Swarovski Z8i 5-40 x 56
- Thread starter rodkayak
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My instinct is this wouldn’t be a great idea. I’ve not used this scope but had a 5-25 Swarvo. Great on the range but at 25x it was very eye-relief fussy, FOV was narrow and the tiniest movement was magnified massively. I only ever cranked it up that high at targets out at 600+ yds when rock solid off a bench. I sold it as it was a heavy and imperfect stalking scope.
I can’t see any need for x40 for roe stalking. How much detail do you need to see?!
Dunwaters
Well-Known Member
You can’t really use 40x unless you’re on a range and locked into some kind of stable rest.
The field of view will be tiny and the parallax so precise that you will be constantly adjusting it as the target moves.
You can actually use the parallax as a rangefinder out to around 200M, thats how precise it is.
The scope will also be too big and heavy for field use and the reticule is likely to be too fine for stalking.
I have a scope with similar magnification range on my .22 for target work, it lives at around 25x, anything over that is a PITA and generally unusable even from the bench.
It does however do a pretty good job as an astronomical telescope on clear nights.
The field of view will be tiny and the parallax so precise that you will be constantly adjusting it as the target moves.
You can actually use the parallax as a rangefinder out to around 200M, thats how precise it is.
The scope will also be too big and heavy for field use and the reticule is likely to be too fine for stalking.
I have a scope with similar magnification range on my .22 for target work, it lives at around 25x, anything over that is a PITA and generally unusable even from the bench.
It does however do a pretty good job as an astronomical telescope on clear nights.
WildBoarHunter
Well-Known Member
I have a Swarovski Z8i 2-16×50. It's a fine scope. But today I would likely buy the Z6i 2-12×50 as it is lighter smaller overall better allrounder. 12× magnification is in my opinion the most you will ever need for a reliable accurate shot while for distances of 100 m 6× - 9× is more than enough. I had difficulties with 16× mag. As it was said, the FOV is narrow, it is annoyingly eye relief fussy, and all and any kind of movement is throwing me off concentration on target. It made me miss a shot as the target seemed much closer than it really was. Felt I could not miss it. Well it turned out I can.
Nowdays manufacturers concentrate too much on the high mag. So much so they had forgot what is also important. Like light weight. How is a scope light if it weights 800 g...
Nowdays manufacturers concentrate too much on the high mag. So much so they had forgot what is also important. Like light weight. How is a scope light if it weights 800 g...
Thanks that is useful information. I will stick with my Z8 that goes up to x18. I find if I shoot one of a group of Fallow , the first shot is x18 then I wind it back to x 8 if any of them hang around. Even at x 18 shot reaction is difficult to see
PrairiePrecision
Member
I have the Swarovski Z8I+ 5-40x56. I have long been a swarovski fan, as their glass is unparalleled and I really enjoy the simplicity of their reticals. I will post some pictures through the lens. The picture of the target is at 100 yd. The clarity is outstanding. The reticle is the 4A-I. The field of view is absolutely massive. The eyebox is the most comfortable I've used on a high powered scope, more comfortable than most 24x I have used.
The Buffalo target is approximately 800 yd.
For some reason I cannot post the pictures directly to this forum. Here is the link to view them.
jpg: 20250713_191339_2.jpg and 4 other files
The Buffalo target is approximately 800 yd.
For some reason I cannot post the pictures directly to this forum. Here is the link to view them.
jpg: 20250713_191339_2.jpg and 4 other files
Danny Fireblade
Well-Known Member
I have seen it and I am really tempted to sell my 2.3-18 and get the 5-40 for the .300WM.
dropmdead
Well-Known Member
I had a chat with Swarovski at the game fair regarding this scope.
Their idea of the scope is for mountain long distance viewing and possibly selecting animals - think Alpine mountain ranges. They are built as a sporting weight and design over the more typical "tactical" 1.5kg scope.
It is designed with longer than the typical UK stalking distance hence the expected "no need for that here" which I fully understand
Their idea of the scope is for mountain long distance viewing and possibly selecting animals - think Alpine mountain ranges. They are built as a sporting weight and design over the more typical "tactical" 1.5kg scope.
It is designed with longer than the typical UK stalking distance hence the expected "no need for that here" which I fully understand
PrairiePrecision
Member
I usually keep my optics on around 5x. It's amazing to be able to use the Z8i+ at 5x, the FOV is so massive, and the image is so bright at 5x, then that massive 8x mag range is crazy, dialing it up to 30x-40x for those long shots is so satisfying.
PrairiePrecision
Member
I almost bought the Kahles k540i, but I didn't have any use for any of the reticle options (I mainly hunt, and I prefer a minimalist reticles even when benchrest shooting) and I didn't want a busy reticle.
This scope appears to be Swarovski's offering of the K540i. Same magnification range, and that beautiful gigantic ocular for massive field of view. It's the perfect scope for my application. I really love the scope.
Be better off buying a Swarovski spotting scope
PrairiePrecision
Member
Apologies, I don't quite understand your concern. Are you saying that 1cm/100m isn't fine enough an adjustment? It has worked quite well for me in my experience.
What would be more suitable adjustment for yourself?
PrairiePrecision
Member
It's been my experience that I don't need a spotting scope when using this scope. Field of view is so wide, and the magnification range so large I can pretty much see exactly what I am looking at, even bullet holes 500 yards out. Also the scope is not extremely big, It fits quite nicely on my AR platform Les Baer 204 Ruger.
Z6/Z6i scopes both provide 5mm clicks at 100m. March scopes and others have 1/8 MOA clicks. The latest Burris scope has 1/30 Mil resolution. I've owned about a dozen Swarovski scopes over the years, but I'm down to my last Z6i (5-30x50). I can't see a suitable replacement for the Z6i in their current range.
A bit disappointing that Swarovski have lost their way, but that's the nature of things. Folk get complacent, better technology comes along.
Regards
JCS
PrairiePrecision
Member
I have the Z6 5-30x50, I don't really notice the difference between the 5mm adjustments and the 1cm adjustments honestly. I know the Z8i+ has a greater adjustment range, perhaps it was to accomplish this. Either way I cannot tell much of a difference. 3/8" at 100 yards is plenty fine for me I guess.
I think more than say 16x is about the very biggest mag that is suited to deer work . We should not use the rifle to inspect the beast . Lets say you run with the idea , first bad shot , beast runs on three legs or similar you will struggle with serious field of view limitations . Its also better to see other deer when your looking at the intended targeted animal ( you might miss seeing another deer in the danger zone ) . I might have shot 3 or 4 deer with 16x .
You will kill more deer, better deer and wound less with 6-12 x or less and you have dropped some weight and gained faster handling
I got my ass kicked by my culling mate on a big bunch or reds a few years back shooting on something like 6 or 8 mag i think i got a pair - he got somthing like 12 before the action stopped ( NOTE CULLING NOT SPORT STALKING) he had wound his mag back right down to the minium 3x i guess . He was firirig with his middle finger for faster bolt manipulation and he didn't struggle with the glare that stopped me when they got to the crest everything went bright white for me
when i stopped the F-Class thing my big heavy high mag NF scope got sold never regretted it
You will kill more deer, better deer and wound less with 6-12 x or less and you have dropped some weight and gained faster handling
I got my ass kicked by my culling mate on a big bunch or reds a few years back shooting on something like 6 or 8 mag i think i got a pair - he got somthing like 12 before the action stopped ( NOTE CULLING NOT SPORT STALKING) he had wound his mag back right down to the minium 3x i guess . He was firirig with his middle finger for faster bolt manipulation and he didn't struggle with the glare that stopped me when they got to the crest everything went bright white for me
when i stopped the F-Class thing my big heavy high mag NF scope got sold never regretted it
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