Will we see a 100x power rifle scope in the next 5 years ?

[NDAR15MAN]

Question … Do you think we will see a 100x power rifle scope on the market in the next 5 years ? I and a some investors contacted a Japan scope manufacture about making a 100x power scope for us under our trade name. They told me it could be done but declined. Even after we offered to put the money up front. We felt that they were holding back and waiting and wanting a brand name established Scope company to bring the product to market. Just wondering some of your guys thoughts if we will ever see one. Thanks. MD

 

[Turbulent Turtle]

Why do I have this massive feeling of déjà vu reading this thread?

 

[Turbulent Turtle]

Currently, the highest magnification riflescope on the planet is the March-X 8-80X56, the one you're asking about on the other thread.

The following is just me rambling.
The exit pupil of a scope is a function of the size of the objective lens divided by the magnification. So in a 80X scope with a 56mm objective the exit pupil is going to be 56/80 or 0.7mm. That's pretty small but it's readily usable outside during daytime. If the magnification is 100X, that's going to drop it to 0.56mm, a little more critical than at 80X. One way to increase the size of the exit pupil would be to increase the diameter of the objective lens. That's going to make the scope bigger and heavier and it will knock the piss out of your depth of field as the F-stop number gets smaller.

The increase in magnification from 80X to 100X is 25%, I don't know that that's a big difference and it brings on other issues such as making the focus more critical because of the combination of reduced DOF and increased magnification. If you are using the 100X scope set at near infinity or thereabouts, that's one thing, but any closer than say 800yards and your small DOF becomes a problem and you're going to be constantly twiddling that side focus. I can hear the complaints right now.

The magnification of a scope is a function of the focal length of the objective lens group divided by the focal length of the eyepiece and then multiplied by whatever factor is in the erector group. So, it's entirely possible that the scope would have to be longer to get a longer focal length upfront, or more magical optical trickery would need to occur in the erector set or elsewhere.

Sure, it can be done, but there is such a thing as pushing the envelop too far. I can't and would not presume to predict the future, especially in optics, so I have no idea when such as scope would be available. Technically it can be done, I guess the question is "would anyone, or at least enough people to justify the development costs, buy one?"

It would be big, heavy, and expensive.

 

[NDAR15MAN]

Turbulent thanks for your detail response. I learned a lot. Thanks again. Marty

 

[okie]

Question … Do you think we will see a 100x power rifle scope on the market in the next 5 years ? I and a some investors contacted a Japan scope manufacture about making a 100x power scope for us under our trade name. They told me it could be done but declined. Even after we offered to put the money up front. We felt that they were holding back and waiting and wanting a brand name established Scope company to bring the product to market. Just wondering some of your guys thoughts if we will ever seen one. Thanks. MD

What. Trade name, if you don't mind telling? Thanks

 

[DiffEQ]

I presume you've done the marketing research and have determined there would be a demand?

 

[newbieshooter]

I presume you've done the marketing research and have determined there would be a demand?

this was discussed here 4 years ago?

ANY SCOPE MFG CO PLANNING ON SELLING A SCOPE BIGGER THEN A MAC 8-80 X ?

Does any one know if any scope manufacturing companies have any plans on making a scope that is bigger then then the MACH 8-80x60 POWER SCOPE ? I am surprised that no company has built a 100x power rifle scope. i would buy one. i dont care if it weight a lot or big as a spotting scope. if they...

forum.accurateshooter.com

 

[Turbulent Turtle]

Perhaps it will resurface again in 2025. Stay tuned.

ETA: I knew I had seen that déjà vu before. I'm not that senile. Yet.

 

[NDAR15MAN]

Yes done some research so has others including the Japan scope mfg company our group talked with. Yes question will be asked again in 4-5 years. Business cycles change every 4 to 5 years just like politics. MD

 

[jds holler]

Heck, I figured NC Star or BSA probably has them now. Probably a 2x-100x for $69.95. jd

 

[KY_Windage]

I don't know why you would think there wd be any significant demand for a 100x scope. I see zero need for anything more powerful than my NF Comps.

 

[Turbulent Turtle]

Yes done some research so has others including the Japan scope mfg company our group talked with. Yes question will be asked again in 4-5 years. Business cycles change every 4 to 5 years just like politics. MD

Perhaps you could share some information from that research? What leads you to believe that such a scope has enough appeal to warrant producing in the first place? I'm not saying there isn't any, but I haven't seen people gathering here saying they would love to own one.

As I see it, there are essentially 4 types of shooters to whom this scope may have some appeal.
1- F-Class / Benchrest, but there are issues, especially for F-class: field of view being one of them, potential weight issues. I could add a lot more.

2- ELR folks. However, they seem to thrive at around 25X for some reason. They are always looking for maximum adjustment and you can't beat the March Genesis 4-40X52 or 6-60X56 for magnification and adjustment range. It might be interesting to see a 10-100X56 on a Genesis frame.

3- Air Rifle competitors. These folks love the 8-80X and they use it with the big side focus wheel. I'm not sure what the weight limitations are.

4- Braggarts. Those are the folks who must have the most powerful scope on the planet regardless of cost or use. There is nothing wrong with that, as those are the folks who buy the latest gadgets early on.

 

[NDAR15MAN]

Turtle… Number 4 on your list. I think it will happen , but not by us. MD

 

[PRR1957]

No one here brought up that as magnification increases, so does the affects of mirage, which in some if not most outdoor conditions can make precision aiming sometimes almost impossible. I’ve seen mirage on a sunny day in winter in freezing temperatures looking over a snow covered field. There is a reason the U.S.Army and other countries armies don’t have sniper rifle scopes with magnification over 10x. Just thought I’d throw that fact out there.

 

[kzin]

I've tried a100x astronomy scope as a spotting scope.

What I mostly see is more haze or more mirage.

If we shot through vacuum a super high power scope would be more attractive but there are limits in seeing through air.

On any setup but free recoil 50 or 60x shows me all the 'tremor' I can stand.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Question … Do you think we will see a 100x power rifle scope on the market in the next 5 years ? I and a some investors contacted a Japan scope manufacture about making a 100x power scope for us under our trade name. They told me it could be done but declined. Even after we offered to put the money up front. We felt that they were holding back and waiting and wanting a brand name established Scope company to bring the product to market. Just wondering some of your guys thoughts if we will ever see one. Thanks. MD

They can’t get the glass right on an 80x so why would they do 100x? The objective and tube would have to be huge to get the proper exit pupil. That’s why you don’t see many spotting scopes doing 100x either, at least not the high end companies that actually know how to make good glass. Then there’s the issue of haze and mirage so how often do you think 100x is going to be useable?

A 40x-60x scope having ‘high quality’ glass is perfectly fine. Anyone who can’t shoot accurately or competitively with those magnifications has other issues.

 

[Turbulent Turtle]

No one here brought up that as magnification increases, so does the affects of mirage, which in some if not most outdoor conditions can make precision aiming sometimes almost impossible. I’ve seen mirage on a sunny day in winter in freezing temperatures looking over a snow covered field. There is a reason the U.S.Army and other countries armies don’t have sniper rifle scopes with magnification over 10x. Just thought I’d throw that fact out there.

1- Mirage and other atmospheric conditions were mentioned.
2- US Army snipers (and other countries) have been using higher magnification scopes than 10X for decades.

Also, just so you know, I shoot F-class competition which requires much higher precision than sniper purposes, at 50X year-round in South Texas.

 

[Turbulent Turtle]

I've tried a100x astronomy scope as a spotting scope.

What I mostly see is more haze or more mirage.

If we shot through vacuum a super high power scope would be more attractive but there are limits in seeing through air.

On any setup but free recoil 50 or 60x shows me all the 'tremor' I can stand.

An astronomical telescope is a different animal compared to a riflescope. Did you like having the picture upside down and right to left? Did you miss the erector assembly?

Also, the focal length of a telescope is much longer than the focal length of the objective assembly of a riflescope. Just for giggles, which astronomy scope were you using?

I shoot F-class at 50X, not free recoil. I have no issue staying perfectly on target at 50X; no tremor here.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Also, just so you know, I shoot F-class competition which requires much higher precision than sniper purposes, at 50X year-round in South Texas.

I shoot F-class at 50X, not free recoil. I have no issue staying perfectly on target at 50X; no tremor here.

Im sorry, but plinking with a .308 Win at targets is nothing to brag about. F-TR is like F-Class for beginners. Anyone can lay in their belly in a controlled environment and shoot paper. I guarantee a seasoned military sniper would make you look like an absolute amateur rifleman out in the field. Those guys makes shots from all diff positions and obstacles. Real skills.

 

[Turbulent Turtle]

Im sorry, but plinking with a .308 Win at targets is nothing to brag about. F-TR is like F-Class for beginners. Anyone can lay in their belly in a controlled environment and shoot paper. I guarantee a seasoned military sniper would make you look like an absolute amateur rifleman out in the field. Those guys makes shots from all diff positions and obstacles. Real skills.

What is your point?