Riflescope Roundup

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BY JOHN GOODSPEED

Interest in long-range hunting continues to grow and so does the number of riflescopes to meet the demand, including a 5-30X56 model that almost could double as a spotting scope.

Where once 3-9X40 riflescopes were the norm with a mere threepower magnification range, more commonplace today are models with a six-power range such as that 5-30X56.

Larger, 30mm main tubes — which allow greater range in elevation and windage adjustments — also are growing in number. Some sport 34mm and one of the latest is 40mm.

Also more commonplace are riflescopes with first-focal-plane reticles, which do not change in respect to the power setting of the zoom.

Optics continue to improve, too, with many manufacturers using extra-low dispersion glass (ED), high transmittance glass (HT) and high definition (HD), meaning special lenses or coatings. Many are covered by a lifetime warranty, and some are transferable. FOV stands for field of view in feet at 100 yards. Prices are manufacturers’ suggested retail prices.

Bushnell Outdoor Products www.bushnell.com

Elite 4500 4X 4-16X50, $299.99

Bushnell reintroduced its Elite 4500 line that features a four-power magnification range for close- and long-range hunting. Besides this 16-power model, the others are a 2.5-10X40 ($269.99) and a 1-4X24 ($229.99). Each boasts improved contrast and clarity thanks to enhanced glass design, multi-coatings and wide-band coatings and a Multi-X reticle for fast target acquisition. Outer lenses are coated with the EXO Barrier, which repels water, oil, fog and dust. Each also features a 30mm tube, fast-focus eyepiece, extend eye relief and capped windage and elevation turrets. Eye relief for the 4-16X50 is 4.3 inches. It’s 14.1 inches long and weighs 20 ounces. FOV ranges from 25 feet to 6.2 feet.

Cabela’s www.cabelas.com Intensity 4-16X44 Long Range Riflescope, $299.99

This new model features a four-power magnification range up to 16 for close- and long-distance performance. Aiding in fast target acquisition are the long eye relief of 3.6 inches and a fast-focus eyepiece. The zero-stop elevation turret and low-profile capped zero-reset windage turret pair with the long-range MOA reticle. The 30mm main tube allows a wider range of elevation travel for longer shots. A side parallax knob provides quick adjustment. Lenses are multicoated. Other features include a rubber eye guard and easy-grip power selector. FOV ranges from 28.3 feet to 7.03. It’s 14 inches long and weighs 25 ounces. Carl Zeiss Sports Optics www.zeiss.com/consumer-products/us/ hunting.html

LRP S5 318-50 MOA 3-18X50, $3,499.99

This new line of first-focal-plane, longrange riflescopes features high-performance optics, best-in-class total elevation travel of 140 MOA, 24mm tubes, repeatable tactile turrets and an illuminated reticle. They are available with either MRAD or MOA reticles. The 525-56 5-25x56 model is $3,799.99 with either option. The optics use Zeiss Fluoride lens elements, Schott glass and proprietary TStar coatings for color fidelity, brightness, resolution and edge-to-edge sharpness. Zeiss says they deliver 90 percent light

transmission. Outer lenses get LotuTec coatings to repel water, dust, dirt and fingerprints. The 318-50’s eye relief is 3½ inches. It’s 13½ inches long and weighs 32.8 ounces. FOV ranges from 30 feet to 6 feet.

German Precision Optics www.gpo-usa.com GPOTAC 4.5-27X50i FFP, $1,578.94

The first-focal-plane line expands with this high-magnification riflescope with a six-power zoom range for long-range shooting. The optical system uses a 50mm Double HD objective lens coupled with GPObright high-transmission lens coatings. A Double HD lens is created with laminated ED lenses to minimize reflection and enhance resolution, color and contrast. It features a 34mm tube that allows 115 inches of elevation adjustment and an illuminated LRpro reticle powered with the GPO iCONTROL illumination system. The uncapped turrets are mil-based and include a zero stop. The magnification lever is

Leica Sport Optics https://us.leica-camera.com/sport-optics Amplus 6 3-18X44i L-Ballistic, MoA BDC, $1,499

Following last year’s launch of Leica Amplus 6 in MIL, the model now is available in MOA. Featuring six-power magnification range, second-focal-plane reticle illumination and a 30mm tube, it provides light transmission of more than 90 percent, according to Leica. The L-Ballistics reticle with hold-over and windage marks enables quick adjustments. The illuminated reticle provides a fine dot. The side parallax adjustment ranges from 65 feet to infinity. Elevation adjustment is 80 MOA. Eye relief is 3½ inches. Exit pupil is up to 12mm. It’s 12½ inches long and weighs 16.9 ounces.

Leupold & Stevens www.leupold.com Patrol 6HD 1-6X24 Illuminated FireDot Duplex, $1,399.99

While designed as a tactical scope, this lightweight, low-profile, low-power variable optic can double for hunting situations from tight brush to open fields. While both riflescopes in the line have 30mm tubes, this model features ¼-MOA adjustments using a capped dial and is equipped with an Illuminated FireDot Duplex reticle. The other ($1,499.99) comes with the CDS-ZL2 dial system, allowing two full turns of elevation adjustment with a locking dial and making it compatible with the Custom Dial System. The CDS-ZL2 model has an Illuminated CM-R2 reticle. An electronic reticle level simplifies mounting. The FireDot model is 10.8 inches long and weighs 16.2 ounces.

Maven Outdoor Equipment www.mavenbuilt.com

CRS.1 3-12X40 SFP, $450

This is the do-it-all, second-focal-plane model in the new CRS Series. It features Maven’s C Series glass while offering clear, bright and high-contrast images and a new CSHR reticle developed for the CRS Series. A unique version of Maven’s Simplified Holdover Reticle, the CSHR offers ¼-MOA clicks for adjustments and

holdovers. Light transmission is rated at 88 percent. With a one-inch tube and a length of 12.44 inches, it weighs 14.2 ounces. Elevation and windage adjustments cover 50 MOA each. Exit pupil is up to 13.2mm. FOV ranges from 34 feet to 8½ feet. It includes a neoprene cover. Maven sells directly to customers.

Meopta USA Sport Optics www.meoptasportsoptics.com/us/

MeoSport R 3-15X50 RD with illuminated 4C reticle, $449.99

This model is designed for hunters seeking value and performance. It features a 30mm main tube with Europeanquality optics that perform in low-light situations, a five-power zoom range, a side focus from 10 yards to infinity, exposed 0.1 Mil windage and elevation adjustments with locking zero-reset turrets and an illuminated red dot reticle. MeoBright lens coating delivers bright, crisp, and clear images. MeoDrop coating repels rain, dust and grease. Light transmission is rated at 80 percent. It’s 13.9 inches long and weighs 23.1 ounces. Eye relief is 3.94 inches. FOV ranges from 37½ feet to 7½ feet.

Primary Arms www.primaryarms.com SLX 4-12x40 Second Focal Plane, $229.99

Primary Arms introduces a pair of affordable riflescopes with 1-inch tubes, the one shown here and the SLX 4-12X50 ($259.99). Both feature duplex reticles, 3½ inches of eye relief, 80 MOA of total windage and elevation adjustment, ¼-inch click adjustments and a FOV of 23.27 feet to 7.9 feet. Exit pupil on the 4-12X40 ranges from 10mm to 3½mm. It measures 14 inches long and weighs 16.23 ounces. Exit pupil on the 4-12X50 ranges from 12½ mm to 4.1 mm. It measures 14¼ inches long and weighs 18.52 ounces.

Sightron www.sightron.com S6 5-30X56 ED SFP, $1,599.99

This new line for long-range hunters offers a second-focal-plane illuminated reticle as shown here and one with the same specifications but with a first-focalplane reticle ($1,699.99). They feature Japanese ED glass to enhance contrast, improve clarity and reduce chromatic aberration and Zact-7 Plus anti-reflection multi-coatings to improve light transmission and reduce flare. The 34mm tube supports tactical turrets with resettable zeros and 80 MOA of elevation and 60 MOA of windage adjustments. The side parallax dial ranges from 10 yards to infinity. It’s 16.7 inches long and weighs 33.3 ounces. Eye relief is 3.6 inches to 3.4 inches. FOV ranges from 74.4 feet to 12.4 feet.

Sig Sauer www.sigoptics.com TANGO6T 1-6X24, $1,429.99-$1,588.99

The TANGO6T was selected for the U.S. Army Squad Designated Marksman Rifle and now is available to civilians. The riflescope with a 30mm tube is available in the first- and second-focal-plane with various reticles including 5.56/7.62 Horseshoe Dot, HELLFIRE MOA Milling, HELLFIRE FL-6 and the new DWLR6. All models feature HDX optics, ED glass with HT glass for high light transmission and clarity, fast-focus eyepiece, night vision illuminated reticle settings with locking illumination dial and laser-engraved mounting line to align it to scope rings. Weights range from 20.9 ounces to 22.1 ounces. Eye relief ranges from 3.9 inches to 4.1 inches. FOV ranges from 105.8 feet to 17.7 feet.

Swarovski Optik www.swarovskioptik.com

dS Gen II 5-25X52P, $5,221

This new design of the “smart”

riflescope is slimmer and has a roomier magnification adjustment ring for easier operation. It can range up to 1,500 yards. The heads-up display shows the aiming point and ballistic data including distance, muzzle velocity, energy, bullet flight time and an indicator to show if the scope is level. Data is exchanged with an app on a smartphone via Bluetooth. The app offers six reticles and the ability to adjust the thickness of the lines and dots. The main tube is 40mm. It’s 15.87 inches long and weighs 39.3 ounces. Eye relief is 3.7 inches. Exit pupil ranges from 9.6mm to 2.1mm. FOV ranges from 65.7 feet to 13.5 feet.

TRACT Optics www.tractoptics.com

TORIC 2.5-15X44 MOA, $1,094

Customers asked for a scaled-down version of the TORIC 4-20X50 so TRACT answered with the TORIC 30mm Hunt Series Riflescopes, which are a bit lighter in weight and on the pocketbook while still incorporating the optical and mechanical qualities of a target riflescope. Two models are in the first focal plane with MOA (shown here) and MRAD reticles for the same price and two in the second focal plane with illuminated BDC and T-Plex reticles ($1,194). All feature Schott HT glass, ED lens, locking elevation turret with zero stop and 100 MOA of elevation and windage adjustments. All share these specifications — eye relief, 4 inches to 3.9 inches; exit pupil, 11.4mm to 2.9mm; and FOV, 41.7 feet to 7.1 feet. The FFP models are 14 inches long and weigh 28.3 ounces while the SFP models are 13.8 inches and 27.2 ounces. TRACT sells direct to consumers.

Trijicon www.trijicon.com Tenmile HX 6-24X50, $1,399

This line for long-range hunting is available in four models from the firstfocal-plane 3-18X44 ($2,199) to the one shown here with a second-focal-plane

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MOA ranging reticle with either red or green illumination. Other models feature first-focal-plane reticles. Features for all include 30mm tube, windage and elevation adjusters that are capped or have a zero stop, up to 100 MOA of adjustment and repositionable magnification lever. Adjustment range for the 6-24X50 is up to 70 MOA. It’s 14.45 inches long and weighs 24.9 ounces. Eye relief is 3.8 inches to 3.1 inches. Exit pupil ranges from 7.37mm to 2.03mm. FOV ranges from 19 feet to 4.7 feet.

Vortex Optics www.VortexOptics Razor HD LHT 4.5-22X50 FFP Riflescope, $1,999.99

Vortex built on last year’s Razor HD LHT 3-15X42 ($1,799) to create a more powerful optic that still is among the lightest in its class, weighing in at 21.7 ounces, and adding a choice of two illuminated first-focal-plane reticles — XLR2 MRAD and XLR-2 MOA. The reticle has elevation and windage subtensions. The riflescope features an HD optical system, XR Plus lens coatings, ArmorTek coatings to protect exterior lenses from scratches, oil and dirt, a locking elevation turret and Revstop Zero System. It’s 13.3 inches long. Eye relief is 4 inches. FOV ranges from 23.5 feet to 4.7 feet.