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Swarovski vs Leica

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Brocksw View Drop Down
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    Posted: October/20/2016 at 20:21
I've recently heard some rumors about Swarovski scopes having some durability issues on bigger bore rifles. Although I'm skeptical of this and take it with a grain of salt there seems to be some loyal Swarovski buyers moving to Leica because of "better" build quality. Is there any truth to this?

Anyone have a quick run down of pros and cons of comparable Leica scopes vs Swarovski... Is the range of moa of adjustment fairly similar? I noticed it doesn't seem like Leica offers much in the 50mm and they go straight to a 56mm. Is light transmission better in the Leica? Is there ballistic turret system similar in concept?   
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote supertool73 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/20/2016 at 21:49
I had a z6 1.7-10 and it was on a light weight 300 wsm. It weighted 7 lbs with the scope and that thing kicks like a mule. 5 shots at the range and i would be hurting. It held up just fine on that rifle. So in my one sample swaro seemed plenty strong.

Thats the problem with asking a question like this is most people are only going to have a sample or two to get data from, and u cant really base much off that data. You would have to get data from swaros repair dept to get meaningful data and i doubt they would make that public knowledge
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote bugsNbows Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/21/2016 at 05:55
Flip a coin! I can tell you Swaro has top notch CS... I've heard the opposite regarding Leica (but never had to personally find out). You want durability... get a SWFA SS or Nightforce NXS.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SVT_Tactical Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/21/2016 at 07:49

I've had similar experience as ST.  My Z5 was on a 300WSM as well.... never had the first issue with it. My Z5 had the ballistic turret as well to add complexity to the scope and the rifle never hurt it. 


The 300WSM in a sub 7# rifle is fun to shoot....... once ever time out. Bucky

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote vortech347 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/21/2016 at 08:15
I hope not.  I just put a Z3 4-12x50 BT on my Browning 300 WSM.

It's around 10lbs total weight but the recoil can be real spicy shooting on the bench with the hotter loads.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote supertool73 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/21/2016 at 10:13
On the topic of Leica's CS.  I had to use it with my Geovid binos, so I can share my one sample.  One of the eye pieces had a chipped internal lens, it came like this from the store.  I had properly filled out he warranty card and sent it in.  When I contacted them they were excellent and had me send it in.  In about 2 weeks I had them back with a new eye piece put on.  I was very happy with their service. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mike650 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/21/2016 at 15:31
I've had a Swaro mounted on my 7mm mag for years with zero a durability issues. This includes firing it, punishing it while resting in my ATV's gun rack and hard hunting.

I do have a Leica ER that I purchased for another rifle, at the time the price was right. The optics are right up there with Swaro and love the reticle, my only complaint is turrets are sloppy and not re-settable to zero. Please remember this is an older model, they may have improved the turrets.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Ghostman Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/23/2016 at 04:03
I believe the supposed "durability" issues with Swarovski scopes was mainly with the Z3 models on really hard kicker calibers. I don't recall reading about any issues with  Z5 and Z6 models both of which have better/stronger internal lens coil springs compared to the Z3.

I have a couple of Swaro Z3 and Z5 scopes and haven't had any issues with them at all. I also recently bought a Leica ER at closeout price (1/2 off) which is a very nice scope. I think I prefer it to my Swaro's.




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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cbm Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/03/2016 at 12:40

I have a Leica ER 2.5-10X42 and a Swarovski Z5 5-25X52. I have not had any durability issues with either. And I have had excellent customer service with both companys. I lost a turret cap screw on my Leica and they shipped me a new one in a couple of days at no charge. I sent my Z5 back in to have to reticle changed to a #4 and the CS was awesome as well.

I do like the Z5 better. The power ring is a lot smoother. And it is better in low light(but the 52mm vs 42mm is not an apples to apples comparison). I like the ballistic turret better too on the Z5. My Leica's turrets turn too easy, which is wierd because the power ring is really hard to turn. I have to check the Leica turrets everytime I hunt because half the time they have moved during the truck ride to the hunting land. But if my Leica was my only scope, I would be happy. It is a great scope and I do like their #1 reticle a lot.

I tend to lean toward Swarovski because of the coil spring retension system they use. I had a Swaro PV for a while and dropped that gun twice pretty hard and it was still zero'd when I checked it. I have never had another scope do that. I haven't had the Z5 real long but it uses the coil springs, so I will be interested if it is as durable as the older scopes. I know the Z3's don't have the coil springs like the Z5 and Z6.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote nralifer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/03/2016 at 20:20
I have a 3-9X32 Habicht Swarovski on a Rem 700 modified to handle the 330 Dakota cartridge. This gun has tremendous recoil on the bench. I use a slinged shooting bag with 50 lbs of lead shot to absorb the recoil, and use this rifle to test our bullets. The scope has gone through easily 200 shots and still is spot on. I don't really know what type of springs it has, but the scope can handle the recoil. It is a nice hunting rig.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Kickboxer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/04/2016 at 05:36
I have a Swarovski 1-6 Z6i on my custom Champlin rifle in 378 Weatherby Magnum.  It is holding up just fine.  I have toyed with trying that scope out on my .458 Lott, but love the 4xConquest that is on it.  The .378 Weatherby approaches the "moment of recoil" of the Lott... but not quite "there".  My Lott is a Ruger #1 Tropical and I love it.  Very much my favorite hunting rifle.  It will "knock down anything that walks on the planet"...
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