Deben Sidewinder 30IR with SR Pro Reticule

The Sidewinder 30 range of Hawke optics are well featured optics. From the outset, before they used lockable turrets, the rugged build, unobtrusive side focus and ease of use has been one I felt would eventually develop into something special.

Originally their SR6 and SR12 reticles were used, now they have developed both scope design and new reticules to a point where there’s one to hunters and target shooters. In the range are nine models, interestingly the 4.5 -14 X 38 spec’ is the only one to still use the SR6 ret. All others are duplicated spec’ and available with their ½ Mil-Dot or the latest SR Pro reticle used in the 4 – 16 X 50 IR SF featured.

Well presented, everything comes contained in a rigid aluminium-framed, foam-lined carry case, internally it has cut outs to accept all the extra ‘goodies’ including a 4” diameter sidewheel, 4”  shade, pointer, screw-in metal lens covers and battery. Plus a comprehensive instruction booklet explaining the features and functions and how the reticule is used. This raises the bar of any in the Sidewinder range!

BUILD OVERVIEW

The scope shows features from previous models - lockable turrets, and side-focus pre-marked for ranges with the dual colour IR control on the end. The saddle still has the offset layout with the side-focus being set slightly in front of the turrets on the 30mm body tube.

A locking fast focus uses the same easy grip deep ridging outer as the zoom ring, the latter having a raised lug. Lenses are multi-coated for maximum clarity. It’s water, shock and fog proof, and firearms rated for all calibres so it’ll easily cope with the harshest of springers and comes with the Hawke Worldwide Warranty. Optional extras are flip up scope coves (amber or clear) and a 2” small target wheel. I feel most airgun hunters will prefer this on the lower magnification range models due to some multi-shot magazine loading systems.

IN USE

Looking at the reticule diagram you’d presume its multiple aimpoints would dominate and possibly obscure the sight picture. When viewed it’s quite the opposite as this glass-etched pattern is well defined.

Turrets pull up to unlock and both windage and elevation offers ¼”- clicks with 60 per turn and 5 full revolutions. Once zero you can move the turrets to 0 by slacking off the central Allen bolt in the top mark against the white line on the lower part of the turret body facing you. Side-parallax offers a minimum focus of 10-yds, and is marked 10, 25, 50, 100, 200, 500 and ∞. The drum only offers ½-turn, which results in a fast fine focus system. The rheostat offers red and green (5 in either direction) with only the small centre cross illuminated. This is a landmark in airgun scopes, granted there’s nothing new with multi-aim-point reticles but the SR Pro design stands up to the best of them.

SERIOUS CONSIDERATION

I tested the scope on my 12ft lb Daystate Air Ranger PCP in .177 and on a Webley Longbow SE break-barrel Springer in .22. it’s pertinent to mention this as the aim points the SR Pro reticule offers are pre-set for non-FAC air rifles. Aim points shown and indicated for holdover, hold under, windage and even bracketing are shown on the diagrams using a mid weight pellet; x14 magnification in .177 and x8 in .22. Equally importantly; your zero is required to be set at 40-yds in .177 and 30-yds in .22.

I found the aim points worked surprisingly close to the diagrams shown. However using the free downloadable BRC (Ballistic Reticule Calculator) software from www.hawkeoptics.com you can put in your chosen pellet weight and calibre including a zero you feel more comfortable with and find what the individual aim points then change to. However this is still a rough guide as airgun ballistics are at times ‘strange’ to say the least. So check the data on the target range to fully familiarise yourself with the reticule and it is actually corresponding precisely to what the BRC data has given.

With its robust build, highly practical features that many now require plus the crystal clear sight picture even in low light conditions, this is a top notch design. Many airgun hunters are now looking towards this specification, I favour it and recommend you give it serious consideration too!