SWFA ultra-light 2.5-10

supercorndogs · Jan 8, 2023

I was bumming around looking at light scopes last night. Most stuff that is pretty small is still 15+ oz. Even my Razor LH 2-10 is 15oz and it sports a 56ft min FOV. I went to check out the SWFA ultra-light. Its a 2.5-10 with a weight of 9.5oz and minimum FOV of 46ft. I can't find them in stock, but I back ordered one since they are sale right now.

I haven't seen ultralight mentioned much around here. I would have preferred they put their mil quad reticle in it, but there is a ballistic reticle option for a little more than the duplex. I am surprised that an ultralight hunting scope with a mil based reticle hasn't even been built, let alone catch on in the hunting world. The SWFA ultra-light would be the prefect example if it had their mil-quad reticle as an option.

For me, and of lot of hunters, we don't need to dial. My hard limit is 600y. I think for a lot of people it is less, and for some very skilled people, it is more. So for me about 3.6 mils gets me to my maximum range on game. Any ole mil based reticle can give me that, and I don't need to carry another 20oz of scope since I don't really need it to track, just hold zero.

Sure would be nice if I could get something like the SWFA ultra-light with a mil based reticle. I think i a lot of people were honest with what they wanted in a hunting scope,{people here dragging 40oz scopes over the mountain} and understood the utility of a simple mil-dot{not people here, Fudd Logic} it could get very popular.{voice of reason scope choice and Fudd logic united}

The Razor LH MOA based reticle is ok, but I jus feel dirty doing things in MOA.

Plus try to find one...

mi223 · Jan 8, 2023

I think the market is completely void of light weight hunting scopes that are not designed with fudd logic. Leopold is a prime example. They have some great scopes, but their reticles seem like they were designed by someone's 98year old uncle for his -06.

cas6969 · Jan 8, 2023

SWFA ultralight is light. That’s the good part. I don’t want to say it’s not a very good scope, but if you’re used to very good scopes you’re not going to think it’s a very good scope. I describe it as serviceable. ( and I am NOT just used to very good scopes). I’d also say it’s 2.5 x 8+, maybe 9 in the field. And only 10 on the range because eye box/alignment gets fussy all the way up. I think putting a cluttered reticle on it would probably be a waste because you’re unlikely(?) to shoot it very long range.

I have one on my Fieldcraft and I often think about taking it off and putting a better scope on it, because while it’s an extremely accurate rifle, it’s also the most difficult to shoot I’ve ever owned. The scope isn’t helping. I also don’t really need an ultralight rifle, and the added weight would probably be unnoticed and an improvement.

redneckbmxer24 · Jan 8, 2023

Look at the Swarovski Z3 3-10 with the BRH reticle. It’s very light and the reticle is a mil based ballistic reticle with bars at .5 mil increments and dots at 1.0 mil increments. I’ve had a few of them and they’re excellent.

https://www.eurooptic.com/PDF/swarovski-brx-reticle-manual.pdf

supercorndogs · Jan 8, 2023

cas6969 said:
SWFA ultralight is light. That’s the good part. I don’t want to say it’s not a very good scope, but if you’re used to very good scopes you’re not going to think it’s a very good scope. I describe it as serviceable. ( and I am NOT just used to very good scopes). I’d also say it’s 2.5 x 8+, maybe 9 in the field. And only 10 on the range because eye box/alignment gets fussy all the way up. I think putting a cluttered reticle on it would probably be a waste because you’re unlikely(?) to shoot it very long range.

I have one on my Fieldcraft and I often think about taking it off and putting a better scope on it, because while it’s an extremely accurate rifle, it’s also the most difficult to shoot I’ve ever owned. The scope isn’t helping. I also don’t really need an ultralight rifle, and the added weight would probably be unnoticed and an improvement.

I wasn't hoping for much but they are on sale for 270. You don't get much scope at that price anyway. Less than 600y on big game most scopes are serviceable. The razor lh 2-10 is probably one of my favorites. my monarch 2.5-10 is not much to look at or through, but its done the job plenty of times.

cas6969 · Jan 8, 2023

I wasn't hoping for much but they are on sale for 270. You don't get much scope at that price anyway.

I'd say most of the scopes I own in that range are superior optically.

david walter · Jan 8, 2023

I’d rather own, and do own, the SWFA fixed 6x MQ and pay the weight penalty.

If SWFA made this without turrets and lighter, I’d buy that.

Tictacticaltimmy · Jan 8, 2023

cas6969 said:
I’d also say it’s 2.5 x 8+, maybe 9 in the field. And only 10 on the range because eye box/alignment gets fussy all the way up.

This is the conclusion I drew from watching the cdoes review. I wish SWFA would either do this scope as a 2-8 or bump it up to 30mm and trade another oz or 2 for better optics.

Without a doubt, lightweight scopes with good modern reticles and features is the biggest hole in the optics market right now.

airborne_trooper · Jan 9, 2023

I have one on my 6.5 creed. It’s ok nothing special about it. I have only taken it out to 300 yards once. Tactical Timmy head hit the nail on head there’s a giant void where hunting scopes need to be updated

Dobermann · Jan 10, 2023

As one data point, here's a field evaluation, including drop-test, of that scope: https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/swfa-ss-ul-2-5-10x32mm-field-evaluation.279165/

As David W mentioned above, a lot of backcountry hunters use the fixed 6x, or the 3-9. They're not sexy, don't have the "best glass", but they're reliable, where most other lightweight scopes aren't.

SWFA just got in over 100 (I think) of the 3-9s a couple of weeks ago. They're all gone already ...

supercorndogs · Jan 10, 2023

The fixed 6x is 20oz. There are variable power 30mm tube scopes on the market that weight about the same.

The 3-9 is 17oz. Which is better, but on the portly side of light.

tacoman69 · Jul 5, 2023

any idea of compatible flip lens covers with this scope? i think its too small for the mostrum ones i usually get.

MWDG3 · Dec 1, 2024

SWFA Ultralight needs the mil-quad reticle.

wade2big · Dec 1, 2024

MWDG3 said:
SWFA Ultralight needs the mil-quad reticle.

Add that to their list of fails for this latest “update”.

koshkin · Dec 1, 2024

wade2big said:
Add that to their list of fails for this latest “update”.

Don't be in too much of a rush to count the "fails".

ILya

supercorndogs · Dec 1, 2024

Wouldn't want to get in rush with SWFA.

Millron · Dec 1, 2024

The 2-10 LH you already have is twice the scope that SWFA is. I had one of the SWFA for a bit and it's only redeeming quality to me was it was light and not too much $$. Can't imagine choosing that over a couple ounces to run on a big game rifle....tight eyebox and smallish FOV.Based on your criteria id look for another 2-10 LH or one of the 3-15 versions or the Swarovski 3-10 mentioned if it fits the budget and you can make the reticle work.

Millron · Dec 1, 2024

May check out Maven Optics to see if they make something that would interest you. Their product line is geared toward more hunting oriented optics.

Gtscotty · Dec 11, 2024

I totally agree that there is a big hole in the scope market for a lightweight hunting scope with a simple but practical mil reticle. I also checked back in on the SWFA UL occasionally over the course of several years to see if maybe they'd add a mil quad option, I know the reviews on the scope are mixed, but that would still be a combo worth trying for me.

The newer Viper HD 2-10 is another miss in terms of reticle in my opinion. Vortex puts a mil reticle in the higher mag ranges like 3-15 and 5-25, but only offers a BCD in the 2-10, and some other manufacturers take a similar approach. I might be the odd one out here, but especially in a SFP for hunting, I want my top end power where the reticle is used to be right around the 9-12x range. Too high, like 15x or especially 25x and I'm sacrificing too much fov and speed for something I might need to get on target quickly or pick an individual out of a herd with. If the Viper HD 2-10 came in a decent mil option I'd pick it up right away, as it is the Mark 4HD 2.5-10 ill is probably my favorite hunting scope right now, but a bit pricey to outfit all my rifles, and is still bulky enough in total width at the windage turret to mess with ejection in my 7 PRC Tikka.

Another option in this vein that I haven't tried but probably will is Trijicon's Credo 3-9 with the mil square reticle.

Trijicon Credo 3-9x40 SFP w/ Green MIL-Square, 1 in., Matte Black Riflescope 2900042

FREE SHIPPING on Trijicon Credo 3-9x40 SFP w/ Green MIL-Square, 1 in., Matte Black Riflescope 2900042

www.eurooptic.com

supercorndogs · Dec 11, 2024

The 21oz mk4 HD is another iteration of what is already out there. It's pretty viable option vs the 20.5oz nightforce 2.5-10 that has jumped in popularity enough to cost more than I would pay for another. The weaver 2-10x36 tactical is great cheaper option if you can find one. It is listed at 23.5oz. I thought I weighed one of mine at 21oz in seekins rings though. I could be mistaken. I will have to pull one and weigh it. My scale could be off an ounce or two also. The weaver has toolless locking turrets also.

SWFA ultra-light 2.5-10

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