Rifle Scopes SWFA 16X , and others? Opinions

[SOE_technician]

Hey there SH,

Still very new to the Hide but been great thus far. I am looking to get some new glass ASAP and of course hear lots about Variable power VS Fixed and whats best. I like the idea of fixed since I have a very entry level 3x9x40 nikon and only thing I ever do is dial it to full power and I am have seen many with Variable much higher end do the same . And I am by means of one my Youtube channels I frequent ( don't judge me please lol) TiborasaurusRex to understand fixed power ruggedness, clarity, and easy of use is very good. So this has raised my interest in a fixed 16 by SWFA I know this is a budget optic but I am interested as to what the more experienced guys have to say. Thank SH for the time and I hope to learn plenty from joining up.

 

[usmc02xx]

ive had the 20x and 16x. great glass for the money rugged and reliable. my only beef was that the eyebox is very tight. i still have a 16x hanging around. but i use the vortex pa as my cheap scope now. I got a vortex hs on my nice rig. works good and much nicer pic.

 

[nfoley]

I have the SS 16X and like it a lot. I have it placed on a rifle that I rarely shoot less than 100 yards, and so no issues with needing less power.
The glass quality is more than adequate, and I have used it quite a bit without any tracking problems.
Have not done a box test but dialing from 100 yd zero out to 8-900 yards and back - no problems.
For under $300 this scope is a real bargain.

 

[SOE_technician]

ive had the 20x and 16x. great glass for the money rugged and reliable. my only beef was that the eyebox is very tight. i still have a 16x hanging around. but i use the vortex pa as my cheap scope now. I got a vortex hs on my nice rig. works good and much nicer pic.

Thanks for the reply man, yea i have looke at votex too, just cant decide if i need to spend the doe on a variable power that 95% of the time will be at full power

 

[SOE_technician]

I have the SS 16X and like it a lot. I have it placed on a rifle that I rarely shoot less than 100 yards, and so no issues with needing less power.
The glass quality is more than adequate, and I have used it quite a bit without any tracking problems.
Have not done a box test but dialing from 100 yd zero out to 8-900 yards and back - no problems.
For under $300 this scope is a real bargain.

yea Im in the same boat rarely will I be taking shots close as 100yds and more consistently will be 200 + out to a 1 K . So that why im thinking the 16 will be ok, and not the 12 since it will be less power then I probably want at long distance on small targets. I.E. this weekend my shooting buddies and I at the farm were practicing with bodocks( those tree balls) and coke cans from 544yds we can nail them all the day long but since im rocking a dang 3x9 it has taken some time to get proficient at it.

 

[usmc02xx]

Thanks for the reply man, yea i have looke at votex too, just cant decide if i need to spend the doe on a variable power that 95% of the time will be at full power

that was my reasoning also. i still have it, and i like it for waht it is. but if your doing extending shooting sessions the more forgiving eyebox helps a lot with strain. Cant go wrong with one though. enjoy.

 

[z71rat]

Well, I am now the owner (again) of 2 more SS fixed power scopes. Excellent value for the funds thrown at them, super tough, good clarity, good warranty, exceptional resale value. You won't be disappointed in the scopes, and you won't be disappointed in SWFA's customer service either. Great scopes, top notch company!!

DK

 

[SOE_technician]

Well, I am now the owner (again) of 2 more SS fixed power scopes. Excellent value for the funds thrown at them, super tough, good clarity, good warranty, exceptional resale value. You won't be disappointed in the scopes, and you won't be disappointed in SWFA's customer service either. Great scopes, top notch company!!

DK

Thanks for the addition to the thread I hear bad things on SWFA basically never. so seems like a pretty good deal. and 16X is gunna be pretty cool moving up from 9x lol

 

[z71rat]

I really like the 16X for target work, but prefer the 10X for hunting. Yes, the 16X will work for hunting, but I like the larger field of view. The eyebox is not a problem at all with the 10X, slightly worse with the 16X, extremely picky on the 20X (but still good all around). I have also owned the 5-20HD, and for the price, it is fantastic!! They are all good in my opinion.

DK

 

[tomcat mv]

I have the 16x on my T/C .308 in an XLR chassis and it is great. The adjustability of the chassis system helps a lot though with eye relief, etc.

 

[Graham]

The 16x is dark. Get the 10 or 12, Mil/Mil.


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[SOE_technician]

The 16x is dark. Get the 10 or 12, Mil/Mil.


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Mmm , so this is somthing I was curious of but your the first to mention it. Dark as in enough to be considered good for practical use in most daylight conditions, or just darker then say a Leopoldo fixed 16x or
Something to that effect. I ask because the swfa 16x is what I have been leaning towards and most say it is great. And given you feel it is a bit to dark I could still expect it to be a improvement over my Nikon 3x9x40 yes?

 

[billyburl2]

The 10x or 12x is what I always recommend. IMHO, those two offer the best in terms of field of view vs. sight picture vs. magnification vs. eye-box.

Look at this way, if a series of scopes, like the SS fixed powers, all have the same prescription of glass (they do). All magnification is going to do is high-light the imperfections. Sometimes less is more...

 

[SOE_technician]

The 10x or 12x is what I always recommend. IMHO, those two offer the best in terms of field of view vs. sight picture vs. magnification vs. eye-box.

Look at this way, if a series of scopes, like the SS fixed powers, all have the same prescription of glass (they do). All magnification is going to do is high-light the imperfections. Sometimes less is more...

Thanks for clarifying sir, I get what you are saying.

 

[Sherrick5]

I have a 16x Mil/mil coming in the mail right now, I found a post on optics talk before showing a comparison of the 10 12 16 20x ect I'll send link through PM

 

[Monmouth]

I use the SWFA 10x mil/mil and really happy with the scope. Tibo-Rex's videos are cool to watch, wish I could shoot in his area (and shoot like him).

 

[SOE_technician]

I use the SWFA 10x mil/mil and really happy with the scope. Tibo-Rex's videos are cool to watch, wish I could shoot in his area (and shoot like him).

Ahhh Haa , your the first on here to mention Tibo-Rex. I already have a few times lol. I enjoy all his in depth vids and they have helped me progress in the sport very very quickly. And yea I want a the SS 16X pretty bad or the 3-15 FFP SS. But both are on hold till the funds come around