HFT optic advice needed

[PhatMan]

cmars2018,

I liked fixed magnification optics.

I have used the below scopes for HFT with complete satisfaction :

1) Tasco/SWFA 10x42M

2) Hawke 10x42 Sidewinder 30

They both have side parallax correction.

I have had the 10x42M since 1996, and it is still going strong - it has had over 10,000 rounds of .308 Winchester under it's belt, and it has never missed a beat

For me, I have found the Hawke to be an excellent performer - I believe this scope has now been discontinued

Have fun & a good Sunday

Best regards

Russ

[zooma]

Thanks Russ.

I have noticed how the Hawke brand keeps coming up with good reviews from satisfied owners.

Dan has done well with the Hawke Vantage Max 4-12 x 40 on his springer over a decent enough time period to know that it is a good choice, and the £120 new price would be tempting too, but this sight is currently "unavailable" everywhere that I have looked - so far!

There is a very good offer on the same sight but in the bigger 4-12 x 50 size, but I am guessing it would not be as well suited for HFT as the smaller 4-12 x 40 but probably shares the same excellent "value for money" build quality.

Shame about the 50mm size - it is a good looking scope and a very good price.

[cooper_dan]

I've just had a look and can't find any either. Wonder why there's none around
Like you said I've used the Hawke scopes for a while. They've been perfect on any springer I've tried them on, don't seem affected by the recoil at all. I think the most adjustment I've made to my zero this year was 2 clicks.

I would avoid 50mm objective for HFT, too many parallax issues at the very close and very far targets.

If I needed another scope right now, I would probably look at the Airmax 4-12x40 AO AMX

https://www.opticswarehouse.co.uk/pr...mx-riflescope/

[zooma]

I've just had a look and can't find any either. Wonder why there's none around
Like you said I've used the Hawke scopes for a while. They've been perfect on any springer I've tried them on, don't seem affected by the recoil at all. I think the most adjustment I've made to my zero this year was 2 clicks.

I would avoid 50mm objective for HFT, too many parallax issues at the very close and very far targets.

If I needed another scope right now, I would probably look at the Airmax 4-12x40 AO AMX

https://www.opticswarehouse.co.uk/pr...mx-riflescope/

That looks good but is the build quality as good as your favourite Hawke, and what would be the advantage of the more expensive Hawke Sidewinder I see on your rifle (Facebook) ?

At the other end of the scale, this one looked good for £75 but it only goes up to x9 magnification:-

Hawke Vantage MAX Air Rifle Scope 3-9x40 AO 1/2 MilDot Reticle Riflescope 14181

or this one at £79:-

Hawke Vantage Air Rifle Scope 4-12x40 AO MILDOT RETICLE Riflescope 14141

[cooper_dan]

That looks good but is the build quality as good as your favourite Hawke, and what would be the advantage of the more expensive Hawke Sidewinder I see on your rifle (Facebook) ?

At the other end of the scale, this one looked good for £75 but it only goes up to x9 magnification:-

Hawke Vantage MAX Air Rifle Scope 3-9x40 AO 1/2 MilDot Reticle Riflescope 14181

or this one at £79:-

Hawke Vantage Air Rifle Scope 4-12x40 AO MILDOT RETICLE Riflescope 14141

I think the Airmax is almost identical to the Vantage Max, except it has a different reticle.
The 3-9x40 for £75 seems very good value. You would be limited to 9x mag, but most of us only use 10x mag anyway, so it wouldn't actually be much different.
The Vantage Mildot (NOT the Vantage Max) has a much thicker reticle, and doesn't have the half mil dots. I personally prefer the thinner reticle on the 'Max' version. It would be worth getting to your local club and having a look through a couple to see what type of reticle you prefer

A more expensive version (such as the Sidewinder) benefits from better glass and more coatings on the lenses. This should give a clearer image in a wider range of conditions. Unfortunately I haven't had a chance to use my Sidewinder much and I don't want to change scopes at the moment. Maybe in a few months I will put the Sidewinder on and see how it compares to my current scope

[zooma]

Thanks for the information Dan.

[zooma]

[QUOTE=cooper_dan;7461580]I've just had a look and can't find any either. Wonder why there's none around

Just found one in a gunsmiths stock - should be here next week !

[zooma]

[QUOTE=zooma;7471580]

I've just had a look and can't find any either. Wonder why there's none around

Just found one in a gunsmiths stock - should be here next week !

Actually, I see the one that I have found is marked AO and IR, so although it is the 40mm size it also has IR, will this degrade the optical clarity for normal daylight use?

“Jack of all trades, master of none”?

[PhatMan]

Bob,

No - when the IR is turned off, the reticule appears as normal (black).

The only time I have used the IR on my Hawke Sidewinder 10x42 was when I was testing the IR - since then I have left it off.

Have fun & a good Easter

Best regards

Russ

[UrbanFox]

The IR is normaly adjustable in brightness but remember if its switched on at the start of a HFT comp, its got to stay on til the end, nowt can be touched once you start. Most HFTers don't use IR they just kep it switched off.
Hawke Panoramas 3-9 x40 or 3-12 x 40 in mil dot are a good choice for springers. Use the arrester stud on the mounts and it sound.