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 ...
Read More »2014 High-End Rifle Scope Field Test Underway
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 ...
Read More »Public Review of Scope 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 ...
Read More »CAST YOUR VOTE: What is the best tactical scope?
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! In a few weeks, I’m starting a large field test for popular tactical scopes in the $1,500+ price range (plan to test $500-1,500 scopes later this year). Like my rangefinder field test, I plan to have a very objective, data-driven approach using a series of empirical tests that focus on: Optical Quality (resolution/clarity, contrast, brightness, etc) Mechanical Precision & Repeatability (tracking, return to zero, internal adjustments, etc) But before I start testing, I thought it’d be fun to ...
Read More »Best Rifle Scope – What The Pros Use 2013
This post is about what scopes and reticles the best precision rifle shooters are using. It is based on what the top 50 long-range shooters nationwide brought with them to the Precision Rifle Series (PRS) Finale a couple weeks ago. Target engagements for a PRS match can range from 25 to 1,200+ yards, but there is definitely a focus on the “precision” rifle part regardless of the range. For more info on who these guys are, and why you should care what they think scroll to the bottom of this article. Update: These are results from the 2013 PRS Season. The data ...
Read More »Best Rifle Scope: What The Pros Use 2012
Meet The Pros The Precision Rifle Series (PRS) is a championship style point series race based on the best precision rifle matches nationwide. PRS matches are recognized as the major league of sniper-style rifle matches. At the end of each year, the scores from 15 different matches are evaluated and the top 50 shooters nationwide are invited to compete head to head in the PRS Finale Match. The info below is based on the equipment those pros brought with them to the most recent finale. This is a great set of data, because 50 shooters is a significant sample size, ...
Read More »Best Long-Range Scope: Buyers Guide & Features To Look For
Advertising around long-range scopes can be misleading, or at least marketers try to get you to focus on features that differentiate them from their competitors … even if they aren’t really that important. I created this post to boil it all down to the biggest features you should focus on when comparing long-range scopes. Of course you are likely going to have to make trade-offs between different features, unless you are willing to pay $3,000+ for a scope (which many shooters do). But if you’re on a budget like most people, this list should help you make sense of all ...
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