Swarovski Z3

[204 Hunter]

Hi All,
Has anyone used the swaro Z3 line of scopes?
The 4-12 looks interesting with the balistic turret.

[louie the fly]

I have a Z3 3-9 x 36 4a and Z3 4-12 x 50 plex with BT - Scopes sit on my CZ455 22lr and 17hmr respectfully.

Overall, I can't fault the performance of the scopes. They are bright and clear at night and in low light conditions and the windage and elevation clicks are very positive. The Z3 line is nice and light and with the 1'' tube they mount neatly on my rifles. For a hunting scope I think they sit at the top of the tree.

In terms of the BT - I have a bit of experience with them now as I have them on my Z3, Z5 and Z6 sitting on 17hmr, 204 ruger and 25-06rem respectfully. I find for general hunting and varminting they are simple and well suited to this task. Compared to other methods I find they are not as versatile as you only have 4 potential settings in the field without referring to ballistics data. I generally have my varmint rifles zeroed for 200yds then have the elevation markers on 250, 300, 350 and make a note of the 400yd setting and just click up as required. The only negative is that sometimes I have been out in the field and haven't brought along the little adjustment tool with me - just a pain if you want to make adjustments easily. The other recommendation I would make is to actually shoot out to 250, 300, 350yds to confirm the zero and properly set the BT and don't just rely on ballistics data.

If you're after a varminting scope I can also recommend the Z5 line - I have the 5-25 x 52 BT model but the 3.5-18 x 44 version is just about about the ideal general varmint scope apart from the price!

[204 Hunter]

Thanks for the reply louie

[matang]

Hi All,
Has anyone used the swaro Z3 line of scopes?
The 4-12 looks interesting with the balistic turret.

Perfect scope for low light on evenings mornings daylight hours.
Found it shit to shoot at night under a spotlight. It was my brothers 5-25×52 Z3 with plex crosshair. I found the reticle would change tones with different shadows and contrasts and I would loose the fine cross when shooting foxes. My brother has poor eye sight and was having difficulty with it ?(my eyesight is really good touch wood) and asked me to shoot it. 1 night out and I told him to move it on. We both have a Zeiss HD5 5-25×50 and have no complaints. Maybe the Z5 had it clarity.
Best varmint scope value for money is the Nightforce BR line. I mostly use a 5-15 ×56 Nightforce varminter (old model)
A shearer down this way that shoots more foxes than anyone I know or heard off now making a living Roo shooting in Vic had same scope brand Z5 new only lasted a week with it.
Just my 2 bobs worth. As the saying goes opinions like bum holes.

[louie the fly]

The Z5's have thinner crosshairs than the Z3 line.

My 5-25x52 has the 4a and is on the thin side under the light - The Z3 however has the plex and is much thicker. Reminds me of the traditional leupold duplex