Last year, for Field & Stream magazine, I reviewed several riflescopes that were suited for hunting at extended ranges. You can read the article HERE. Since then I’ve been working a lot with the scope that had the second highest score – a Swarovski Z3 4-12X 50 BT. I’ve come to trust it enough I’m planning on using it on an upcoming elk hunt in New Mexico.
Why? I’ll also be using a New Ultra Light Arms rifle in .35 Whelen and since the .35 Whelen is not very flat shooting I wanted to be able to compensate for distance accurately and swiftly. The Ballistic turret system on the Swarovski Z3 is a very fail proof system for doing just that.
Even with this large scope (14 inches long / 15 ounces) total rifle weight is only 7 pounds, 5 ounces. Yes, before you ask, when you touch off that crisp as glass Timney trigger (Timney triggers are standard issue in every New Ultra Light Arms rifle.) and launch that 200-grain Hornady bullet at 2900 fps, you know your sending a serious message down range. (Yes, you read that right, PACT chronograph confirmed at 2900 fps!) Fortunately, the clever stock design on the New Ultra Light Arms rifle helps manage all 29 foot pounds of recoil energy.
Equipping rifles for hunting at extended ranges is all the rage now days. Don’t overlook the unique ballistic turret (BT) feature Swarovski offers. You can get it and a 4X12 Z3 for less than $ 1000.00.
It’s so simple even a hillbilly can do it.
