Hawke Frontier 34 FFP 5-30 x 56

Chasing magnification and mechanical range within an optic without expanding the physical size will only ever aggravate problems, so it’s great to see Hawke keeping up with the markets and delivering good value, usable optics without fanciful aspirations, now in 34mm tube size.

No introduction

The Frontier range hardly needs an introduction as it has impressed me from the start with excellent tactile turrets, a wide specification range and great optical performance at its price point. This latest 34mm-tubed variant in 5-30x magnification stands apart in that larger body that’s coupled to a 56mm objective lens to maximise light entry into the 21-layer multi-coated glassware within. Key features are the Patented Exposed Zero Lock ‘N’ Stop Elevation Turret, which lifts to turn with an easily set up zerostop also featured. It’s available in both mRad and M.O.A. versions, the latter seen here with 25 MOA per turn elevation above the stop. The right side windage is marked left and right of centre with 12.5 minutes in either direction, the overall mechanical range of 99 MOA vertical with 53 for windage (29/15 mRad) is generous for long range dialling!

Infinity and…

Parallax and illumination controls are sited on the left of the saddle, the former 15 yards to ∞, with the latter offering 11, red intensity settings across the whole reticle with intervening off positions, powered by the supplied CR2032 battery in the outer dial’s cap. The reticle is in the first focal plane (FFP), so appears to grow in size alongside magnification, remaining in perfect proportion to the target viewed.

Half and whole M.O.A. hash marks are seen across 3, 6 and 9 O’clock arms with skeletal outer arms to minimise optical disruption whilst still drawing your eye central. The lower half offers extreme holdover of another 60 M.O.A. below centre when viewed at lowest magnification to maximise overall field of view. Both mRad and M.O.A. reticles feature the Christmas tree type multitude of lower quadrant windage and elevation aim off markings. An additional throw lever is supplied for the zoom collar, to more easily initiate fast magnification changes on a mechanism exhibiting smooth travel without any discernible internal noise.

Not small

A fast focus eyepiece is seen at the rear for a sharp reticle picture, and this also features a lock ring for security. Eye relief is 102mm and varies little through the zoom range, which is nice, although this is a big scope and with long eye relief it takes up a lot of mounting space over the action, so be aware of fitting it to a small rifle. Positively, in use the eye box is quite relaxed though, not overly critical and given the likely popularity in precision rifle disciplines, rimfire or centrefire, allows easier access to the exit pupil, when you may already be in a physically awkward position with little time to spare.

I must admit, I’m so used to changing rifles and scopes all the time, I take most in my stride, but 6 years on from determining myself a metric man after long being an M.O.A. guy, I have lost touch with the system and no longer make intuitive corrections in M.O.A. But, both specifications are available to suit our preferences.

Class glass

Hawke calls their optics “High Grade, Low Dispersion Crown Glass”, it is certainly very good at the price and my ageing eyes appreciate a clean, well-focused and versatile optic, more as every day passes by. I’m not much of an aim off guy, unless speed is needed, so I was appreciative of the simple to set up (following the instruction book) turrets that offer firm ¼ M.O.A clicks (or 1/10mrad) that were both audible and tactile, as well as clearly marked, anti-clockwise for ‘up’.

The reticle is sharp with great illumination control to speed up visual acquisition and although small, as they need to be, you can see all the etched numbers to assess quantity and measurement. I found the parallax hit the spot quite well, with no great problem losing focus as magnification changes and there was no apparent problematic backlash. Both objective and ocular lenses are supplied with aluminium flip-up covers which can be locked in position. The scope is rated for all calibres with a nofault lifetime warranty to cover the water/fog proof assurances from Nitrogen purging.

Big and sensible

This is another really sensible Hawke scope. I pretty much have my pick of the optics world for everyday use, and I find myself adding Hawkes to my preferred brand portfolio as they are always reliable. Optical qualities are mid to high level within their price point markets and I find the reticle designs fuss-free, with practical application rather than excessive complexity. Although I don’t need or use all those aimoff marks in the lower quadrants, neither do they distract or inhibit my use and appreciation of the optic and the target image it creates.

I had great fun ringing steel gongs with a 22 rifle underneath the Hawke in Tier-One rings although it’s fair to say, even on a large (for rimfire) CZ457 LRP with long stock and plenty of length or pull, I appreciated the extended Picatinny rail to offer plenty of space to accommodate the 102mm eye relief, on a physically short action. That’s my only slightly non-positive comment and on a larger centrefire, of less importance, but you do notice few of the very expensive scopes go much beyond 90/95mm for this reason, unless really likely to be used on a light rifle in large magnum calibre.