S&B Klassik vs Swaro Z5i

[RockSlinger404]

Dear AH Members,

I pulled the trigger on a .375H&H, while I'm waiting for the licence, I'm trying to decide which scope to put on it.

I personally like the European manufacturers and at this stage its split between the S&B Klassic 3-12x42 L7 and the Swarovski Z5i 3.5-18x44 P. The price is about the same.

On my wishlist for this rifle are leopard and croc, which for me means the following criteria:

• Illuminated reticle
• 42-44mm objective

The main differences are

• S&B reticle is FFP vs Swaro SFP
• S&B 30mm tube vs Swaro 1" tube
• S&B traditional look vs Swaro modern look

I prefer the look of the S&B, however I am worried about using a FFP scope for hunting. I have no experience with FFP scopes, however the risk of the reticle becoming too fine at low magnification might be mitigated by the illumination.

I would much appreciate any inputs and experience that fellow members have had please.

 

[JHT]

If you are planning on a buffalo or an elephant, I would recommend the Z6 Swarovski 1.7-10x42 or the Meopta Meostar R2 1.7-10x42. Personally, I feel a minimum magnification of 3 is too high on a DG rifle as your shots will be extremely close. Also, the field of view on the S&B is awfully low and the FFP reticle is extremely hard to see on low power. Just my 2 cents.

 

[RockSlinger404]

Thanks for the input, I don't really see this as a traditional DG rifle, hence the larger magnification. I can use my 404Jeff or 470NE (in the making) for DG.

Like mentioned, think leopard and croc along with plains game.

 

[Pheroze]

Like mentioned, think leopard and croc along with plains game.

Take look at the z5 2.4-12 with a #4 reticle of some version. It is 50mm and gives a much better view for short range and yet has sufficient magnification for the longer shots. It's brighter too.

I have never looked through the S&B but I have both z5 with 3.5x and 2.4x

 

[JHT]

Personally, of the two, I’d get the S&B due to the 30mm tube. I’d also get the L3 reticle and mount in QD rings in case of a leopard follow up.

 

[uplander01]

S & B every time. I have 4 of their models, one of them is 25 years old, owned at least 10 over the decades. They are built for the long haul as far as durability. My favorite for big bore bolt guns is a Zenith 1-4. I would really like to own a EXOS 1-8 but they are too expensive for me,...but I would venture to say they are the best & most versatile hunting scope on the market. I'm partial to straight tube scopes and I don't hunt when light is gone. I will say though that a straight tube SB is as bright as most with a 40mm objective,

 

[Rare Breed]

Dear AH Members,

I pulled the trigger on a .375H&H, while I'm waiting for the licence, I'm trying to decide which scope to put on it.

I personally like the European manufacturers and at this stage its split between the S&B Klassic 3-12x42 L7 and the Swarovski Z5i 3.5-18x44 P. The price is about the same.

On my wishlist for this rifle are leopard and croc, which for me means the following criteria:

• Illuminated reticle
• 42-44mm objective

The main differences are

• S&B reticle is FFP vs Swaro SFP
• S&B 30mm tube vs Swaro 1" tube
• S&B traditional look vs Swaro modern look

I prefer the look of the S&B, however I am worried about using a FFP scope for hunting. I have no experience with FFP scopes, however the risk of the reticle becoming too fine at low magnification might be mitigated by the illumination.

I would much appreciate any inputs and experience that fellow members have had please.

I just pulled the trigger on my 4th Zwaroskvi scope and got the Z5i which is the illuminated version specifically to use to hunt Leapord.

 

[Ray B]

I recently got an S&B Klassik 4-16 LM A7. As noted it is a FFP which means the reticle appears to get larger as the power is increased and smaller as power is decreased.. There are two differences between the scope you are seeking and mine: yours will illuminated reticle and slightly less power, While I don'r own a Swarovsky scope, we are aware of their quality by owning several pieces of their crystal. It is really top notch. So I don't doubt that the Swarovsky is an outstanding scope, But I have four S&B scopes of varying models fixed powers and variable. For several years they have given exemplary service.

So,

I cannot say that if you pick the Swaro you will be happy or sad- I can say with firm convictions it you get the S&B it will last years and years and you will be very glad that you bought it. Buyer beware- buying an S&B almost always leads to purchasing another and another. How do you think I am presently at 4?

 

[Red Leg]

Regardless of make, I can’t imagine any need for that high magnification on any .375 for any game animal it is likely to take. I can think of all sorts of reasons for low range capability - something like 1.5x.

I love S&B as well. However, compare the eye relief between the classic and a comparable Swaro or Leica. On a .270 it doesn’t matter, but a .375 can rearrange an eyebrow if the distance between lens and eye is insufficient.

I also hate old school FFP reticles. If you try to use upper range on a small target - a croc’s brain for instance, the cross hair will cover most of the head at higher powers.