Deben Hawke Frontier Scope

Like many big names in the world of optics, Deben’s Hawke brand is based on the trinity of design, marketing, and – crucially - obtaining the services of manufacturers capable of delivering the quality they require at a price that’s right for each product. This approach enables them to offer a wide range of optics to suit a multitude of applications and across a wide price range, from budget items up to the top-of-the-range models represented by the Frontier SF (Side Focus) series.

Series Features

There are three models in the series, a 4-16X42, a 6-24X50, and the 8-32X50 reviewed here. The 6-24 is offered only with the 1/8” target-dot reticle, but the 8-32X can be had either in this format or with a mil-dot reticle, whilst the 4-16x42, is available with either a mil-dot or 30/30 duplex design. All scopes in the series feature precision-ground optics with a 7-layer ‘broadband’ coating; a 1” diameter, one-piece body tube with a satin-black, anodised finish; side-focus parallax adjustment; a fast-focus eye-bell; water- fog- and shock-proof construction (making them suitable for use with all calibres); and an impressive 10-year warranty.

The Test Model

The Hawke SF 8-32x50 on test was supplied with elasticated see-through lens covers, a cleaning cloth, an Allen key for resetting the turret dials to zero, and a sunshade. Overall, the Frontier has an elegant but businesslike look to it, thanks to the choice of a 1” tube as opposed to the 30mm standard, and to the distinctly Nightforce-like gripping surfaces on the zoom ring, turrets and turret covers. Meanwhile the Hawke logo on the ocular bell and the rest of the scope’s markings are neatly picked out in gold.

The side focus dial is easy to grip and turns smoothly and without any sign of “back-lash”. The marked ranges correspond quite closely to the focusing distance too, but the primary functions of this control are to optimise focus and minimise parallax error, and with a minimum focusing distance of 40 yards, the Frontier is clearly built with the longer-range shooter in mind.

The same can be said of the 1/8” dot reticle, whose subtensions cover so little of the target that they’re unsuited to measuring all but the smallest deviations. On the plus side, however, the 1/8” “target dot” fosters an “aim small: miss small” mentality that is a real aid to precision shooting. This is true whether you’re shooting paper or live targets, and when hunting with the Frontier I really felt that the “pin-point” nature of the reticle sharpened up my performance and translated into exceptionally surgical kills.

Operation

Once you’ve got your aim points worked out, dialling-in with the Frontier is just as it should be: the turrets are easy to grip, and index positively, with clear détentes and distinct clicks. What’s more, on the 8-32x and 6-24x models Hawke have gone for extra-precise 1/8” clicks rather than the standard 1/4” clicks found on the 4-16X models. This makes the most of the fine reticle, and though it reduces the number of available clicks per turn and fractionally slows down the dialling-in process, it remains an excellent choice for deliberate shooting, especially at longer ranges.

The turrets give 9 M.o.A of adjustment per turn, with the elevation turret being marked from 0-8 and the windage turret from 0-4 in each direction. Crucially, turn-indicator lines are etched on the pillar below the dial to prevent you losing track of your adjustments. However, the choice of a 1” tube does restrict the range of adjustment to 44 M.o.A. on both the vertical and horizontal axes. If this puts you off because you intend to shoot at ranges where a lack of adjustment may become a problem, remember that it can readily be compensated for by the use of an angled scope rail.

Performance

As for the optical quality of the Frontier, this was well up to its intended use, enabling 6mm bullet holes to be identified in paper targets at 300 yards, and bullet strikes to be observed at 600 when varminting. As usual, the resolution, contrast and saturation did decline somewhat as the magnification was increased but all were still good at full power, and the only distortion was a thin ring around the extreme edge of the image.

Overall, then, the Hawke Frontier SF offers impressive performance for its price. While the 8-32X models aren’t best suited to airgunners and rimfire shooters –who would be better advised to opt for the 4-16x or 6-24x versions, and the non-illuminated 1/8” dot reticle is too fine for twilight work, the combination of high magnification, a fine aiming mark and adjustments, and clear, bright optics, make this scope an attractive option for any target shooters and varminters looking for long-range capability at an affordable price.

PRICE: £449