SWFA Long Range Rifle Scope Review 🎯 SWFA SS 12x42 & SWFA SS 3-15x42

A $300 scope that tracks as precisely as a $2,000 scope? We didn't just test the SWFA SS 12x42 scope in the box test; we took this model out to a mile. 1,760 yards. It was right on the money, running next to a Bushnell XRS-II Tremor 3, a Bushnell HDMR-II, and a Nikon FX1000. Its image didn't keep up with those more expensive scopes, but it was good enough to read mirage and spot dirt spray. If you're looking for a long range rifle scope that can take a beating and not care, SWFA has your model. You just need to pick which magnification is right for you.
⚡ COUPON CODE = REGRESS for big discounts on my favorite TESTED Axil Bluetooth earbud hearing protectors: bit.ly/3AimpBg ⚡
My Rig:
🎯 Savage 12FV in 6.5 Creedmoor
🔭 SWFA SS 12x42 MIL Scope: bit.ly/3Pf92cw
🔭 SWFA SS 3-15x42 MIL Scope: bit.ly/3skZtzs
⚙ Weaver Extended Multi-Slot Base (SA, 20MOA): shrsl.com/46k3h
⚙ Weaver 4-Hole Picatinny Rings (30mm, Low): shrsl.com/22s2h
🌳 Boyds At-One Stock in Nutmeg Laminate
⚙ Champion Bipod 9-13": shrsl.com/46k3t
⚙ Champion Rear Bag (Cylinder): shrsl.com/46k3z
⚙ Protektor Leather Rear Bag: shrsl.com/477tg
⚙ Lyman Tac-Mat HD Long Range Mat: shrsl.com/46k4c
📐 Horus HOVR 1.0 Bluetooth Rangefinder: bit.ly/3QvVp9N
📐 Horus HOVR 1.0 Bluetooth Wind Meter: bit.ly/3QvVp9N
Spotting Rig:
⚙ Athlon Midas CF29 Tripod: shrsl.com/3o31d
🔭 Athlon Ares Spotting Scope: shrsl.com/3o324
⚙ Neewer Sandbags: amzn.to/3To5fs8
Notes for KZbin Commissars: All scenes filmed on a closed set and private range.
Kyle Broderick, The Social Regressive
00:00 Reputation
00:36 SWFA SS 12x42
01:32 Turret Travel!
03:11 Japanese Construction
03:41 Models
04:18 Mil Quad Reticle
05:00 Turret Quality
05:49 Eyepiece
06:13 Dimensions
06:53 Recoil
07:20 Waterproofing
07:40 Lens Coatings
08:04 Sunshade
08:17 SWFA 3-15x42
09:19 Box Test
09:39 Image Quality
11:52 Long Range Rifle Scope

[@winstonjones7519]

Kyle, I probably have eight or so of the SWFA scopes. Never had any problem with any of them. I put a fixed 16 power on a Remington 700 .308 Winchester. I left that rifle zeroed for 500 meters. When I left the range at RC I would go knock all the rams down before I left with it. No rams up? Yep that was me.

[@SocialRegressive]

Aha! Busted! As long as you're not the bloke that paints 'em flat dark earth. That was hilariously difficult when all I had were iron sights and my paint can ran out.

[@winstonjones7519]

@@SocialRegressive LoL

[@jaymiller393]

Most underrated glass for the money…. Absolute tank of a scope with high quality tracking repeatability!

[@jcjustice3786]

Very good young man. I have 2 of them. 10x on American rugar 22 cal & 16x on 224 valkeri AR. For the money and for hunting, (which is what I do) hard to beat. To me it is very clear and good for my 70yr old eyes. Don't need to spend all kinds of crazy money for a good scope. (I'm a blue collar retiree and a 100% disabled combat Army veteran).

[@TheTdwilson]

I have a 6x42 mounted on a high-end Franken-rifle 10/22. Lightweight. Great glass. And as you mentioned, the turrets track without error. Many a squirrel has tasted defeat at the hands of my system. In short, the SWFA scope performs flawlessly.

[@antinormality]

Woohoo!! Always a good day when Kyle posts!

[@SocialRegressive]

Thanks, bro! This was a fun LONG-term test. Did you ever try mine?

[@mattrob80]

I purchased the SWFA SS 10x42 way back in 2006, when it was marketed as Super Sniper and came in a box that said it was manufactured by Tasco. Mounted it onto a Savage Model 10. Beat that thing up, took it to Alaska, many deer hunts. Finally let it go earlier this year, just needed more magnification as I've gotten older. I'd buy that 3-15 today, but I want an illuminated reticle.

[@SocialRegressive]

Thanks for sharing your experiences!

[@ontarget7582]

I've learned a lot from you. I appreciate it ❤

[@SocialRegressive]

Well, thanks!

[@rickinmi]

I think the 3-15 has HD glass. Hence the price and performance. SWFA used to offer the fixed power with HD glass. I haven't seen that in a while though. I run a 6x42 on a marlin 795 for RFKD (Rim Fire Known Distance) shoots at Appleseed. The impressive travel really helps!

[@farmerwayne1404]

Got the 12x standard on sale $199. I like the moa version because of the open center dot. 1000 yds all day long, .308, .223! Nice vid, ty!

[@lam.924]

Love these scopes. I have the 10x and 12x models.

[@suco.man34]

I have 3 swfa ss scopes. All on my spring air rifles. Never losing the zero again. The only scope that I truly trust for a spring air rifle.

[@antpassalacqua]

love love love fixed magnification optics

[@antpassalacqua]

thanks a ton for showcasing this brand, definitely gonna pick up some fixed powers from them!

[@SocialRegressive]

If you like lower magnification, you should check out my review on the Simmons 4x. It's much better than it had any right to be.

[@Deerslayer1912]

I have a 3-15 SFP with the mil quad reticle that has a center dot I got for $400 4 years ago. Thing has worked flawlessly the whole time. It’s seen many PRS matches and hunts on my 300 win mag. I’ve dropped it, kicked it, and rolled it over and it always holds zero. Glass definitely isn’t the greatest, but it’s good enough to work. Used it to shoot a mule deer at dusk last year at 660 yards

[@SocialRegressive]

I'm grateful that you shared your experiences with it. Seems like the reputation is well-earned. I've been perfectly pleased with mine; as long folks understand the weaknesses, these SWFAs are a great choice.

[@robertjackson1407]

Thank you 😊

[@SocialRegressive]

Good to hear from you, Robert!

[@skeet330]

Have a fixed 12 which works great for targets

[@pyrolisys2934]

I have the 16x MOA quad on my .50cal and I love it.

[@SocialRegressive]

What rifle are you running? Bolt? Or Semiauto?

[@josephhomen]

Love swfa scopes Both of my 3-15 have over 40 mils of adjustment and above 13x they do get a little darker. I have shot targets at over 2000yds with a 3-15 swfa. But I do prefer a $3200 night force for ELR.

[@SocialRegressive]

What cartridges are you taking out to 2k yards?

[@buckaroobonsi555]

i built my son a rifle using a Remington 700 Varmint rifle in 308 and a SWFA SS10X scope and it is a fantastic rifle. I tried the 20X SWFA SS scope and I think the 20X magnification is pushing the quality of the glass past it's sweet spot. I am going to try either the 12X or the 6X on my next build!

[@SocialRegressive]

That makes sense. I'll bet it got dark quickly at dusk, too.

[@thehoneybadger8089]

Now we're talking! Could a resurgence of the fixed-power scope be not too far away?!

[@winstonjones7519]

Would love to see a nice fixed four power.

[@SocialRegressive]

You might like the Simmons 4x models. I've tested mine for years, and it's MUCH better than its price tag indicates.

[@drdes9609]

I put the 6x on my 350 legend ar. Fits nicely for a hunting rifle.

[@SocialRegressive]

Oooh, great choice!

[@94twentytwo76]

They are AMAZING scopes! The 6x super sniper is quite bright….. brightest of the bunch I believe. Nice watch 🍻 Explorer if I’m not mistaken? 🍻🍻

[@SocialRegressive]

This one's a Seiko 375 Titanium. I LOVE their titanium series.

[@94twentytwo76]

@@SocialRegressive Interesting 💯🍻 I’ll check that out 👍🏻

[@ddyoder]

Got 3+ of these. Nothing fancy, but they work and are tough as hell

[@SocialRegressive]

Thanks for sharing your experience with them.

[@adamferguson576]

Any current deals?

[@jackbippus2757]

I do nothing but target shoot. I have these scopes on my 22lr, 17hmr,17Hornet, 204 Ruger, and 243. They are the best $300 scope out there. Jack

[@SocialRegressive]

Reliable and unstoppable.

[@gocraiger]

I have the 10x. My first thought out of the box was if it sucked, I have a spare hammer.

[@joshuatriggs2941]

Hey I’m actually looking at the 10x. What is wrong with it? I have an Arken EPL-4 that I’m thinking about selling for the swfa 6x or 10x

[@illestdomer2005]

@@joshuatriggs2941he said IF it sucked. Basically, built like it could be a hammer. Also happens to be a nice scope.

[@joshuatriggs2941]

@@illestdomer2005 I completely forgot about this. I’ve moved on from Arken. Too many problems. Have an Athlon Helos now. Amazing scope. I wanted an SWFA but in the end, no illumination killed it for me

[@rifleshooterchannel208]

Any tips on keeping the sunshade from unscrewing? It’s kind of strange. I witness marked mine and have it cinched all the way down and after 40 rounds it started to back off. I don’t think I want to use threadlocker that close to the glass otherwise I would just hit it with loctite purple.

[@brettr6895]

I have the opposite problem lol. I put mine on years ago and now its seized on. I would just tape it in place on the outside.

[@rifleshooterchannel208]

@@brettr6895 😂 Yeah I’m pretty much ready to do that at this point. I have super heavy duty waterproof tape that I’m probably just going to wrap it on with.

[@jeejay98]

I am wondering when it comes to image quality, how do the SWFA 3-15x42 would stack up against a Leupold VX5HD 3-15x44. I know, one is FFP and and the latter is an SFP but putting those features aside, is the image quality the same or relatively close?

[@SocialRegressive]

Not even close. The Leupold is vastly superior.

[@jeejay98]

@@SocialRegressive Thank you for your input.

[@donaldholmes9200]

Are you aware of the shim kit to get a sorta zero stop?

[@SocialRegressive]

I forgot about those! I remember seeing them 'way back in the day. I think I need a couple.

[@vandelayindustries6128]

Do you think if the 3-15 had their HD glass, would it be better? Basically, is their HD glass night and day difference compared to their non HD?

[@SocialRegressive]

I haven't tried it personally, but I imagine it's a big step up.

[@vandelayindustries6128]

@@SocialRegressive I'm just debating what I should do. I got 1300 store points from SWFA because I returned the 5-20 HD scope for warranty. I am thinking whether to get the same scope or get two scopes. The 3-15 (non HD, they don't have HD on this model) and the 3-9 HD. Two of these scopes will be for the price of their top 5-25HD.

[@SocialRegressive]

Interesting. I think they used to have a 3-15 HD model. If you'll be using it in the day, it should be fine. It gets dim at dusk really quickly, though.

[@toddd7444]

Great video to the pointttttttttttttttttttttttt

[@rmarasco1420]

How does it compare to Arken?

[@SocialRegressive]

Both track perfectly. The reticles are night and day different with the SWFA favoring simplicity. According to thr comments i received, it sounds like the Arken has spotty weatherproofing. The SWFA has a reputation for handling anything. Neither has a stellar image quality, but the Arken SH4 has the worst resolution of any scope in my collection. My friends love the EP5, though.

[@mrs.vasquezz]

Ah you need a black box SWFA

[@SocialRegressive]

I've heard the image quality is wonderful. Yeah, I'd like to play with one.

[@rontate7719]

I am searching for at least 1 of the ss 10x42 fixed 10 power ,with the moa dot and adjustments.. Are the SWFA out of business? 1.8.2024

[@SocialRegressive]

Visit swfa.com. I can see that model for $299.95.

[@szolling]

SWFA 3-15 vs Falcon Endura 3.5-25x56mm?

[@SocialRegressive]

Endura all the way unless weight is an issue. It's a cut above just about everything else in its price category.

[@szolling]

You talked me into it. Ordering one now based on your review and comments. I appreciate your honest advice. @@SocialRegressive

[@Irregular503]

I used an SWFA SS 12X scope on my very first mission in Ukraine. Mounted on an AK74 with Texas weapon systems top rail.

[@SocialRegressive]

No way! How did it perform for you?

[@Irregular503]

@@SocialRegressive it was nice and durable. 12x was little too much zoom for anything but open fields. I used it in combat once on a 3 man recon into no man's land as a designated marksman. I spotted a bmp with it in the treeline just after sunset in lowlight that was very hard to make out with bare eyes. Night set in as we were moving though enemy postions in the forest. I felt I had made a mistake and switched to full auto and said a prayer since it was to dark to even see the reticle. Took it off and it was stolen after that mission. Love your channel btw and long time subscriber so it made me smile to see you review a scope I loved very much.

[@SocialRegressive]

Thanks for sharing your story! We all appreciate it. Glad you stayed safe, buddy.

[@user-lc6np4ek9t]

Too bad it's a scumbag company. I don't care if their scopes were the best in the world, SWFA would never get another dime from me.

[@vandelayindustries6128]

What happened?

[@southern842]

Way to give no context.