OpticsTalk by SWFA, Inc. Homepage SWFA     SampleList.com
Forum Home Forum Home > Optic Reviews and Tests > Member's Tests and Reviews
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed - SWFA SS 3-15x42 at  the '13 Sniper Challenge
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Events   Register Register  Login Login

Visit the SWFA.com site to check out our current specials.

SWFA SS 3-15x42 at the '13 Sniper Challenge

 Post Reply Post Reply
Author
Message
jawbone View Drop Down
Optics GrassHopper
Optics GrassHopper
Avatar

Joined: July/17/2013
Location: Washington
Status: Offline
Points: 15
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jawbone Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: SWFA SS 3-15x42 at the '13 Sniper Challenge
    Posted: July/23/2013 at 08:58

This summer I competed in the 2013 Sniper Adventure Challenge organized by Competition Dynamics out of Denver, CO.  The event was held on Felix Canyon Ranch in Mayhill, NM over the Fourth of July weekend.

I was shooting a custom-built AR-15 mounted with an SWFA SS 3-15x42 scope.  I had heard lots of good things about SWFA from the shooting community, but this was my first hands-on experience with one of their scopes.

ar1

On the first shooting stage of the competition, I scored a 1st round hit on an 8" target at 295 yards while shooting cross-legged with my rifle supported on my pack between my legs.  I hit 2 more targets at 415 yards with 2 shots each and one more at 375 yards.  Needless to say after that experience, I trust my SWFA scope.

The folks at SWFA have produced a workhorse scope.  It performed flawlessly under pretty harsh conditions.   It survived both the rugged high-desert and being transported in my Eberlestock Gunslinger II pack (which is no easy task).

ar2

The scope came with SWFA's first focal plane Mil-Quad reticle.  Having the reticle situated on the first focal plane made it convenient to hold for wind regardless of the power setting.  After shooting with the scope I appreciate the thought processes that went into the design of the reticle.  The Mil-Quad made holding for wind very straightforward;  it was easy to keep track of where I was in relation to the world.  The image was bright, clear, and comparable to my teammate's Nightforce.

The dope on the SS scope was spot on.  The 0.10 mil clicks were crisp and solid.  I never felt like I was going to bump them off setting.  The turrets felt good in my hand and were easy to operate.  Setting zero on the scope was easy as well.  After getting dialed in, all I had to do was manipulate a couple of set screws.  The only thing I would've liked to have seen in regards to this was a zero stop.  I didn't test for tracking, but next time I'm in Colorado, my teammate and I are going to set it up on a bench for testing.  I'll update when we do.

ar3

Having a side parallax knob was very convenient, as was the gradated markings (6m to infinity).  It made it easy to set the distance in a tactical situation without having to mess around trying to "focus" on the fly.  The throw knob on the power adjustment was also really handy.  It's one of those seemingly minor details that I didn't even know I wanted, but once I had it, I didn't want to shoot without it.

Summing up, the SS 3-15x42 is an extremely rugged, easy-to-use scope.  The fact that in comes in at $700.00 is icing on the cake.  I would not hesitate to take this scope into a real-world tactical situation.

sac

Review by J. Russell

It is the burden of the man who asks the question to bear the answer.
Back to Top
SVT_Tactical View Drop Down
MODERATOR
MODERATOR
Avatar
Chief Sackscratch

Joined: December/17/2009
Location: NorthCackalacky
Status: Offline
Points: 31233
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SVT_Tactical Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/23/2013 at 11:17
Excellent
"Most folks are about as happy as they make their minds up to be" - Abraham Lincoln
Back to Top
cheaptrick View Drop Down
MODERATOR
MODERATOR
Avatar

Joined: September/27/2004
Location: South Carolina
Status: Offline
Points: 20844
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cheaptrick Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/23/2013 at 11:28
Great write up, but I can't see any pictures
If at first you don't secede...try..try again.
Back to Top
jawbone View Drop Down
Optics GrassHopper
Optics GrassHopper
Avatar

Joined: July/17/2013
Location: Washington
Status: Offline
Points: 15
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jawbone Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/23/2013 at 15:05
Originally posted by cheaptrick cheaptrick wrote:

Great write up, but I can't see any pictures

I'm trying to work on that. Hopefully, they'll be up soon.
It is the burden of the man who asks the question to bear the answer.
Back to Top
SVT_Tactical View Drop Down
MODERATOR
MODERATOR
Avatar
Chief Sackscratch

Joined: December/17/2009
Location: NorthCackalacky
Status: Offline
Points: 31233
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SVT_Tactical Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/23/2013 at 15:27
Originally posted by cheaptrick cheaptrick wrote:

Great write up, but I can't see any pictures
I believe its due to the less than 50 post rule
 
The write up is Excellent though
"Most folks are about as happy as they make their minds up to be" - Abraham Lincoln
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply
  Share Topic   

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Forum Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 12.01
Copyright ©2001-2018 Web Wiz Ltd.

This page was generated in 0.130 seconds.