Scope mounts are a bit of a newer development, a step forward from traditional scope rings. One-piece scope mounts combine both the front and rear scope ring into a single solid piece. This makes a stronger and more rigid scope mounting system. Today we are looking at another scope mount, this one is the Anubis Defense The One Mount. Anubis Defense makes a variety of tactical shooting accessories typically related to optics and night vision mounting systems. Since I’m too poor to get into night vision I spend most of my time shooting under the sun. And since I do a lot of it, I figured I would see how their scope mount stands up to what I am used to.
The One Mount by Anubis Defense
The One Mount is machined of aluminum, using oversized steel fasteners. In a departure from common scope mounts, The One uses a six-bolt cap on the front ring, and a four-bolt cap on the back ring. It also uses a one-piece foot with four bolts to clamp onto your picatinny scope rail.
Inside the rings themselves, you will find a ribbed surface. This is also done by other scope mount manufacturers, I assume to improve the grip of the rings on the scope tube. I’ve never had a problem with a scope slipping in the rings when tightened properly, but I assume there is good reason.
Unboxing
The One Mount comes in a nice box lined with foam. As expected it also comes with two different Torx wrenches to tighten the fasteners properly. Torque specifications are engraved right into the side of the mount. This is to remove any doubt as to how tight they should be.
I also found a neat little addition in the box, a prism shaped piece of aluminum that you can feed through the triangle-shaped hole in the base of the mount. This can be used to level your scope in the mount by aligning with the flat bottom of the scope’s erector housing. This is a handy add-on and will work with most scopes.
Scope Mounting
I chose to mount my US Optics FDN25X in The One Mount, it would make the scope easy to get back onto my favorite rifle the Desert Tech SRS M2. The leveling prism was easy enough to use, and ensuring that my scope was plum in the mount. I torqued down the caps to the appropriate torque spec, and then mounting it to the picatinny rail of the rifle. The SRS M2 has 30 MOA cant built into the rail. The Anubis mount is available in a zero MOA and 20 MOA model. The zero cant model was perfect for this setup, but for extreme distances the 20 MOA cant model could compound the scope and rifle cant angles for 50 MOA total.
The large bolts that secure the foot of the mount give a very solid grip on the picatinny rail. And the one piece foot makes for easy and quick mounting, as well as moving between rifles.
Pros and Cons
First off; the Anubis mount is very affordable. Rivaling even mounts from reasonable house brands like Primary Arms, and significantly less expensive as base models from brands like Burris or Vortex. I was impressed with the The One Mount’s quality, as were various friends. Some assuming it was worth double if not more based simply on appearance.
high quality finish, and intuitive engraving indicating torque sequence and spec
The large fasteners make a very strong connection. I hate when scope mounting components use tiny fasteners that are easily stripped or broken. I also like the solid one-piece foot, as a guy who swaps optics very frequently it makes the process easier and fast.
If I could change anything about the Anubis mount it would be adding features to it. It seems it would have been pretty easy to incorporate a few added features for a slight increase in price. For example, I would like to see a bubble level added for those who use them. It also would greatly benefit from additional mounting locations, putting a few threaded holes in strategic places for adding things like scope levels, red dots, angle indicators, etc. Anubis does offer a diving board ring cap that you can add to your mount to add things like rangefinders and such.
Conclusion
If you are in the market for an affordable scope mount, I am quite confident The One Mount from Anubis Defense will securely hold your scope and give years of rugged service. After looking hard at some less expensive scope mount options I am convinced I would regret not spending just a little more for this one. And while there are costlier mounts, I think this mount would be an easy compromise versus spending two or three-hundred dollars. And still be quite happy with the results.
Without a doubt the US sport optics market has been inundated over the last decade, with a plethora of manufacturers and importers. One of the many companies doing an impressive job at it is Vector Optics. I have had an opportunity to review a couple of the optics now, and I’ve been impressed. So today I bring you a fresh look at another riflescope, the Vector Optics Continental 6-36×56.
The Continental 6-36×56 Rifle Scope
Like the rest of the Continental strain, this one uses a 34mm main tube. The large 56mm objective lens is the standard for long-range precision optics. And the Continental comes with other features that have become the gold standard for precision shooting optics. Exposed adjustable turrets with 10 MRAD per turn, adjustable side focus/parallax, an illuminated milling reticle and more.
Specifications
Magnification
6-36x
Objective Lens Dia
56 mm
Focal Plane
First Focal Plane
Eye Relief
100 mm / 4.0 in
Lens Coating
Fully Multi-coated
Linear Field of View @ 100 yd
21.6 – 3.6 ft @ 100 yards
Linear Field of View @ 100 m
7.2 – 1.2 m @ 100 meters
Angular Field of View °
4.13 – 0.69 °
Reticle
VEC-MBR2
Tube Dia
34 mm
Side Focus
15 yards to Infinity
Click Value
1/10 MIL
Turret Function
Zero Stop, Turret Lock
Elevation Adjustment Range
≥ 31 MIL
Windage Adjustment Range
≥ 18 MIL
Diopter Compensation
-3 to +2
Illumination Setting
11 brightness settings, On/Off between each
Battery Type
CR2032
Waterproof
IP67
Fogproof
Nitrogen Filled
Shockproof
1000 G
Housing Material
6061-T6 Aluminum Alloy
Finish
Matte Black
Length
404 mm / 15.9 in
Weight
861 g / 30.4 oz
Items in the Package
User Manual, Plastic Wrench, Cleaning Cloth, Sunshade, Flip-up Caps, Spare Turret, 34mm Picatinny Rings, etc.
after many months of hard use and even some competition, the Continental continues to perform
Also like other Continental scopes, this one comes with some added value items as well. Things like a sun shade and Vector 34mm rings. While based on the price I suspect they are fairly simple rings, but they are perfectly suitable for this scope, and don’t look like the cheap throwaway option often included. The packaging also is high quality, giving a great impression.
Another nice thing included with the scope is an extra elevation turret. The second turret doesn’t include the zero stop feature, which allows a full sweep of the erector.
I chose to mount the Vector Continental in an Area 419 scope mount. Not that the rings weren’t suitable, I just like the Area 419 mount significantly more. With a snug fit, the Continental was then attached to my Desert Tech SRS M2. A rifle I use quite frequently.
Adjusting the mounting location to set the proper eye relief, gave a nice comfortable fit and clear image. I adjusted the diopter at the rear to get the best image of the reticle, and also added the sun shade. This is something I often do if for nothing else, to keep things away from the lenses of my scopes.
Zeroing the Scope and Zero-Stop function
My Desert Tech SRS M2 rifle has a 30 MOA cant built into the picatinny rail, this is by design to allow zeroing the scope closer to its mechanical zero. This required me to dial the elevation turret below its centerline.
the zero-stop system is easy to set and robust in design
The zero-stop feature is built into the elevation turret. It uses an indexable stop that also actuates an indicator pin on the top of the turret. When the turret is rotated past its first rotation (10 MRAD), a red pin pops up on the top of the turret. And when it is rotated past the second rotation (20 MRAD) the pin pops up a bit further exposing a silver ring under the red. This allows both a visual and tactile indication of which rotation of the scope you are on.
Since I had to zero the scope below its factory zero-stop setting, this required me to dial back the zero-stop. This is done by removing the elevation turret, and underneath there is a small pin that you push in, and then rotate against the indicated direction approximately the distance you need.
I could then boresight the scope and rifle per my traditional practice, prior to taking the rifle to the range for zeroing. Once the rifle was zeroed, I could reset the zero-stop feature. By again removing the turret, and rotating the inner ring (in the indicated direction) until the pin pops into its stop hole. And then set the turret back on the scope lining it up with zero.
Shooting with the Continental 6-36
I use my SRS for quite a bit of shooting, which makes it very familiar to me. Shooting the rifle with this Vector Optics scope would be an exercise in repetition. I’ve run a variety of very nice scopes on this rifle, so seeing how the Vector stood-in would be a good comparison.
My first shooting experience with this scope was shooting paper targets at a mere one-hundred yards. The impressively bright image through the scope made for some very easy shooting. Using the fine points of the reticle was great for precise placement of shots.
initiating the reticle illumination shows that only part of the reticle is illuminated. This helps avoid having too much light when looking into darkness
The majority of my shooting takes place in open country at high altitude in the Rocky Mountains. I do a lot of varmint hunting and long-range shooting, which would also make an excellent task to test the legs of this scope.
One of the benefits of using this rifle, is that I have some very established drop data. This allows close evaluation of the scope compared to others I’ve also used.
Vector Optics uses Schott lenses from Germany, which is likely responsible for the impressive clarity. Looking at small animals and other details even at long-distances gave very definitive identification. As well as spotting impacts, things like dirt flying and bullet splash were quickly identified through the scope.
Across the broad magnification range, the scope kept its clean image. As is typical, at maximum magnification the brightness of the scope is reduced somewhat. I have experienced this phenomenon with almost every scope I’ve used, it’s normal and simply something to be aware of. The beauty of these higher magnification scopes is that if you run them at slightly less than maximum power, they look fantastic and still have adequate zoom.
the magnification adjustment ring is smooth, with a 180 degree turn
I also noticed another anomaly that I have seen on some scopes; When using a canted scope base for long-range shooting, the scope’s erector is typically moved closer to its limit of travel. At the low end of the magnification spectrum, this can sometimes result in a crescent shaped shadow appearing along the top of the image. So far as I can tell it has no effect on performance, and isn’t visible when you zoom the scope in even a little bit.
installing the CR2032 lithium battery
Parallax Adjustment
Removing parallax from the image is done using the side focus turret. It is labeled for various distances and as usual they are more of a guide than an exact amount. I did notice that parallax balance was easy to achieve at nearly any distance I tried. This is an important feature for any rifle scope used for long-range shooting, if you are curious about why you should read all you need to know about parallax.
Turret Function & Tracking
One of my favorite features of the Continental scopes is the turrets. The turrets have ten MRAD of elevation per rotation, and are labeled with whole and 1/10 graduations. The turrets are locked using a push/pull feature, when pushed down they snap into a locked position. Pulling them up unlocked them allowing adjustments to be made.
Once the zero-stop feature had been engaged, the turret has a hard stop at zero. This allows you to dial your scope back to zero without even looking at it. The audible clicks also allow you to make small adjustments by simply feeling each click or hearing them.
the push/pull locking system is crisp and solid. The elevation turret is marked with numbers for three rotations.
After zeroing my rifle and setting the zero-stop, I found the Continental still had a total of nearly two-and-a-half turns of elevation. That is 28.5 MRAD of elevation, which is plenty for most long-range shooting scenarios. This is also in part because of my 30 MOA canted scope base.
Testing the values of the turret clicks closely matched the amounts measured with the reticle. Additionally, the known shooting DOPE for the cartridges I was shooting matched up in the Continental.
Reticle
Speaking on the reticle; the VEC-MBR2 reticle has a great deal of features. It uses what many have called a Christmas tree shape, because of the familiar shape of the holdover grid. While I am not as big a fan as other of this type of reticle, I can surely see its utility. With the ability to quickly hold-over your target, or measure corrections easily, this reticle gives you options. With a ranging bracket and several open spots with tiny center-dots it gives you precision where you want it.
Pros and Cons
There is a lot to like about this scope. If the bright imagery and clarity aren’t enough to get you excited, then robust turrets and their function should. This scope envelops most if not all of the popular features for long-range shooting and it still comes in well under the $1000 price point. With great included accessories and all these features the Vector Continental 6-36×56 is a great deal. And they come with a great repair or replace warranty that matches the standard for quality optics.
If there is a downside to these scopes, I suppose many would say it is it’s source. As Americans we like to buy products from our fellow compatriots, or at a minimum from our friendly allies. Vector Optics come from China, which might be reason enough not to buy them for some. If you don’t mind the spawn-point, you will find an affordable option with excellent performance. After months of use and comparing the scope to others like Kahles and Nightforce, the optical quality isn’t quite as good. But that is no surprise considering those optics cost four or five times more.
Concluding Thoughts
I have been very happy with this line of riflescopes, and I expect to keep them busy for years to come. It is very impressive how much value you get from these scopes, and it definitely has shown how the Asian optics manufacturers have upped their game. Had I not known where these scopes came from, and if they’d had the branding of a European scope, I might have believed they came from Germany or something. So if you have filet mignon taste, but a bowl of rice budget, you might find these scopes fit right into your shooting plans.
You may have seen my past reviews of other Vector Optics, but today we are diving into another one. This time we are looking at the Vector Optics Continental 2-12X44 riflescope, I think this one fits into a very niche purpose. Its almost a low power variable optic (LPVO) by some standards, and yet it shares some of the long-range features of the other Continental scopes. But will this medium power scope fit into one purpose or the other? Let’s find out together.
Lets get one thing out of the way, foreign made optics have taken up a massive share of the market. A huge number of them are coming from China, Japan and the Philippines. Whether we like it or not that is the way things are going, and since it’s spoiled us for choice there is a positive side. Vector Optics are made in China, and I’ve mentioned before that these Continental scopes have made a strong case for changing our perception of what made in China means.
The 2-12 is built on a 34mm maintube. Most scopes in these lower power ranges use a 30mm tube or perhaps even the smaller 1-inch tube. This scope like the other Vector’s I’ve tried is a first focal plane design, which means the reticle changes size with the power magnification.
The reticle is moved inside the large erector housing using the exposed turrets. Both turrets have a push/pull locking feature to prevent unwanted movement. And both are graduated in MRAD with 1/10 MRAD clicks and a total of ten MRAD per rotation.
note rotation indicator pin elevated on top of the turret. On the 1st rotation it pops up red, and on the second rotation it exposes the silver under the red.
The adjustable parallax is another nice feature, and one that is paramount for shooting long-range (you can read about why HERE). Additionally, there is illumination for the reticle which is stacked on top of the parallax adjustment knob. This makes the milling reticle even more useful in scenarios where light might not be adequate.
Unfortunately, my package was mistreated during delivery which resulted in some damage to the box. But after close inspection the packaging was very good at protecting the scope and its accessories inside.
plenty of added accessories included
Inside the box, there is the scope, a sunshade, a set of 34mm rings, an extra elevation turret (for use without zero-stop). As well as the owners manual, lens cloth, a tool for adjusting the turret, and a battery. It was a very nice package before it was damaged.
Mounting Solution
I really appreciate the included rings with these Continental scopes. Often when rings are included they look so cheap you don’t dare use them. These ones on the other hand look very adequate for a scope like this.
Even so, I chose to use a different mounting solution for my initial purposes. I grabbed a Zro Delta cantilever 34mm scope mount, it would allow proper mounting and eye relief on different rifles. The strong oversized screws give robust even clamping.
With the scope mounted in the Zro Delta mount, I attached it to the picatinny rail of my rifle. This rifle is a hybrid made from an Aero Precision upper and a Desert Tech Quattro 15 lower. After which I did a quick boresight job to get it on paper at one hundred yards.
Shooting with the Vector Continental 2-12
My first outing with the Continental 2-12 was to a rifle range. With a target hung at one hundred yards, I fired a few shots to see where they impacted. With the rifle resting securely on sandbags, I measured the distance from my point of aim to the impacts using the reticle. And dialed the correction with the turrets before firing another shot. That shot landed right where I expected it to, and drew smug chuckle out of me.
Using the scope at 12X I fired a few groups at the 100 yard target. I was quite pleased with how sharp and clean the image was, and at that high power setting the outer ring of the reticle is not visible. Leaving only the center part of the reticle with all its details.
Round Two
For a little more long-range testing, I chose to mount the Continental 2-12 on the Bergara Premier Canyon 308 Winchester. For that I did use the rings that came with the scope, and mounted it to the pinned picatinny rail of the Bergara.
I’d take the rifle into the mountains to see how the combination would perform in more open country. I really liked this setup to be honest, it made an excellent lightweight hunting rifle. The accuracy of the Bergara paired with the sharp images of the Vector made for fast and sharp shooting.
The wide angle of view at low power was excellent. If I had to take a quick shot at a running animal up close, it was ideal. And being able to zoom the scope into 12X made making precise shots very doable. I did find that most of the time I was shooting, I rarely took it below 5-6 power. Mainly because in this open country everything is far away.
The VET-CTR 2 reticle seen at 12X left, and 2X right. When illuminated the outer ring and center most ring are lit.illumination setting 9 out of 11 as seen at 5X
Zero Stop
Setting the zero-stop requires use of the turret with the red pin. Once the rifle is zeroed, you can remove the elevation turret using the plastic included tool. Underneath the turret, you rotate the inner ring of the turret clockwise until it stops. There is a small pin that snaps into place, you can then install the turret at zero. The turret then will stop at zero every time you wind down the turret.
the two elevation turrets, the zero-stop feature is present only in the left cap with the red pin
If you don’t want or require the use of the zero-stop feature, you can remove that turret and install the other. With the zero-stop set with my one-hundred yard zero, the scope had 29.5 MRAD of elevation left for elevation. That’s more elevation than most folks are going to need with a scope like this.
Turrets
Like the other Continental scopes I’ve used, these turrets are fantastic. The clicks are very crisp and audible, making it easy to adjust even without looking. The push/pull locking feature is also very nice, making it easy to prevent unwanted movement of the turret.
With 10 MRAD per rotation, a lot of my shooting might not even require hitting the second rotation. But the pop-up indicator is excellent for showing you which rotation you are on. The red button pops up when you hit the second rotation, and it pops up even further exposing a silver ring when you hit the third rotation.
The parallax adjustment is easily read from the shooting position, and has perhaps a touch more resistance than I would like. But it is perfectly serviceable. The 11 position illumination knob has off settings between each power setting. The texturing on all control surfaces is great for purchase with fingers or gloves.
Optical Performance
The large tube does a great job of passing the image to your eye. The 44mm objective while smaller than some precision optics is still more than adequate at compressing the landscape into a bright and clear image.
The HD lenses used in these scopes are pretty impressive considering their price point. I found picking out tiny holes in paper to be surprisingly easy, and seeing the movements of small animals two and three hundred yards out to be suitable for precise identification. I found this scope to be impressive considering it’s only a 12X, engaging targets as far as 1000 yards would still be quite doable. And with all that elevation and precise parallax there’s no reason not to.
I’ve also tested the Continental 2-12 on the Browning X-Bolt 2 308, shooting easily out to 1000 yards
Pros and Cons
Because I am a bit of an enthusiast for long range shooting, I think one thing I would change would be the ring around the reticle. With that said it is handy when trying to shoot using low power settings, because the center part of the reticle becomes very fine and harder to see. This appears to be by design, at 2X you have a ring and a center dot when illuminated. Its like looking through an Eotech in that scenario.
this combo worked out great to take this young buck from 470 yards
Twelve power isn’t a lot, but it is plenty for much of the shooting I do. I think this scope is an excellent choice for a hunting rifle or a fast action carbine. It has excellent clarity, a good reticle, and an impressive erector range allowing for broad corrections when shooting long-range. The turrets are excellent, the image is fantastic, and removing parallax with the focus knob is simple. There is really very little to take away from this rifle scope.
Last Words
As with the other Vector Continental scopes I have used, this one seems to be a hit. Whether on one of my carbines or a hunting rifle it performed exactly as I hoped it would. And when you consider the price point of this scope, with a street price of only $499 it is hard to pass on it. I would feel absolutely confident in taking this setup on one of my big game hunts, or a shooting competition. If you are looking for a scope in this range, you’d be injudicious for not at least taking look.
It would be hard to have a conversation about modern sport and shooting optics without mentioning Vortex Optics. Few companies have done more to bring the features shooters want at a reasonable cost than the folks at Vortex. I remember when I was much younger, getting my first Vortex PST riflescope with a serial number of 000004. My experience with that scope and many others since have solidified my opinion of the product line. Today we are taking a look at a new to me rifle scope from company, the Vortex Optics Gen III Razor 6-36×56.
With a wide variety of optics from inexpensive scopes made in China to top notch scopes made in Japan, there is something for everyone. The extremely successful line of Vortex Razors has long held the standard as the most desireable Vortex optic to have. I’ve used the Gen I, Gen II and now the Gen III scopes, and I’m excited to share my results.
The Third Generation Razor
The evolution of the Razor line has brought a great deal of advancement. Whether it be the reticle options or the mechanical features, Vortex has put their best options into the Razor line. Built on a robust 34mm tube, the Razor 6-36 boasts a massive erector assembly with a first focal plane EBR-7D reticle.
Ten MRAD per revolution of the turrets gives the Gen II Razor quite the spread with maximum elevation travel of 36 MRAD. The locking turrets have a very interesting zeroing feature that makes for quick and precise zeroing of the turret without the disassembly typically needed. Standard features like illuminated reticle and a side focus/parallax adjustment round out the operation of the Razor.
To increase value, there are other included accessories as well like the typical sunshade, Defender rubberized flip-caps and an aluminum throw-lever. And of course the tools you’ll need to adjust and zero the scope.
Specifications
Vortex Optics Gen III Razor 6-36×56
Length
15.3 Inches
Weight
45.1 Ounces
Power Magnification
6-36 X
Tube Diameter
34 Millimeter
Objective lens Diameter
56 Millimeter
Reticle Focal Plane
1st Focal Plane
Turret Click Value
1/10 Milradian
Turret Travel per Rotation
10 Milradian
Total Turret Travel
36.1 Milradian
Eye Relief
3.5 Inches
Reticle
EBR-7D MRAD Glass Etched Reticle
Lenses
XR Coated HD lenses
Battery
Lithium CR2032 cell
On the Range
For testing the Razor Gen III, I would mount it to a Desert Tech SRS M2. The SRS does particularly well in the heavy hitting 338LM, and if the Razor could perform well with a heavy hitter it would certainly do for my day to day shooting.
Mounting
To mount the big Razor, I would use a set of Vortex 34mm rings, just to keep things uniform. Setting the rings on the 30 MOA tapered rail of the SRS would give me the ability to get better use of the Razor’s 36 MRAD of travel.
After leveling the scope, I torqued the screws down to ensure a solid connection. I then pulled the bolt from the rifle so I could boresight the rifle using my toolless method. With the rifle and scope ready for the range, I grabbed some 338 ammo and my Athlon Velocity Pro Chronograph and headed to the range.
Zeroing
The first shot from the rifle was on paper as I expected, but would require refinement. This is where the Gen III turrets would come in very handy. In the tops of each turret there is a finger adjustable sub-turret, basically a turret within a turret. With the simple loosening of a single screw, you can unslave the inner turret from the main outer turret. With clear graduations marked on the end, you can adjust the exact amount needed to zero the rifle. All this while the main turret stays locked on zero.
zeroing the reticle with the inner turret means no zero-stop is needed
Both the elevation and windage turret have a push/pull locking feature. This is a tried and true feature for many manufacturers, and it works well here too.
After zeroing the scope, I fired a few shots to confirm zero. I aimed at the bullet hole from my first shot, and to my great satisfaction, the hole only slightly opened after my second shot. With zero confirmed I figured I would attach the throw-lever to assist in switching back and forth while viewing targets.
installing the throw-lever
Optical Clarity
With the scope mounted and zeroed, I started paying great attention to what I was seeing downrange. It didn’t take long to really appreciate the optical clarity of the Gen III Razor. Using 36X for shooting groups at 100 yards almost seems like cheating, picking which side of a bullet hole I was going to aim at. This of course after adjusting the diopter at the rear of the occular housing.
the EBR-7D reticle, hard to do scope images justice through pictures
Picking out distant objects also assured me of the detail visible through the Razor. The fine points of the EBR-7D reticle allowed very precise measurements and placement on target. This was even more appreciable because of the accuracy of the SRS, making tiny differences apparent on paper. Looking at equipment in the distance you could see details like flaws in paint and textures in welds from great distances.
One thing that was really impressive was how clear the razor was even at max power. Most scopes, even those in the top end of quality suffer varying amounts when they are at maximum magnification. The Razor seemed to be less affected by this phenomenon, as even at max-power it provided a great image.
Pros and Cons
There were only a few things I found that I disliked about the Gen III Razor. First off, it does feel a bit heavy. But that’s a very subjective, this could be seen a good thing for competitors that like adding weight. Ten ounces heavier than some of its competitors.
My one gripe about the turrets was the push/pull locking feature. The click isn’t quite as definite as I would have preferred, certainly not a deal breaker but worth noting.
On the positive side, the Razor is a beast of a scope. It has amazing power and feels like you could drive nails with it. The image and clarity are outstanding, making long-range engagements easier. The turrets are precise and reliable making corrections perfectly, as well as with the reticle. It does all this for less than some of its close competitors like the Nightforce ATACR 7-35 and the Kahles K328i.
Report Card
Optical Performance(A)– the edge to edge clarity at all power settings was beautiful, the bright clear image was sharp at every power setting.
Turret Execution (B+)– very large and strong turrets with positive and audible clicks, very defined for accurate corrections, and bonus points for the zeroing feature.
Reticle (A)– I’ve always liked the EBR reticles, and this one is a perfect blend of versatility without being too obtrusive.
Durability (A)– This scope feels like it’s overbuilt, and made to last like a tank.
Accuracy (A)– Click values and reticle movement are on point, allowing for perfect corrections
Value (A)-With a street price around $2999, the Razor offers comparable performance to the ATACR 7-35 and K328i for significantly less.
Final Thoughts
I’ve always liked the Vortex Optics brand, and the Gen III Razor only gives me more reason to like them. The Razor 6-36×56 might not be what most consider an entry level scope, but it gives a shooter nearly everything you could ask for and at a reasonable price. Whether it be for a PRS competition rifle, or for a police sniper rifle, the Gen III Razor gives the steady and accurate performance you seek.
If you haven’t noticed, it seems there is a large trend of red dots and low power variable optics LPVO’s going on. And despite my defiance to trends I have stepped right into the deepest part of this one. Today I am excited to share with you another fantastic LPVO, this one came from out of left field for me. The Primary Arms PLxC 1-8 SFP riflescope is the subject of our scrutiny today, a compact model from the good folks at Primary Arms. Since I already have a variety of great similar optics, I was curious if this one had what it takes to become my favorite.
my Quattro-15 made a fun host for the PA PLxC
I am no stranger to Primary Arms, and I’ve had the good fortune to use several of their products you can read about here. So as I opened up the box for this PLxC, my curiosity was high.
Unboxing the PLxC 1-8
Presentation has come a long way, and Primary Arms does a fine job. The PLxC came in a magnetically sealed box, with a variety of accessories you can see below. A factory added throw-lever is nice, as was the rubber bikini lens cover. I wasn’t expecting a sun shade on this scope so that was an added bonus. For some reason I haven’t figured out yet, the windage turret was uncapped and the cap fit in a pocket in the box foam. Of course there was also the typical lens cloth, owner manual and warranty information.
The Primary Arms cantilever mount you see in my pictures is a perfect fit for this scope. And though I included it in the pictures it is not included with the scope. It is available separately in either a 30 or 34 millimeter option with either zero or twenty MOA cant built into it.
As I said, it is a very nice quality presentation. But as I lifted the scope from the box my interest grew even more. The PLxC is quite compact, more so than I had expected. It wasn’t what I would call heavy, but it does have that quality thick feel to it. I was particularly impressed when I put the scope up to my eye, the image was outstanding. The optical performance of this scope and its compact size are likely what demands its asking price of $1499. After some additional inspection, it was time to get this scope mounted.
Features
Primary Arms Compact PLxC 1-8X24 SFP Rifle Scope Features
Battery
CR2032
Click Value
.1 MRAD per click
Color
Black
Exit Pupil Diameter
Low: 8mm / High: 3mm
Eye Relief
Low: 3.2 in / High: 3.7 in
Field of view @100 yards
Low: 121 ft / High: 15 ft
Focal Plane
Second
Reticle / Illumination
ACSS NOVA-556 / Red
Length
9.2 Inches
Magnification
1X – 8X
Tube Diameter
30MM
Objective Diameter
24mm
Reticle
ACSS NOVA 5.56 BDC
Total Elevation Adjustment
100 MOA
Total Windage Adjustment
100 MOA
Turret Type
Capped Turrets, Low Profile, Tool Adjustable
Weight
16.8 Ounces
Warranty
Lifetime
With the PLxC mounted to a rifle, it was much easier to evaluate its features. The throw lever is a nice touch, particularly for these kind of optics. The turrets are easily adjusted by hand, and you can cap them to protect them from moving while shooting. Though to be fair, they are very lo profile and have good resistance so they are unlikely to be inadvertently moved. Even the turret caps are nice, with a rubber gasket to keep them from rattling loose and coming off.
The illumination is also very high quality. Its extremely bright red center of the reticle can be used as a red dot, and made visible even in bright daylight. This feature is bolstered by Primary’s AutoLive® battery cap, which has an auto-shutoff after a specified time of inactivity. To my surprise, the AutoLive® cap can also be used on scopes manufactured by other optics companies as well.
The bright glass, sharp reticle, tough turrets, clean illumination and the whole finish of this scope gave a great impression of quality. I hadn’t even fired a shot yet, and I was already excited about it.
A proper range outing was in order to see how the PLx stood up to other optics I’ve used. Among the many LPVO’s I’ve used I figured I would bring along one of my favorites for comparison. An obvious difference was how much more compact the PLx was compared to my Eotech Vudu 1-8. Once the scope shade was added to the PLx it was more comparable to the size of most other LPVO’s, but obviously that is optional. I like sunshades for keeping the sun out of the scope, but almost equally as much for keeping fingers away from the lenses.
the PA PLxC next to a Eotech Vudu 1-8, note how much smaller the PLx is
Shooting on the range out to two-hundred yards seemed like a great way to test out the capabilities and virtues of the PLx. With targets set at 50, 75, 100 and 200 yards, I’d be able to take full advantage the PLx features.
I would shoot with the PLx on two different rifles, first was my Desert Tech Quattro 15 AR. It is one of my favorite AR’s, it shoots well and it’s predictable accuracy is ideal for comparing scope performance. The other rifle was a brand new to me Steyr AUG A3 M2, which also turned out to be very handy and fun to shoot using the Primary Arms PLx.
Optical Performance
My very first impressions of the PLx were how fantastic the image is, bright and sharp. I love it when scopes seem to disappear in front of your eye, almost like the image is a bubble floating above your rifle. Instead of a thick black ring with an image within it. Surely this is due to the extra low-dispersion lenses.
iphone camera does no justice to how good this scope looks
The illuminated center dot of the reticle is particularly bright and intense. On all but the lowest of power settings, the dot is very easy to see and use as an aimpoint. In fact at lower magnification settings, it feels more like a red dot than a scope.
The NOVA 556 reticle is also crisp and particularly easy to position over targets, the parallax is fixed apparently at 100 yards based on my experience. Shooting groups at 100 yards was much easier than I’ve experienced in the past with low powered optics like this, I was even able to pick out 5.56 holes in the paper.
I’m not a huge fan of BDC reticles, but the NOVA reticle seemed simple enough. And the hold points were close enough to my ammunition that I had no problem hitting 1 MOA targets within the range of reasonable engagement with 5.56 ammunition.
Control Features
The turrets were very nice, and made zeroing the scope to each rifle quite easy. I don’t usually use LPVO’s for long range shooting so I wasn’t going to dial many corrections with these turrets. Adjusting the brightness of the center dot is simple using the Autolive turret, there are off settings between each brightness setting. In today’s market I think that should be a requirement.
I always appreciate throw levers on scopes, and this one is quite handy. And the 180 degree rotation gave full spectrum of the PLx magnification. Its big enough to get a hold of, without being obtrusive.
Accuracy
Turret values were accurate, allowing for exact adjustments when zeroing the scope. The steel on steel internals of the scope are likely responsible for the sharp tracking.
Pros and Cons
The only thing I could find with this optic that I didn’t like was the price. And that’s not to say it isn’t worth it, just that $1500 isn’t a small pill. However, when compared to others like the Nightforce NX8 its a more affordable option. And much cheaper than something like the Trijicon VCOG 1-8, and a better choice in my opinion. The PLx is definitely a significantly better option than the sub $1200 LPVO’s I’ve used.
On the positive side, this is a beautiful little scope to behold. Everything from the machine textured surfaces to the image all feel extremely high quality. The resistance on the controls and the feel of the clicks are all what I expect for a scope at this price point.
The day visible dot is fantastic for rapid target engagement, and the bright optics are fantastic for looking into shadowy interiors from the bright and sunny outside. A perfect option for a short or medium-range carbine in my opinion.
Conclusion
I guess you’ve figured out by this point that I really like the Primary Arms PLxC. Don’t be surprised, I am a bit of an optics nerd. I’ve played with quite a few of them, and this one was an impressive unit I plan to keep close on one of my favorite rifles. If you ever see me on the street, hit me up and I’ll let you have a peak through it.
-CBM
First Year review: After having used this scope for a year now, it has been swapped across a dozen different firearms. I still love the scope, mainly for its crystal clear image, and easy and reliable turrets. The only negative I’ve come up with after all this time is that despite the auto-shutoff battery, it still has turned up dead unexpectedly. Other than that, I am still very much diggin’ the Primary Arms PLxC.
In the pursuit of excellence and functionality, it seems there are too many optics manufacturers to count these days. One of the many companies fighting to earn your money is Arken Optics, a Texas based company with its production done in Asia. Arken Optics prides themselves on rugged performance and extreme clarity, back by a 100% lifetime warranty. Today we will take a look at my first venture into their products, with the Arken Optics EP-5 5-25X56 riflescope.
right out of the box
Our market has been flooded with Asian made optics over the last few decades, and they have become so competitive that even big brands like Nightforce and US Optics have opened lines of offshore sourced optics in order to hold onto their share of the market.
The Arken Optics EP-5
Arken’s EP-5 scope uses Japanese made lenses that are assembled in China according to the internet. This should come as no surprise, as so many of the scopes you find on the market today share the same origin. The lower cost of these optics is matched by a lifetime warranty, something you simply must have these days. Long gone are the arguments about why something is covered versus not, most companies now have a no questions asked repair or replacement warranty. For you and me, that is definitely a good thing.
The Arken EP-5 is built around a 34 millimeter tube, which has become the standard for these type of optics. The large fifty-six millimeter objective gathers quite an image and compresses it down nicely for your observation. With the reticle placed in the first focal plane, you can always count on the values of the reticle subtensions as you zoom the scope in or out.
setting the Zero-stop screw
The large erector assembly houses heavy duty turrets to adjust the reticle for most any shooting scenario. Ten Milliradians per rotation is what I consider the minimum standard for a good long-range scope. With 1/10 MRAD clicks and a zero-stop these turrets are made for serious shooting business.
Features
Arken Optics EP-5 5-25X56 FFP features
Magnification
5-25X
Objective Diameter
56mm
Eye Relief
3.4 Inches
Field of View
25.3-4.9 ft @100 Yards
Tube Size
34mm
Turret Adjustment
1/10 MIL
Reticle Position
First Focal Plane
Reticle
VPR Illuminated
Zero Stop
AZS Zero Stop
Elevation Adjustment Range
32 MIL
Windage Adj. Range
16 MIL
Adjustment Per Revolution
10 MIL
Parallax Adjustment
25Yds – Infinity
Illumination
Red
Length
14 Inches
Color
Matte Black
Weight
39.2 Ounces
Sunshade
Included
Battery
CR 2032
I mounted the EP-5 on my rifle using a Zro Delta 34mm cantilever mount which gave the appropriate sight height. The rifle it would go on is my Desert Tech SRS M2 which at the moment has a 22-inch 6.5 Creedmoor barrel in it. This setup would be very familiar to me, and allow a good platform for evaluating the Arken EP-5.
On the Range
Springtime in the Rocky Mountains is a great place to shoot, and that is where we would go to shoot with this Arken scope. The open country would allow target engagement at various distances and angles which is good for testing turrets and reticles. Moving from one target to another across different draws and canyons gave a great depth to shooting, and sharply analyzing optical clarity.
Controls
The turrets of the EP-5 are very prominent, they are both physically big and have a broad movement. The 1/10 MRAD clicks are very tactile and audible, its very easy to adjust them without even looking as you can feel and hear each click.
excellent control surface textures and resistance was my experience
Adjusting the focus and parallax is done with the left-side turret. It is adjustable from twenty-five yards to infinity, this allows you to optimize the clarity of the reticle at nearly any useful range. The reticle is also illuminated, and the illumination control is located on top of the side-focus turret. Power for the illumination is done by a CR2032 lithium cell, which oddly enough wasn’t included with the scope.
Tension of the controls on this scope are just right in my opinion. The resistance on the power adjustment ring was neither too soft or too hard, the same could be said about the turrets and other controls. A good texture is also machined into the control surfaces, allowing great purchase with your bare or gloved fingers.
Optical Performance
the Arken Optics VPR reticle
The Japanese lenses in the EP-5 proved to be very good, particularly considering the price of this scope. At all power settings I found the scope to be bright and very detailed in the image. The details of the reticle matched the sharp image of the target area, this made it very good for measuring target sizes and making corrections.
Looking at things like animals, trees and rocks even at distances like two-thousand yards away still provided great detail. Whether or not I would use this scope for shooting at that kind of distance, it certainly provides a beautiful image.
In low light situations like pre sunrise, the big lenses of the EP-5 work overtime. Every scope looses some brightness as you increase the magnification, and this one is no exception. But picking out antlers among branches is still very doable. Particularly when you optimize the power low enough to brighten the image but still high enough to see detail.
Tracking Reliability
Scope tracking that matches reticle values is incredibly important. I found the Arken EP-5 to be perfectly accurate for pretty much any shooting scenario, particularly considering its low cost of entry. Not only was the EP-5 accurate in it motion, it also has a great deal of travel. The thirty-two MRAD of internal movement is even more valuable when mounted on a canted system like the SRS M2. The 30 MOA built into the scope rail allow you to zero the scope nearer it’s mechanical internal lowest point, getting full advantage of the scopes movement.
The Zero stop on the EP-5 is a simple and robust system. There is a set screw with a pin-like non-threaded pin that you can screw down from the exterior top of the turret. By turning the screw down, it creates a stop on the inside of the turret. There is a second set screw ninety degrees to the rear of the zero-stop screw to prevent it from moving. You can easily set the zero-stop or disengage it using the screw.
Pros and Cons
I had a hard time coming up with something I disliked about this scope, in fact if you twisted my arm I think the only thing I could say would be that it is a little bulky when compared to similar scopes from other manufacturers. Perhaps you might complain about not including a battery for the illumination, as most every other manufacturer does. I suppose it is much easier for Arken Optics to avoid the logistics, and labeling requirements that come with batteries.
On the plus side, the Arken Optics EP-5 is a genuine great value. Like some other manufacturers, they basically use a direct to consumer sales program. I expect this is partially responsible for the very affordable price point of Arken Optics. I was particularly impressed with the quality of the scope when I saw the street price of under $700.
Conclusion
The Arken Optics EP-5 is an excellent bargain that gives a fantastic optical performance and reliable mechanics. No doubt that is why they have become extremely popular in the precision shooting community. I expect I’ll see more of Arken Optics soon.
I am always on the search for the perfect low power variable optic (LPVO), I find them optimal for medium range carbines. And lately, I’ve been on a big medium range kick. Today we are taking a look at a new to me LPVO with some great potential, that scope is the Vector Optics 1-10X28 Continental. The Continental is a 1-10 first focal plane (FFP) scope with a MRAD reticle and 10 MRAD turrets. After a quick look, I felt quite confident I was going to enjoy this scope, but how well could this scope made in China perform?
first look in the box
Vector Optics Continental
The Continental series of optics from Vector feature 34mm tubes, and an impressive erector and turret structure. As a 10X variable, the magnification ring rotates approximately 180 degrees to go from 1X to 10X. The locking turrets give 10 MRAD per rotation with 1/10th MRAD clicks, with very audible and tactile clicks.
The elevation turret also features an impressive zero-stop function, that is both precise and solid. Additionally, there is a visible and tactile indicator that pops up with a red pin that you can both see and feel when you turn into the second turret rotation. And when you turn into the third rotation, it pops up even further, exposing a silver layer under the red pin indicator.
Inside the scope you will find the VET-CTR reticle, a milling type reticle with a large outer ring for encircling targets up close. As you zoom in the scope you will find a Christmas-Tree-style drop grid, as well as a smaller circle around the center crosshair. When illuminated by the 11-brightness settings, only the large outer ring, and the small inner ring are lit up. At 1X the illuminated rings of the reticle closely mimic the reticle used in many holographic sights. Once the scope is zoomed in beyond about 5X, the outer ring disappears leaving only the center ring illuminated. This gives the feel of a red dot aiming scenario, but you obviously have all the rest of the reticle detail as well.
the VET_CTR reticle seen at low power
Features
Tube Dia
34 mm
Parallax Setting
100 yards
Click Value
1/10 MIL
Turret Function
Zero Stop, Turret Lock
Elevation Adjustment Range
51 MIL
Windage Adjustment Range
51 MIL
Diopter Compensation
-3 to +2
Illumination Setting
11 Brightness settings
Battery Type
CR2032
Battery Life
N/A
Waterproof
IP68
Fogproof
Nitrogen Filled
Shockproof
1000 G
Housing Material
6061-T6 Aluminum Alloy
Finish
Matte Black
Length
278 mm / 10.9 in
Weight
651 g / 23.0 oz
Items in the Package
A Pair of 34mm Picatinny Scope Rings, A Spare Elevation Turret (Without Zero Stop Feature), User Manual, Lens Caps and Cleaning Cloth, etc
My very first impressions of the 1-10 Continental as I lifted it from the box were very good. It feels quality made, and has perfect resistance on the controls. Optically the scope looks fantastic as well, it feels like a true 1X meaning you can shoot with both eyes open with minimal dispersion between each eye’s perception.
Before heading to the range to shoot with this scope, I wanted to get it mounted and bore-sighted to the rifle. The rifle I chose for testing the Continental is my Desert Tech WLVRN, it is a multi-caliber rifle that I switch barrels back and forth between .223 and a custom 6ARC that I made for it. To mount the scope, I selected a cantilever mount from Zro Delta. After leveling and mounting the scope, I bore-sighted it to be at least close to zeroed before leaving the house.
the VET-CTR reticle seen at 10X
In my humble opinion, LPVO’s are ideal for short to medium range shooting, typically on a carbine rifle. There is great reason to believe that fast and loose shooting is done well with lower magnification, especially if you can keep both eyes open. But because I enjoy shooting further distances as well, the Continental 1-10 also presents you with the option to engage medium range targets as well. The turrets allow you to correct for distance, and provided you have a gun with the reach, you could easily engage out to a kilometer with such a setup.
That said, most of our shooting with the Continental was done inside the 400 yard-line. The WLVRN in .223 is quite accurate, and hitting small distant targets from supported positions was pretty solid. And even without support, you can quickly engage and take down targets at closer distances.
Optical Performance
The bright image projected from the Vector Continental was beautiful. I very much appreciated the edge to edge clarity on the scope, at either end of the power spectrum. The reticle was clear and crisp, which can often be a challenge with FFP scopes.
Picking out small details at distances like five to seven-hundred yards was easily doable, for example; a small animal like a squirrel was easily targeted at these distances. There is perhaps only one thing I would change about this scope and that would be to add adjustable parallax. Many LPVO’s come with set parallax, the Continental like many others comes set at 100 yards. For much of your shooting purposes this will be more than fine, but once you start reaching out to longer distances it can affect your ability to make hits. You can certainly work with it, but it would be very nice to have the ability to adjust for parallax.
Reliability
I really like to turrets of the Continental series of optics. The clicks are very clean and audible, which allow you to be very precise with your measurements. The 1-10 model has an impressive amount of erector movement when you consider the firearms it is likely to be used on. The scope comes with two different elevation turrets, one for use with the zero-stop and the other for use without it.
The controls of the Continental 1-10 are intuitive, and allows the shooter to be consistent in adjusting the sight. Measuring the recticle travel against the turrets show very consistent and accurate erector travel, back and forth movement of the controls proved to show reliable movement.
Ergonomics
Zero-Stop
The way to set the zero-stop requires removing the elevation turret, you gently push in the inner ring of the turret and rotate it according to the arrow printed on it. If zeroing the rifle requires you to dial down on the turret, you might have to remove the turret and release the zero stop by pushing in and turning it counter to the arrow indicated underneath.
After zeroing the rifle, you can again pull the turret off. This time rotate the inner ring with the arrow indicator. When the inner ring engages a locking pin, you will hear an audible click. That aligns the turret with the zero, and you can reinstall the turret. Check to see that it aligns properly on zero after installing.
Value
The Vector Continental line of scopes seems to offer some outstanding value. Features you would find on much more expensive scopes are included, and they not only look good but they function as you’d expect as well. If you are looking for an affordable 1-10 LPVO scope, you should definitely give this one a look.
Pros and Cons
If I had to mention something I would change about this scope, it would be the parallax. I wish it had the same parallax adjustment of its larger Continental siblings. Mainly because a 1-10 power scope can certainly be used out to distances as far as a kilometer, and at distances like that you absolutely need to adjust for parallax. That said, as long as you understand the fixed setting, this scope is still quite useful at such distances.
On the positive side, this scope offers a great deal of features and a good value. The glass looks fantastic, especially considering the price. The reticle is clear and very useful at all the different magnification settings. The large 34mm tube makes a strong base for the scope, and finish and fit of the whole unit is very satisfying.
Conclusion
If you find yourself evaluating short to medium range optics, you should at least consider the Continental 1-10. Whether it be for a medium range carbine or a small scout style bolt-action rifle, this would be a great optical sight option. Again, if it had adjustable parallax I probably would buy two or three more of these for all my carbines. But that’s just me, many of you may not be concerned or need such a feature. Its a beautiful image with precise aiming points for multi-purpose use, if that is something you are looking for you’ve found it here.
Pride Fowler Industries (PFI) has been making weapon sights for over twenty years. I suppose you could say they are a little old school, considering they were making optical sights for the military before red dots were a thing. The small optics firm has been making sights and reticles with a specific purpose to enhance aiming and reduce engagement times. That brings us to todays subject, a review of the PFI RR Evolution 6.5 Creedmoor riflescope.
Yes, a scope purpose built for 6.5 Creedmoor rifles. As well as other ballistically similar cartridges. The Evolution riflescope is built on a 30 millimeter main tube, and uses a 50 millimeter objective. Its a 5X zoom scope with a 5 to 25X magnification spread. Inside the Evolution houses its signature feature, the PFI Rapid Reticle. A Ballistic Drop Compensating (BDC) reticle designed to allow users to engage one target after another as fast as possible. Without having to adjust for drop at a given distance, the Rapid Reticle (RR) speeds up engagement, you simply hold a position on the reticle depending on the range.
There has long been various schools of thought when it comes to elevation corrections at long-range. Having used both the hold-over technique and the dial-the-turret elevation correction, I can see positive aspects to either way. Though for the most part I have used the latter, but today we’ll see if the PFI Evolution might convince me to change my ways.
The PFI Evolution 6.5 Creedmoor Riflescope
The Evolution scope comes with a variety of valuable features and accessories. Though its feature set is more inline with its Rapid Reticle purposes than what the rest of the optics market is currently doing. For example; many optics manufacturers have evolved to larger turret values like 10 or more MRAD per rotation. But since the Evolution is designed to holdover, such broad adjustments aren’t needed.
Pride Fowler RR Evolution 5-25X50 6.5 Creedmoor Riflescope Features
Magnification
5-25X
Tube Diameter
30 Millimeter
Objective Lens
50 Millimeter
Length
15.9 Inches
Weight
15.9 Ounces
Reticle Focal Plane
First Focal Plane
Reticle
Rapid Reticle BDC
Turret Values
⅛ MOA
Turret Rotation (per turn)
7.5 MOA
Reticle Illumination
Green and Blue with 6 Brightness settings
Battery
CR2032
Finish Colors
Black or Green Anodizing
Parallax Adjustment
50 Yards to Infinity
Included Accessories
50mm Sunshade, 30MM scope rings, Service tools, Manual
As I unboxed the scope, and inventoried the various parts, I was surprised to see not only a sunshade but a set of scope rings to mount the scope. It seems that foreign built rifle scope’s continue to try and add value including more and more accessories like these.
First Inspection
As I prepared the scope for mounting, I familiarized myself with the scope and its controls. I was immediately intrigued by the curious reticle design. It has some similarities to other BDC reticles, but one of the very first things I noticed is that the reticle isn’t traditionally centered in the scope. The reticle moves as you zoom in, much like any other FFP scope. But instead of moving forward with a centered crosshair, the whole reticle grows and the 100 yards zero point moves up towards the top of the field of view. It was curious to say the least, as was the illumination. The reticle can be illuminated in either green or blue, with six brightness settings. Unfortunately there are no off positions between the settings.
Feature Detail
Looking at the reticle itself, there is a lot going on. The design allows ranging using either a 9 or 18 inch target, you can simply bracket the shoulders of an unsuspecting IPSC target with the 18-inch bracket that matches. And that is your distance, which you can then hold over using the scaled reticle. There are up to 20MPH wind holds incorporated on the edges of the reticle, to allow you to counter wind drift. On either edge of the reticle, there are two different sets of numbers. The right side of the reticle is calibrated for 500 feet above sea level (ASL), the left side is calibrated for 6000 feet ASL.
The Turrets were another interesting departure from the norm. Because this scope is designed to be used as a holdover optic, there is much less mechanical adjustment. With only 7.5 MOA per rotation, it is far less than a mainstream turreted scope these days. But when you consider that the turrets are only used to zero the scope, it makes a little bit more sense.
Mounting the Evolution
The rifle I would mount the Evolution scope to was a Bergara HMR Carbon, the rifle closely matched the scope’s ballistic profile. The 22-inch barrel would shoot 140 grain match ammunition well, which would make a perfect way to test the scope.
Using the provided scope rings, I attached the scope on the rifle’s scope rail. Torquing down the rings to spec, and ensuring a level mounting. It was then time to boresight the scope, which I did using my tool-less technique. There was a slight difference than normal, as I had to center the 100 yard aimpoint in the bore instead of simply centering it as usual.
I’m at home in the open country of the west, and thats where we put the Evolution scope to use. Both in the dry sandstone deserts of the south west and the arid snow covered Rocky Mountains. This would give the opportunity to try the scope in various density altitudes varying from 2000 to 7000 feet ASL. Just because it was relevant, I wanted to try a variety of 6.5 Creedmoor ammunition to see which one aligned best with the drop curve in the RR Evolution’s reticle.
With the scope zeroed, I took note of the various point of impacts from the different ammunition types which was within reason. Then we started stretching it out to various distances to see how it lined up.
I picked a target at 730 yards downrange, with clear dirt around it to easily spot misses. I knew that the right side numbers of the reticle would be way off, so I used the left side of the reticle numbers for reference. I held for the distance using what appeared to be the 725 yard line on the reticle, and knowing there was decent breeze moving full-value from right to left I held into the wind. The first shot hit a bit low, and my wind call was a little undervalue. I made a quick correction with my hold point and sent another round which impacted mere inches from my point of aim.
adjusting the parallax setting was nice, but I did find it was easy to accidentally turn on the reticle illumination
I repeated the process a few times at various distances, out to 900 yards. It was a good exercise in wind judgement as well as figuring out the reticle. Using the various subtensions of the reticle to correct for the slight variations in ammunition and elevation.
Optical Performance
Looking through the Evolution scope next to other optics that day, I could pick out some differences. I wouldn’t expect a scope at this price-point to compare with 3000+ dollar German or American made scopes. You could see a little more aberration at the edges, and perhaps not quite as clear at high power. But it was certainly good enough to engage softball sized targets even at 900 yards. I found myself not using the full 25X for various purposes as the holdover points were closer to the edge of the scope that way. The parallax adjustment worked great, keeping both the reticle and target clearly defined.
Holding Over
I’m used to dialing for distance but occasionally holdover for shorter distances and quick shots. So it took a little getting used to only holding over with the Rapid Reticle. Using the hold over marks on the reticle certainly does make for faster transitions between targets, especially once you get them figured out.
Likely due to the elevation, I found that frequently my holdover didn’t line up with the numbers. This wasn’t a surprise, and one I was prepared for. With variables in elevation and different kinds of ammo, you simply have to adjust. The Federal 130 grain ammo was faster than others, which meant it was hitting higher at the closer distances by a little. I’d take note for the next engagement, and it wasn’t long before I had a little dope card for each ammunition type. Perhaps the 450 yard mark on the reticle was more like 425 yards, but if I were to go down in elevation a couple thousand feet it might be right on.
Repeating this process is both fun and educational, and even if you never intend to shoot this way, its something we should all experience. It helped me better understand the flight path of the various ammunition types and how to anticipate hits using the Rapid Reticle.
Pros and Cons
I did find myself slightly irritated with the way the reticle moved with magnification. At 25X where I might like to use the scope for shooting tiny groups on paper, the 100yd aim point is all the way at the top of the field of view. I ended up backing it off slightly to better see both the target and reticle. The same scenario played out at the bottom of the reticle, the furthest holdovers on the reticle left the field of view at max power. I don’t always shoot at max power myself, but I know some folks do.
If I had to say something else about the scope that I disliked, it would be the turrets. I suppose it makes sense since the focus of this scope is not on turrets, but the reticle.
Another positive aspect of the scope design, is that it does remove some of the guess work for newer and less-experienced shooters. Once you figure out the intricacies of the reticle, you don’t need to spend a lot of time thinking, you can simply hold and shoot.
It’s also not hard to work out the differences, for example; maybe with your gun the 500 yard holdover is actually 475 yards. These are things you can find out on your own, and once confirmed you can take note of corrected data. Speaking of corrected data, that brings me to our next subject.
The BDC Conundrum
It would be reckless of me to not to address the BDC conundrum. BDC reticles give a set of measurements for holding over at specific distances, just as custom engraved turrets provide calculated elevation corrections. Both the custom turrets and BDC reticles are created using ballistic data of the bullet specified. Using the bullet performance numbers from the manufacturer, as well as velocities and atmospheric information, you can create a drop profile that is reflected in either a BDC reticle or custom turret.
the Rapid Reticle seen at lower power magnification
There is an issue however with this approach that must be understood. Bullets for the most part are pretty consistent, as is gravity and gun powder. But the medium bullets travel through can vary greatly depending on conditions. The air we shoot through changes consistency depending on weather conditions, temperature and humidity both have much to do with ballistic performance.
Any BDC reticle or customized turret is going to be based on a specific point of conditions, and when those change it will affect your bullet’s flight accordingly. This is something you MUST understand properly if you plan on using either a BDC reticle or customized turrets. Understanding how atmospheric conditions will change your bullet’s performance and points of impact is paramount to shooting long-range properly.
Value Proposition
The improvement of foreign made riflescopes has been impressive over the last few decades, in particular those made in China. I remember when Chinese made optics were jokingly poor quality, and yet today there is a massive selection of riflescopes from China that are very competitive in every way. (for now)
This scope from PFI shares a great deal of value in that twenty years ago I would have expected to pay twice or more for a similar feature set. Even so, the discount optics market being as cutthroat as it is, there are other scopes with very desirable features and quality that cost even less.
For the $800 asking price, this riflescope has some good features. The 5-25 zoom is very popular with long-range shooters, and if you like holding over instead of dialing corrections then this reticle also offers great versatility. The added value of rings is convenient as well.
Conclusion
If you like using hold-over type optical sights, then you are likely already familiar with some of the intricacies of using them. The Rapid Reticle Evolution 6.5 Creedmoor riflescope offers you a bright clear image, with fine adjustment capabilities for zeroing. A smooth zoom feature allows you to quickly adjust for different distances and ranging necessities, and precise parallax adjustment for fine adjustments and clear reticle placement.
It may not be whats en vogue in today’s long-range shooting community, but there is certainly a place in long-range shooting for the Evolution scope.
