BeeTee
Handloader
- Jul 27, 2011
- 400
- 0
I mentioned this in another thread recently. Tactical seems all the rage these days, but I bought one more for the practical - instead of tactical. As a civilian, I took a week long sniper course in 2002 with a few other local gun guys that was taught by a retired Army Major who had been a sniper instructor. Fast paced and fact filled, and lots of shooting. One thing I learned is how useful a mil-dot scope is.
Once I got my head around the milliradian system, it made a lot of sense. The mil-spec data we used was created for the 7.62 NATO (308 Win), and it allowed me/us to range and hit targets at an unknown distance first time every time out to a max of about 800 yards. It was also useful for leading and easily hitting walking-speed targets at ranges up to 300 yards. I grew to respect the lowly 308...
Several firsts occurred with my getting this scope:
1- First 30mm scope
2- First fixed power scope
3- First Mil-Dot (MRAD) scope reticle
4- First scope with turrets
5- First scope I've bought that I didn't have a rifle for it to go on.
It's said that the SWFA line of tactical scopes were designed for a military contract, and are safe for use with any rifle up to 50-cal. SWFA offers several fixed and variable power scopes - even a 3-9, which might be useful on a dedicated hunting rifle. These scopes are made in Japan, and have a quality feel to them. Turrets are nicely made, and turn/click with precision, and the laser etched numbers/lines won't wear off.
There are several Youtube video reviews of these scopes - all positive. One review says the 10x fixed compares to the Leupold MK4 in terms of optical clarity. I'll let others make that determination. I haven't used mine at the range yet, so we'll see... Looks good out the back door though...
The U.S. military, according to charts I've seen, primarily uses fixed power scopes on their sniper rifles, with 10x being the upper mag level. Fixed power scopes, generally, offer:
1-Fewer the number of moving parts provides better zero retention
2-Improved optical clarity (fewer lenses)
3-Better light transmission (fewer lenses)
4-Ranging reticle and turret tracking accuracy.
The turrets are calibrated in 1/10th mil increments. 1 MIL equals 3.438 MOA, 1/10th MIL equals .3438". I've read that there's the equivalent of 120 inches (60+/-) of vertical available. A zero MOA base should work for most. I plan to use this on my 7RM this summer. It'll need about 6.8 mils (~23.4 MOA) vertical correction to reach 1000 yards.
This scope is offered with side focus for an additional $100. As little as I use the adjustable objective on my Leupold 4-12x, I thought I'd save the $100. You do get adjustable focus though, it's just on the eyepiece as shown, from 10m to infinity.
The reticle is pretty cool. A little busy at first glance, but its usefulness at ranging targets should be much better than the mil-dot scopes we used in 2002.
I am becoming a big fan of the Warne rings. They allow swapping scopes easily, and I don't see where they mar the scope tubes. The rings are powder coated, which provides a thin layer of plastic to grip the scope - no metal on metal. Shown here are the Warne 30mm Maxima Quick Detach versions. If the scope is moved reward about 1/8" or so, you could use their "low" mount. I bought their "medium" mount because I wanted the scope as far forward as possible. The eyepiece on this scope is about 1/3" longer than say a Leupold variable.
For $300, it should be a good deal. I'll report back when I get more trigger time on the 223. If there's a negative, I'd say that the packaging is pretty minimal and there is no instruction manual. I guess the military doesn't need that stuff... Also, the SWFA web site doesn't tell you whether a particular scope is in stock - at least not till you place an order. I originally ordered a 10X. It was out of stock, so I got the 12X. No big. Same price.
I'm not a competitor or a serious long range shooter. Just looking to have fun... BT
http://swfa.com/SWFA-SS-12x42-Tactical- ... 53714.aspx
Once I got my head around the milliradian system, it made a lot of sense. The mil-spec data we used was created for the 7.62 NATO (308 Win), and it allowed me/us to range and hit targets at an unknown distance first time every time out to a max of about 800 yards. It was also useful for leading and easily hitting walking-speed targets at ranges up to 300 yards. I grew to respect the lowly 308...
Several firsts occurred with my getting this scope:
1- First 30mm scope
2- First fixed power scope
3- First Mil-Dot (MRAD) scope reticle
4- First scope with turrets
5- First scope I've bought that I didn't have a rifle for it to go on.
It's said that the SWFA line of tactical scopes were designed for a military contract, and are safe for use with any rifle up to 50-cal. SWFA offers several fixed and variable power scopes - even a 3-9, which might be useful on a dedicated hunting rifle. These scopes are made in Japan, and have a quality feel to them. Turrets are nicely made, and turn/click with precision, and the laser etched numbers/lines won't wear off.
There are several Youtube video reviews of these scopes - all positive. One review says the 10x fixed compares to the Leupold MK4 in terms of optical clarity. I'll let others make that determination. I haven't used mine at the range yet, so we'll see... Looks good out the back door though...
The U.S. military, according to charts I've seen, primarily uses fixed power scopes on their sniper rifles, with 10x being the upper mag level. Fixed power scopes, generally, offer:
1-Fewer the number of moving parts provides better zero retention
2-Improved optical clarity (fewer lenses)
3-Better light transmission (fewer lenses)
4-Ranging reticle and turret tracking accuracy.
The turrets are calibrated in 1/10th mil increments. 1 MIL equals 3.438 MOA, 1/10th MIL equals .3438". I've read that there's the equivalent of 120 inches (60+/-) of vertical available. A zero MOA base should work for most. I plan to use this on my 7RM this summer. It'll need about 6.8 mils (~23.4 MOA) vertical correction to reach 1000 yards.
This scope is offered with side focus for an additional $100. As little as I use the adjustable objective on my Leupold 4-12x, I thought I'd save the $100. You do get adjustable focus though, it's just on the eyepiece as shown, from 10m to infinity.
The reticle is pretty cool. A little busy at first glance, but its usefulness at ranging targets should be much better than the mil-dot scopes we used in 2002.
I am becoming a big fan of the Warne rings. They allow swapping scopes easily, and I don't see where they mar the scope tubes. The rings are powder coated, which provides a thin layer of plastic to grip the scope - no metal on metal. Shown here are the Warne 30mm Maxima Quick Detach versions. If the scope is moved reward about 1/8" or so, you could use their "low" mount. I bought their "medium" mount because I wanted the scope as far forward as possible. The eyepiece on this scope is about 1/3" longer than say a Leupold variable.
For $300, it should be a good deal. I'll report back when I get more trigger time on the 223. If there's a negative, I'd say that the packaging is pretty minimal and there is no instruction manual. I guess the military doesn't need that stuff... Also, the SWFA web site doesn't tell you whether a particular scope is in stock - at least not till you place an order. I originally ordered a 10X. It was out of stock, so I got the 12X. No big. Same price.
I'm not a competitor or a serious long range shooter. Just looking to have fun... BT
http://swfa.com/SWFA-SS-12x42-Tactical- ... 53714.aspx
