PrecisionRifleBlog.com A DATA-DRIVEN Approach to Precision Rifles, Optics & Gear

This is the 4th post in a series covering the results from an epic scope field test focused on long-range, tactical rifle scopes in the $1,500+ price range. This represents an unprecedented, data-driven approach to evaluating the best tactical rifle scopes money can buy. Hundreds of hours have gone into this research, and both the scope line-up and the tests I conducted are built on advice and feedback from some of the most respected experts in the industry. My goal with this project was to equip fellow long-range shooters with as much hard data as I could reasonably gather, so they could see what they’re ...

This is the 3rd post in a series covering the results from an epic scope field test focused on long-range, tactical rifle scopes in the $1,500+ price range. This represents an unprecedented, data-driven approach to evaluating the best tactical rifle scopes money can buy. Hundreds of hours have gone into this research, and both the scope line-up and the tests I conducted are built on advice and feedback from some of the most respected experts in the industry. My goal with this project was to equip fellow long-range shooters with as much hard data as I could reasonably gather, so they could see what they’re ...

In the previous post, I reviewed the overall optical performance scores, and the details of the optical clarity tests. Those tests were the Snellen eye chart test, and the high contrast and low contrast US Air Force line charts. It was a lot of information! So I broke out the details for the other optical performance tests into Part 2. In this post, I’ll review the results I found for: Measured Field of View Measured Max Magnification Zoom Ratio If you’re interested in optical clarity (i.e. image quality), or would like to see the overall optical score, check out Part ...

Overall Summary of Optical Performance & Score I wanted to give a quick summary of the results related to optical performance for those who prefer to just read the “executive summary.” For my more detailed readers, don’t worry … I go through exhaustive detail of each test as well. There are a few major aspects to optical performance for a long-range rifle scope, and I’ve tried to weight the major elements appropriately for the overall score. The majority of the score is obviously optical clarity, which refers to the image quality you see through the scope. But just because a ...

This is the first post in a series that will cover the results from an epic scope field test focused on long-range, tactical rifle scopes in the $1,500+ price range. This represents an unprecedented, data-driven approach to evaluating the best tactical rifle scopes money can buy. Hundreds of hours have gone into this research, and both the scope line-up and the tests I conducted are built on advice and feedback from some of the most respected experts in the industry. Keep in mind this is a field test, not a laboratory test … and I’m not claiming it’s flawless. I did ...

How would you go about testing if a scope really did provide 25x magnification, or finding the exact point where 18x was on a variable powered scope? That turns out to be a much harder problem to solve that it might seem. In an Outdoor Life article, they said “It turns out to be tricky to measure apparent magnification of an optic, for reasons too mathematical and abstract to mention here.” I concur. In fact, I spent more time talking with optics engineers and industry experts about this question than any other topic. The vision engineers at Edmund Optics offered ...

Update: The field test is now complete, and all the results are published. Click here to view the overall results and ratings for each scope! I wrapped up the testing portion of the scope field test last night!!! Although I significantly underestimated how much time this would require, I committed to do it … and now the hard part is over. I did get some great data that may offer new insight, and help fellow shooters see what they’re paying for. I’ve already started crunching the data, and plan to start publishing results within the next 2 weeks. Instead of analyzing all of the ...

Update: The field test is now complete, and all the results are published. Click here to view the overall results and ratings for each scope! Several have asked how the scope field test was going, so I wanted to give a quick update. Here is the original schedule I was targeting back in January when I was planning this, along with an update on where I’m currently at: April through May – Collect data. This is where I’m at right now. Although a few manufacturers didn’t get me scopes until mid-April, and its taken me twice the man-hours I originally estimated … I’m still hopeful to be ...

Update: The field test is now complete, and all the results are published. Click here to view the overall results and ratings for each scope! The 2014 High-End Rifle Scope Field Test is officially underway, and I’ve already collected pages of data. Here is a photo from Day 1 of testing at the range. The quality of glass on that bench is striking. This could be the finest collection of rifle scopes ever assembled. The 18 scopes in the pic total up to about $60,000 worth of optics! Thanks so much to everyone for the feedback on the tests! I got a ton of great tips that will make these field tests ...

Update: The field test is now complete, and all the results are published. Click here to view the overall results and ratings for each scope! Around April 14th, I’ll begin a massive field test focused on high-end tactical rifle scopes. A lot of companies have entered this space in the past 2-3 years, and I’ve assembled 18 of the most popular models in the $1500 and up price range. Here is the line-up: Bushnell Elite Tactical 3.5-21×50 Bushnell Elite Tactical 4.5-30×50 Hensoldt ZF 3.5-26×56 Kahles K 6-24×56 Leupold Mark 6 3-18×44 Leupold Mark 8 3.5-25×56 March 3-24×52 FFP Nightforce NXS 5.5-22×50 ...