On HBR Scopes

[WillyTP]

I gave the SWFA SS fixed 6x a try on my HBR gun a few seasons ago. The drawbacks were weight at 21ish ounces if memory serves me right, it was a busy reticle and was in mils instead of moa. I think most could get around to the mil turrets and the reticle but the weight is a bigger deal breaker. BTW, when I was searching for fixed 6x scope this was the only NEW one I found being currently produced.

 

[Pete Wass]

I was looking at the March Shorties again this morning. They offer a 1-8X with .1mil clicks that weighs 16.23 OZ. If only they would substitute the BR reticles it would be just fine I think. There is a box in their reticle selection with the BR reticles pictured that says they are available or Special Order. Wonder if its a simple matter of swapping a lens out ?

 

[jackieschmidt]

I was looking at the March Shorties again this morning. They offer a 1-8X with .1mil clicks that weighs 16.23 OZ. If only they would substitute the BR reticles it would be just fine I think. There is a box in their reticle selection with the BR reticles pictured that says they are available or Special Order. Wonder if it’s a simple matter of swapping a lens out ?

I have never looked through one of the March Shorties, some are first focal plain, others second. They are all pricey, but if they would change out a reticle. Or let you order one with a fine cross hair and dot, they might be a good option.

 

[RGRobinett]

In my post (#14) in this thread, I forgot to note my presumption that the scope would be second focal plane, which results in the reticle changing size with magnification setting: doubling power reduces reticle size 50%; halving magnification doubles reticle, and so forth.

In a first focal plane scope, regardless of magnification setting, the reticle size remains constant. Therefore, focal plane is important when determining actual reticle size relative to the image we see relative to the target: one size doesn't fit all. For 6X magnification, most people could probably do as well, or, better with a reticle subtending 0.5 - 1.0 MOA. RG

 

[AlNyhus]

Jim Dowling uses a small March variable on his HBR gun. The gun and scope originally came from T.K. Nolan. I remember T.K. telling me the hoops he had to jump through to get March to do the reticle he wanted in it.

 

[Kings X]

Can't I use a 30mm Variable scope if my rig still comes out 10 pounds?
Just got to go with a lighter/shorter barrel and ultra-light stock.
Seems like the ones pushing for an increased weight rally want to add a better scope on their present rigs.
There are a few 1-6x scopes out there for the tactical guys. Their problem is the reticle is too busy.

 

[AlNyhus]

Can't I use a 30mm Variable scope if my rig still comes out 10 pounds?

You sure can.

Just got to go with a lighter/shorter barrel and ultra-light stock

You sure can.

Seems like the ones pushing for an increased weight rally want to add a better scope on their present rigs.

It's an attempt to get more people shooting the class...with scopes that are currently available.

 

[JoeDuke]

Jim Dowling uses a small March variable on his HBR gun. The gun and scope originally came from T.K. Nolan. I remember T.K. telling me the hoops he had to jump through to get March to do the reticle he wanted in it.

I have looked thru Jim's scope and it is very very nice. It is a March variable 2.5 - 25x. It has a nice dot that was a march modified as Al said. It was listed at about $2,600.00 if I remember correctly. I believe the model was D25v42TM. Problem is it is no longer offered as far as I can determine.

 

[Daveofiowa]

I have looked thru Jim's scope and it is very very nice. It is a March variable 2.5 - 25x. It has a nice dot that was a march modified as Al said. It was listed at about $2,600.00 if I remember correctly. I believe the model was D25v42TM. Problem is it is no longer offered as far as I can determine.

As someone looking at building a hunter gun, even if it was available for sale, I cannot justify $2,600 for a scope to start or think that I could in the future. I want to shoot, tinker, and become a better shooter, but that kind of cost is not likely to attract or allow many new shooters.

 

[JoeDuke]

As someone looking at building a hunter gun, even if it was available for sale, I cannot justify $2,600 for a scope to start or think that I could in the future. I want to shoot, tinker, and become a better shooter, but that kind of cost is not likely to attract or allow many new shooters.

Yes, that is spendy to the extreme. But it was nice! You might start by checking with score shooters in your area to see what someone might have available. But as said, suitable scopes are beginning to be harder to find although they are out there. Just not as easy as going to an optics supplier and ordering one. You might also look into the Sightron scope that Al mentioned a few posts earlier.

 

[JoeDuke]

here is the Sightron scope mentioned earlier. Reasonable price but be aware the weight is 7 ounces heavier than the accepted 6X scopes.

Before we continue

 

[Daveofiowa]

It's a good thing score shooters tend to be hoarders! I have talked to a few guys that have a 6X they could part with when the time comes.

Thanks for the link as well, Joe!

 

[RabbitSlayer]

I don't shoot benchrest, but I like lightweight scopes for varmint hunting. Been a while since I have looked, but leupold is always one of the lightest scopes and may have a fine CH.


Absolute shame the weavers are gone. Love mine with varminter reticle. They had a nice fine CH too.

Wish a scope company would actually consider the weight....

 

[Pete Wass]

I don't shoot benchrest, but I like lightweight scopes for varmint hunting. Been a while since I have looked, but leupold is always one of the lightest scopes and may have a fine CH.


Absolute shame the weavers are gone. Love mine with varminter reticle. They had a nice fine CH too.

Wish a scope company would actually consider the weight....

A bigger problem is none of the makers who sold them will work on them any longer. With those old scopes, it was a question of when, not if they were going to fail, from my experience at least.

I read years ago a person should plan on spending as much as they spent on their rifle for a reliable scope to go on it. Me, for one, would pay the $2600 for a reliable scope. The thing about good reliable scopes is they hold their value, should one decide to do something else.

 

[Ron IA]

There are 2 Weaver steal T-6 scopes on eBay right now 600 clams +shipping +internet tax I sold 3 Burris 6x HBR scopes not that long ago I wish now I would have hung on to them would have been a great return on my investment, but I sold them cheap too some friends and I don't screw over my friends

 

[Pete Wass]

The problem still remains getting them worked on if and when they need worked on. Weavers are no longer in business and I have heard Leupold will not work on any of the 6X scopes. We need scopes that can be worked on.

 

[Pete Wass]

So, if a scope no longer holds POI, what can be wrong with it? If nothing is rattling inside, what can be wrong?

 

[AlNyhus]

So, if a scope no longer holds POI, what can be wrong with it? If nothing is rattling inside, what can be wrong?

Well....this was the final Leupold Competition Hunter scope I had on my latest HBR gun. I had stashed it away and kept it when I sold my BR stuff in 2013. Then pulled it out two years ago when I put this last HBR gun together.

Midway through the 100, the parallax started to get herky....the A.O. had about an 1/8th turn of slack in it. By the 200 yard warmup, I was really in trouble. Finished up the agg with the slack taken out of the A.O. assy set on 'infinity' and my head waaaaay back from the occular so there was a black ring around the outside. That helped remove the parallax (kinda') but that's a hard row to hoe with a 6X at 200 yds. Tough to compete for the Two Gun when one leg is broken.

Big Louie did replace the A.O. and the erector tube.

In retrospect, I should have pulled my first flag off, put the scope on the flag pole and shot it instead of the target.

 

[AlNyhus]

The problem still remains getting them worked on if and when they need worked on. Weavers are no longer in business and I have heard Leupold will not work on any of the 6X scopes. We need scopes that can be worked on.

HBR shooters want a 15 oz. scope that gets the dog snot pounded out of it, tracks like a train on rails, doesn't shift POI, repeats, and has a lifetime warranty. Plus, if it costs more than $350, shooters will act like they're selling their first born child.

I wonder why the scope companies aren't lining up for that market.

Which brings us right back to the extra 8 oz. weight......

 

[brcman]

Having a scope with something in it rattling around inside does not mean it will not hold point of impact? In 2017 I shot a 500-33X (tying the then VFS 100-200 record at the time) at the Desoto KS range, the following day I decided to remove that Leupold 45X scope because it was not as clear as I thought it should be and replace it with a March 40X that I had. When I took it off It had a rattle in it that was very obvious. Sent it back to Leu and they told me they could not repair it so they replaced it with a new in the box 45X.