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Most shooters and hunters are well served by the
large selection of standard riflescopes on the market, and
usually choose something like a three to nine variable with a
one inch tube. For the typical hunter or casual shooter, this is
just fine, and will give years of reliable service.
There are, however, certain situations in which
better optics are almost a necessity, such as long range,
precision shooting at targets on which shot placement is
critical. In such a precision shooting situation, the shooter
needs the best of equipment. A rifle capable of minute-of-angle
accuracy out to 500 yards and beyond, with the capability to
neutralize the target, whatever it may be, with one well-placed
shot, needs only the best of sighting equipment. This is
where the typical hunting scope from the discount store just
won’t cut it. Such a situation calls for a purpose-built scope
that will deliver precision, while at the same time be rugged
enough to endure a bit of rough handling. The typical target
scope, while offering great precision, is not built to withstand
the rigors and abuse that sometimes is heaped upon tactical
equipment. A long range tactical shooter needs a rifle, scope,
and ammunition package that can be depended upon in all
conditions, every day. The best rifle, shooting the best
ammo, is next to worthless without quality optics. Whether
the shooter be military, law enforcement, or civilian, the needs
are much the same. If there is a need to really reach out and
place the bullet precisely, the equipment must be up to the
task, as well as the shooter.
It is beyond my understanding that many readers
contact me for advice on the best rifle or ammunition for long
range precision shooting, but almost never mention the scope and
mounts for such a rig. An accurate rifle without accurate
sighting equipment will not deliver the bullet to the desired
target. If a deer hunter misses his target by two inches at 100
yards, it is no big deal. Two inches at 100 yards, however,
becomes ten inches at 500 yards, and depending upon the target,
can be a very big deal. A police sharpshooter, for instance,
must be able to place his shot precisely, on time, every time,
or the consequences can be tragic. His scope must be capable of
delivering a clear picture of the target, have repeatable
settings, and sometimes calculate the distance-to-target. It
should also be rugged, dependable, and easy to use. There are
several good scopes available which can fill the bill, but
unfortunately most cost as much or more than a good rifle,
starting at about 800 dollars and going up from there. High cost
is usually no problem for our military or large metropolitan
police departments, as they are spending tax-payer money like
there is no tomorrow. However, for a small police agency or
civilian on a budget, cost is always a factor.
There is, however, one scope on the market that
fills the needs of the precision shooter that is a genuine
bargain in today’s high quality scope market, and that is the Tasco
Super Sniper riflescope.
These scopes were originally made to fill a
military contract a few years ago, and have since been built
exclusively for SWFA in Texas, which is selling them
at a fraction of the original price. SWFA sells just about every
major brand of high-end precision optics for shooters, and at
great prices. They recently sent to me for testing the ten power
Super Sniper along with a set of Badger Ordnance 30
millimeter scope rings, which are, by the way, some of the
finest, most rugged, and strongest rings ever built. As you can
see in the photos, these all-steel rings are built to withstand
the recoil of any rifle ever made. They are the perfect
compliment to the Super Sniper scope.
The specifications of the Super Sniper meet the
qualifications of a world-class tactical riflescope. The Super
Sniper features a 30mm tube for great light transmission and a
full 120 minutes of elevation adjustment, eliminating the need
for adjustable or shimmed mount bases in all but the longest
range shooting. As would be expected in such a scope, the Super
Sniper features a Mil-Dot reticle for precise range estimation
out to 1000 meters and beyond. SWFA also sells the excellent
Mil-Dot Master, for quick and easy use of a Mil-Dot reticle. The
Super Sniper also features a full four inches of eye relief,
which is very helpful on heavy-recoiling rifles. The Super
Sniper is, by the way, rated for .50 caliber BMG recoil. While
the Super Sniper scope has a short built-in sunshade, it is also
threaded to accept the accessory sunshade sold by SWFA.
For testing, I mounted the Super Sniper on my
very accurate Bushmaster Varminter rifle (see Jeff's
article at Bushmaster's New "Varminter" Rifle),
using the Badger Ordnance rings provided. The rear-mounted
parallax adjustment proved very handy, and has settings from 10
meters out to 500 meters, plus infinity. The generous eye relief
simplified mounting without interfering with the charging
handle on the Varminter. The robust adjustment knobs for windage
and elevation are some of the best that I’ve ever used,
providing precise sighting adjustment and repeatability.
In use, I found the Super Sniper from SWFA to do
everything needed from a ten power long range tactical precision
scope. At just under 300 dollars, it is most likely the
best buy available in a high quality precision scope. It is the
equal of scopes selling for three times the cost, and is
available only from SWFA.
Check out the extensive line of quality optics
from SWFA online at: www.riflescopes.com.
Jeff Quinn
  
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Click pictures for a larger version.

Tasco's Super Sniper rifle scope, available only from
SWFA, offers supreme precision and rugged reliability at a
bargain price.


The robust and positive turret adjustment knobs of the
SWFA Super Sniper are among the best the author has ever used,
providing precise adjustment and repeatability.

Easily accessible parallax adjustment ring is vary
handy, allowing adjustment from 10 meters to 500 meters, plus
infinity.

Excellent Mil-Dot reticle is a valuable aid for precise
sighting and range finding.


Badger Ordnance rings, available from SWFA, are the perfect
compliment to the Super Sniper. Strong and rugged, these rings
can take it if you can dish it out!


When mounted on a quality rifle such as Bushmaster's
Varminter, the SWFA Super Sniper scope completes a package of
ultimate accuracy, precision and reliability. The Super Sniper
represents a good value, the equal of scopes costing up to
three times its price.
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