Rifle Scopes SWFA 1-6 vs. Fixed 6x + red dot reflex sight

[pezferoz]

Hey all, new here but I was wondering what are your thoughts on either a SWFA 1-6 or a combination of a SWFA 6x fixed scope with something like a Burris red dot reflex sight? This is for an AR10 set up that I am hoping to use between 25-300yds (I have bad eyes so prefer 6x over 4x/3.5x stuff) both at the range and for hunting.

I am comfortable with the SWFA 10x on my bolt action and have never used a variable power scope. I am wondering how often do people use magnifications between 1x and 6x? If I am only going to toggle between no magnification and the max 6x, wouldn't it be better to get the larger objective/exit pupil of the fixed swfa 6x? Am I mainly losing the reticle at 1x or is there something else I am overlooking? Thanks for your advice!

 

[SomeOtherGuy]

For your idea, it can work and has some merits, but the issue is that there is one height over bore that is ideal for a scope, and it can't be occupied by two things at once. When you run two separate optics you end up with one of them either WAY too high over bore, or more often, canted 45 degrees or so to one side, which can work but requires canting the rifle too. If one of them will be used 90% of the time, and it sounds like the 6x would probably be it in your case, then having the other one there as a backup for close range, offset at an angle, is OK. But not ideal.

With red dot sights you can also use a magnifier that flips in and out of the view to give you a pure red dot or typically a 3x magnification, but the magnified view isn't ideal. Those are best for people who mostly need a red dot, but want some extra magnification for an occasional longer shot.

The reticle on the SWFA 1-6x is optimized for both 6x and 1x, but the result is that it's especially clumsy around 4-5x where the big outer ring is at the edge of the FOV and effectively reduces the useful FOV. So that scope is best used at its extremes - which is what it's designed for, and how most people use it. It's perfectly useful from 1.1-3x or so as well. Most other 1-6x designs don't have the same feature and are useable continuously throughout their magnification range. The Vortex Razor, for example, which is a SFP design in the existing version.

 

[Shoottothrill]

I was using this scope on my buddy Kac mod-1 the other day and it was great on 6x, really clear and we were able to hit the 12x12 swinger at the local range at 640 yards. I really like the scope alot. Well built clear optics and nice big red donut on 1x. The red dot is not daylight visible outside on a sunny day, but is a dark black doughnut and thats what ya want outside in bright sunlight anyway.