Testing Long Range Scopes

[jamesdmock]

I have a Trijicon 5x-50x Accupower riflescope that I am testing. Also, I have a similar scope, the Delta 5x-50X Stryker coming. I wonder if I should do two SEPERATE tests or maybe a A-B comparison. Many manufactures do not like the side by side comparisons because of the subjective nature caused by the bias of the tester.

For example, the Trijicon has MRAD reticle and .05 Mil adjustments per click while the Delta has MOA reticle with 1/8th MOA adjustments. Both have 56mm objectives and 34mm tubes. Both have lens from Light Optical works of Japan.

I have not shot the Delta yet, but I carried the Trijicon out yesterday and checked the tracking. In the picture below, I used the same aiming point (lower left square) and went up 20 clicks (1 mil), up 20 more, right 20, down 20, down 20 again and finally 20 left. I shot these in a very strong breeze without wind flags. I was very impressed with the results. This was shot at 100 yards and I prepared the chart in advance and the squares are a measured 1 mil apart (3.6 inches). James

 

[dstoenner]

That tracking looks right on for the limited range you used. But if you are going long range as your tile suggests then you need to do a “tall target test” to make sure it is as good as it should be at 1000 or more. My Nightforce was good to 33 moa and then went nonlinear. I was at the end of its range but then i knew what were my limitations

David

 

[Rob01]

Yeah the basic box test is good but a tall target test is better as you get more of the travel to see if you see any deviation. I test to at least 10 mils or 40 MOA when testing scope tracking. Sometimes more.

The reason i do this is that in the past I have had scopes be fine for about 2-3 mils and then you start to see 4 mils is really 4.1 and then 5 is 5.2 and so on. One when I dialed 10 mils was 11.4 mils of actual travel. So try to test out as far as you can in the elevation travel. 10 mils is only 36" at 100 yards so pretty easy to test.

 

[tom]

James,

I use a scope checker and hanging tape measure, as well as real tall targets and bullets when testing anything designed for "long range".

Some optics really struggle in the last revolution of travel at either end. Effectively making them not usable for the intended advertised purpose. Both optically and functionality are effected in my experience. As in the specs should read "120 moa, but you should only use 80" lol

Tom

 

[jamesdmock]

James,

I use a scope checker and hanging tape measure, as well as real tall targets and bullets when testing anything designed for "long range".

Some optics really struggle in the last revolution of travel at either end. Effectively making them not usable for the intended advertised purpose. Both optically and functionality are effected in my experience. As in the specs should read "120 moa, but you should only use 80" lol

Tom

That makes a lot of sense since the upward adjustments are dependent on spring force to move the reticle. I did dial the scope against the grid without shooting and it seemed spot on.

 

[Ranger188]

Ask and you will receive.
This is a tall target test when I first got my first Trijicon 5-50x56 MOA
I started at the bottom, put one shot there, cranked in 20 (I think)
fired at the top and one more at the first hole. Tracks great.

 

[Ranger188]

James, test them both at the same time.
Maybe on different days. One in high mirage conditions and cloudy.
That way you'll see if they are truly the same scope other than reticle chose or not.

 

[Sandstorm]

James, test them both at the same time.

Yep..Id like to know as well.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

James,

I use a scope checker and hanging tape measure, as well as real tall targets and bullets when testing anything designed for "long range".

Some optics really struggle in the last revolution of travel at either end. Effectively making them not usable for the intended advertised purpose. Both optically and functionality are effected in my experience. As in the specs should read "120 moa, but you should only use 80" lol

Tom

I do the same with my scope checker on a tripod against a second optic for zero reference but hang a 72” aluminum double yard stick from a nail on a tree so gravity makes it perfectly level like a plumb bob. Measure distance from scope to double yard stick very precisely with my 300 ft long loggers tape so I don’t induce the error of a laser rangefinder into the equation.

My 4.5-30x56 Trijicon I checked tracked excellent. Had 0.5% error at 50 MOA of elevation and only 0.7% error maxed out at 75 MOA (able to dial that much because it was previously zeroed on a 20 MOA rail). No reason to check anything further than that because this scope only has 60 MOA in either direction of optical center. So I actually measured from about 15 MOA below center to the top.
All was in a perfectly straight line up the stick. This was repeatable and it always returned to zero perfectly.

Will be interesting to see if the 5-50x56 Trijicon tracking is as precise as the 4.5-30x56. Especially interested to see how it does on low magnification settings vs. 50x magnification. The Delta 5-50x56 I had when they first came out would give a POA shift on target from 30x up to 50x. Never did a tracking correction factor test on it and wish I would have to see if the POA shift also effected tracking.

Math Equation Used to Test Tracking:
(Actual distance to target) x (MOA dialed) x 0.01047 = Expected turret travel

(Expected turret travel) ÷ (Actual turret travel) = Correction factor (%)

 

[rsbhunter]

Tagging in, I have the Trijicon 5-50 Tenmile, and I am considering either another one, or looking at Sightron SVSSED 10-50 with the fine parallax adjustment. Have heard it is incredible, but haven't had a chance to look through one or compare both side by side....but your review/test is awesome, thanks for taking your time to do it...rsbhunter

 

[jamesdmock]

I just received the Delta Stryker 5x-50x for testing. It has the MOA/MOA system that I prefer for my type of shooting. This is the Generation III which has several improvements over the Gen I. Some of these improvements are as follows: locking turrets on both windage and elevation, a much longer travel for the parallax adjustment, a indicator that shows the number of the revolution of both windage and elevation, .05 mil per click on the milrad models. In the picture below, one can see the turrets with stated improvements.

 

[rsbhunter]

Looks nice, are the MOA models 1/8" clicks? Look forward to reading your review on this scope...rsb

 

[Beiruty]

All of those are 2FFP and most likely the intended application is known distances, and benchrest shooting.
Am I correct?

 

[jamesdmock]

Looks nice, are the MOA models 1/8" clicks? Look forward to reading your review on this scope...rsb

Yes, the clicks are 1/8th MOA.

 

[Sandstorm]

James.. let us know how they compare at distance and your thoughts on their use in F-class Competitions in general
Im lookin to pick up another optic and those 2 are on the list
Thanks for your time and effort’s
It’s appreciated

 

[Ledd Slinger]

I just received the Delta Stryker 5x-50x for testing. It has the MOA/MOA system that I prefer for my type of shooting. This is the Generation III which has several improvements over the Gen I. Some of these improvements are as follows: locking turrets on both windage and elevation, a much longer travel for the parallax adjustment, a indicator that shows the number of the revolution of both windage and elevation, View attachment 1311372 .05 mil per click on the milrad models. In the picture below, one can see the turrets with stated improvements.

Other than the magnification range and tube/objectives sizes, that is a COMPLETELY different scope than the original first Gen 5-50x Delta Stryker I had. Great to see they made good improvements in all areas the scope needed it

 

[jamesdmock]

With two similar scopes. I need to decide which one that I need to keep. Although I just started testing the Delta, I am leaning to keeping it and selling the Trijicon. Although there is nothing wrong with the Trijicon, my preference for MOA/MOA may be the deciding factor. I have not advertised the Trijicon yet, but if you know of someone looking for a great long range scope with Mil/Mil reticle and adjustments, let me know. I will take $1350 shipped and insured to the lower 48. Thanks, James Mock

 

[NA Woody]

I recently purchased the 5-50 Delta with Moa/Moa from SW optics in Phoenix.
I am very pleased with it....clear optics....Moa reticle with floating dot...locking turrets...zero stop etc. The only negative so far is weight... but should be fine for F open rifles.
It will be used in F class competition...currently on a 6br...so not much of a recoil test yet.
If interested in one of these you should contact SW Optics.
When I ordered it online, the owner of SW called me to discuss and then texted me the tracking number and asked if I had questions.
Great customer service and an excellent optic too!

 

[Sandstorm]

James can you add some more feedback after working with the Delta for a while...
Im interested in your thought's after live fire and some actual use.
When you get to it.....I will check back down the line.
I Need to sell a few scopes first.

 

[rsbhunter]

Do you have a website for S.W. optics in Phoenix ? Couldn't find one by searching web...rsbhunter