Dan Pohlabel Scope Cap Iris Review

[CADDIE5]

I was fortunate that Dan Pohlabel made a Sightron 10x50x60mm scope cap iris prototype for me to test. I emailed Dan telling him I had a bad astigmatism that was affecting my f class ability behind the scope and cheek weld. I asked if he would make a scope cap iris similar to what service rifle competition shooters were using on their Nightforce and March scopes while setting many new National Championship records. I explained it would be like a smallbore rear iris looking at a crosshair front sight except in this case the MOA crosshair reticle. It worked so well that I went from a Sharpshooter MR and LR classification to Master classification MR and LR last year. I used this in conjunction with his Mirage Cap on my Sightron 10x50x60mm scope. I shot Master scores at Missoula Montana and Bend Oregon over 2 week LR matches last September. When the mirage was heavy I bracketed the target frame with this setup and felt I didn't drop as many points as I could have in those conditions. Fellow ISRA f class competitors tried the prototype while demoing it on my Barnard 223rem rifle. New shooters said it showed them the proper alignment behind the rifle while laying prone. Bill who has a HM Midrange classification tried the second prototype scope cap iris on his Sightron 10x50x60mm scope and found out he had a problem with his Savage model 12 rifle setup. Savage and Sightron took care of the issues which were only discovered by the iris prototype. Thank you Dan for offering innovative products for rifle competition. I have these scope cap iris prototypes on my Barnard 223rem MR rifle and my Barnard 308win LR rifle. If there is enough interest in this product Dan would consider adding it to his product line.
Steve Zagrodnik

 

[Liven The Dream]

Do to the fact I have difficulty with my probe shooting with a scope ? I would be interested in one for my Sightron Scopes .
Hope this takes off ?
Don

 

[fatelvis]

This sounds like a great idea. Would he offer it for other scopes as well? Leupold?

 

[Larry Klutts]

I have interest in this set up.

 

[kcomeau10x]

I was fortunate that Dan Pohlabel made a Sightron 10x50x60mm scope cap iris prototype for me to test. I emailed Dan telling him I had a bad astigmatism that was affecting my f class ability behind the scope and cheek weld. I asked if he would make a scope cap iris similar to what service rifle competition shooters were using on their Nightforce and March scopes while setting many new National Championship records. I explained it would be like a smallbore rear iris looking at a crosshair front sight except in this case the MOA crosshair reticle. It worked so well that I went from a Sharpshooter MR and LR classification to Master classification MR and LR last year. I used this in conjunction with his Mirage Cap on my Sightron 10x50x60mm scope. I shot Master scores at Missoula Montana and Bend Oregon over 2 week LR matches last September. When the mirage was heavy I bracketed the target frame with this setup and felt I didn't drop as many points as I could have in those conditions. Fellow ISRA f class competitors tried the prototype while demoing it on my Barnard 223rem rifle. New shooters said it showed them the proper alignment behind the rifle while laying prone. Bill who has a HM Midrange classification tried the second prototype scope cap iris on his Sightron 10x50x60mm scope and found out he had a problem with his Savage model 12 rifle setup. Savage and Sightron took care of the issues which were only discovered by the iris prototype. Thank you Dan for offering innovative products for rifle competition. I have these scope cap iris prototypes on my Barnard 223rem MR rifle and my Barnard 308win LR rifle. If there is enough interest in this product Dan would consider adding it to his product line.
Steve Zagrodnik

I too would be interested in this item!

 

[ohiodan]

Thanks Steve, glad it's helped you!
This prototype is similar to those used by many service rifle shooters. It slips inside one of the rubber lens protectors to hold it in place. Of course that means I need to make the outside diameter of the scope cap a slight interference fit for it to stay in place. With so many different scopes in F-class, making a variety of them will take some time.
Those interested may have a friend that shoots service rifle and uses one of these devices, take a look through their setup and see if it's what you expect.

I was fortunate that Dan Pohlabel made a Sightron 10x50x60mm scope cap iris prototype for me to test. I emailed Dan telling him I had a bad astigmatism that was affecting my f class ability behind the scope and cheek weld. I asked if he would make a scope cap iris similar to what service rifle competition shooters were using on their Nightforce and March scopes while setting many new National Championship records. I explained it would be like a smallbore rear iris looking at a crosshair front sight except in this case the MOA crosshair reticle. It worked so well that I went from a Sharpshooter MR and LR classification to Master classification MR and LR last year. I used this in conjunction with his Mirage Cap on my Sightron 10x50x60mm scope. I shot Master scores at Missoula Montana and Bend Oregon over 2 week LR matches last September. When the mirage was heavy I bracketed the target frame with this setup and felt I didn't drop as many points as I could have in those conditions. Fellow ISRA f class competitors tried the prototype while demoing it on my Barnard 223rem rifle. New shooters said it showed them the proper alignment behind the rifle while laying prone. Bill who has a HM Midrange classification tried the second prototype scope cap iris on his Sightron 10x50x60mm scope and found out he had a problem with his Savage model 12 rifle setup. Savage and Sightron took care of the issues which were only discovered by the iris prototype. Thank you Dan for offering innovative products for rifle competition. I have these scope cap iris prototypes on my Barnard 223rem MR rifle and my Barnard 308win LR rifle. If there is enough interest in this product Dan would consider adding it to his product line.
Steve Zagrodnik

Steve, can you still read mirage through your rifle scope when using the scope cap?

 

[CADDIE5]

Yes it is a clear view showing all of the stages of mirage from shimmer to a rolling boil. What I like is it is used in conjunction with your mirage cap. You are able to adjust the scope magnification like a smallbore shooter to give a circular outline of a circle within a circle with a dot or crosshair to segment the bulleye when the boil is heaviest. You can frame the target frame also if you choose. So you can be precise even when you can't run at 50 or 60 power.

 

[powderbrake]

how big is the hole in the center?

 

[9ring]

could you explain what the mirage cap is ? photo ?

 

[CADDIE5]

how big is the hole in the center?

5/32" hole. Also counterbore so to imitate a smallbore rear iris. The pics show prototype on an air rifle target since I am not at the rifle range at the moment. The counterbore helps you center up the reticle crosshair or dot with the x ring. Since it is clear you see mirage, number board etc clearly. Eye is more relaxed in harsh conditions since the counterbore cues the eye to imagine an overlay showing scoring rings and black and white concentric circles. Sorry there is no pic of perspective looking thru scope at midrange or long range target when I took original pics but I couldn't hold smartphone camera steady enough in limited sighting shots.

 

[usftr]

I wouldn’t go to a match without one of his scope caps. Great idea and really gives a good depth to the mirage and less bouncing around under heavy mirage.

 

[CADDIE5]

could you explain what the mirage cap is ? photo ?
See the screenshots for a good explanation. Dan's mirage cap is lighter than a full length barrel mirage band and works just as well. I have them on all of my Sightron rifle competition scopes. Dan makes models for use on Nightforce, March, and Sightron scopes. Mirage cap screws onto front of sunshade or scope if sunshade not used. I'm sure anyone at a match will answer your questions in more detail and let you get behind their rifle to see the benefits subject to the Range Officer commands.

 

[9ring]

Caddies, thanks for clearing that up for me