Super Sniper scope

[CalFed]

I glommed a scope at a recent estate sale. I was primarily interested in the rings (A.R.M.S. quick release), but the scope is actually fairly nice.

The question is: what is this scope? There is no manufacturer or specifications (power, lense size, etc) marked anywhere on the scope. I think , based on comparison to a 6-24 scope, that it is about 10 power.

It bears a lot of similarities to the SWFA SS scope, but has no SSFA markings. It does have a "Kenko Japan" sticker on it.

What do you guys think?

 

[10XSHOOTER]

May be one of the prior Super snipers made for the US Navy.

 

[6ShotsOr5?]

It looks to have a parallax adjustment and an eyepiece focus, but a fixed power. A lot of US military sniper scopes used to be 10X fixed power scopes. The turrets are in MOA but the US armed forces work in mils now, and I think that has been true for quite a few years. If this was a US armed forces scope I think it would have been from at least 20-25 years ago.

 

[CalFed]

It does have a mildot reticle and a 30mm tube.

 

[JFrank]

Those scopes were developed in the early 90's for a navy contract under Tasco IIRC later the rights were purchased by Southwest firearms swfa .


I've had several of these scopes.

Google super sniper scopes...

 

[Laurie]

We had them in the UK for several years under the 'Opti-Mate' brand name, part of a range of otherwise one-inch tube models, both variable and fixed power (24X and 36X) target models. They were imported and distributed by a major firearms and accessories importer / distributor under its own name at attractive prices. Although Chinese optics were starting to appear, these were made by a reputable Japanese manufacturer for trade contracts such as this. One of the company's people told me later that they were good sellers, but eventually became too expensive against Chinese competitors. Also, the market for reasonable quality one-inch tube scopes dwindled

Our range only had two fixed power 30mm models, 10 and 20 power, but IIRC SWFA had/has a third higher mag model. Very tough and good scopes, but the objective lens was on the small side for the 20X model. (44mm?) It was fine in bright conditions, but northern England is frequently dark and wet, and seeing long-range aiming marks could be difficult. I had one of each, and the 10X model was an excellent general purpose short-distance range scope. They appear to last forever, so secondhand examples are not uncommon on our domestic forums.

The 10X version had a side-mounted focus knob; the 20X was as per the OP's pic with the adjuster as a ring on the scope barrel.

 

[Sniper338]

looks like a old model fixed 10 super sniper in MOA. The newer models have the parallax on a side knob. I think they offer a version without it too though.. looks like this one adjust on the eye piece. It's old old tho... they are stout, but im not a fan of a mil reticle with a moa turret. Reticle and adjustments need to be the same imo.

This was made before swfa took over.

 

[Hondo64d]

I glommed a scope at a recent estate sale. I was primarily interested in the rings (A.R.M.S. quick release), but the scope is actually fairly nice.

The question is: what is this scope? There is no manufacturer or specifications (power, lense size, etc) marked anywhere on the scope. I think , based on comparison to a 6-24 scope, that it is about 10 power.

It bears a lot of similarities to the SWFA SS scope, but has no SSFA markings. It does have a "Kenko Japan" sticker on it.

What do you guys think?

Probably a 10x Super Sniper. They are still currently in production in several varieties; 6x, 10x, 12x, 16x, 20x with mil quad (miliradian adjustments) and MOA quad (MOA adjustments), side focus, rear focus, and HD. While their glass isn’t Tangent Theta level, they are probably the best bargain out there, as they are very rugged, hold zero, track precisely, and return to zero reliably.

Riflescopes, Sights, Binoculars & Optic Accessories - SWFA Outdoors

Shop for rifle scopes from top manufacturers like Burris, Bushnell, Leica, Leopold, Meopta, Nikon, Zeiss and more. Click through to find the latest deals.

www.swfa.com

John

 

[TIMO]

It is Tasco Super Sniper as others have said. I have had one for years. Always reliable and built tough. As stated above, SWFA now sells and markets them. Not sure if they are made exactly the same.
Tim

 

[CalFed]

Thanks, guys!

It appears there is agreement that it is a Super Sniper or the forerunner of same.

 

[TIMO]

Here is a pic of the manual that came with my scope. Back cover is dated 1995.
Tim

 

[Dgd6mm]

I have a 12x and a 20x with mil quad reticles.They are made as solid today as they were 25 years ago, but with better options. I've owned a SS HD 5-20x50 since the group by on Snipers Hide, it's never let me down and I shoot these scopes regularly.

 

[CalFed]

Thanks, guys!

 

[CalFed]

Well, damned if there wasn't some information stamped on the underside of the scope. It was under the ring. No manufacturer, though. I guess I have to go with the Kenko sticker.

 

[Dgd6mm]

SS 10x42
Super Sniper....

 

[ChrisNZ]

..

Our range only had two fixed power 30mm models, 10 and 20 power, but IIRC SWFA had/has a third higher mag model. ..

The 10X version had a side-mounted focus knob; the 20X was as per the OP's pic with the adjuster as a ring on the scope barrel.

There was also a 16X version with the rear ring parallax. I have one which Tony Halberg ( HHE Millennium fame) used to use to test assembled rifles. He made a custom ring label for the windage turret with L numbers in red. Reason was he was used to fullbore sights that wound the other direction..

 

[Laurie]

Chris, I knew there were other models elsewhere, but we only had the 10 and 20X pair in the UK under the Opti-Mate brand. It seems the design has been around for many years and has evolved considerably including early models' tube mounted focus rings moving to the left side as a turret.

I'm pretty sure some examples came here as direct purchases from SWFA by our shooters too, but American companies wouldn't sell to us direct retail for a long time due to the ITAR restrictions. I understand that these have been eased over the last three or four years, but am unsure about the current situation for scopes with Mil-Dot reticles.

The flood of Chinese made optics to the West has changed everything over the last few years. The Super Snipers (under whatever name) are probably of little interest to most younger shooters in the UK now.

 

[Wrkm45]

They are all decent scope for the money, if not incorporating the latest technology. Currently, I'm using the 10X42 HD from Ellett brothers and am very pleased with it.

 

[Osiek]

Put a 20x SWFA on a Barrett m99 50 bmg has held up for 200 rounds not the first problem. Only took three rounds to shake the inside loose on a Vortex. They replaced it under warranty it’s now on a AR-10

 

[Arcticshooter]

I shook a 20X SS loose and spun the reticle glass on a Barrett 99.
It's been in for a few months waiting for replacement.
I've also got one of the ss 10x42M side focus that has been a good scope for the money .