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Tested 13 Scopes

Jet

Jet

Gold $$ Contributor
Tested 13 scopes with @newbieshooter and results are posted below. We both used similar setups. Bench guns chambered in 6BRAI with Field and Cave's scope checker and frozen scopes mounted on them. Scopes were tested for reticle movement after each shot and to see if reticle moved when optical power was increased/decreased. Test targets were at 100yds. Stated measurements are approximate based on the .250" grid paper used as a target.

Testing scopes has become part of my off season ritual. We all put in a lot of effort in this quest for precision and cannot afford to put blind trust into any of our equipment or components. Testing lets me know what to trust, what to get repaired and what to put on the shelf. Results are our findings and are not meant to promote or disparage any manufacturer.

stock.jpg

Results:
Golden Eagle #1: No reticle shift when firing. Reticle moved .125" right when magnification reduced from 50 to 30. Reticle moved back to original POA when magnification returned to 50

Golden Eagle #2: Reticle shifted right .150" on first shot then solid. No movement when magnification changed. This is the scope in the above picture. Mount/rings were provided by the scope's owner. When tested in them, this scope moved to the right a lot even when the scope was snugged up. Rings were changed to BAT rings and then retested.

Golden Eagle #3: Solid. No reticle movement observed

March 8-80 #1: Solid. No reticle movement observed

March 8-80 #2: Solid. No reticle movement observed

NF Comp Gen 1: Solid. No reticle movement observed. As a side note, I've tested 4-5 of these NF Comp Gen 1s over the past few years and they have all been solid

NF Comp Gen 2 #1: Reticle shifted left .100" on first shot then solid. No movement when magnification changed. This scope has been "repaired" by NF 2 years ago when it moved a lot. Has been tested twice since returned and it behaves much better now

NF Comp Gen 2 #2: Solid. No reticle movement observed. This scope has been "repaired" by NF 2 years ago when it moved a lot. Has been tested twice since returned and has been solid since

NF Comp Gen 2 #3: Solid. No reticle movement observed. This scope has never been returned to NF for repair

NF Comp Gen 2 #4 (Frozen): Solid. A couple years ago this scope had a lot of reticle movement, sent back to NF, got the standard answer many of you have heard, got it back and it still moved. Had a friend modify it so it can be frozen/unfrozen using a screw pushing up on the erector. It is solid with no movement when frozen

NF 12-42 BR: Solid. No reticle movement observed

Leupold Comp 45X #1: Solid. No reticle movement observed

Leupold Comp 45X #2: Reticle moved up and left a total of .200" on first 5 shots then stopped moving. Will be going to Leupold for repair

Good Shooting

Rich​
 
Last edited:
Regarding GE#2... that owner owes you a beer! We call them scope checkers, but they check the entire optic/ mount system. You saved that person a lot of time/ $/ frustration. Thanks for posting!!!
 
Raythemanroe said:
All good, no trouble scopes?


RAY
Click to expand...

Ray

I think I explain there are scopes that are solid and some that moved. It is up to the owner of the scopes to determine if they are good or not. The two Leupolds tested are mine. As stated in the write up one will be going in for repair since it moved through 5 shots. if scopes are "solid" I trust them. if there is movement at all they go on back up rifles, go in the range box as a back up scope in case one craps out at a match or goes on the shelf.

Hope this helps.
 
Jeff/Rich

I know that a BRA has a lot more recoil than a straight BR. :)

How do you think things would have changed with a 300 WSM OR 284 ?

I do encourage every one to check scopes/mounts yearly...something useful when fire forming brass
 
Pat
I was fire forming brass so it was BR velocities. I don’t think a 284 or one of the short mags would cause the scopes to move any more. It could but I don’t think so.
First time I did these tests I used my rail gun. The top that the straight Dasher barrel was mounted in weighed about 45-50lbs. I experienced more movement during that test than any other test after.
When I do this next time I’ll use 284 barrel (if I can remember)
 
Great test,I would like to learn more about reticles moving. Do the reticles move in most lower end scopes? Could this be part of the reason other than cold barrel /clean barrel the first shot or so in group is off a bit?
 
High cost does not always equal better performance. I’ve tested a few Weaver 36X and they have all been solid. Those are about the cheapest high magnification scopes you can buy.

Reticle movement is slight but makes a difference at distance.

I attribute POI difference on first to oil/solvent left in the barrel
 
Interesting test, thank you for posting!

Although i don't have the budget for almost all the scopes listed.

If your willing, i'm willing to send for testing the Sightron STAC 4-20X50 (i know, not an SIII), and hopefully i'll have a US Optics TS12-X next winter.
 
Rich
You mentioned scope #2 mount/rings didn’t want to cooperate, was the rail to mount fit the culprit or the scope moving in the rings?
Jim
 
std7mag said:
Interesting test, thank you for posting!

Although i don't have the budget for almost all the scopes listed.

If your willing, i'm willing to send for testing the Sightron STAC 4-20X50 (i know, not an SIII), and hopefully i'll have a US Optics TS12-X next winter.
Click to expand...

20 power is likely to low a power to be able to see any difference
 
Jim

Rings were very tight. And there was no visible movement. I cannot say if it was the internal base or the rings. Only thing I know is it is flawed so it was removed
 
I’ve noticed movement in the base to rail connection on two different sets of mounts until torque was applied while another fit well from hand snug to final torque setting.

I called no joy / confidence in those first two and moved on. I may order some Bat Machine.

Thanks for taking your time and resources to test and post your results.
J
 
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