Riflescope Roundup 2021

BY JOHN GOODSPEED

With the increase in long-range hunting and precision shooting, manufacturers are following up with more new riflescopes to fill that niche. One of those features a 5-25 zoom with a whopping 56mm objective. More options also are available in first-focal-plane reticles, which do not change in respect to the power setting of the zoom. Also, 30mm tubes, which allow greater range in elevation and windage adjustments, are becoming more commonplace.

Close-in rimfire shooters are not being forgotten as several new riflescopes are designed for those cartridges. Prices run the gamut, from a budget $149 to $5,499.99 for a thermal riflescope and $2,225 for a high-end, long-range optic. Some riflescope manufacturers fell by the wayside. Nikon Sport Optics quit making riflescopes, while Styrka went out of business in late 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic also had an effect, with some companies such as TRACT Optics having to push back the release of new products until end of the year.

Prices are manufacturers’ suggested retail prices. Retail stores and websites often offer discounts.

Bushnell Outdoor Products l www.bushnell.com l 3-9X40 Illuminated Rimfire Riflescope, $179.95

This new model is one of two additions to Bushnell’s lineup of rimfire riflescopes. The other is a 3-9X40 that is not illuminated ($149.95). Both feature DZ22 reticles that are designed for .22LR ballistics with drop points out to 125 yards. Standard features on both scopes include multicoated lenses, improved glass enhancements and a larger exit pupil. Eye relief is 3.6 inches. Parallax adjustment is fixed at 100 yards. Both models are equipped with EXO Barrier and also can be used with the Bushnell Ballistic App. Cabela’s l www.cabelas.com l Intensity 4-12X40 Riflescope, $149.99

The BDC reticle is calibrated for most popular centerfire rifle cartridges while the low-profile windage and elevation knobs are adjustable in ¼-MOA increments. It features four inches of eye relief, a large exit pupil and a fast-focus eyepiece. The lenses are fully multicoated. Other new additions to the budget-priced Intensity line include the 3-9X40RF ($119.99), 3-9X40 ($129.99), 4-12X40RF ($129.99) and 3-9X50 ($149.99). The RF means that the riflescope is optimized for rimfire cartridges.

Carl Zeiss Sports Optics l www.zeiss.com/consumer-products/us/hunting.html l Conquest V4 4-16X44, $1,099.99 GPO (German Precision Optics) l www.gpo-usa.com l SPECTRA 6X 3-18X56i, $1,099.99

The Conquest V4 line with a four-power zoom gets updates offering a total of 22 configurations in five models, the mid-level one shown here and four more. All use 30mm tubes and deliver 90% light transmission. This compact scope measures 14 inches long and weighs 22.6 ounces. Eye relief is 3.54 inches. FOV is 28 feet to seven feet. It features Zeiss T coating for high-contrast images, side parallax adjustment, external elevation with Ballistic Stop and five reticle options including three that are illuminated.

The illuminated riflescope here is at the top of the line of six new models that offer a six-power magnification zoom. It is 14.6 inches long and weighs 29.3 ounces. FOV ranges from 34 feet to 6 feet. The GPO BRi reticle provides illuminated holdovers. The proprietary iControl illumination system goes from barely visible for low light to bright for daylight. All in the line feature iControl, a 30mm main tube, capped ballistic turrets, GPObright hightransmission lens coatings, PASSIONdrop hydrophobic exterior lens coatings and a double HD glass objective lens.

Leica Sport Optics l https://us.leica-camera.com/sport-optics l Amplus 6 2.5-15X56i Ballistic BDC $1,599

This all-around riflescope sits atop the new Amplus 6 line that features a six-power zoom, illuminated reticles and 30mm tubes. Eye relief of this model is 3½ inches. FOV is 48 feet to 8 feet. It is 14.9 inches long and weighs 28.7 ounces. The second-focalplane BDC reticle can be used with Leica’s ballistics program to calculate tables for distance and click value. The Amplus line of eight models features illuminated dots, 90% light transmission, wide FOV, generous eye relief and exit pupils up to 12mm.

Leupold & Stevens l www.leupold.com l VX-3HD 3.5-10X40 CDS-ZL Duplex, $499.99

The model shown here sits amid the new VX-3HD line of 14 riflescopes that feature three-power magnification. With a 30mm tube, it is 12.7 inches long and weighs 15.8 ounces. FOV is from 29 feet to 11 feet. The line features an array of magnification ranges, objective lens sizes, tube diameters, elevation adjustment types and illuminated reticles. All include a CDS-ZL dial. Leupold’s Custom Dial System (CDS) eliminates the need for holdovers on longer shots, while the ZeroLock prevents unintended adjustments and ensures an accurate return to zero.

Maven Outdoor Equipment l www.mavenbuilt.com l RS.5 4-24X50 Riflescope, $1,400

Maven’s latest addition was designed in response to customers who wanted a long-range scope that combined features of the company’s top models in a second-focal-plane optical system and allowed for an easy-to-see reticle at all magnifications. It features a six-power zoom, 30mm tube, ED glass, multi-coated lenses, solid-click detents, side parallax adjustment, lockable zero-stop, customizable turrets and a choice of two illuminated reticles. Light transmission is 90.1%. FOV ranges from 27.8 feet to 4.6 feet. It is 14.41 inches long and weighs 25.5 ounces.

Minox l www.minox.com l 5-25X56 Long Range, $2,225

A new illuminated long-range reticle in the first focal plan is rich with elevation and windage stadia for holding or dialing in distant targets. With 1/10 MRAD per click, total adjustment is 12 MRAD for windage and 28 MRAD for elevation. Side parallax adjustment begins at 54.7 yards. FOV ranges from 21.7 feet to 4.8 feet. Eye relief is 3½ inches. Exit pupil is 10.6mm to 2.3mm. Covered by a 10-year warranty, it features a 34mm tube and multicoatings for improved light transmission, contrast and colors.

Pulsar l www.pulsarnv.com l Thermion 2 XP50 2-16X42 Thermal Riflescope, $5,499.99

One of three new Thermion 2 models, the other two are the XQ38 2.5-10X38 ($3,929.99) and the XQ50 3.5-14X50 ($4,179.99). The XP50 gets a larger objective lens from the previous model and an upgraded 640x480 microbolometer sensor that detects variations in heat signatures up to 1,968 yards and delivers them on a 1024x768 AMOLED display. It features 10 reticle options, eight color palettes, built-in recording with audio, picture-in-picture mode, 16GB of storage, Wi-Fi connectivity and seven hours of battery life. It is 16.22 inches long, 3.26 inches high and weighs 31.74 ounces. Meopta USA Sport Optics l www.meoptasportsoptics.com/us/ l Optika5 2-10X42 PA, $349.99

A five-power zoom, zeroreset turrets and the ability to withstand heavy recoil allow pairing with a wide array of rimfire and centerfire rifles. With a 1-inch tube, light transmission is 91%. Eye relief is 3½ inches. FOV ranges from 55.8 feet to 11.4 feet. It is 12 inches long and weighs 21.52 ounces. Features include a zoom ring with a multi-position throw lever, rear-facing zoom display, MeoBright anti-reflective lens coatings, MeoShield anti-abrasion lens coating and MeoDrop hydrophobic lens coating that repels rain, dust and grease.

Primary Arms l www.primaryarms.com l GLx 4-16X50FFP, $699

An addition to Primary Arms’ mid-tier line, this model features an illuminated, first-focal-plane ACSS Apollo 6.5CR/.224V reticle, which is optimized for 6.5 Creedmoor and .224 Valkyrie. ACSS stands for Advanced Combined Sighting System, a Christmas-tree-shaped reticle that allows estimating ranges up to 1,000 yards. Turrets on the 30mm tube feature 0.1 MIL clicks, zero returns and total windage and elevation adjustments of 25 MIL. Eye relief is 3½ inches to 3.6 inches. FOV is 23.7 feet to 6.3 feet. It is 13.8 inches long and weighs 23½ ounces.

Riton Optics l www.ritonusa.com l X7 Conquer 3-18X50, $1,499.99

With a six-power zoom on a 34mm tube, this new model features a first-focal-plane illuminated reticle with Riton HD/ED glass with 99.5% light transmission, six levels of red illumination, removable throw lever, fast-focus eyepiece, zero-stop exposed turrets and 41 MIL of elevation and windage adjustment. The T3 reticle uses a central dot with subtension hashmarks for elevation and windage. Eye relief is 3.4 inches. Exit pupil ranges from 7.5mm to 2.9mm. It is 13.62 inches long and weighs 31 ounces. FOV is 35 feet to 6.2 feet.

Sightmark l www.sightmark.com l Wraith 4K Max 3-24X50 Digital Riflescope, $999.96

In night vision mode, the 4000x3000 CMOS sensor detects objects up to 300 yards and delivers them to a 1280x720 HD full-color display. It comes with a detachable 850nm infra-red illuminator that can enhance viewing. It features a daytime color mode, built-in UHD 4K video recording with audio, 10 reticle options, nine reticle colors and up to eight hours of run time. It can be recharged internally by a five-volt USB cable. The IR illuminator uses two CR123A batteries. It is 12 inches long, 3 inches high and weighs 34.6 ounces.

Trijicon l www.trijicon.com l AccuPoint 3-18X50, $1,799

The AccuPoint line expands with models designed for long-range precision. Others are the 4-16X50 ($1,399), 4-24x50 ($1,899) and 5-20X50 ($1,399). Reticles include the new MOA and MRAD Ranging. They feature 30mm tubes, exposed elevation knobs with zero stop and increased windage and elevation adjustment ranges. AccuPoints are built around a battery-free fiber-optic and tritium illuminated reticle. The 3-18X50 is 14.81 inches long and weighs 27.1 ounces. Adjustment range is 60 MOA. Eye Relief is 3.4 inches to 4 inches. FOV is 34.7 feet to 5.8 feet.

Sightron l www.sightron.com l SIII PLR 6-24X50, $1,440

Vanguard Sporting Optics l www.vanguardworld.com l Endeavor RS IV 2.5-10X50 Riflescope with Illuminated German 4 Reticle, $449.99

The new model with a four-power zoom and a 30mm tube also is available with illuminated duplex and Dispatch ballistic reticles. It uses HOYA ED glass and MultiGuard coatings for more light transmission and better color and edgeto-edge clarity. It also features a rapid-focus eyepiece, a zero reset and 60 MOA of elevation and windage adjustment. Eye relief is 4.02 inches to 3.62 inches. Exit pupil is 20mm to 5mm. FOV is 44 feet to 11 feet. It weighs 23.98 ounces.

Vortex Optics l www.VortexOptics l Razor HD LHT 3-15X42, $1,399.99

The LHT is similar to the Razor LH, but introduces a locking elevation turret with the RevStop Zero System, push-button illumination, MOA and MRAD HSR-5i and MRAD G4i BDC reticles. It also has a 30mm tube instead of a 1-inch tube. It was designed as a light-weight, long-range hunting optic. It is 13.3 inches long and weighs 19.1 ounces. The HD optical system with XR Plus Lens Coatings improves light transmission and clarity. Eye relief is 3.8 inches. FOV is 35.3 feet to 7 feet.

The SIII LongRange line expands with the Precision Long-Range riflescope series, the one shown here and the 8-32X56 ($1,440) 10-50X60 ($1,550) and 6-24X50 FFP ($1,440). The scopes get a new zero stop and the Zact-7 Revcoat Plus multi-coatings that improve light transmission, color and clarity. All feature 30mm tubes, oversized tactical knobs, illuminated reticles and ¼-MOA or 0.1-MRAD adjustments. The 6-24X50’s eye relief is 3.6 inches to 3.8 inches. It is 15.4 inches long and weighs 28.2 ounces. FOV is 16.1 feet to 3.9 feet.

Weaver Optics l www.weaveroptics.com l Classic Series Riflescope, 4-16X44, $287.49

This new model with a 30mm tube was designed for hunters who want a familiar name and a simple, lightweight optic. The multicoated lens system with the new Elements coating repels water, oil and dust while preventing scratches. Side parallax adjusts from 10 yards to infinity. Knurls provide grip on the eyepiece, magnification and parallax rings and elevation and windage turrets. Eye relief is 3.6 inches. It is 13.8 inches long and weighs 22.1 ounces. FOV is 23 feet to 6 feet. It is only available at www.natchezss.com.

STORY

As a kid, Shawn dreamed of hunting for buffalo. He managed to make his dream come true.

Editor’s note: During archery season, bowhunters look for game that will test their ability. In this story, the author tests his ability on the American bison.

Killing a buffalo with a bow has been on my bucket list since I was a young child. Between seeing them on TV, old westerns and vacations out West, I grew fond of their history and sheer beauty. The two species of bison are also unique in that they are only native to North America. The Plains bison lived primarily in central North America, while wood bison lived in western Canada and all the way to Alaska and the Yukon. Through over-hunting by early settlers, the bison was nearly wiped out in all of North America. Through conservation by hunters and ranchers, their numbers have reached estimates of 375,000 Plains bison and 6,000 wood bison.

In spring of 2019, I set out to check this hunt off my list. I knew I wanted to do the hunt out West on a large ranch to simulate as much as possible how our forefathers hunted them. I contacted the P Cross Bar Ranch and inquired about a hunt during the fall or winter. Unfortunately, I was told they were sold out of hunts for 2019 but could fit me in during the 2020 fall season. I decided to hold off on the hunt, not knowing where my crazy travel schedule would have me at that time. I’m a firm believer that everything happens for a reason, and I decided to plan on another trip to bow hunt South Africa instead.

Two months later as I sat in my office, I received an email from Pat Fiedor with the P Cross Bar Ranch. He told me they had a cancellation and asked if I was still interested in a hunt for this year, to which I happily replied yes! I booked the hunt that day and set my calendar for a December trip to Wyoming. I’m fortunate enough to own Salt Fork Ranch in Abilene,

Texas, and had taken the whole month of December off to hunt and get ready for my trip. I killed a few does for the freezer and practiced for my rapidly approaching buffalo hunt. The last weekend of December I was finally making the much-anticipated trip to Gillette, Wyoming. The first morning of the hunt the wind blew 30 mph, with the wind chill well below freezing. The absolute worst weather for bowhunting ever. It was actually a 70-degree difference in temperatures from Texas, with ice and snow in the forecast for the day. My guide Mick and I got lucky and located four bulls, and after glassing and judging, we picked out our target bull. Mick, who’s also a bowhunter, and I put a plan together and the stalk was on! We crawled up a frozen creek to a draw where we were hoping the bulls would graze. We made a shooting lane and got as comfortable as possible in the zero-degree weather. There was only one tree and zero cover for as far as the eyes could see. As the animals made their approach, I drew back on my

Mathews Havalon bow and stared at all four of them, less than 10 yards away. Having animals that big and close to

The icy weather waiting for Shawn as he drove from Texas to Wyoming. It takes special arrows and points to penetrate thick buffalo hides.

you will turn an atheist into a praying man very quickly. As I set my pin on my bull, the arrow fell off the rest and the small herd scattered. I had blown what was a textbook ambush and had a few choice words to say about myself.

Mick and I quickly regrouped and made another plan of attack. We quickly located the bulls again and we headed straight for another draw in a frozen creek ahead of their intended direction. As they inched towards us, I sat up, drew my bow and let the arrow fly. Bingo!

The arrow hit its mark—a perfect shot. The herd took off again and my bull couldn’t keep up, and soon lay down. Mick told me buffalo can take up to 30 minutes to die, even when hit in the vitals. We both agreed that I should attempt getting another arrow in him, just to be on the safe side.

I crawled on my hands and knees for a few hundred yards until I was within 35 yards of my bull. I sat up again, drew

The bison is an icon of the American West. Almost driven to extinction, they've slowly been on the rebound, thanks to conservation efforts.

back and hit him again. Another perfect shot! He ran 100 yards and finally lay down for good. They say every elk hunter hates elk hunting the minute they begin gutting, quartering and packing one out. With a buffalo, I had no idea! It took three of us Mick, who’s also a bowhunter, and I put a plan together and the 6 hours to gut, skin, and quarter that bull, and that was with the stalk was on! We crawled up a frozen creek to a draw where we help of a pickup and a front-end were hoping the bulls would graze. We made a shooting lane and loader. His estimated weight was close to 2,500 pounds. got as comfortable as possible in the zero-degree weather. There Later that night Mick and Pat scored my bull at 663⁄8" SCI. It was only one tree and zero cover for as far as the eyes could see. ranked number 18 in the world for archery, and 72nd SCI overall! I could not have been happier. I had finally killed a buffalo with a bow, a dream I have had since I was a kid. I thank everyone at the P Cross Bar and Durham Ranches, the good Lord, and my wife Jocelyne, who puts up with my bowhunting addiction.