I mounted a Swaro Z3 3x9 scope on my 375 H&H. Sited in with 6-8 shots and got a nice tight group 1MOA 2 in. high and 1 in. left. I moved zero a couple clicks to the R. Next time at the range it was dead on for windage but stringing 5 shots vertically about 7 in. top to bottom.

This looked like a broken scope. Sent the scope in and it was returned w/ note that they replaced a spring. Mounted scope again and went to the range. After 6-8 shots I got a nice tight group 2 in. high and 1 in. L. Moved the zero a couple clicks R. Next 8 shots were ok for elevation but stringing shots horizontally across about 8 in.

Called Swarovski service. They said there was nothing wrong with the scope when I sent it in originally but they replaced springs anyway. They also said I may have over tightened the rings. They also said maybe that wasn't the best choice of scope for a 375.

This doesn't sound right to me because each initial session yielded a tight group, and it only started stringing shots after the 8th shot or so. Also note the scope was centered and was on paper only a 5 to 7 inches off at 100 yds. each time I started.

Does anyone have any thoughts on what this is or what I can do about it? I mean it looks like a broken scope despite what swaro service says.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Have you checked the rings and bases?

The Z3 is the direct descendant of the one inch American Hunter which was/is plagued with erector problems. You need to step up to the Z5 or Z6 models to have 375 durability among Swaros. On the cheap side I like Burris FFII or Weaver Grand/Super Slam.
Have Swarovski repair your scope one more time and sell it right away. Take your loss and look for a sturdier option.

Yes, thanks. They're bomber.

This sort of stuff does not surprise me from image-movement scopes, though it does seem an extreme instance. I am not that impressed with the rear-located coil springs of the Z5 and Z6, either, except that, in having four, they cater for double rifles' recoiling to the right on the first shot and left on the second.

If only Bushnell had held their nerve and developed the B&L Custom concept further, instead of surrendering to the smoke and mirrors ...

Thank you all for your thoughtful replies particularly the history of this line of scopes. Maybe that explains in part the Swaro rep's admission to me that perhaps this wasn't the best scope for a 375. Anyway I have removed this scope from my rifle and mounted a Leuo 1.75x6. So far about 30 rounds no problems. Thanks again.

Update. Sent the scope back. The service rep again insisted that there was nothing wrong with the scope. I reiterated my shooting experience related above in the first post and he admitted that this scope line sometimes goes from a tight group to a widely scattered group. I told him I didn't have any use for a scope that performed in this manner. They are sending the scope back but I don't know what I will do with it as I can't trust it. I have not had any problem w my z5 3x18 on 300 WM or z6 on 375 H&H but will not buy anymore Swaro scopes after this experience. any new scope i buy will be a Leu. Paul

Z5 and Z6 use an entirely different erector sets than the Z3. Z5s/Z6s are coil springs; Z3s are flat springs.

As you know, the whole industry is BS these days IMHO.

The coil springs of the Swaro Z5 and Z6 cope with a certain problem most often seen in Europe - scopes on DB rifles - but I'm not sure they deal with every recoil problem there, either. At least the flat springs of the Z3 are down at the business end where the erector tube could dong against the outer barrel. In some brands flat springs actually make a barrier between the two tubes, and I think that is good.

I don't suppose Leupolds are any better than Swaros, PKW, but after the treatment you've had, I can't blame you.

Thanks, Samburman. I've had one problem w a leu and that was down to abuse. They promptly fixed it and sent it back. The thing that got me mad at swaro was they insisted their scope was not the problem while admitting their scope had a history of intermittently scattering shots. Like I said no problems w my Z6. Paul.

The only Swaro rifle scope I've had was a SwaroA 3-10x42. It started scattering POI while I was shooting at a big 190" mule deer buck....shot the poor thing to pieces. Erector was bad. They fixed it, I sold it.

I guess I'm in the minority as I've never had any problems with a variety of Swarovski scopes and I had a 3-10x42 on my ltwt .375 --- and I put a lot of shots thru it developing a load for solids and for Nosler Partitons that allowed to shoot both loads without adjusting the scope in the field. I also did a lot of shooting during the actual safari in Zim without a problem.

I've only ever had a problem with two scopes. I blew the front lens off a Weaver with the first shot thru a ltwt, short barreled .338 that I'd built as a sheep rifle in an area with a lot of Grizzlies --- circa 1968 and the other was Leupold variable that would get stuck between 4x and 5x. Leupold "fixed" it 3 or 4 times until I basically gave to a friend who wouldn't spend on "good" optics - by far the best inexpensive "fixed" power scope he ever owned.

There may well be a design flaw in Swarovski but I've never had a problem and I can't recall any of my friends who shoot them having a problem - just lucky I guess.

I will periodically buy a different scope to try something new but all on my rifles wear a Z3 3-10x42 with choice of reticle about 50/50 between a duplex or 4A.

Just my experience and your mileage may vary,