Great scopes available to American shooters.

[jamesdmock]

As my days of competition are mostly in the past, I want to reflect on some of my impressions about the modern riflescopes. Since ~ 1996 or so, I have shot many of the premium scopes and have written reports on them. I would like to thank the folks at the manufacturers who trusted me with their fine (and expensive) instruments.

I have shot premium scopes from Kahles, March, Nightforce, Sightron, IOR Valdada, Leupold, Vortex, Burris, Delta, Nikon, and Trijicon. This is dangerous to state, but to my old eyes, the IOR terminator had the best glass, and there was a tie for the best value in a scope. With all things considered, the Delta Stryker HD 5x-50x X 56mm at ~$1600 and the Sightron SIII 10x-50x at ~$1000 represent the most bang for the buck. I prefer the second focal plane scopes for the matches that I shoot and therefore I have concentrated mostly on that type of scope.

There are two scopes that I hope to test before I completely quit shooting. One is the Schmidt and Bender PMII in 12x-50x and the other is the March 10x-60x High Master. I have shot the March 10X -60X Long Range before they offered the HIgh Master series and it was excellent. As a matter of fact, I looked at Turk Takano's prototype 40x when March first came to America, It may have been the sharpest optically of any scope with which I am familiar.

Let me add that with my old eyes and the Louisiana atmosphere, I have bee able to see 6mm holes in the target at 600 yards with only two scopes. One was the Valdada Terminator and the other was the Nightforce 15x-55x Competition. I plan to get cataracts removed in the next 6 months, and my list may grow. These are some of my impressions about the scopes available to today's shooter. We are lucky to have such a great selection available.

 

[Mulligan]

Good stuff Mr Mock.
What are your picks for light weight glass for short range benchrest?
CW

I have a March X 10-60 HM. When looking for the x ring in thick air, it is the best I have seen.

 

[jamesdmock]

Good stuff Mr Mock.
What are your picks for light weight glass for short range benchrest?
CW

I have a March X 10-60 HM. When looking for the x ring in thick air, it is the best I have seen.

The 45x45 Sightron is a great pick, as is the 40X Valdada and the 42X NF.

 

[wbm]

I have a Leupold Freedom that has been a very good scope with great glass.

 

[6bra1k]

I have a Leupold Freedom that has been a very good scope with great glass.

staying in the context of the thread ,
do you use it for 600 or 1000 yard BENCHREST

 

[wbm]

What are your picks for light weight glass for short range benchrest?

Leupold Freedom

 

[JEFFPPC]

staying in the context of the thread ,
do you use it for 600 or 1000 yard BENCHREST

Some days all you can do is shake your head and laugh.

 

[Darwin]

I thought maybe retired came back.

 

[Ricochet007]

I have a Leupold Freedom that has been a very good scope with great glass.

They undoubtedly make the best glass.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Haven’t heard anything great about the S&B. Most guys say it’s not worth the money. And I wasn’t very impressed with the March Highmaster when I looked thru one. Murky and dark picture on max power.

I’ll be running the old tried and true NF BR 12-42x on the benchrest rifle I’m building.

Considering the price point of $1000-$1100 used or $1350-ish new, I would say the NF BR is the best bang for your buck. Most definitely better glass than Sightron 10-50 and much better reticle selection
(I own both scopes).
I’ve shot some really small groups at long range with scopes only having 24x-25x max power settings so 42x on the NF BR is more than adequate for top level precision in my opinion.

 

[wbm]

They undoubtedly make the best glass.

Actually I was surprised at how crisp the glass was on the Leupold. Tracking was also quite accurate. The last couple of years has been less than rewarding economically for some of us so high end glass has been right out..

I’ll be running the old tried and true NF BR 12-42x on the benchrest rifle I’m building

+1

 

[rijndael]

This is dangerous to state, but to my old eyes, the IOR terminator had the best glass

The problems with IOR were never about glass quality.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

Actually I was surprised at how crisp the glass was on the Leupold. Tracking was also quite accurate. The last couple of years has been less than rewarding economically for some of us so high end glass has been right out..



+1

wbm if you haven’t already, I hope you get to try a Sightron SIII. There a great value, glass and price wise.

 

[wbm]

I have never owned a Sightron. Will check it out! Thanks!

 

[Dub]

I am blown away by the quality of the Sightron SIII 45x45. A fantastic value

 

[Ricochet007]

Actually I was surprised at how crisp the glass was on the Leupold. Tracking was also quite accurate. The last couple of years has been less than rewarding economically for some of us so high end glass has been right out..



+1

I have been a fan of their scope since i can remember. My father loved them so i think i picked it up from him. The MK5 HD are awesome as well.

 

[moondog]

I don't shoot benchrest, but staying staying in the context of the thread. I shoot field matches, ELR, and the last couple of years, a lot of 22 matches. I'm also a FFP. scope guy. When I built my 1st custom the only game was Premier, IOR, or Schmidt.
I looked through all 3 every week at my club trying to decide. Ended up with a Schmidt, still have it. The IOR had awesome glass. I saw to many go down at matches with virtually no customer support. Maybe that's changed. Back on track, yeah, the options for great scopes today is unbelievable. Limited only by nit-picking reticles, features, etc. I own, shot, or looked Virtually every Alpha glass out. Tangent, Minox, Zero Comp, Schmidt, etc. It's like splitting hairs at that level. Tangent is still top dog though imo. It really comes down to features, price, and service. Vortex, and Zero comp win. Yeah, yeah yeah, I've heard it before but, All things mechanical break, or wear out period! Do you own a paperweight at that point,, or can you get back on target. So many great options today really.

 

[jamesdmock]

Haven’t heard anything great about the S&B. Most guys say it’s not worth the money. And I wasn’t very impressed with the March Highmaster when I looked thru one. Murky and dark picture on max power.

I’ll be running the old tried and true NF BR 12-42x on the benchrest rifle I’m building.

Considering the price point of $1000-$1100 used or $1350-ish new, I would say the NF BR is the best bang for your buck. Most definitely better glass than Sightron 10-50 and much better reticle selection
(I own both scopes).
I’ve shot some really small groups at long range with scopes only having 24x-25x max power settings so 42x on the NF BR is more than adequate for top level precision in my opinion.

You are correct about the NF BR. It is a great scope and I have shot it some 15 years ago. It does represent a great buy.

 

[Geronimo Jim]

Thank you for sharing Mr Mock.

 

[Om606]

Agree completely with your best bang choices , have had 3 S3 Sightrons and now moved on to Delta Strykers