Hawke Varmint Issues for FT

[DrPutz]

Hi Folks,

I picked up a new Hawke Varmint 3-12x44 SF scope for my new HW97K (.22) back in July.  My goal was to get into Hunter Field Target while I am recovering from an accident this spring that prevents me from trapshooting.  Anyway, I have put quite a few rounds through both and thought I had my technique down, but have been frustrated with many stray hits.  My first field target shoot was 27/60, which I was happy with but knew that I could improve on.  I shoot at 28 yards outside (during the evening) and 32 ft inside at night.  I can shoot longer distances, but my schedule and waning daylight hours are a bit limiting right now. 

I thought that the stray shots were a result of all of the twang from the new HW97K or my technique.  The HW97K has not settled down yet (vortek tune planned for this winter) - maybe the vibrations loosened the grip and the rifle jumps due to pressure from my cheek or hand on trigger or other hand on the stock or spring torque or ?.  Then I thought that it might be from a poor trigger, so I cleaned and polished the trigger.  Then I thought that maybe it the scope was too far back and I suffered from a parallax error - so I changed mounts and adjusted eye relief multiple times.  Still "all over the place",  I could get a few center shots, but only one or two out of 10 on 0.5" circles simulating 30-yard FT.  The rest were near 1".  My best average was 0.9".  I thought that this was too much for FT at 30 yds. 

I tried my daughters HW30S (big mistake), it has a 2x7 AO Hawke and I got 6 or 7 out of 10 centers both 32 ft and 28 yards.  The HW30S could not go much beyond 30 yards with any accuracy.  But boy what a sweet shooting rifle - that left me wanting a smoother shooting rifle.  Anyway, this suggested it was not my trigger technique, but something else was a foot.  It also highlighted that the .177 fits in a .25" (at 32 ft) or 0.5" (at 28 yards) much, much easier.

I never really was impressed with the Hawke Varmint SF, as it seemed that I had to be perfectly optically in the center or otherwise everything was out of focus.  Anyway during my last testing, the side focus was not working well - started twanging a bit when I turned it and "jumping" in and out of focus rather than a smooth transition.  This could have been due to my mount or screw tightness, but I could not tell for certain.  That got me thinking that I was suffering from an issue with parallax - both from poor head placement and poor side focus. 

Anyway, I was frustrated and ordered a new Walther LGU to get away from the twang and to move to .177 for its FT advantage.  So tonight, I said what the heck - let's try one of the $35 Centerpoint 4x16 scopes.  What could be the harm and I would be ready for the new LGU next week with the Hawke.  The Centerpoint is a bit a brick, weights a ton, and stuck past the port area, but went on ok.  I shot 100+ today/tonight and attached is the last 10 shots.  The results were impressive to say the least - 9 or 10 of the 10 inside the 3/8" circle from 32 ft.  I am anxious to try it outside, but waiting on the rain to clear.  Although it is a short distance, I am very impressed that the $35 scope easily outshot the $150 scope.  Hopefully this will bear up at distance.

My question for the group is - should I contact Hawke about the Varmint or is it something in my technique that is resulting in poor accuracy.  I want to be ready for the LGU and would hate to have to buy another, yet more expensive scope like a Mamba or Aeon.  I do have two more of the Centerpoints that I could use, but they seem real heavy.  Any suggestions welcome.

Thanks,  Dan

[robertr]

 Dan you should definately send the Varmint back, there is a problem with some of the Varmints, they might even upgrade you to it's replacement , the Vantage..

[ancient1one]

Dan you should definately send the Varmint back, there is a problem with some of the Varmints, they might even upgrade you to it's replacement , the Vantage..

x2.. Go to the Hawke website and call them Monday. Let them know the scope is broken. They have first rate customer service. You pay the shipping to Hawke everything else will be covered. If its not fixable they will replacement it with a Varmint or upgrade to the newer version.