Hawke Vantage 3-12x50 SF 10x Half Mid Dot

Hawke Optics’re-vamped range includes specifications to suit most enthusiasts, right across the shooting disciplines. On test here, is one of the Vantage SF range, the 3-12x50 SF 10X Half Mil Dot IR, and it’s crammed with features that we have come to expect from this most dynamic of manufacturers.

‘SF’ denotes Side Focus, where the scope comes fitted with a large side knob, which is used to adjust the parallax setting. In addition, this knob doubles up as the rheostat for illumination of the reticle – the ‘IR’ part in the model name. German-style elasticated lens covers are supplied with these scopes, but unusually, no sunshade as standard.

That slick Hawke branding stands out from the anodised bodywork, and one glance at the sales blurb for the Vantage SF range, confirms that Hawke use 11-layer fully multi-coated lenses for maximum clarity and light transmission. It’s built using a one-inch mono-tube chassis, for strength, and in addition, both the ocular and objective bells are threaded, to accept screw-on accessories.

Practical trends

Side focus adjustment is now far more common than front collar parallax, and has the added advantage that the shooter can make the adjustments whilst still holding the gun in the aim – something that is near impossible to do with a front collar device. The side knob is marked up with a minimum 10-yards, although winds down to a few yards under that. Markings then move up in increments, 15-, 20-, 30-, 50-, 75-, 100-, 200-, 300-, 500-, infinity.

The reticle has five levels of illumination in either red or green, and is controlled via the rheostat to the left of the range dial – effectively part of the same turret. There is a clear off position too, so unlike some designs, it shouldn’t be too easy to run the battery down accidentally…

Range report

Elevation and windage turrets are low profile (‘no snag’), screw cap affairs, and with the caps off, adjustments are easily achieved with the finger friendly, easy turn design. Clicks are quarter click value at 100-yards, reasonably firm, positive, and audible, which all brings confidence. My usual grid test, making adjustments from zero, up, right, down, and back left, returned the shots with precision, proving the mechanics, were up to Hawke’s usual standard.

So how does that sight picture look? Image quality is very good indeed, with good edge to edge clarity, and no aberrations or distortions noticeable. It’s a good bright image too, and with the variable specification on offer, clarity is never far away through the ranges.

I like the Half Mil Dot Reticle, and the particular reticle design on this model, for those who look for such specification, has true Mil Dot values when viewed on 10x magnification. It is indeed a nice uncluttered design, but I would still like to see thick posts on the outer sections, just to guide the eye, and prevent momentary loss of the ultra-fine central stadia, which I did find possible on a ‘busy’ background, or in a shady wood. Of course, there’s always the illumination to fall back on, but we don’t always want such brightness, when a natural look may be preferable.

Proportions wise, Hawke have everything about right, and with my standard 35-yard zero, (.177 calibre) I found the Half Mil Dot first line down related to around 40-yards, and the first Mil Dot about 45-yards. Particular pellet/sight lines will obviously make a difference, but if we are talking precise reference points, with this Vantage SF, we have them.

Back-up

Hawke Optics still have a big advantage in that their brilliant Chairgun Pro software is free to download, and this has proved very popular with an increasing number of informed shooters. And don’t forget what that clever software allows us to do, all in the comfort of our own home! The ability to play around with different data, entering in different pellet weights, scope mount height dimensions, and velocities for example, and then see how those factors affect trajectory, is quite brilliant. Being able to then plot where the pellet falls against a range of Hawke’s own reticle designs, is just the icing on the cake.

Clever stuff indeed, and an invaluable tool for both customers of Hawke Optics, and non-Hawke customers, for that matter.

Conclusion

Overall then, it’s difficult not to be impressed with this Vantage SF model, and with all the usual assurances in place, nitrogen purged system, waterproof, shockproof, fogproof; along with Hawke’s worldwide warranty, peace of mind is also part of the deal. Terrific value then at £230.