Rifle Scopes Swarovski rifle scopes- What are peoples' thoughts about durability?

[lonely_wolf]

I know Swarovski rifle scopes do not have the features (mil/mil, ranging reticles, etc.) typically associated with scopes used by the members here and that probably explains why they are not often discussed (?).

Members here do put a priority on durability of scopes and this is my question concerning the Swarovski scopes. I often hear their glass toted as exceptionally good. I've had the opportunity to look through them often and they are, in my opinion, quite brilliant. For thier general application, mil/mil and ranging reticles are not a necessity (I suppose...). However, I rarely hear anyone talk about how tough they are. How do they stand up to abuse?

 

[EasternNChunter]

They are plenty tough for a hunting scope, especially their 30mm scopes. I don't think you will be dissapointed. I sold a $1000 4-12x50 Swarovski when I bought my first tactical scope, a NF 5.5-22x56 and was extremely dissapointed when hunting season rolled around and I could easily see deer with my Swaro binos but not in my NF scope. I sold the NF and now have Steiner. I am either going to buy a Swaro Z6 3-18x50 or a Premier Light Tactical 3-15x50 to use on my hunting rifle in the future.

 

[Major]

A friend of mine has the 1-6x and he babies it so much that I don't think he'll ever find out how durable it is. I guess that's to be expected with $2300 scope.

 

[threetrees]

we have 2 old 6x42 swaro habicht. they are ... 10+ years old or something like that. besides scratches on the metal surface (mainly obtained during climbing/banging/dropping the rifle in the mountains while hunting chamois) no issues. so those scopes are used constantly in a hunting/alpine environment ... in a jeep, driving down a valley/stream for 1h+, in winter in a ruck, ... for sure no babysitting like some benchrest-items. and after all those years, the internal mechanics still works fine and properly does it's 1cm@100m per click.

 

[lonely_wolf]

Thanks for the feedback.

Esternnchunter- Hard to believe the NF glass is that bad compared tot he Swaro. I own a NF and have looked through many Swaro's but have not had the opportunity to compare side by side them.

Threetrees, that is exactly what I wanted to hear. My rifles get dragged with me everywhere.

 

[EasternNChunter]

NF is great for long range day time shooting.

 

[Advokaten]

NF is great for long range day time shooting.

Sure and so are the large Z6 swaros, however not as tactical at all, the older style swaros are great keepers, solid performers regarding internals and lenses, more wellbuilt, I have extended time behind a 6-24x 50 like this one eGun

great glas, limited to about 6-8 mils of adjustment, and fairly stout.

This model, even older eGun are very looked after in Europe, cause they are solid performers and fairly low key in appearance.

The NF makes some great scopes but value for dollar the Swaros will yuild more/better glas for the money and less internal adjustment and less durability, still the 3 Swaros, all old models have never lost there zero although one of them suffered from a bit of adjustment slack, ie you had to go a few click beyond and come back.

For a lighter hunting scope the Swaros are great, now they also have Z- reticles ie hold over reticles for the Z-line of scopes should that sort of features be relevant./Chris

 

[Opticsspecialist]

I shoot some swarovski scopes and use a pair of their binoculars. the scopes I have are very repeatable and the optics are second to none. it's a hunting scope, so to compare it to a tactical scope, is like comparing an apple to an orange. while they aren't as robust as a tactical scope like a nightforce, they are much lighter, even in the z6 line. they also lack the internal adjustment of a tactical scope, but for most hunting situations, they are adequate. I have customers using swarovski's for everything from shooting a high end 22lr to 3 gun and dangerous game hunting. needless to say, they work very well. they also have one of the better long distance solutions on the market in the ballistic turret system

Swarovski Optik Ballistic Turret - YouTube

I like the bt because it takes a lot of the possible errors out of the equation for novice shooters or if your heart is throbbing because a nice trophy animal steps out, you just turn the turret to the correct color, or get a custom turret, but you have all the advantages of making a mechanical adjustment to your scope, and none of the disadvantages, such as using approximate ranges, not having the scope on the right magnification etc.

 

[Trey@SportOptics]

You have to think of their purposes when comparing the two. As far as durability goes, there's a huge difference between falling out of a tree stand tough and being battle tough. Swarovski isn't after the tactical market, they have Kahles for that. In an all out durability test in Afghanistan I'm sure NF or S&B would win but how often is an IED going to be where you're hunting? Also, a 5-30 Z6i is going to be over 1lb lighter then a 5-25 PMII. So you really have to ask yourself what do you want in your scope

Eta: Jay beat me to it. I guess thats what happens when you get side tracked!

 

[Bronco]

There are a lot of the 1-6 Swaro's being used for 3 gun and those get a lot of abuse. Thrown in barrels, stuck through ports, banged and thumped around for a whole match then on to the next one. Mine has held up well and don't see or hear of them going down. Great glass and good choice for 3 gun.