy a set of zero stop shims for the SWFA 3x9. That should give piece of mind.

Who makes zero stop shims for them?

 

[N2TRKYS]

I have all 3 that you’ve referenced in your OP(SWFA 3-9x42, 3-15x42, and Leupold vx3s). The glass ain’t bad on the SWFA scopes.

The 3-9 will be doable for your 400 yard limit, but the extra magnification sure is useful. Personally, I would probably just get the fixed 10x and spend the extra money on ammo.
I’ve never had a Leupold lose zero and cause me to miss an animal, but I’ve only been using them since the’90s.

 

[Quandary]

Why would you not spend the extra $150 get the Gen 2 3-15 with a zero stop and all the turret option which are included. You can cover the turrets with a screw on caps. They work great.

 

[HuntHarder]

Leupold Vx3 glass is much better than the swfa. Either swfa scope you are looking at would be fine to 400 yards.

 

[Steve300xcw]

Turrets moving is a non issue IMO. Wrap or two of electrical tape if you are worried.

 

[left hunter]

Never had mine move by accident when they were in stock form. My 3-9’s are all modified now, I have a rubber cap over the windage since I don’t dial windage and zero stops shims in the vertical adjustment just so I don’t miss the correct zero after dialing up.

 

[Dinglebottoms]

I have all 3 that you’ve referenced in your OP(SWFA 3-9x42, 3-15x42, and Leupold vx3s). The glass ain’t bad on the SWFA scopes.

The 3-9 will be doable for your 400 yard limit, but the extra magnification sure is useful. Personally, I would probably just get the fixed 10x and spend the extra money on ammo.
I’ve never had a Leupold lose zero and cause me to miss an animal, but I’ve only been using them since the’90s.

I’ve never had an issue with my Leupold scopes either but this was a new rifle so wanted to try something new. I don’t like the idea of shooting really close on a straight 10x so I ordered the 3-9 yesterday.

 

[Dinglebottoms]

Never had mine move by accident when they were in stock form. My 3-9’s are all modified now, I have a rubber cap over the windage since I don’t dial windage and zero stops shims in the vertical adjustment just so I don’t miss the correct zero after dialing up.

I ordered the shims for mine today also and will put tape on the windage turret

 

[Dinglebottoms]

Why would you not spend the extra $150 get the Gen 2 3-15 with a zero stop and all the turret option which are included. You can cover the turrets with a screw on caps. They work great.

Thought about it real hard but also at the end of the day I wanted a slightly smaller scope profile and most my shots will be 200 yds and under with this rifle maybe stretching to 400 on occasion.

 

[Shortschaf]

Thought about it real hard but also at the end of the day I wanted a slightly smaller scope profile and most my shots will be 200 yds and under with this rifle maybe stretching to 400 on occasion.

When you get the scope, update us on a side by side of the glass on the swfa 3-9 and the vx3 if you would please!