Riflescopes - Combining Engineering Know How with Practical Experience

[Webyshops.com]

Dear Accurate Shooter Forum Members:

As one of the Forum Sponsors, I have been thinking of what I can contribute to it outside of the product offerings, service and prices on the optics that we sell and after talking it over with a good friend of mine who happens to be an optical engineer by background and a gun enthusiast by heart - I thought that we could start a series of short articles focused on riflescopes from both engineering and practical perspectives and cover various topics, some of which are suggested below. I would like to get your feedback on the topics that are of most interest to you.
I am attaching general outline of what I have in mind:

Riflescopes basics:

1) Configurations: what do all those numbers mean and which one is right for you?

• Which configurations work for different applications?
• Non-focusing sights
• Scope mounting pitfalls

2) Mechanical Quality: they all kinda look the same, is there really a difference?:

• Adjustments and controls
• Durability vs Repeatability

3) Optical quality: good glass, bad glass, it's all the same, isn't it?

• Resolution and Contrast
• Coatings
• Stray Light
• Aberration Control
• Tunnel Vision
• Light Transmission

4) Exit Pupil and Low Light performance

5) Reticle Selection

6) How much should you spend on a riflescope? (as of 2010)

• Is there a sweetspot in riflescope pricing?
• Should there be a relationship between the price of the scope and the price of a rifle you mount it on?
• After all is said and done, how much should you spend on riflescopes?

 

[Chuckhunter]

Should be interesting, look forward to reading the info.

 

[richard_123]

look forward to the articles. I am presently trying to resolve the issue ...what scope would best suit my needs without overspending that hard worked for cash.

 

[CoopVA]

Sounds very interesting.

 

[AJ172SBCT]

Very promising. The list of topics covers most if not all. I am particularly interested in the "reticle selection" section.

Jacques

 

[shot410]

Bang for the buck. What do you really get for that extra money. I.E. If it cost 50% more, am I getting 50% more in benefits?

 

[Webyshops.com]

I am glad to see that there is interest in this topic and I appreciate everyone's input. I will post individual sections as separate posts, because they may warrant individual discussion and I will provide a link to them in the originating post at the top. By clicking on the topic in the originating post - you will be able to go to the topic that interests you.

I went ahead and posted the introduction this morning. On Monday or over the weekend I will post the section discussing configurations.

 

[243Mendoza]

Sounds interesting if free from bias on products being offered.

 

[Webyshops.com]

Gents - I think you will see as you read the articles that the information will be unbiased. Our goal is to have an educational discussion, not to promote any specific product line, brand or model of riflescope. One of the paths I see this taking in the future is member driven product comparisons - you will suggest the brands and models and we will run them through the tests that will be published here. The only "bias" I have is that I would like to build our name as the place people can turn to for advice. I don't know if you are familiar with the story of Zappos.com. Webyshops wants to do to sports optics, what Zappos did to shoe industry. One of the principles we have adopted is this - if we don't have or can't find you what you are looking for - we will refer you to one of our competitors.

 

[eric starke]

Hi,
Can you help? I have a Zeiss 24x72.When I go to the target sometimes the point of impact alters very slightly,1/8 of an inch or so,the group size does not alter.
Is there an explanation for this?
Hope you can help.
Many thanks

Eric

 

[ILya]

Eric, could you clarify your question a little bit?

If I understand this correctly, you have a Zeiss 6-24x72 riflescope, right? (I do not think Zeiss makes a fixed power 24x72).

The point of impact alters between what and what? Are you changing something in the scope and the POI of impact moves 1/8"? at what distance?

Thanks
ILya

 

[cruft]

there are several broad catagories; 1) dedicated scopes ex; prairie dog shooter needs HD glass, limited clicks only to sight in when, using the horus recticle, small objective, up to 14x mag (mirage as only shooting when suns up), high resolution & contrast......you get the idea. 2) the coming revolution in scopes combing optical, computers & electronics. we are entering the most fascinating period EVER in rifle scopes and your coverage is deeply needed. cruft