hawke sidewinder optics

[shady816]

i am about to purchase another new scope and decided better get a good one this time and really like the hawke sidwinder 30 4-16x50 but can not decide on which retical i have always used the mil dot and would like to know if anyone uses the sr6 hawke retical and if so there thoughts on  the functionality, the price is only 10 dollars difference and by the way e. arthur brown co. has these scopes for 41$ cheaper than straight shooters with free shipping.

[airiscool]

Assuming your going to use it on a Springer, I don't see it specifically saying the Sidewinders are airgun rated like Hawke says on their website for the MapPro and the Airmax models. You may want to e-mail Hawke and see if using the Sidewinder on a Springer voids their warrentee.

I think both reticals have there advantages and disadvantages, and it comes down to what your targets are going to be.

True Mildot scopes can be ok, but for use as aiming points for hold-over and windage, I find the dots kinda big to be as precice as possable on small targets at longer ranges.

Their SR6 rectical can be used with their free download balistic program, which will usually get you in the ballpark  better than doing guess-timates, but both retical types should realy be field tested at known ranges to get the true drops for that gun/pellet combo.

Paul.

[shady816]

very good point i was not thinking about the springer problem and it would be going on a springer, i will give them a call right now..thanks ....      just got off the phone with mike at hawke optics and he says all series are rated for spring powered airguns including the sidewinder series.

[airiscool]

That's good to know.

Now all ya gotta do is figure out which rectical works best for your type of shooting.

One other thing I remembered. With my side AO Leapers every time I wanted to adjust it I had to take my supporting hand off the stock which made it hard to see what I wanted to focus on. For a lefty, or for a righty shooting from a bench, or a bipod, that's not a problem, but for walking/hunting/off-hand shooting it's a royal pain !!! Too bad they don't offer a left and right hand versions like with stocks.

Depending on where and how your going to use the gun, you may want to see about getting a thumb wheel too.

Paul.

[shady816]

the side wheel comes with the sidewinder 30 series and the gun will be doing both hunting and target but mostly target and I have all side wheel AO scopes so I am ok with the adjustment just have not meet or heard of anyone's comments on the sr6 retical. I have been using the software for awhile now just to get estimate on bullet trajectory for shooting and sighting purposes.

[airiscool]

".............I have been using the software for awhile now just to get estimate on bullet trajectory for shooting and sighting purposes. ."

How do you like it? How close does the program come to what your gun/pellet combo actually shoots ?


Paul.

[shady816]

I hate to say but I normally guesstimate it's fps because I don't own a chrony but still pretty close, not dead on but will save you a dozen shots of trying to find the correct hold over. I do most of my shooting from 30-100 yards so it comes in handy except for 85-100 is not on the chart in the software for guns that shoot under 900 fps.