Sig Sauer is now in the optics game and is gaining traction with a lot of shooters. In this article we give you a thorough Sig Sauer Whiskey 3 review.
This review contains all of what you need to know, including the good and the bad, and what you can expect from this scope.
It comes in 3 models; the biggest difference in the three are the reticles; I’ve included images to show you the difference in the reticles.
With some 50 years (wow!) of deer hunting behind me, I now prefer the lighted reticle. That red dot definitely makes getting a sight picture much easier in low light conditions. Without further ado, let’s dive into the review.
Is the Sig Sauer Whiskey 3 Worth Buying?
The Sig Sauer Whiskey 3 is worth buying if you want a dependable, reasonably priced scope for close to mid-range hunting.
The Whisky 3 is right at home on your .30-30, .45-70 or your AR platform with a 350 Legend chamber.
If you chase medium-sized critters like deer, black bear, hogs, yotes and others, this scope will make you happy.
Features of the Sig Sauer Whiskey 3
The Whisky 3 is not packed with the same level or kind of features you will find in higher end scopes.
Remember, you also are not spending more than $1,000 on this scope. You are buying a solid, entry-level rifle scope for hunting out to 200 yards or so.
2nd Focal Plane
All the Whisky 3 scopes are a second focal plane. This means that as you zoom in, the reticle stays the same size.
I personally like this because the dot in the Hellfire does not get big enough to obscure parts of the target.
MOA
Each scope has 1/4 MOA clicks. An MOA is 1 inch at 100 yards. Therefore, each click will move the crosshairs a quarter-inch at 100 yards.
You get 80 MOA in elevation and windage. For what this scope is designed to do, that is plenty. You get 20 inches of adjustment in total. You get 12 MOA per revolution on the adjustment turrets.
Mount the scope correctly and you won’t need that much adjustment. I use a mounting kit to make sure my scopes are properly aligned.
Parallax
Parallax is fixed at 100 yards, which is another reason why the Sig Sauer Whisky 3 is not a true long range scope.
If you get much past 200 yards, parallax is going to be a big factor in lining up on the target properly.
Zoom
The zoom is 3-9x or 4-12.
In the 3-9, the low setting, your target is about 3 times as big as you see it with your naked eye. At maximum zoom, the target is 9 times as big.
At the low setting, your field of view is to 35 feet from one side to the other. At the highest zoom, the field of view is 11.9 feet.
12 feet is enough room to 2-3 deer to stand nose to tail depending on their size. For example, at max zoom you can see is 2 big bucks or 3 yearlings.
In the 12x zoom, the field of view is 8.3 feet from side to side.
Objective lens
The objective lens, the front bell, is 40mm on all the Whisky 3 models. This splits the difference between small bell and large bell scopes.
The 40mm will gather light better than a small bell, but not gather as much as a large one. This is another reason I like the Hellfire reticle, which uses a CR2032 battery.
If you wish to know, What scope number means? Go Through this article.
Rings
It is a 1-inch tube, so rings are pretty easy to come by. Be sure to get rings high enough to clear your iron sights.
If you shoot a carbine, I recommend see-through rings. That way you can shoot very close ranges with the iron sights.
Pros and Cons of the Sig Sauer Whisky 3
As with everything, the Whisky 3 has some good points and some less good points. Let’s run down those in this short list.
Pros
- Warranty: Sig Sauer gives you a lifetime warranty. If the scope breaks, you either get it replaced free or get a free replacement.
- Reticle choice: You get 3 reticles to choose from. I prefer the lighted reticle because it makes finding a shooting solution easier in low light conditions.
- Hunting: This is a hunting scope, and it will serve you well in brush country.
- Waterproof: The scope is waterproof for 30 minutes at a depth of 1 meter. Hunting in the rain? No problem!
Cons
- Not long distance: Sig promotes the Whisky 3 as a long range scope. Yes, you mount it to a rifle that will shoot long range. You are better served getting a true long-range scope with more magnification, parallax adjustment and a tactical reticle.
- Parallax: Parallax is fixed at 100 yards. This is the primary reason the Whisky 3 is not a long range scope. This is really my chief con for this scope.
- Objective lens: The 40mm objective lens is another reason it is not a long range scope. You really need to gather more light for the best long range shots. This is a minor negative.
Sig Sauer Whisky 3
The price of Sig Sauer Whisky 3 varies, so check the latest price at
FAQs
The Whisky series of Sig Sauer scopes are made in the Philippines. Sierra scopes are made in China and Tango scopes are made in the US.
Sig Sauer is a good scope brand. It comes with a lifetime warranty. If it ever breaks through normal use, you get a repair or replacement.
The Sig Whiskey 3 is made in the Philippines. Several other scope manufacturers also use Philippine production plants.
Conclusion
If you need a hunting scope for a gun that shoots out to 200 yards or so, this is a great choice. It is durable and accurate.
In states where straight wall cartridges are required, this scope is an excellent choice. It also works well for shotgun slugs.
I’d recommend using the 3-9 for a shotgun, and getting the 4-12 for the 350 Legend because it can reach a bit further.
Pro tip: As a professional photographer and a hunter with several lighted scopes, I only buy Duracell batteries. Also, change the battery every year whether you use the scope or not.
