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SWFA 1-6X24HD

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Jon A View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Jon A Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: SWFA 1-6X24HD
    Posted: January/22/2012 at 19:53
OK ladies and germs, I figured some of you might like some pics.  Here you go:



It's the same overall length as the 1-4.  Notable differences are the eyepiece is slightly longer and the turret housing is larger and farther forward.



It is a couple ounces heavier but not too bad at 22 oz.

The covered turrets cover "real exposed" turrets so there's no need to keep them covered if you don't want too:





So if you want exposed turrets, just toss the covers, if you want them covered keep them covered.  There's about 40 Mils of total elevation so it should reach as far as anything you'd put a 6X scope on without a sloped mount.

Now to the reticles.  These came with two prototype reticles to see what works and what doesn't, neither of which is exactly what the production scope will have.  But you can get a good idea of their capability:

T-Post:









Circle:









Here's a couple 10yd comparisons:









For the sake of comparison, here's what a Leupold CQ/T 1-3X circle dot looks on the same target:





Here are some pics from the range.  The day I took all these pics was really dark, gloomy and rainy so all the pics look like crap--please realize that was due to the light conditions, not the optical quality of the scopes:

Post at 100:





at 300:





Those targets at 300 are 8" grey bulls with 2" white centers.

Circle:











For comparison, here are pics from the 1-4HD SS and the 1-3 CQ/T at 300:





Again I apologize for the lousy pics, all the scopes looked much better than that in real life.

In actual use, at 300 yds I found there was naturally a pretty big difference between the 1-3 CQ/T and the 1-4 SS, bigger than I would have thought.  But there is yet another really big step up from the 1-4 to the 1-6's.   That's enough more magnification to make a real difference in how easy it is to use.  I haven't had them beyond 300 yet, but with that much difference at 300 there's no doubt the 1-6X is a much better tool for longer distances.

Optics-wise, the 1-6X24HD's are very good.  At 1X they almost as good as the 1-4X as far as eye placement, "looking through an empty tube effect," etc.  Though I didn't have them handy for a side by side from memory I'd say they're as good as the 1-4 S&B shortdot and better than the 1-4 NF I used to have in that respect, but the 1-4 SS does hold a slight edge.

I didn't have any other 1-6's to compare optics on 6X, but when set to 4X and compared with the 1-4 SS the glass is definitely better in the 1-6X at that power and everybody knows how good the 1-4HD's glass is.  I'll have to wait until I get my hands on some other 1-6X's to see how they compare there.

Edited by Jon A - January/22/2012 at 20:01
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shooter07 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote shooter07 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/22/2012 at 20:04
WHAT!!!????
 
Wow, that just threw a wrench into my plans for optics on my 6.8 spc build.
 
Jon, thanks a ton for posting those picks and the writeup. Excellent
 
Any ideas on when we'll see these on the shelves and how much will Chris be charging us for them? Big Grin
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Kickboxer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/22/2012 at 20:05
Some nice "looks" there... Like the T-post...
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote billyburl2 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/22/2012 at 20:13
Is there a 3-18 as well?
If it is tourist season, why can't we shoot them?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote helo18 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/22/2012 at 21:16
Excellent

Wondered if there might be something like that coming.  Now I would love to see a 2-12 or a 2.5-15.  Heck I am sure I will end up with one of whatever mag ranges they come out with.  That 1-6 would be good for my 30 Rem AR or maybe a 375 Ruger build.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Bitterroot Bulls Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/22/2012 at 23:49
Originally posted by helo18 helo18 wrote:

a 375 Ruger build.
 
SS1-6 and .375 Ruger:  Awesome match.
-Matt
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote stickbow46 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/23/2012 at 06:53
Great write up & some awsome pictures as that was a real type of shooting day!
One question though,which rings did you prefer [:}
Are these going to come with a cat tail?
Thanks Jon Excellent
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ccoker Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/23/2012 at 10:10
Very nice!
I would love to get my hands on one
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote lucytuma Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/23/2012 at 10:17
Very nice write up and great pictures!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Summer@SWFA Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/23/2012 at 10:26

Bandito

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SVT_Tactical Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/23/2012 at 10:47
anyone else notice he called us germs?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote atp Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/23/2012 at 11:22
I'd like to see a lower profile cat-tail (extended power adjustment lever) for the SS 1-4x and 1-6x scopes. The current ring is fine on an AR-15 due to its very high sight line, but gets in the way on any rifle where you want to mount the scope as low as possible - meaning on most rifles other than AR-15s. The 3gunstuff.com lever is very low profile, as low as you can get and still use a wrap-around ring design, but they don't make one for the SWFA SS scopes. Even better would probably be a socket on the power ring for a screw-in extended lever like on the Leatherwood CMR.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote BeltFed Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/23/2012 at 11:23
As usual, a very good write up Jon; well done.
I like the covered turrets too.
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Figue58 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Figue58 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/23/2012 at 16:37
Is there a E.T.A. for this unit??

Maybe, possible price point?

Thanks!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Rancid Coolaid Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/23/2012 at 17:04
No perceptible reticle-bleed with illumination, can you confirm?

I love the 1-4X, no tunnel effect at any magnification.  Same with the 1-6X?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Urimaginaryfrnd Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/23/2012 at 18:26
Pretty Cool I think a 1-6 is way more useful than a 1-4 and the covered turrets is a big plus.  Looks like its long enough and enough power for a dangerous game gun.  How is the eye relief on it?

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote rfb Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/23/2012 at 19:03
Originally posted by Figue58 Figue58 wrote:

Is there a E.T.A. for this unit??

Maybe, possible price point?


+1

I like the clean, no-frills look of SWFA's reticle over the other 1-6x24s on the market. GRSC sells theirs for over $1000 and Bushnell's 1-6.5x goes for almost $1400. If SWFA can beat 'em both in price and quality, they've got a winner.
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SkaerE View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SkaerE Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/23/2012 at 19:38
your new circle reticle is a winner.  i like it that the circle is no longer visible at the 6x.  that is my one problem with the fat circle on the 1-4.  it's distracting at 4x. 

judging from the "unexpectedly poor sales" of the T reticle in the 4x (SWFA reps words to me, not something i made up) I would have thought you wouldnt have even considered another T.  Personally, I dont like it at 1x for quickness and i hate it at 6x cause its ridiculously thick. 

would be interested in knowing how much scratch it will be.  I need a good mid range like this.

want me to test one?  :D
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Cody.e.Smith Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/23/2012 at 19:45
Outstanding post Jon, thanks for the pics and write up.

As for the germs, well I thought we were all parasites.  lol
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Tupe Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: January/23/2012 at 22:58
Finally registered to so I could Sub this thread - own a couple of SWFA optics, and will own another if the price is right on this kit. Yippee
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