Hawke Sidewinder 30 Rifle Scopes

Hawke Sidewinder rifle scopes description

Hawke Sidewinder rifle scopes are build for medium to long-range target shooting. Very long, Sidewinder rifle scopes where top-end rifle scopes from Hawke, and thiese rifle scopes stands out for their price / performance ratio. Hawke claims that Sidewinder rifle scopes can withstand even strong recoiling caliber, without taking any damage.

In the Sidewinder series there are rifle scopes with fixed or variable magnification, and most of them can be ordered in different reticle choices. The reticles available are SR Pro, which has usable aiming points for different calibers, and with the Hawke X-ACT software these holding points easily can be calculated. The other 2 reticles available are 10 ½ and 20 ½ , which have a MIL-DOT based design, and have real MIL spacings at a given magnification. By the 10 ½ the mil spacing is correcrt at 10x magnification, and on the 20 ½ reticle the spacing is correct at 20x magnification. This means, 1 miliradian is 1 cm on 100 meters, and 1 whole MIL is 10 cm on 100 meters.

All rifle scopes from these series have exposed tactical turrets with locking function, which are easily resettable, and the clicks on these turrets are 1 / 4 MOA. The parallax adjustment turret is locatet on the opposite side of the windage turret, that has an adjustment range from 10 yards (9 meters) to infinity. On the same turret is also the reticle illumination control, that has red and green illumination options, both 5 intensity settings.

The reticle in all models is set in the second focal plane (reticle size doesn't change with magnification), and is etched into glas to withstand big calibers. All lenses have fully multi coated lenses with 18 layers of coating, for superb clarity and light transmission. The whole tube is made from a single piece alluminum for extra strenght, and is filled with nitrogen to prevent internal fogging at low temperatures. The diameter of the main tube is 30 mm, so many mounting solutions are available.

Hawke Sidewinder rifle scopes features

Reliable mechanics in one-piece housing (shockproof)
Waterproof and nitrogen purged for Fogproof use at low temperatures
Second Focal Plane reticles (reticle size doesn't change with zoom)
Multi coated lenses for image brightness and contrast
Adjustable parallax (from 10 yards / 9 meters to infinity)
Variable magnification
Fixed magnification (Sidewinder 10x42)
Illumination control (5 RED and 5 GREEN brightness settings)
10 years warranty

Hawke Sidewinder configurations

Hawke Sidewinder 4.5-14x42 (short to medium range target shooting)
Hawke Sidewinder 6.5-20x42 (medium to long range target shooting)
Hawke Sidewinder 8.5-25x42 (medium to long range target shooting)
Hawke Sidewinder 10x42 (short to medium range target shooting)
Hawke Sidewinder 3-12x50 (short to medium range target shooting)
Hawke Sidewinder 4-16x50 (short to medium range target shooting)
Hawke Sidewinder 6-24x56 (medium to long range target shooting)
Hawke Sidewinder 8-32x56 (medium to long range target shooting)

Mounting of Hawke Sidewinder rifle scopes

The Hawke Sidewinder rifle scopes can only be mounted with 30 mm rings.

VIDEO

General properties of Tactical Rifle scopes

Tactical rifle scopes are meant for tactical situations where the importance of the first shot hitting the target is much higher than consistent pinpoint accuracy. Tactical - scope also offers the possibility of range estimation or shifting of the aim point in the reticle to compensate for bullet drop or wind drift.

The most common features of tactical scope are:

Tactical (uncapped) turrets
Tactical reticles (Mil-Dot, etc.)
Tube mounting (30mm, 34mm, 35mm, 36,mm or 40mm)
Minimal magnification from 1x to 6x
Maximal magnification from 12x to 30x
Bigger click values (usually 1cm/100m)
FFP reticle configuration is frequent

A special case of Tactical - scope is also MIL/MIL scope, which could be described also as fully tactical - scope.

Tactical rifle scope- Delta Stryker scope with illuminated reticle

Delta Optical Stryker HD 4.5-30x56 Tactical rifle scope

What makes a scope tactical?

The tactical scope is a scope that features tactical (exposed) turrets, which is the one basic criterion. But there are more.

The optics is tactical if it meets the following requirements:

a magnification between 5x to 25x,
uncapped turrets on the riflescope,
an illuminated reticle,
one-centimeter clicks,
riflescope with the reticle in the first focal plane, and
on more expensive models, a zero stop.

What is the difference between a tactical scope and a hunting scope?

Hunting riflescope is, of course, meant to be used for hunting, whereas a tactical scope is intended to be used in all tactical situations. A hunting scope features a lower magnification range, so hunters can also use a scope in poor light conditions. A tactical scope, however, features a magnification that is on the upper side of the medium range.

Reticle position and turrets on tactical- rifle scope and hunting scope

Hunting scope is also the only type of scope that can be mounted with rails. The reticle is in the second focal plane, which is not the case with tactical scope, as they have a first focal plane reticle.

The turrets on hunting scope are capped low-profile hunting turrets, whereas tactical scope features uncapped turrets.

Tactical scope Kahles

Kahles K318i 3.5-18x50 tactical rifle scope

What is the difference between a tactical - scope and a target scope?

As mentioned, the purpose of the tactical scope is to be used in all tactical situations. Target scope, on the other hand, is meant for precision shooting. Compared to tactical scopes’ 5x to 25x magnification, target ones have an extremely high one, which is up to 55x.

Reticle position in Tactical scope and Target scope

The tactical scope features a first focal plane reticle, and target scope a second focal plane reticle. What is more, with a target scope, if the user has enough knowledge and experience, they can also use it for hunting.

The characteristics of tactical riflescope (the main one being the FFP reticle), make them suitable only for tactical shooting purposes.

Discontinued Product Information

It's time to explore more...

Products No Longer Available

Our commitment to innovation means product lines are continuously evolving. Some products have made way for newer models with advanced features.

Remember, whilst these products are no longer available, their legacy continues across our current product ranges.

Explore Alternative Categories

Need Assistance?

Our technical experts are ready to guide you through our product ranges and find the best alternative for your needs.