swarovsk av scope problems

[babyrou]

I bought a swarovski av 4x12x50 scope for an expensive custom elk rifle in 300 ultra mag. The tracking on the scope was terrible right out of the box. They advertise precise 1/4 moa clicks. Sometimes 1 click is 1/4 moa, somtimes 1/2, somtimes 3/4. Many times elevation adjustment affects windage alot, not a little bit. After about 120 rounds somthing in scope broke + now I am all over target. Sent it in for warranty + they are so busy doing warranty repairs scope has been gone 2+1/2 months now. They acted like this is normal. I have heard about scope breaking internaly but have never had it happen to me. Many rifles many scopes. On another sight a guy had his swarovski break internaly behind a 7mm08. He said that swarovski told him that they did not recomend this scope on anthing bigger than a 7mm + that he needed to up-grade to a pv or a z6. They haven't told me that yet. I do not have any confidence in this scope. Should I assume that I just got a defective unit, put it back on the rifle + not worry about it? Should I up-grade to a z6 or pv? Considering buying a Schmidt + Bender 3x12x50 + forgetting swarovski altogether. I need absolute reliability above anything else. Weight of scope comes in second. Quality of glass comes in third. The av is 14 ounces, the pv + the z6 is 18 ounces, the schmidt + bender is 22 ounces. Gun is heavy now. What would you do?

 

[Shooter32]

I would buy the Nightforce and not worry about the extra weight ! Just my opinion !! :wave:

 

[Gman]

I believe the Nightforce 50mm objective lens models would be more weight than this person might want on an elk rifle. Go to swfa.com, and click on optics talk. If you ask this over there, you will get many answers.

 

[babyrou]

Swarovski called today + scope is being shipped tomorrow. They said that all of the leaf springs in the erector system were broken because of recoil. They said that if I put scope back on this rifle that they would break again. They also said that if I did that, that they would warranty scope again. If I were to upgrade to a PV or a Z6 that those scopes have a coil spring system that will never break even behind a 600 nitro express double, both barrels fired @ the same time.,imagine that) My rifle's recoil calulates to 47 lbs. of kick. All leaf springs broken @ 120 rounds. When did the first one break + the scope become un-reliable? After the first shot + I had adjustment problems right out of the gate. If we cut the recoil in 1/2 say 23-24lbs. Is the scope going to last 240 rounds. I beleive the first shot broke @ least one spring. Enough said. Shipping, time, bullets, powder, 120 very fast rounds down an expensive custom tube, missed an elk trip. About $1100 out the window. Scope is going up for sale + not going to be re-mounted. Have looked @ Nightforce + US optics, + all are to heavy. Shots are typicaly 350-525 yards ridge to ridge. On the first stalk you got about 12-15 minutes to make the stalk/climb uphill in snow to get to the first shooting window. You cannot be huffing/tired to make that long of shot once you get to the top of the ridge. If you spook them them you got to run down that ridge + up the next to get to next shooting window before they go over the next ridge again. Don't know of anybody that could physicaly make the 3rd ridge. Weight matters alot under these conditions. The most I could possible take is the Schmidt + Bender @ 22 oz. + would only go that heavy for absolute reliabilty. Just afraid I'm going to buy the PV or the Z6 to save weight + end up disgusted again.

 

[AndyW]

I wonder how much of the price on S&B, Swarovski, Zeiss is because the Euro is so strong compared to the US dollar? I would think a big part of the price difference is simply because of this.

I live in Canada and I choose Leupold scopes because there is a warranty depot about 15km from my house and they do all repairs, change reticles, install turrets, etc. I have not had to use them for warranty, but had a reticle changed out and they had it back to me in 3 days!

Because of this I choose Leupold.

I had a 7mm Ultra Mag with a 4.5-14x40 VXIII with a Stoney point turret on the elevation knob. I regularily shot this gun from 100-550 yards clicking up and down with reliable repeatability. This gun weighted 9 lbs and yes you did feel the recoil! I still have this scope, now on a 7mm mag, never an issue.

BTW- I guided a hunter on a Mountain Caribou hunt who had a S&B on his gun and it fogged! Moisture got in somehow and we basically had to cook the scope near the heater in the tent to get it so he could see through it. I am sure this is not the norm for S&B, but I did see one fail as well.

I own Swarovski binoculars, but I could never justify spending the extra cash on a Swarovski scope.