Rifle Scopes opinions on HAWKE sidewinder series scopes???

[jwp6114]

anyone with first hand experiance or company info please chime in, warantee info (if needed) customer service, and product quality...

http://www.hawkeoptics.com/rifle-scopes/sidewinder-30.html

is it junk?

 

[ceylonc]

Re: opinions on HAWK sidewinder series scopes???

The Sidewinder & Sidewinder Tac 30 series of scopes is definitely NOT junk. Optically, my eyes find that they resolve a touch better than the Nikon Monarch line but aren't quite as good as the Bushnell Elite line from a clarity standpoint. From a reliability perspective, the three different models I've run have been flawless. Tracking has been spot on & they held zero with no problem, though I wasn't shooting anything more stout than a .308 or 6.5x284. The 1/2 Mil Dot reticle is very usuable & the lines are thin enough for precise holds at distance.

These two Hawke offerings aren't going to best the Bushnell Elite series BUT they're priced at about half of what a similiar model would run you from them. Bottom line, the Hawke Sidewinder & Sidewinder Tac 30 line is very underrated & represents a great value when you consider the qualiity & features...

Hope this helps.
Ceylon
deltaoutdoorsman.com

 

[jwp6114]

Re: opinions on HAWK sidewinder series scopes???

thank you Ceylonc,

Now, i would like the opinion of the shooter that uses them and is not an employee of HAWKE or a retailer that sells them...

 

[ceylonc]

Re: opinions on HAWK sidewinder series scopes???

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: JWP6114</div><div class="ubbcode-body">thank you Ceylonc,

Now, i would like the opinion of the shooter that uses them and is not an employee of HAWKE or a retailer that sells them... </div></div>
Hmm, ok. Sorry for trying to help you out dude.

Best of luck...

 

[Kevlars]

Re: opinions on HAWK sidewinder series scopes???

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: JWP6114</div><div class="ubbcode-body">thank you Ceylonc,

Now, i would like the opinion of the shooter that uses them and is not an employee of HAWKE or a retailer that sells them...</div></div>

JWP6114 you may not know Ceylon but he will not just tell you something just because he wants to make a sale. Quite the opposite , He is extremely honest and will tell you the honest truth from the standpoint of using the item. Ceylon is very respected here on the hide and will not give you incorrect data.

I know you may want to get more info on the item .. but Ceylon has been a well of information and anytime I am in the market for something I ask him and he sets me off in the correct direction.

When it comes to purchasing something -- his service is top notch.

Just FYI

Best of luck to you.

-K

 

[winxp_man]

Re: opinions on HAWK sidewinder series scopes???

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthre...765#Post2053765



Here is a thread with some info. Hope it helps.



Aron-

 

[bruce_ventura]

Re: opinions on HAWK sidewinder series scopes???

Sorry, I don't meet your criteria for credentials either.

I tell you anyway that the Sidewinder and Sidewinder TAC scopes that saw at SHOT this year and last had exceptional optical performance. Veiling glare was above average to good for that price point. Correction of off-axis chromatic aberrations was some of the best I've seen, regardless of the price. This level of performance is exceptional for scopes at that price point.

I can't comment about tracking.

 

[jwp6114]

Re: opinions on HAWK sidewinder series scopes???

Let me start by apologizing to you Ceylonc... when i said
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: JWP6114</div><div class="ubbcode-body">thank you Ceylonc,

Now, i would like the opinion of the shooter that uses them and is not an employee of HAWKE or a retailer that sells them... </div></div>
i probably came off like an a-hole... i realy ment to ask for an opinion from thoes that shoot with them regularly and has put some time on one. I have bought too much junk and been screwed over many times that i now tend to ignore dealers and company spokes persons.

with that said...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: winxp_man</div><div class="ubbcode-body">http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthre...765#Post2053765
Here is a thread with some info. Hope it helps. Aron- </div></div>
very helpfull thank you.


but this is what bothers me the most...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: z71rat</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: _Shay_ ©</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Could you crank the elevation from end to end and see how much adjustment it has? </div></div>

Hawke Sidewinder 30 Tactical
4.5-14x42
Weight, oz 27.3
Main Tube Diameter 30mm
Eye Relief, in 4 3.8
FOV, ft@100yards 22.6
Click Value 1/4 MOA
Adjustment range 85MOA
Parallax Asjustment SF
<span style="color: #FF0000">Country of Origin China</span>
Price $390

The information is from ILya's review on the Hawke Tactical

DK </div></div>

Maybe its just me but the thought of them being produced in a sweat shop by a 12 year old just scares the shit out of me... (for a second there a flash of being in walmart and seeing one in the sporting goods section hit me)

Granted a lot of decent stuf is made overseas, and im sure im a bit ignorant (red blooded american red-neck here) too but im definatly stuck on the opinion that stuf made in china is crap.

From what i have read so far i can understand someone saying...
(wanted to quote but couldn't find it again) that this is the BEST chinese made scope on the market.

and i might agree with that... it is what it is...

 

[bruce_ventura]

Re: opinions on HAWK sidewinder series scopes???

According to Hawke, their Chinese factory is dedicated to Hawke products, and the return rate is less than 1%. That return rate is very low in this industry. It tells me the factory has a good quality system and Hawke has good communication with the factory.

I have no affiliation with Hawke, nor do I own any of their products.

 

[jwp6114]

Re: opinions on HAWK sidewinder series scopes???

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bruce_ventura</div><div class="ubbcode-body">According to Hawke</div></div>

not bashin you at all...

if i were hawke or any manufacture i would say that too

but im sure we all can agree that its field reports from users that test and abuse them on a day to day basis who's opinion hold the most ground. which i have read some of and am quite satisfied with the input taken.

 

[RPNP]

Re: opinions on HAWK sidewinder series scopes???

I've had a 10x42 Sidewinder for about three years now, it spent the first year on a Remington 700 in .308 but now sits on a little .22 after upgrading. It's never let me down so I can't really comment on any customer service/warranty issues but it's always held its zero and glass is pretty good for the money, it's taken a fair few knocks as well and still performs flawlessly.
Hope this is of some help.

 

[mceod]

Re: opinions on HAWK sidewinder series scopes???

UPS broke the only one I've had. However, one call to Hawke and they had me set up with a solution to get it fixed or replaced. Was it free? No, but the mess up wasn't their fault. However, it was very reasonably priced. Seemed like good people that back their product.

As far as using it, haven't had that chance yet.

 

[Kiba]

Re: opinions on HAWK sidewinder series scopes???

I've only had personal experience with one Hawke scope (a sidewinder tactical) and it was not a good one.

Glass was OK. Not up to say Bushnell 4200 quality but clear enough to be usable. The comparison to a Nikon Monarch was a good one; not perfect but the glass would not prevent it from doing its job. Fit/finish was pretty good. Knobs felt OK, slightly vague but easily felt detents/clicks. Tracked OK on paper during testing, at least prior to actually firing the rifle...

Now for the problems... the scope had severe issues holding zero and the knobs did not track properly nor adjust immediately; i.e. you'd make an elevation adjustment and the POI wouldn't move and then a couple shots later the POI would jump in both elevation and windage in an amount that was not what I cranked in.

My overall experience was not positive, however here's a HUGE disclaimer: this particular Hawke scope was mounted on an RWS 56-TH magnum springer air rifle. Springer air rifles can produce probably the nastiest recoil conditions that a scope can be subjected to and the 56-TH is one of the strongest springer air rifles on the market. The 56-TH is in no way a "scope friendly" rifle and it's widely regarded as a scope eater. I had doubts the "reasonably priced" Hawke would function or survive on the Model 56-- and my doubts were confirmed.

In contrast, I have another local friend with budget constraints who has been using a Hawke Tactical on a .22-250 varmint rifle for about 2 years now with zero issues in regards to zero holding or tracking repeatability/accuracy.

For the price the Hawke offers a lot of features and if you get a good one I can see them being a good value. As one of the above posters said it's probably one of the best "Made in China" scopes I've seen/used, although that impression can certainly be interpreted in two ways...

 

[tt123]

Re: opinions on HAWK sidewinder series scopes???

I'm a tad put off by your post Kiba...

I've just broken the rather crappy Simmons scope that was on my .30-06, and am considering buying either a Hawke Sidewinder Tactical 30T 6.5-20x42, or perhaps a Vortex Viper 6,5-20x44.

Bad idea on a .30-06, or not?

 

[tt123]

Re: opinions on HAWK sidewinder series scopes???

They've both got 1/4 MOA clicks on the turrets and 1/2 mildot on the reticle.

 

[jwp6114]

Re: opinions on HAWK sidewinder series scopes???

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: rdsii64</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Do the turrets match the reticule?? </div></div>

i have not yet seen a 10th mil adjustment model.

 

[jwp6114]

Re: opinions on HAWK sidewinder series scopes???

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: tt123</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'm a tad put off by your post Kiba...

I've just broken the rather crappy Simmons scope that was on my .30-06, and am considering buying either a Hawke Sidewinder Tactical 30T 6.5-20x42, or perhaps a Vortex Viper 6,5-20x44.

Bad idea on a .30-06, or not?</div></div>

for gods sake man, if you can afford it and find one get the VIPER PST.... i have seeen them in use where i compete (havent seen any Hawk where i shoot). i have had my hands on 3 pst's so far and can't wait to get to play (shoot) one.

 

[KnightOfNee]

Re: opinions on HAWK sidewinder series scopes???

The "Tactical Series" is fantastic, I would buy another in a heartbeat, if I needed one.

I have had many scopes, Leupold, Nightforce,Many diff Vortex, Super Sniper,Leatherwood, Nikon, Wotac, Burris,Bushnell.

I have to say, that my Hawke Sidewinder "TACTICAL"
Is my favorite at it's pricepoint.

This is the model I have on my 300wm, Hawke

I have not had a chance to mess with any of the other Hawke scope, but I was told from A person at Hawke that the "tactical Series" uses their best glass and is made in a different factory then the other Hawke scopes.

The Sidewinder scopes have different glass then the Sidewinder Tactical Series, Even though the scope body looks the same.

The only downside I have found is the turrents are not that great, but they still do a good job,it tracks great, has good eye relief, is very bright and takes recoil well.
No, it's not a Nightforce but I cant expect more for under $500.

I just pulled off a 1.5" 3 shot group the other day at 550 yards with it on my 300wm" I know I dont have a picture, I dont have a good camera, would rather spend money on my scopes and rifles".

Was using my handload, 210GR Berger Hunting VLD, 76.5gr H-1000, Hornady brass, CCI Br2 primer. Seated close to the lands, but not touching.

Rem 700 Bluprinted action, 26" 1/10 twist Kreiger 5R heavy Varmint fluted countour barrel, Bedded Hs M24 stock,Badger FTE brake,Timney trigger.

 

[1973cj5]

Re: opinions on HAWK sidewinder series scopes???

I own the Hawke Sidewinder 30 (HK4002 SW3-12x50IRSF Mildot). Purchased the scope in November for a Savage 270. I have about 120-150 rounds through the gun/scope. The scope meets my needs very well. I am 53 years old and trying to improve my shooting skills (I like to shoot at paper as a hobby and love to hunt mule deer). I did have to send the scope back in February (windage turret would not lock/unlock). Customer service was excellent and I had the scope back in 10 days.

I will be purchasing another Hawke Sidewinder 30 for my youngest son this summer for his birthday.