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Review: SWFA SS 3-15x42 at '13 Sniper Challenge |
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jawbone
Optics GrassHopper Joined: July/17/2013 Location: Washington Status: Offline Points: 15 |
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Posted: November/27/2013 at 08:53 |
This summer I competed in the 2013
Sniper Adventure Challenge organized by Competition Dynamics out of Denver,
CO. The event was held in the rugged high desert of New Mexico over the Fourth of July weekend.
Due to the rules of the match, bipods were now allowed for the carbine shooter. Therefore my shooting position for the fist stage was sitting cross-legged with my rifle supported on my pack between my legs. I scored a first round hit on an 8" target at 295 yards. 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 was impressed, and 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). 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. It 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. 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 price tag is also icing on the cake. I would not hesitate to take this scope into a real-world tactical situation. |
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It is the burden of the man who asks the question to bear the answer.
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SVT_Tactical
MODERATOR Chief Sackscratch Joined: December/17/2009 Location: NorthCackalacky Status: Offline Points: 31233 |
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"Most folks are about as happy as they make their minds up to be" - Abraham Lincoln
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SVT_Tactical
MODERATOR Chief Sackscratch Joined: December/17/2009 Location: NorthCackalacky Status: Offline Points: 31233 |
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BTW - http://swfa.com/ContestEntry.aspx?contest=16
You might want to toss a photo into the contest of that 3-15
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"Most folks are about as happy as they make their minds up to be" - Abraham Lincoln
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billyburl2
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: January/08/2009 Location: Cottonwood, AZ Status: Offline Points: 4015 |
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Great review! I have shot a match with it as well, but it was over here in Ashfork, Arizona. The match was from 200-1100 yards, and my 3-15 performed flawlessly. Cant say the same for the idiot reading the wind, but that is usually the problem when I go to a match...
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If it is tourist season, why can't we shoot them?
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Bigdaddy0381
MODERATOR Georgia peach Joined: February/27/2007 Location: Georgia Status: Offline Points: 13682 |
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well done. great looking rifle too!
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P&Z Firearms , Pro gun cleanings and gun repair and wood refinishing.
Ecclesiastes 10:2 |
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Sparky
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: July/15/2007 Location: SD Status: Offline Points: 4569 |
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Nice review!
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BeltFed
Optics Retard Joined: February/12/2008 Location: Ky Status: Offline Points: 22284 |
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Not only is it a good scope review, but the jerk behind the trigger was doing a good job too
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Life's concerns should be about the 120lb pack your trying to get to the top of the mountain, and not the rock in your boot.
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jonoMT
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: November/13/2008 Location: Montana Status: Offline Points: 4853 |
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Nice review. It is one of my favorite scopes...and comparable to several I've paid 2-3X as much to own.
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Reaction time is a factor...
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Chris Farris
TEAM SWFA - Admin swfa.com Joined: October/01/2003 Location: Texas Status: Offline Points: 8024 |
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That is awesome, please enter our Photo/Story contest.
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Gil P.
Optics Journeyman Joined: February/01/2012 Location: Henderson, NV Status: Offline Points: 316 |
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Im impressed if the glass is comparable to nightforce since those cost 2-3x more. Has anyone noticed if the glass on the 3-15 models is better than the fixed power, non HD versions?
Good review by the way, loved the pictures.
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Easy come easy go
Always remember that you are absolutely unique. Just like everyone else. |
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jawbone
Optics GrassHopper Joined: July/17/2013 Location: Washington Status: Offline Points: 15 |
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[QUOTE=BeltFed]
Not only is it a good scope review, but the jerk behind the trigger was doing a good job too[/QUOTE
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It is the burden of the man who asks the question to bear the answer.
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jawbone
Optics GrassHopper Joined: July/17/2013 Location: Washington Status: Offline Points: 15 |
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Thanks. My match teammate was running a Nightforce 6-22 on his .260 AICS. I was able to do a side-by-side comparison in the field. It was indeed comparable. Edited by Skylar McMahon - November/10/2014 at 10:43 |
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It is the burden of the man who asks the question to bear the answer.
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Gil P.
Optics Journeyman Joined: February/01/2012 Location: Henderson, NV Status: Offline Points: 316 |
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Well, I think you've inspired me to sell off a couple of my scopes (conquest and SWFA 12x) in order to buy a 3-15.
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Easy come easy go
Always remember that you are absolutely unique. Just like everyone else. |
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Skylar McMahon
Optics Jedi Knight Capt. BlowHard Joined: April/05/2011 Location: TEXAS Status: Offline Points: 6082 |
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Jawbone, thank you for sharing your findings. Excellent job!
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Kickboxer
MODERATOR Moderator Joined: February/13/2008 Status: Offline Points: 23679 |
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A year ago... but still good info.
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Opinion,untempered by fact,is ignorance.
There are some who do not fear death... for they are more afraid of not really living |
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