For years, manufacturers have tried to incorporate ballistic-calculating technology into optics, and the result for the most part has either been highly expensive military technology and/or bulky and cumbersome civilian designs.
Until SIG SAUER developed the award-winning SIERRA3 and the BDX Data Xchange. Providing hunters with an intelligent auto-holdover specific to their ballistics, target, and environment, this optic system has changed the game.
The SIERRA3 had its drawbacks, though, based on my experience with it. Though it could accurately range out to 800 yards and deliver the perfect holdover, it was like looking through a paper towel roll.
The field of view at distance was quite narrow, and the edges of the field of view through the scope would become hazy at maximum magnification. This became problematic when I took the optic on a sheep hunt in far west Texas.
The SIERRA6BDX 5-30x56mm at a Glance
- Advanced Auto-Holdover Tech: Pairs wirelessly with SIG KILO rangefinders via a smartphone app to provide instantaneous, custom ballistic aiming points downrange.
- Upgraded Low-Light Performance: Features a massive 56mm aperture that maximizes light gathering for tracking moving game in dim twilight settings.
- Expanded Field of View: Fixes previous generation design limitations by eliminating edge hazing to deliver wide-open clarity at maximum 30x magnification.
- Complex Initial Configuration: The Bluetooth data syncing system can be slightly tricky to master, occasionally requiring assistance or customer service intervention for non-technical users.
- Manual Wind Adjustment: While the smart system perfectly calculates target distance and vertical drop elevation, calculating horizontal wind holds remains strictly on the hunter.
Enter the SIERRA6BDX 5-30X56mm Riflescope
With a much larger aperture, 56mm vs. 44mm, the SIERRA6 took all the issues I had with the SIERRA3 and made them disappear. First and foremost, the optic gathers much more light.
This allows hunters to acquire targets in dimmer settings, generally the time that the critter you’re searching for is moving about. Next, the field of view issue was solved. Looking through the SIERRA6, I feel like my eyes are wide open with little to no haze at full magnification.
But what is the real draw to the BDX line of optics from SIG? It’s the auto-holdover technology. The SIERRA6BDX 5-30X56mm riflescope pairs with a rangefinder and bonds through an app on your smartphone.
Using your phone’s computer, the app takes into account manually entered ammunition ballistic information based on the round used and then programs the optic accordingly.
Once set, hunters can put their phone away and simply use a paired SIG KILO rangefinder that comes with the optic. A simple tap of the range button will communicate the distance to the optic, and instantaneously, an illuminated point on the crosshairs will move up or down, pinpointing the perfect holdover for the distance.
Two things to point out in this short review: though ranged perfectly, wind calls are still on the hunter. Second, if you are not a tech person, I would make sure to have someone who can help you initially get the BDX set up, or call SIG’s ever-patient customer helpline. It can get a bit tricky.
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