Tweet
So I set out today to test this scope. My objectives were to evaluate the scope in the following areas. Clarity, brightness, operation of the turrets, usefulness of the Bullet Drop Compensating (BDC) reticle, and what I like and don't like about the scope.
Equipment and ammo. Scope mounted on my Kimber 82G, my most accurate rifle, Aguila Pistol Match (1080fps), shot from a homemade bench, Caldwell Rock BR front rest and rabbit ear rear bag.
Environment. Temp 55 degrees, elevation, 4500ft, bright sunshine, wind was gusting 5-10mph left to right (weather guesser said calm to 2-3mph, didn't happen). Shooting area was flat.
Set up: Placed targets at 50, 77, 99, 120 and 142yds for distance shooting. Set targets at 50 yds for initial zero and 25 and 50 yds for group testing. Set target at 50 yds for box test. (more on that later)
Initial settings on scope were way off for 50 yds. Had the scope zeroed within 10 shots.
Performed box test with a red dot as the aimpoint. (see photo) Moved elevation up 12 clicks (3") and took second shot, moved windage 12 clicks (3") right and took third shot, moved elevation down 12 clicks and took fourth shot, moved windage left 12 clicks and took fifth shot. The scope returned to within less than 1/4" of first shot. Very good, the 1/4" difference could have been wind, ammo or me. High marks for the box test.
Print out of BDC reticle using the "Spot On" program at Nikonhunting.com. The reticle is calibrated for the Aquila Ammo, temp, humidity and 4500ft elevation where I shot. Note that there are points indicated on the printout that correspond to the distances that I shot. The top of the reticle in the printout is the crosshairs, the bottom is where the crosshair becomes thicker. Wish they had shown that in the printout.
Next I shot at the various distances to evaluate the usefullness and accuracy of the "Spot On" program and reticle. Photos below show the results. Keep in mind that I was battling the wind gusts and trying to shoot when the wind was at its lowest velocity. Some targets have more than one hit but I did hit each target with the first shot. On the 142yd target I shot multiple times to see if I could hit it again. I thought I had only hit it once until I walked out to retrieve the targets. To my surprise I hit it 4 out of 5 times. Worst target is the 77 yd target which I can only blame on the wind and me.
I then shot 2 sets of groups @ 50yds and then 2 more at 25yds. Group sizes are indicated on the photo. Before you ask, yes the lower, right 25yd group is 5 shots.
I have never shot beyond 100yds with a .22 before today so I can't compare this with anything that I have done previously. I was pleased that the scope allowed me to hit each target on the first shot. Due to the wind conditions I am not disappointed in not hitting the center of the bullseye on each target, not really what I was trying to accomplish anyway. In any case I am fairly pleased with that 3 shot group in the center right of the 142yd target.
What I like about this scope.
1. The reticle and program actually work together.
2. The scope is clear and bright with no change from 3-9X
3. The elevation and windage adjustments are precise, no backlash and return to zero.
4. Fit and finish is excellent
5. Good for long distance shooting and short range target work (25-50yds)
6. The markings on the elevation/windage are actually in 1/4" steps and when moved 4 clicks, the turret is marked with a "1", 8 clicks "2" and so on.
7. Scope is not heavy or excessive in length. Looks nice on a .22 rifle.
What I don't like.
1. Turret caps are plastic with threads in the plastic. One crossthreading and the threads might be chewed up.
2. Targets @ 25yds are blurred but this is to be expected as the parallex on this scope is 50yds. At 50yds on out the targets are clear.
What I would like to see.
1. Metal turret caps.
2. This scope with an adjustable objective (AO) down to 10yds. This would increase the price of the scope but I for one would be willing to pay for it. The Target EFR model of this scope has an AO but not the BDC reticle.
I am very pleased with the overall quality and performance of this scope. For me I think it is well worth the $$$ even without the rebate. I have been through a lot of inexpensive scopes and this one beats them all hands down. I have read many times that a person should sacrifice magnification for quality of glass in a scope. This scope proves that. Better to see a clear, bright target @ 9X than a blurry, dark target @ 24X.
Thanks for looking
Equipment and ammo. Scope mounted on my Kimber 82G, my most accurate rifle, Aguila Pistol Match (1080fps), shot from a homemade bench, Caldwell Rock BR front rest and rabbit ear rear bag.
Environment. Temp 55 degrees, elevation, 4500ft, bright sunshine, wind was gusting 5-10mph left to right (weather guesser said calm to 2-3mph, didn't happen). Shooting area was flat.
Set up: Placed targets at 50, 77, 99, 120 and 142yds for distance shooting. Set targets at 50 yds for initial zero and 25 and 50 yds for group testing. Set target at 50 yds for box test. (more on that later)
Initial settings on scope were way off for 50 yds. Had the scope zeroed within 10 shots.
Performed box test with a red dot as the aimpoint. (see photo) Moved elevation up 12 clicks (3") and took second shot, moved windage 12 clicks (3") right and took third shot, moved elevation down 12 clicks and took fourth shot, moved windage left 12 clicks and took fifth shot. The scope returned to within less than 1/4" of first shot. Very good, the 1/4" difference could have been wind, ammo or me. High marks for the box test.
Print out of BDC reticle using the "Spot On" program at Nikonhunting.com. The reticle is calibrated for the Aquila Ammo, temp, humidity and 4500ft elevation where I shot. Note that there are points indicated on the printout that correspond to the distances that I shot. The top of the reticle in the printout is the crosshairs, the bottom is where the crosshair becomes thicker. Wish they had shown that in the printout.
Next I shot at the various distances to evaluate the usefullness and accuracy of the "Spot On" program and reticle. Photos below show the results. Keep in mind that I was battling the wind gusts and trying to shoot when the wind was at its lowest velocity. Some targets have more than one hit but I did hit each target with the first shot. On the 142yd target I shot multiple times to see if I could hit it again. I thought I had only hit it once until I walked out to retrieve the targets. To my surprise I hit it 4 out of 5 times. Worst target is the 77 yd target which I can only blame on the wind and me.
I then shot 2 sets of groups @ 50yds and then 2 more at 25yds. Group sizes are indicated on the photo. Before you ask, yes the lower, right 25yd group is 5 shots.
I have never shot beyond 100yds with a .22 before today so I can't compare this with anything that I have done previously. I was pleased that the scope allowed me to hit each target on the first shot. Due to the wind conditions I am not disappointed in not hitting the center of the bullseye on each target, not really what I was trying to accomplish anyway. In any case I am fairly pleased with that 3 shot group in the center right of the 142yd target.
What I like about this scope.
1. The reticle and program actually work together.
2. The scope is clear and bright with no change from 3-9X
3. The elevation and windage adjustments are precise, no backlash and return to zero.
4. Fit and finish is excellent
5. Good for long distance shooting and short range target work (25-50yds)
6. The markings on the elevation/windage are actually in 1/4" steps and when moved 4 clicks, the turret is marked with a "1", 8 clicks "2" and so on.
7. Scope is not heavy or excessive in length. Looks nice on a .22 rifle.
What I don't like.
1. Turret caps are plastic with threads in the plastic. One crossthreading and the threads might be chewed up.
2. Targets @ 25yds are blurred but this is to be expected as the parallex on this scope is 50yds. At 50yds on out the targets are clear.
What I would like to see.
1. Metal turret caps.
2. This scope with an adjustable objective (AO) down to 10yds. This would increase the price of the scope but I for one would be willing to pay for it. The Target EFR model of this scope has an AO but not the BDC reticle.
I am very pleased with the overall quality and performance of this scope. For me I think it is well worth the $$$ even without the rebate. I have been through a lot of inexpensive scopes and this one beats them all hands down. I have read many times that a person should sacrifice magnification for quality of glass in a scope. This scope proves that. Better to see a clear, bright target @ 9X than a blurry, dark target @ 24X.
Thanks for looking
Shop Amazon and contribute to CGF! 
Comment