Hawke Optics for DGR

[CamoManJ]

This scope has been briefly mentioned and discussed before on this forum, I don’t intend to be repetitive.

I thought I would share my experience on finding a DGR scope that would survive the stout recoil from my beloved .458 B&M. The rifle is a scope buster, busted one and my search began. I had difficulty in obtaining a proper (for a B&M rifle) Nikon African scope, just didn’t work out for me, excellent scopes for sure. Nikon hasn’t been very supportive in the scope or hunting industry, so it seems. The search began..

I have found better than the Nikon African, IMO, and with new modern day features, including illumination, 4”+ eye relief and in a lightweight 1” tube. This is a British brand, Hawke, but made in China under the strict supervision of their own design specifications, materials and rigorous inspection standards. The one I like and use is the Hawke Vantage IR, 1-4×20 L4A FD, it weighs 11.7 oz, 8.7” long & a German #4 with a red dot illuminated… $299, which I bought on sale for $259. I have shot over 150 rounds from 250 gr to 480 gr with the 458 B&M, without any problems whatsoever & most were in a scope punishing lead sled. I have since ordered a backup unit, as I believe this is my new and improved nikon African scope for modern times. I like this scope, it can handle hard recoiling guns and I can shoot it well, confidently. I have blacked out the made in china with a sharpie…Done.

Anyone else have any positive or negative experiences with this scope?

 

[Aaron N]

What other scopes do you have in hand to compare clarity?

 

[Miletic]

My opinion is that you should never savings on optics. I also think the same about assembly. I have high-quality optics on all my rifles and all mounts are made of steel, regardless of caliber. I don't want to say that the Hawke is not of good quality, but I dont put him on the 458. It is still a rifle for dangerous hunting and I would simply choose one of the proven manufacturers for it. In any case, I respect your choice and will take into account what you said about the 150 rounds fired.

 

[CamoManJ]

What other scopes do you have in hand to compare clarity?

I have not compared this scope as far clarity to other scopes, yet.
At this point in setting up my rifle, I just wanted a scope that wouldn’t bust & didn’t want to spend too much money on higher end scopes. Sure, I may upgrade later.
As far as clarity, for now, it meets my expectations easily out to 100 yards. I will test it further out over time.
I will also add, I my objective was to find a low cost quality replacement of the Nikon African, as I grew tired of that rat race.

 

[CamoManJ]

My opinion is that you should never savings on optics. I also think the same about assembly. I have high-quality optics on all my rifles and all mounts are made of steel, regardless of caliber. I don't want to say that the Hawke is not of good quality, but I dont put him on the 458. It is still a rifle for dangerous hunting and I would simply choose one of the proven manufacturers for it. In any case, I respect your choice and will take into account what you said about the 150 rounds fired.

I agree with you & thank you for you reply.
On my non DG rifles, I most definitely use much higher end scopes & always have believed in optic investments payoff, especially with clarity at distance.
I do agree with you, for DG applications there is no room for error of any kind…why take a chance.
That’s why I’m testing the hell out of this scope & receptive to constructive criticism on this scope.

 

[Miletic]

Several times I installed Hawke optics on standard calibers (3006.8x57.7x64.308) at clients. They all worked without any problems, but I was really interested in how they would behave after a few years. This information from you is phenomenal for me and that's when I ordered such a test. Write if there are any changes to the glasses or to the movement of hits. Thank you

 

[CamoManJ]

Several times I installed Hawke optics on standard calibers (3006.8x57.7x64.308) at clients. They all worked without any problems, but I was really interested in how they would behave after a few years. This information from you is phenomenal for me and that's when I ordered such a test. Write if there are any changes to the glasses or to the movement of hits. Thank you

You are welcome, Sir.
I will continue to torture this scope at the range until my July Australian Buffalo hunt, probably another couple hundred rounds.
Who knows, maybe it will finally fail & move onto another brand.
Updates to come.

 

[Woodcarver]

This scope has been briefly mentioned and discussed before on this forum, I don’t intend to be repetitive.

I thought I would share my experience on finding a DGR scope that would survive the stout recoil from my beloved .458 B&M. The rifle is a scope buster, busted one and my search began. I had difficulty in obtaining a proper (for a B&M rifle) Nikon African scope, just didn’t work out for me, excellent scopes for sure. Nikon hasn’t been very supportive in the scope or hunting industry, so it seems. The search began..

I have found better than the Nikon African, IMO, and with new modern day features, including illumination, 4”+ eye relief and in a lightweight 1” tube. This is a British brand, Hawke, but made in China under the strict supervision of their own design specifications, materials and rigorous inspection standards. The one I like and use is the Hawke Vantage IR, 1-4×20 L4A FD, it weighs 11.7 oz, 8.7” long & a German #4 with a red dot illuminated… $299, which I bought on sale for $259. I have shot over 150 rounds from 250 gr to 480 gr with the 458 B&M, without any problems whatsoever & most were in a scope punishing lead sled. I have since ordered a backup unit, as I believe this is my new and improved nikon African scope for modern times. I like this scope, it can handle hard recoiling guns and I can shoot it well, confidently. I have blacked out the made in china with a sharpie…Done.

Anyone else have any positive or negative experiences with this scope?



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I started buying Hawke scopes a couple years ago and have been very pleased so far. Put their 3-9x40 with the Slug gun reticle on my inline muzzleloader. 330gr cast over 105gr FFg in a <9# rifle produces recoil in the 40-50# range. No issues with a couple hundred rounds so far and great eye relief at 4".
Also have their 1-8x24 with the L4A dot on a 9.3x62. Haven't shot it more than a few dozen rounds with that scope yet, and not as much recoil with that rifle at the same 9#. There's a few more waiting for me to find time to get them mounted, one is going on a 375 H&H.
Comparing these Hawkes to the Leupolds and Nikons on other rifles, they are just as clear; I can't see any difference. Biggest advantage I've seen so far is the better eye relief and the selection of illuminated reticles they offer, even in a 1" tube. Obviously, I can't speak to their long term durability, but, no complaints so far.

 

[CBeck]

I’ve been running a Hawke Frontier 1–8×24 on my .375 ruger and overall I’ve been pretty happy with it. The scope has had zero issues holding zero, even on a heavier-recoiling rifle, and the glass is quite good for the price point. Build quality also seems solid.

When the scope was brand new, I did notice that the auto-awake illumination took more movement to activate than I expected. At the time, I chalked that up to how the system was designed.

Over the course of about a year, the illumination became progressively harder to activate and now requires fairly aggressive shaking, with normal movement no longer waking it reliably. I contacted Hawke, and they’ve said they’ll take care of the issue under the no questions asked warranty.

Looking back, I suspect my original scope may have had a subtle issue from the beginning that was missed at the factory. I’m looking forward to comparing its behavior to the replacement once it arrives.

Mechanically and optically, the scope has been excellent for me — no tracking or zero concerns at all — but the motion-activated illumination has clearly changed over time.

 

[Nhoro]

Hawke do a lot of springer airgun scopes. Anyone who knows springers will tell you they break scopes. It is the 2 direction recoil and even the best German brands come apart on spring airguns. So I think that expertise has helped them create tough scopes. I have a Hawke Sport on my springer and several thousand shots later, it holds zero perfectly. Probably a $150 scope. It is OK optically at 4 x but at 12 x , it has some fall off in quality- still completely usable. I have often thought about putting an airgun rated scope on a heavy hitter because they are tough but never got around to it.

 

[Eddie_GE]

Have a Hawke 3-9 on my 22Lr and a 1-8 on the .375H&H. Until now no issues.
I decided for the HAWKEs after checking the used market. Hardly to find them used when I looked up. That was the point to try them out. And the springer argument of Nhoro.

 

[Eddie_GE]

I talked to Hawke at Dortmund and asked about the 1-8 on my 375 H&H and max Caliber for their scopes.
Answer was good for all hunting calibers.

 

[CBeck]

I’ve been running a Hawke Frontier 1–8×24 on my .375 ruger and overall I’ve been pretty happy with it. The scope has had zero issues holding zero, even on a heavier-recoiling rifle, and the glass is quite good for the price point. Build quality also seems solid.

When the scope was brand new, I did notice that the auto-awake illumination took more movement to activate than I expected. At the time, I chalked that up to how the system was designed.

Over the course of about a year, the illumination became progressively harder to activate and now requires fairly aggressive shaking, with normal movement no longer waking it reliably. I contacted Hawke, and they’ve said they’ll take care of the issue under the no questions asked warranty.

Looking back, I suspect my original scope may have had a subtle issue from the beginning that was missed at the factory. I’m looking forward to comparing its behavior to the replacement once it arrives.

Mechanically and optically, the scope has been excellent for me — no tracking or zero concerns at all — but the motion-activated illumination has clearly changed over time.

Just a quick update for anyone interested.

After returning my scope to Hawke for an illumination issue, a brand-new replacement was on my doorstep about 10 days later.

As I mentioned from the beginning, my concern wasn’t that the illumination didn’t work, but that it was very difficult to wake after the scope went to sleep. The replacement is completely different — the illumination comes on with the slightest movement, exactly as it should.

Overall, I’m very impressed with the customer service and turnaround time.

 

[CamoManJ]

UPDATE:

As of today, I have about 300 rounds shot with the 458 B&M shooting 420 Raptors & 400 #13 solids up to 2385 fps with ZERO issues with this scope. I just got back from Australia, this scope performed flawlessly in the field. The scope accurately took 4 Buffalo, 1 Scrubbie & 4 pigs. I am now confident in this scope and ready to hunt Africa’s DG where the stakes are higher for trouble.

I will continue to torture this scope at the range until my July Australian Buffalo hunt, probably another couple hundred rounds.
Who knows, maybe it will finally fail & move onto another brand.
Updates to come.

 

[pc3]

Are the Chinese made ?

If so it’s a no from me, the scope is literally the one of the most important pieces of equipment and Chinese optics don’t provide any confidence for me personally.

Bunny’s 30m from home is their best application if you must.

My young blokes vortex made in Phillipines just failed on a goat hunting trip North of Bourke, it did survive NZ and Africa. But would have been a stuff up had it failed on those trips, Bourke we had other firearms.

Others mileage may vary.

 

[CamoManJ]

Yes, they are Chinese made, British designed.

I get it…

I also don’t like it made in china, but it works with some of the highest recoiling guns out there, simply by design.

What else is out there that fits the same criteria & description?

A scope that doesn’t break, has at least 4” eye relief, 1” tube & illuminated FireDot German # 4 @ $300?

I bit my tongue on this one, marked out the made in china with a sharpie & took the advice of my long time trusted optics salesman.

I much rather have a Leupold, of course…my 458 B&M has broken them. Go figure.

 

[JG26Irish_2]

I have only one Hawke scope and it is on a CZ452 22lr rimfire rifle that I sometimes use for squirrel hunting. It works great and has more clarity than most of my budget scopes. I cannot comment on its recoil stability.

If for some reason you cannot make the Hawke work and do not want to spend the $ to mount a Trijicon, Swarovski, Kahles, type optic I can off one more viable option that I have tested.

Arken Optics makes a nice LPVO with illuminated reticle. It is the EP-8 in 1-8x. This is a 34mm tube with mil turrets (available in MOA also I think). At 1x with the reticle illumination on you can keep both eye open and shoot it like a red dot. At 8x the clarity is as good as my Swarovski and I have made 300y shots on game in the field with it. I took one to Africa on my PG rifle and it performed well.

I also have two more mounted on to heavy recoiling rifles. One is the light weight Ruger compact magnum in 338 RCM and the other is my Sako 338wm. Both are lighter than a typical DG rifle and their recoil is sharp if not quite that of a 458. To me the felt recoil is similar to my 375HH rifles. The little Arkens soak it up without an issue. Depending on sales etc the EP-8 runs about $400 now but was only about $275 when I bought most of them. It is one of my most favorite hunting optics. If I was going to spend more on a premium low power optic today, I think it would be a Trijicon Credo.

I have Kahles and Swarovski optics and both are great but both are a little too German to suit me and neither is perfect in my view and both cost way too much for what you get.

 

[SFRanger7GP]

Thank you @CamoManJ for the info on the Hawke scopes. I try to avoid China scopes but it is becoming more and more difficult to find a "normal" scope. By normal I mean a standard duplex or 4A style reticle (no stadia lines and other garbage cluttering up the view), standard adjustments covered with a cap (no thread spool size knobs for adjusting to infinity range and hurricane force winds), and without being longer, heavier and/or more powerful than my spotting scope. WTH is going on in the optics world!?!? For how I hunt, I think the Leupold 1.5-5 VX3 or 2-7 are great scopes. No longer available.

The options for a standard or compact scope at a reasonable price are diminishing with the current long range "hunting" craze.

Safe hunting

 

[maxtheflyinghorse]

I have a few Hawke scopes and never had any issues with them. I bought them in the uk and now I have them on my guns here in the states. I got nothing but good experience with Hawke scopes. It’s always good to buy them illuminated scopes from hawke for heavy recoiling rifles as the reticule is etched not wired on illuminated scopes. I also have a Hawke endurance binoculars and I prefer that one to my Nikon monarch

 

[glblanchard]

China is our sworn enemy. Nothing from China for me if there is another choice.