Would this be an Upgrade?

[Mike727]

This will be used for BR shooting.
My current scope is a Weaver Tactical 3x15x50 with 30 mm tube with the FFP reticle. I think this scope came out around 2014. It has msrp $800 ish. The scope I ran into over the weekend is a bnib Swarovski Habicht 6-18 with 1inch tube and the Plex reticle that I think is second focal plane. According to the serial number it was built in 2007. I can pick it up for about $750

If anyone can provide opinion if the newer Weaver will perform on par with the Swarvo. I don't see much written about the older Swarvo and that reticle. I know it sounds silly but I just need some help deciding if it is worth the money to make the move.

 

[dkhunt14]

Scopes can be a funny thing, they can vary from individual unit.I haven't heard anything bad about the Weavers. I know a guy that won Nationals shooting a 300 WSM in light gun and used a Swarovski. It has to hold to shoot 1000 yards and win. I will say the Swarovski would probably give a better view and be better in lower light. I have a pair of Swarovski 10x 50 binoculars from the 1990's and they are the clearest and best light gathering I ever looked through. I feel they have the best glass. Matt

 

[Turbulent Turtle]

Well, let's look at the specs. The Weaver Tactical 3-15X50 has a side focus and an MSRP of $1,200. The 30mm tube will provide a wide adjustment range, 70 MOA according to the Weaver site. The First Focal Plane reticle is not the best for target shooting at known distances.

The Swarovski Habicht 6-18X50 AO (I had to look it up,) is an older scope with, as you said, a one inch tube for a small adjustment range. It has an adjustable objective (which I like for shooting at known distances, more precise than side focus.) The magnification increase is minimal 15x to 18x and the Weaver is a 5X zoom whereas the Swaro is a 3X zoom, definitely older technology.

Because both have the same size objective lens, there is no reason to believe one would do better than the other in low light conditions. If I were to guess, I would pick the Weaver for that because it has a greater magnification range with a starting magnification (3X) half of the Swaro (6X.)

Lens coating technology has really sped up in the last decade so the Weaver might benefit more from that compared to the Swaro. Lens coating is what increases the light transmission, or rather, is what causes it to decrease less going through the lenses. Swarovski makes great scopes and so does Weaver at their higher end.

In my opinion, the jump from the Weaver to the Swaro will provide minimal if any increase in performance. In fact, for your stated purposes, neither of these scopes is indicated. You should look for a higher magnification scope with a larger objective lens and a small, second focal plane reticle. Adjustable Objective is better to known distance shooting like BR, but in a pinch, side focus will make do also.

 

[FeMan]

I have a lot of scopes, including a Swaro Z3 that is about the same vintage. It is the brightest/clearest scope I own, including Sightron, Nightforce, Zeiss, and Vortex. I am not trading all my other scopes off; they have their merits (better/let reticles, bigger tubes & more adjustment, zero stop, more magnification, etc.) and niche uses. I have no experience with the Weaver but wouldn't worry about the Swaro. With the right base a 1" tube can get you out to 1,000 yards but it can be close with some calibers. 15 to 18 power at 1000 yards is tough for my eyes too. I like 25 a lot better out at that range. Not sure what you had in mind but hope that helps.

 

[Mike727]

Thank you for the replies. Solid advise.