NEW SWFA SS 2.5-10x32 Ultralight BDC Rifle Scope

(There is a graphic of the trajectory that I would post if I could post pictures....)

So to me it looks like may want to buy the BDC version and see how close it matches your .17 Hornet in the field.

Enjoy and please report back if you try this.

-AS

I’m going to sight it in with IMI M193 and see how things go from there.

Can’t wait!

-Atlas Shrug 

As noted, I sighted it in with IMI M193.  Very little correction from mounting and bore sighting was required, which always feels good as it’s a general indicator of properly manufactured components, and a proper scope and ring mounting job (I’m fairly meticulous but not a super duper lapping every ring type). 

A few clicks and my 25 yard sighting in was done.  So back to 100 yards for a few confirmation shots on paper, with a couple of fine tuning clicks, followed by a few quick shots at one of my AR500 gongs (12” square).  No problem, centered hits.  Back to 200 for a few shots - good center hits with the crosshairs, so no adjustments necessary there.

I was about out of time (I had another upper I sighted in at the closer distances, a never fired barrel, scope, and 45 degree BUIS all needing regulating, plus a persnickety chronograph, so it took a bit of time).  I still wanted to try a couple of shots at 300 though, so I loaded 10 rounds and shot a few fairly quick shots from each shoulder at the gong.  Visibility was not great, but I managed hits nonetheless (there are some low limbs partially obscuring my current 300 yard target placement). 

So the net result was I was able to test the BDC, but only out to 300 and only with IMI M193.  So far, so good.

I like the reticle.  I used it at about 5x when at 25 getting a basic sight in, then set it to 10x for everything following that.  The view was fairly clear - not as bright as some of my higher dollar scopes (Steiner P4Xi), or larger objective scopes (Nikon Monarch 5 ED 2-10x42), but decent.  I could not do a one for one comparison today, so some slight haziness in the hot September sun may be contributing to my perception of the overall image brightness and clarity.  (My targets are in the shade, most of the range in the sun, so it’s a decent quick test for optical clarity and contrast.)

Aside from the dozen or so clicks to get centered, I didn’t really test the knobs. The clicks were crisp and seemed to do what was intended.  

In between all of the shooting I also had to check on my bees and do a few other tasks, so when doing so I carried the rifle around - mainly by the scope in the “lunch box handle” mode.  It worked well, particularly when carrying it with my left hand (the windage knob is not in the way of my index finger as it is with right handed carry).  A nice, under seven pound AR sure is a joy to carry around.

The rifle has a very light barrel as previously noted, so I don’t expect this to be a super accurate rifle - especially for lots of rapid shots. But for carrying around when I’m working on the farm and not really out shooting, it’s close to ideal.  The IMI M193 ammo is not tack driving ammo - perhaps 2-3 MOA or so.  The combination is fine for slapping the gong at 300, and hopefully so out to 400.  I will also try 500 yards, but that may require going to 77gr SMK loaded ammo. 

So much more testing and shooting is still needed, but so far I’m a happy camper and expect to be toting around the combination on the farm quite a bit in the coming months.

-AS

I would really like to see a version with the Mil-Quad, exposed elevation turret, 0.1mrad clicks and illuminated center dot.  The market will be flooded with used 2.5-10x32 NXS scopes.

ILya

If you are trying to pay a picture, I do not think it is working.

ILya

Excellent.  Do you know if Kenton has plans to offer custom elevation turrets for the ultralight?  I think you will make a killing with this thing.

ILya

It is in the same general category as the 3-15x42 SS, although the design is obviously very different.  Given that it is a 4x erector system and slim eyepiece, this scope does not have any design commonalities with other SS scopes.

ILya