Swampfox Warhorse Review: Does This 1-6x FFP LPVO Excel?

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	Swampfox Warhorse 1-6x FFP LPVO	Check Price

Since 2018, Swampfox Optics has impressed us with its high-quality yet affordable red dots, prism scopes, LPVOs, and riflescopes.

However, it wasn’t until just a couple of months ago that Swampfox entered the first focal plane (FFP) low power variable optic (LPVO) space with the release of the Warhorse 1-6 FFP LPVO.

Having had positive experiences with the other Swampfox optics I’ve tested, I was one of the first at Gun Made to throw my hand up to review the Warhorse.

Swampfox was kind enough to send this one out shortly after its release, so we’ve been able to have several range trips with it already.

Let’s take a closer look at Swampfox’s brand-new FFP LPVO, the Warhorse.

Swampfox Warhorse Review

Swampfox Warhorse 1-6x LPVO For Sale

Specifications

Pros & Cons

Unboxing & First Impressions

Swampfox also sent one of its Freedom Mounts along with the Warhorse, and I have to say, both boxes and packaging were on point.

The boxes are nice and sturdy and have high-resolution graphics and details on the exterior. Inside, custom foam inserts hold everything neatly in place.

Inside the Warhorse box, you’ll find quite a few extras in addition to the typical manuals:

• Flip-up lens covers
• Throw lever
• Allen wrench
• S-wing wrench
• CR2032 battery
• Lens cloth

Picking up the Warhorse for the first time, you immediately feel its robustness. It’s not exactly what you’d consider lightweight compared to others. However, that robust design gives you a sense of durability and confidence that it’s ready for anything.

How We Tested

Having the Warhorse for just over a month now, it’s been able to accompany me on indoor and outdoor range trips. From shooting indoors in a well-lit modern range to shooting outdoors closer to dusk, I always found a magnification and brightness pairing that fit my needs.

I ran target transition and reload drills at my favorite indoor range (The Outpost Armory), and mag dumped plenty outdoors, and the Warhorse held its zero and never skipped a beat.

Reliability & Accuracy

I’d much rather have an LPVO that can outshoot my skills than the opposite, and the Warhorse can.

I train more for speed, transitioning between targets, and reloading than anything else. I rarely sit or lie with a rest or bipod and plink away at some target far off in the distance.

For this type of training, I found the Warhorse to perform wonderfully. It didn’t take long to zero, and once I did, it held true. Adjusting the magnification was made easier by the included throw lever, but it still took quite a bit of strength.

When I was shooting at greater distances, the very sharply etched reticle made it easy to assess and adjust my reticle placement on target.

Features

Dragoon Reticle

As with almost any optic, the reticle is the star of the show. You can order a Warhorse with a Dragoon MIL or a Dragoon MOA reticle with either red or green illumination.

This particular reticle features a horseshoe and center dot that makes for quick target acquisition at 1x and precision shots at 6x. The MOA tree provides holdover points if you’re taking those longer-range shots at 6x.

I almost always shot between 1-3x, and the horseshoe made it very easy to lock on and put a quick shot on target (I wasn’t shooting for precision), especially when illuminated.

Once pushing out past 100 yards or shooting for accuracy, though, I found the illumination to be a little distracting, but it’s easy enough to switch off, and that’s more of a personal preference.

Push/Pull Locking Elevation Turret

The turrets for both windage and elevation are easy to adjust and are kept secure by either a cap (windage) or a push/pull locking feature (elevation). Some people aren’t fond of turret caps, but I am. I do not find myself adjusting my windage all that often, so I’d rather have it covered to avoid accidental adjustments.

I liked how adjusting the elevation was made simple by pulling the turret up, but I did have a few instances where I found myself unable to push it back down due to being slightly in between adjustments. Correcting only took a split second, but it is still worth noting.

12 Illumination Settings

Reticle brightness has never been an issue with any of the Swampfox optics I’ve used, and the Warhorse is no different.

There are 12 brightness settings, each with intermittent off positions in between. Since I was doing most of my shooting in the late morning or early afternoon sun, I typically stayed around settings 10 and 11. Shooting at those brightness settings in daylight was no issue.

If you are into shooting with night vision, you’re in luck because settings one and two are night vision compatible. Every setting between those and the highest does very well indoors or on cloudy, overcast days.

The illumination knob is located on the left side of the body and provides ample texturing to adjust it quickly in different types of weather conditions.

Score Card

Reliability (10/10)  

I had no issues adjusting the Warhorse, and it held zero perfectly. I also did not have any issues with lens fogging.

Ergonomics (9/10)

All the controls are right where they should be, the throw lever helps with adjustments, and the lens caps stay out of the way when needed.

Appearance (9/10)

It’s a relatively standard-looking LPVO, but the aggressive grooves and serrations on the controls boost its aesthetic, in my opinion.

Value (8/10)

There aren’t many things about this LPVO that I don’t like, but it is on the pricier side compared to some of the competition.

Alternatives

Swampfox Arrowhead 1-6×24 LPVO

If you’re looking to spend a couple hundred dollars less but are really impressed with what Swampfox is bringing to the table in terms of quality and features, check out its flagship LPVO, the Arrowhead.

The Arrowhead also features 12 brightness settings, push/pull locking turrets, and a zero-reset for quick adjustments. It, too, has impressive glass for the price and an expansive FOV. It’s available in a ton of different configurations.

Available magnification ranges: 1-6, 1-8, 1-10

Available reticles: Guerrilla Dot BDC, Guerrilla Dot MOA, Guerrilla Dot MIL

Available illumination: red or green

Vortex Viper PST Gen II

It’s no secret that Vortex makes some of the best optics on the market. The Viper PST Gen II is an excellent 1-6×24 LPVO to consider if you’re a name-brand type of shooter and who wants to rest easy with the Vortex Lifetime Warranty. It has minimal distortion at 6x, and the uncluttered reticle with daylight bright red dot makes shooting in any light condition simple.

It offers an impressive 112.5-18.8 ft/100 yds field of view and an eye relief of 3.8 inches. It’s functional, intuitive, and offers premium durability.

Swampfox Tomahawk II LPVO

The Swampfox Tomahawk II is a budget-friendly LPVO that doesn’t compromise on quality, offering both 1-4x and 1-6x magnifications with versatile reticle options.

Its optical clarity, wide field of view, and robust features like 12 brightness settings and a locking turret make it an appealing choice for shooters. As a second focal plane (SFP) optic, it excels in close to mid-range shooting scenarios, making it an excellent alternative to first focal plane (FFP) options like the Swampfox Warhorse for those prioritizing cost and specific use cases.

The inclusion of useful accessories such as a throw-lever and the option for a Hostile Engagement Mount adds to its value proposition.

The Tomahawk II stands out for its combination of affordability, versatility, and performance, catering well to enthusiasts and professionals looking for a reliable LPVO.

Check out our Tomahawk II review for more info!

Conclusion

After my time with the Swampfox Warhorse, I feel the name is quite fitting. This LPVO feels ready to ride into battle on top of your rifle.

Its robust build and solid controls never leave you feeling like you’re dealing with some wimpy optic. The glass is clear, the reticle is helpful without being too busy, and the range of brightness levels is appreciated.

The main thing I would like to see changed is the price. Is it outrageously priced? Definitely not. However, there are other comparable LPVOs out there for less.

With that being said, I don’t think you’d be disappointed with the Warhorse if you’re looking for a 1-6×24 FFP LVPO.

What do you think of the Swampfox Warhorse? Is it an LPVO that you would purchase? If not, what would your recommendation be that’s comparable?