Sightron S1 3-9x40mm G2 Rifle Scope: Quality Glass for the Experienced Hunter

The Sightron S1 G2 line of scopes is an updated, overhauled version of their classic hunting line of scopes. According to the company, the new line of S1 scopes has an all-new erector tube system which is nitrogen-charged and O-ring sealed. Today we are looking at the Sightron S1 3-9x40mm G2 rifle scope. How does it perform? Let’s see if it passes muster.

Specs

As mentioned, this is a 3-9x40mm scope with a 1-inch tube, which is pretty standard for a hunting-type scope these days. Nothing really unusual. The S1 G2 line does come in other sizes, however: There’s a 1.75x32mm, a 3.5-10×50 mm, and a 4-12x40mm. All in all, this lineup is pretty well-rounded and should address the shooting needs of most shooters. Certainly, the vast majority of hunters will be well served by these combinations of magnifications.

Back to the 3-9×40 scope. It is constructed of aircraft aluminum and is sufficiently strong to withstand the rigors of the field. The length of the S1 is 11.9 inches and the weight is 13.6 ounces.

Sightron 3-9x scope.
The Sightron scope is durably made of aluminum and is waterproof, shockproof, and fog proof.

The tube is charged with nitrogen, and sealed with O-rings to provide a waterproof seal to IPX7, as well as make it fog proof and shockproof. I didn’t test it out by taking it diving underwater, but the scope appears to be sufficiently durable and protected for my needs.

The S1 operates on the Second Focal Plane, so the reticle remains the same size no matter what power it is set at. The reticle is made of wire. As expected the lenses of the optic are fully coated to provide maximum light transmission and contrast. The S1 proves to be clear and bright in use.

Reticles

A selection of reticles are available: The Mil-Dot, Standard Duplex, and HHR. This scope has the HHR (Hunter Holdover Reticle), which has 2 hash marks below the crosshairs that serve as aiming points for 300 and 400 yards.

Of course, there is an astonishing array of calibers to choose from, so the shooter will have to see how the aiming points match up to their chosen caliber. Sightron recommends zeroing the rifle at 200 yards and then seeing where your particular caliber hits in relation to the hash marks.

Diagram of the HHR reticle.
A photo of the HHR reticle taken from the Sightron manual. It seems practical for the hunting field. A ballistic table is included to help the shooter figure out the necessary adjustments.

They do enclose a chart that is 2 pages long with many various calibers and bullet weights so that you can see about where your caliber of choice will drop at various zero distances.

I personally did not have enough time at the range to experiment with various calibers in relation to the aiming points. However, this does seem to be a sound addition to a reticle. Once a shooter gains a zero and ascertains where the impacts will be, those 2 additional aiming points should come in handy in the field. This appears to be a worthwhile addition to a scope.

sightron reticle
A photo of the actual reticle. The sight picture is clear and bright. The optics are good quality.

Durability

The S1 3-9x40mm scope is rated for 1,000G of shock, making it appropriate to use with any realistic caliber. Additionally, given the aircraft aluminum construction, the scope has a solid feel, which inspires confidence. I encountered no issues during testing. Also, Sightron offers a limited lifetime warranty with their scopes.

Operation

The power ring operates smoothly and is easy to cycle through the powers, from 3 through 9. The adjustments have positive clicks and it is easy to acquire a zero at the range. Each click represents 1/4-inch at 100 yards, which is pretty much standard these days. The adjustment knobs have numbers so you can see how far you’ve adjusted, and also so you can adjust to pre-set distances at various ranges if you desire.

Sightron scope turrets
Adjustments are in 1/4-minute increments with positive clicks. The numbered turrets can be set to zero, and the numbers help for adjusting at various ranges.

Windage and Elevation adjustments have a 70 MOA range in this scope, which should be sufficient for shooting out to most realistic distances. I know some folks use a scope base that is graduated to 20 MOA more to get that extra bit of elevation, but I didn’t need that, as my range does not allow shooting past 200 yards.

The Combo

I decided to pair the Sightron S1 G2 up with my Savage Mark II FV-SR rifle in .22 Long Rifle. It’s one of my most fun rifles to shoot and I have a decent supply of .22LR ammo on hand, which made it a low-cost project. The Picatinny rail on the little Savage made popping the scope that I originally had mounted (a Vortex 1-8x) off and mounting the Sightron easy.

I chose a set of rings from Burris: their Xtreme Tactical Rings. These scope rings deserve a mention here, as they are really excellent units. Built very sturdily, they are easy to mount. The rings are milled from aluminum alloy. The mounting screws for the rail can be turned on by hand and tightened using a coin, making the whole process very easy and fast. They come with Burris’s lifetime warranty. Not that it’s likely you’ll ever have to use that warranty because they are built like tanks.

Sightron scope on savage rifle
The S1 is not a tiny scope, nor is it huge. It worked well on the little Savage. The Burris Xtreme Tactical Rings are outstanding and worked perfectly, making mounting a snap.

The Sighton S1 went into the rings with no problem and was secured in short order. It’s important to get the rings onto the Picatinny rail first so that everything lines up. Once that’s done, then get the scope into the rings, line it up, and tighten the top of the rings down. A word of advice: Less can be more. Don’t overtighten the ring screws! You can mess up the scope and the internals by overtightening. I make mine nice and snug.

Final Verdict

The Sightron S2 G2 3-9x40mm is a winner! The glass is clear and bright, with overall very good quality. The eye relief is fairly forgiving. Adjustments are positive and easy to make.

Author in position with the rifle.
The Sightron S1 G2 3-9x, paired with the Savage MK II FV-SR .22LR, proved to be a winning pair! A good time was had by all.

The 3-9x magnification is a good, all-around combination that has worked for decades for a myriad of shooting tasks. Big game hunting, small game, target shooting, you name it, it works for many missions. 

Jim Davis served in the PA Dept. of Corrections for 16 ½ years as a corrections officer in the State Correctional Institute at Graterford and later at SCI Phoenix. He served on the Corrections Emergency Response Team (CERT), several of those years as a sniper, and also the Fire Emergency Response Team (FERT). For 25 years, he was a professional instructor, teaching topics including Defensive Tactics, Riot Control and Tactical Operations, Immediate Responder, and cognitive programs as an adjunct instructor at the DOC Training Academy. He was then promoted to the title of corrections counselor, where he ran a caseload and facilitated cognitive therapy classes to inmates. His total service time was close to 29 years. He was involved in many violent encounters on duty, including incidents of fatalities. He is a dedicated Christian and attributes any skills that he has to the glory of God.

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