Swarovski variable power on a .50 cal?

[essayons21]

I've recently come into possession of a Armalite AR-50, with the armalite base and one piece scope mount, with a $90 POS scope sitting on it. Now I know its never been fired with that scope, and I'm afraid to shoot it because I don't want pieces of that made in china scope in my face when it comes apart from the recoil.

The only scope I have that I'm willing to take off another rifle is a Swarovski PH 3-12x50. They don't make these any more, but they are about on par with their Z6 line of scopes.

My question: Will the swarovski handle the recoil of the .50 cal? The optics are on par, or even better than a Nightforce, but I am worried about the ruggedness, especially with it being a variable power scope. Or should I try to sell the Swarovski and buy a Leupy Mk4, which has worse glass but I know can withstand the recoil. I would sell the Swarovski and then spend another $700 for a NF, but I am broke right now.

Suggestions?

 

[CharlieDeltaJuliet]

Yes a Swarovski will handle it very well or atleast as good as any other. It does not have alot of recoil due to the muzzle break. But that same muzzle break is what breaks scopes. It has a "two stage"(that damages scopes the same as pellet rifles) recoil due to the break. The Armalites I shot recoiled about like a .270 to me. This being said a quality scope is a plus on a .50, or atleast one with a good warranty. That being said I use a Bushnell Elite, not a high dollar scope, but is the same scope that Barrett put into some of their packages. I shoot a Bushmaster BA50, and have shot most .50's out there. I love the 50bmg round....just so damn fun to shoot.

 

[JAV8000]

Get an SWFA SS scope, they are specifically rated for .50 cal and are a great buy for the money, $700 to your door.

 

[taliv]

barrett used to sell their m95 model in a package with a swaro habicht (sp?) scope. i had one for a while and can't even remember how to spell it now but it was decent. fixed power though

 

[TonyAngel]

Since anything mechanical can have problems, I won't say that your Swaro won't have any problems; but I will say that it shouldn't. Swaro makes a rugged scope, although it may not look like it. I don't know about the glass in your particular Swaro, but the glass in my Z5 is noticeably superior to that of any of the Nightforce scopes that I have/had.

The one area were the Nightforce wins is in the area of adjustment. The Nightforce is just geared more toward dialing a lot. If you don't need this, I'd say try the Swaro. If it fails, get it fixed.

 

[essayons21]

I've seen the fixed power SWFA SS advertised as .50 cal rated. What about the variable scopes? The 5-20 mrad scope looks pretty good. Or should I just stick with a fixed power scope? This is my first .50.

 

[ugaarguy]

It should handle the recoil, but do you want to risk an expensive, difficult to replace scope? If you want something inexpensive, but durable to replace the cheap scope you can use a $250 Bushnell Elite Tactical fixed 10x40 has been used by Barrett on some of their training rifles.

 

[CharlieDeltaJuliet]

A buddy of mine even put a KonusPro M30 ( not sure what magnification) on his M95. It handles it good. He has close to 1000 rounds through it. I was worried when he told me about it but it evidently has an etched reticle and a lifetime warranty(he says a no question ask new replacement). Who knows. I have shot it and it is comparable to my Bushnell Elite for clarity. You have many options, if it has a permanent home with you, then go with what you are comfortable with paying and reliability and warranty. A .50 does has a reputation of beating down a scope after a while, so make sure they will replace it. That being said I have only seen one scope broken on a .50 (Valdada)and I still cant blame the rifle. It lost horizontal adjustment after a harsh plane ride....

 

[essayons21]

It should handle the recoil, but do you want to risk an expensive, difficult to replace scope? If you want something inexpensive, but durable to replace the cheap scope you can use a $250 Bushnell Elite Tactical fixed 10x40 has been used by Barrett on some of their training rifles.

You are right. I took my Bushnell 10x of my .260 AR, and now it wears the swarovski.

Still thinking about trading the Swaro for a Loopy or something similar. Its such a sweet scope, and the glass really is amazing, but I don't really do any hunting and its just not my style.

 

[50 Shooter]

I would put the Swarovski scope on the AR-50, I'm sure it can handle the recoil on the AR-50. Armalite did a great job and produced one of the best brakes in the industry. I'm willing top bet that the POS scope you got with the rifle would stand up to the recoil or the lack there of.

Here's my AR-50 w/NF scope.

 

[theautobahn]

I haven't done the research, but I overheard my LGS order a 50 for someone and recommended that he put a decent airgun scope on it. This isn't a fly-by-night place either, he shoots and sells a lot (relatively) of .50's, so I'd like to think he knows what he's talking about???