Shot Show Big News Items

[Forum Boss]

Wow,

This just from the show. Two very hot products.

NUMBER ONE
Schmidt & Bender 12.5-50x56 Target Scope.

The bar has been raised folks.

Here is the .pdf on the new scope: http://www.shotshow.german-pavilion.com/pdf_docs/exhibitor_8893.pdf

Show info: http://www.shotshow.german-pavilion.com/content/english/floor_plan/floor_plan.php

Press release lists price of $1700 Euros, which is about $2200--but I expect US version to cost more.

Only negative I can see is that the scope has only 1/4 MOA clicks.

I am stoked. This is exactly what I asked Schmidt & Bender to build last year.

"Magnification: 12.5-50x
Field of view,at 100 m distance) 3.50 m – 0.90 m
Exit pupil 4.55 mm – 1.18 mm
Eye relief 70 mm
Twilight factor 26.5 – 53
Light transmission > 90 % between 450 and 600 nm
Eyepiece focusing + 2 dptr. up to – 3 dptr.
Elevation adjustment:
1 click = ¼ MOA
Adjustment range 0 – 32 MOA
Windage adjustment:
1 click = ¼ MOA
Adjustment range ±16 MOA
Parallax adjustment from 7 m up to 70 m [Editor: I think this means parallax setting is infinity at 70m,220 feet) and beyond]
Reticle illumination Adjustable settings from 1 – 11

This specially designed scope sets new standards in its optical qualities and designed in features it leads the field in image brightness and resolution.

The Shooter can decide which reticle to choose in first or second image plane and can decide for an optional elevation- and windage adjustment,BDC)."

NUMBER TWO
Pentax is introduing a NEW 65mm Spotting Scope with ED Glass. MSRP is $650.00 which means this could be $530 or so retail. We are trying to confirm today if it takes the same outstanding eyepieces as the Pentax 80ED and the monster 100ED.

The 65mm is available either straight or angled.

Pentax is also introducing binoculars with ED glass.

 

[Forum Boss]

NUMBER THREE -- T/C Icon

Our Correspondent "Andy" had a chance to visit The Thompson Center booth. He says the new ICON action and rifle is very impressive. It has a 60-deg bolt lift and 3-lb factory trigger. The oversize bolt is very, very smooth Andy reports.

The flat-bottomed action features 3 recoil lugs that mesh with a CNC bedding block. The entire action is CNC machined from solid billet.

Giant photo: http://accurateshooter.net/Blog/tciconx1117.jpg

This is really a pretty impressive effort from T/C which was recently acquired by Smith & Wesson. Provided the trigger can get down to 1.5 lbs with some tweaking, it looks like it would be a very good platform for a F-TR rifle, Palma Rifle, and tactical competitor.

Link for photos and video: http://www.tcarms.com/firearms/icon.php

 

[rudedog]

Thanks for the info.Can't wait to read more and see pictures when you have more time to post.

 

[caroby]

Interesting.... Large bolt body ALA Hall, Meyer, Wichita..
Bat too.

Provides safty for case failure.. No vented gasses through races into the shooters face.

This could be quite successful! Especially if T/C - S&W use quality barrels....???

Well see,
CaleR

 

[kaferhaus]

Anyone know when the ICON is going to be available and at what price???

 

[harvey13118]

Back awhile ago there was a discussion about a new chronograph that would be hitting the market.

It was spo-ta-B shown or released at Shot Show.

Has anyone seen it? Have any info about it?

TIA Harvey

 

[jb1000br]

This is the only NEW one I know of: PVM-21

JB

 

[Forum Boss]

Schmidt & Bender UPDATE: 1/24/2007

I just had a chance to speak at length with the S&B folks. Good news and bad news.

1. Yes, S&B has received many, many requests to adapt the scope for centerfire use. I was told "that's under development right now."

2. The main item requiring change seems to be the 7m to 70m parallax adjustment. S&B believes durability is sufficient right now. I was told "the toughest challenge ANY scope will face is being placed on an air rifle. The hard work has been done with this scope already. IF we decide to sell another version, you could shoot it on a 50 bmg no problem."

3. Re Parallax, I noted that my optics designer friends said this should be an easy fix--as simple as repositioning the front objective by a mm or less. The S&B rep confirmed this: "Yes, parallax control for longer ranges is not a problem. It's an extremely easy thing to correct--the only question would be what the close focus limit would be."

4. PRICE. The rep stressed that NO decision has been made to bring out a centerfire version of the scope... yet. But he said "the demand appears to be there, and we've done all the hard work." I mentioned the Press Release with the 1700 Euro,$2200 US Price). He said: "It will HAVE to cost more in the USA, given the tariffs and some other things. Probably $2700-$2800 MSRP."

5. ACTION PLAN: So... the ball is in your court folks. I got the distinct sense that: a) There are no major technical hurdles that will prevent this scope being used for long-range centerfire use,and it appears S&B is already checking into that); b) If the DEMAND is THERE, S&B will build it and export it.

I was told, "Keep in mind S&B only sells 1000 scopes a year or so in the USA, so if we sold a couple hundred of these that would be significant."

CONCLUSION: If you want to buy a 10-50x56 S&B, call and write S&B and tell them. Link:

In the U.S.:
Schmidt & Bender, Inc. | http://www.schmidtbender.com
P.O. Box 134
438 Willow Brook Road
Meriden, NH 03770
U.S.A.
,800) 468-3450 toll free
,603) 469-3471 fax
scopes@cyberportal.net

In Europe:
Schmidt & Bender GmbH & Co. Kg
Am Grossacker 42
D-35444 Biebertal
Germany
+49 64 098 1150 tel
+49 64 098 11511 fax
info@schmidt-bender.de

 

[smokeyj]

Sorry to dig up an old thread, but does anyone know if T/C is going to sell bare Icon actions for custom rifles?