DarkLordOfOptics
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Swampfox Tomahawk II 1-4x24
Going wide
July 01, 2024

When looking at modern budget LPVOs, the ones that stand out to me are the versions with fiber illuminate reticles.  These have been around for a while in different guises, but they started (at least the ones I can think of) with Japanese manufacturers.  Trijicon has been dabbling with different version for a long time, but Vorte Razor Gen2 1-6x24 is the scope that really put it on the map.  These have been made in significant quantities and acquitted themselves very nicely.  A while back, I spent some time in the place that maintains a lot of the small weapon systems for the various specialized troops we have.  I was not there for dayoptics, but boy did I see a lot of Razor Gen2 scopes there.  They were well liked and they held up well.  Simple reticle was easy to use and the ultra bright fiber dot made the scope seriously fast.  Wide and very well corrected FOV did not hurt either.  The scope is not cheap, so Vortex offered a similar reticle illumination scheme in a much cheaper Phillipino made PST Gen2 1-6x24 https://alnk.to/aANR0Sl

A lot more recently, Chinese OEMs figured out how to do fiber reticles and Primary Arms' 1-6x24 with Nova fiber iluminated reticle became an unmitigated success. https://alnk.to/6bUUuw4  

Fiber illuminated reticles are electroformed (wire), rather than etched out of glass.  That prevents reticle designers from adding many features of questionable utility into the sight picture.  Apparently, the concept worked since Primary Arms has since added a fiber illuminated version of their PLxC 1-8x24 which is really impressive https://alnk.to/4XvBCQE (review coming soon).   That's the scope that goes head to head with the Razor Gen2.

What, then, goes head to head with the inexpensive PA SLx?

That would be the 2nd generation of SwampFox Tomahawk scopes.  I saw the 1-6x24 version at SHOT and it is avialable with a wire fiber illuinated reticle (BFO in SwampFox parlance) and more conventional, but less bright glass etched reticle.  All of these reticles are avialable in 1-4x24 and 1-6x24 models.

Unlike most other scopes out there, SwampFox offers their fiber illumination in four colors: red, blue, green and amber.

After staring at the specs a little bit, I got my hands onto the 1-4x24 model with amber iluminated dot.

I suspect more people would prefer red or green dot https://alnk.to/58qmBLq , but I had a very specific thing I wanted to test.

I have mild astigmatism and an ultra bright red dot does trigger it slightly.  It does not impact my shooting, but amber is supposed to play better with astigmatism.  For people with more sever eye astigmatism than mine, this could be important.

Well, to cut the long story short, the amber dot is indeed sharper to my eye.  Here is the view through the Tomahawk II on 1x:

and on 4x:

I looked at the Tomahawk next to he similarly priced Primary Arms SLx 1-6x24:

In comparison, the new Swampfox is about an inch shorter and a couple of ounces heavier.  The illumination on the PA is a bit brighter, but both were easily day bright in midday Albuquerque sun.

PA's SLx has simple covered turrets.  SwampFox uses locking exposed turrets.  That probaby accounts for the weight difference.  On a scope of this type, covered turrets work just fine, but as long as the turrets lock, I do not hugely care.

What I do care about is the FOV and that is the reason I went with the 1-4x SwampFox instead of the 1-6x.  On 1x, it has 134ft @ 100yards FOV.  That's a lot.  All of the scope I talk about in the background section above are in the 115 to 120 ft range.  Here is the view through the SLx on 1x.  Note that FOV difference:

The 1-6x version of the Tomahawk II has FOV nearly identical to the PA, but the 1-4x is wider.  To me, that is probably more important on a budget LPVO than the erector ratio (within reason).  I'd love to see a truly modern 1-4x LPVO that is very short and has wide FOV.

In the meantime, I am pretty hapy with the new SwampFox.  Optically, it is a step up over the previous generation and a flatter image than the SLx.  Now, it is not a true apple to apples comparision due to different erector ratios.  However, it is a very nicely sorted out scope in terms of image quality.  Resolution and contrast are pretty good even at the edges.  I spent time with it in a variety of lighting conditions without any issues.  Even flare is fairly well controlled.

Mechanically, I have not had any issues yet, but it is a sample of one.  I did not test whether the windage turret tracks.  It tracked correctly while sighting in, but that's oe adjustment.  I did check the elevation turret to the tune of about 30MOA and it was accurate.  Since I do not intend to dial with it, I did not spend much time on that.  The clicks are 0.5 MOA each and one full turn of the turret is 50MOA.

That gets to what I consider to be the main weakness of the design: like several SwampFox products it is MOA only.  That basically makes it a non-starter for my own personal use, but if you are an MOA shooter, you might like it.

If you can live with the MOA reticle, the new Tomahawk II appears to be a very nicely sorted out budget LPVO option.  Like all SwampFox products to date, it is made in China, which is why it costs what it costs.  If you want a different country of origin, you'll need to open up your wallet a bit wider.

However, you would have to open it MUCH wider to get a alrger apparent FOV.  The 1-4x24 Tomahawk II clocks in with an apparent field of view of just over 25 degrees.  That's quite a lot and is one of the reasons it works well with clip-ons.  Between that and the different reticle illumination options, it offers a compelling alternative.

 

 

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Delta Stryker 3.5-21x44 Wrap-up

This scope comes up a lot since I really like the configuration. It is time to do a final wrap-up of it.

It is one of my favourite scopes on the market today, especially for the money, since I naturally lean toward general purpose-ish designs. Still, while the 3.5-21x44 Stryker is relatively compact and light, it still clearly leans toward the precision side of things, which suites me very well.

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AR-15 Handguards with integrated Arca rail

I had a couple of ARs I wanted to set up for long range training. There is more to do with them, but I started out by swapping out the handguards for models with an integrated full length Arca rail. Larger flat on the bottom of the handguard helps it settle on the sandbag and makes it easier to shoot off of a tripod. I also found the ability to slide the bipod to different positions occasionally helpful.

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Burris XTR PS Wrap-Up

The first Burris XTR PS scope I got my hands on landed here in the beginning of March.
That means I have been messing with this design for a bit under four months. That does not quite qualify as a long term test by my standards, but it is a fair amount of time and quite a few rounds shot, mostly 5.56 and 308.
I have both of the models of XTR PS and both work well.
https://alnk.to/3U3cZEC

For matches and such, I would lean toward the 5.5-30x56 version, but for general purpose use, the smaller 3.3-18x50 model does have an edge. You can shoot a match with it, take it hunting in the mountains or slap a thermal clip-on in front to go shoot some pigs. While not light weight, it is a very flexible design owing to moderate size and mid-pack magnification range.

As I said in the video, I think XTR PS is a meaningful step forward in simplifying how we shoot at distance.

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Sig P320

I just got an e-mail from my local range that they are banning any and all use of the Sig P320 due to the appearance of the gun going off by itself.

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There is a good number of anecdotal accounts of P320 going off on its own, including the incident that resulted in the tragic death of an airman in Wyoming a few days ago.

Neither Sig, nor the various government entities nor any of the 3rd parties were able to re-create ANY of these incidents.

A large number of P320s were retrieved, tested and abused. That includes the actual firearms that the incidents happened with.

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Leupold Scope dump at CDNN.

I just got an email, multiple models and reticles for 3HD, 4HD and 5HD scopes. You need call to get prices.

https://www.cdnnsports.com/optics.html?manufacturer=LEUPOLD

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Scoping Gas Guns
an interesting question that acme in via PM

I received this question via a private message and thought it was interesting enough to answer it in some detail.  I have been thinking a lot about appropriate optics for gas guns recently, so this came it at the right time.

 

Here is what I ahve been messing with last few days:

 

Above: 18" WOA barrel 5.56 AR-15 with Burris XTR PS 5.5-30x56 on it.

Below: 22" Satern barrel 224Valkyrie AR-15 with Delta Stryker 3.5-21x44 on it.


For obvious reasons, I am not posting who asked the question, but what I'll do is send him a link to this article, so that he gets an answer and we might have a good discussion.
Here is what I received:

Had a question for you
I have a Knights Armament SR25 6.5CM with a 14.5" barrel - I plan on shooting 100 - 600 yards at targets at 100 yd intervals
I am favoring the TT 315P with an Aimpont Acro mounted on top -( see you liked the TT315M) - would that be enough magnification?
I saw the SB SB 5-20 which offer more top end - I like the turrets on the Tanget and tooless Zero - what are your thoughts between the 2?
If I stayed 400 and under - how do you see the TT315P with the Acro Red dot against the SB 1-8 Short Dot (saw your review on that)

There isn't really enough information in the question for a simple answer, so let's consider a couple of options.

What is the gun for? 

For shooting medium range (out to 600) with occasional close range use?  If yes, go with a conventional scope and offset or piggybacked RDS.

For shooting at close distance with occasional med/long range use? If yes, so with a nice LPVO like the above mentioned S&B Short Dot 1-8x24 https://alnk.to/3J8vlFv.  It is quite capable at long range, but where it will really knock your socks off is up close and personal.

The question of what is enough magnification is pretty personal.  For me, 3-15x is plenty, but I shoot a lot off of the tripod and off of barricades which likely influences my decision.  For that, my 3-15x50 TT315M Tangent works great and 6mrad of elevation is plenty.  https://alnk.to/gVNkUXB  175gr #08 out of a shoter tube will drop in the 5 to 5.5mrad range at 600 yards.

For a dedicated long range semi-auto, other than the looks, there isn't much downside to a larger scope, which is why I set up Burris' XTR PS on the 5.56 AR pictured above.  It is for my son to learn to shoot at distance and to us in next year's BOTC match.  https://alnk.to/gp33YuR

If I were setting up an accurate semi-auto and wanted a high mag scope for it, I would likely lean toward March 4.5-28x52. https://alnk.to/dLjHgjh  It is compact, relatively light and very good optically for any use other than the dead of the night (for which we should be using clip-ons anyway).

S&B Short Dot is a very nice scope, but March is a newer design and, other than the lowest light, has an edge in terms of image fidelity and stray light control.

TT315P Tangent is a veyr ncie scope and toolles turrets are appealing.  However, there is a weight penalty to that.  For me, that was not worth it.  I ahve 5-25x56 and 7-35x Tangents and those toolless turrets are spectacular.  However, in a 3-15x50, I am quit ecomfortable with simpler 6mrad per turn knobs on the TT315M.

 

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A morning with a chronograph

When I tell people that I am using Hornady's factory ammo for matches, I get occasionally surprised looks.  Occasionally.  Most of the time, I get fairly condescending looks from handloaders who would not let a factory round pollute the chambers of their precision rifles if their lives depended on it.

To be fair, if I had the time, I might be reloading as well.  I might be able to do better than modern factory ammo, but the truth is that I am not a quarter MOA shooter, so a lot of that would be lost on me.  The UKD matches I fidn most interesting can be done by a competent shooter with a 1MOA gun.  I am working on that first part.  I reload when I have to, but if I can get factory ammo that's not outrageously expensive and that shoots well, I will go with that every time.

I looked around and realized that I have about 600 rounds of Hornady 147gr 6.5CM factory ammo from two lots.  400 rounds from one that I will use during the match later this month.  The remainder I will likely use up practicing prior to that.

I woke up early and snuck out to the range while my family was still asleep earlier today.

I set up in the 100 yard tunnel we have.  I took my four shots to zero with the lot I plan to use for the match.  Then I fired a six shot ~0.7MOA group.  That's accurate enough for my purposes.

Here are the chronograph results:

It is slow, but accurate and consistent.

Then I shot a five round group of Hornady 147gr ammo from the other lot.

Both of those lots are not too shabby for factory ammo.  POI was within 0.2mrad between the two lots, all laterally.  

 

I had some other ammo on hand, so I fired two five shot groups with Berger 144gr hybrid target ammo and Sako TRG 136gr.

Here is what I got for five rounds of Berger:

That's not a ton of statistics, but it is a data point.  The group was ~1.1MOA

 

Here the data for the Sako TRG 136gr ammo:

This ammo showed some mild pressure signs, but not too significant.  

Again, this is not a ton of data, but Hornady is looking pretty decent here.

I'll repeat the zero retention and consistency tests a couple more times between now and June 18th when we head to Wyoming.

I might pick up a couple more boxes of Hornady 147gr from a different lot to get some more data.

More to come.

 

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First PRS Match is behind me
High Noon at Del Norte

My first PRS match is officially behind me.  It was, I think an officially sanctioned regional PRS match at the shooting range called Del Norte about an hour from me (just east of Rio Rancho).
As I discussed previously, rather than using the rifle I originally prepared for it, I ended up having to change gears at the last moment and slapping a 5-25x56 Tangent on my daughter's 6ARC MiniFIx.  A lightweight 16" Proof barreled 6ARC is not an ideal set up for PRS competition, but, in the grand scheme of things, the rifle did hot hold me back at all.  I had a couple of weights that fit the Q-cert handguard, so I slapped them on there as well, which got the rifle to right around 12lbs.  The balance point was almost where I want it, but not quite.  In all other ways, this was a very handy rifle to shoot.  I am actually thinking of getting a couple more weights that I can stack on it (Sawtooth weights are stackable), so that I can shoot some future local matches with it.  It shoots Hornady's Black 105gr ammo very well (it also shoots 108gr ELD-M and 103gr ELD-X well, but I had a larger supply of Hornady Black ammo on hand).

It chrono'ed pretty consistently for factory ammo.  Here are the measurements for a 20 shot group.

If I were to take out the fastest shot, SD drops down to 8fps.  

In terms of wind performance, it is a 5mph rifle, so slightly better than the 308 ammo I was going to use originally, but not as good as the 6.5CM that was my intended match rifle for this year (we make plans, but then life happens).

I do have to admit that I really enjoyed shooting the match with the MiniFix.  So much so, that I am seriously thinking of building another one for myself, since this rifle is technically my daughter's.

The closest shot we had was a bit over a couple of hundred yards.  The furthest was around 1150.  That was a bit challenging for the 16" barreled 6ARC, especially since the terrain there is tricky and wind is doing strange things.  Morning was relatively quiet wind-wise, but then the wind becamse gusty with changing directions.

It was a one day match with about 30 shooters (six squads) and ten stages.  The 17 year old kid who won the match was in my squad with his dad.  Apparently he is on the US team, so it should not be surrpising that he won.  He was very good.

Overall level of the shooters in the match was quite good.  I really was not sure what to expect.  Somewhat paradoxically, the only matches that I have shot in so far are the much larger two day NRL Hunter matches.  In those, I am just out of the bottom third in terms of skill level.  In this match, it was pretty much in the same spot, I think.  

The terrain was a little bit like Cameo, I think (I have been there, but not shot there), with some angle changes and sufficient vegetation to make getting on target occasionally troublesome. 

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