Tag Archives: scope

Maximum Magnification; Finding the Right Magnification for Your Scope

May 27, 2025blogmagnification, riflescope, scope, zoomcoldboremiracle

Introduction

Riflescopes have become standard equipment on most rifles. And optical sights have also become standard for many modern carbines. Their popularity is partially because they allow the user to aim with more precision and accuracy than with open sights. However, using a telescopic sight at maximum magnification may not always be ideal. And high-power scopes in general might not be the best option for some purposes. Today we are discussing maximum magnification; finding the right magnification for your scope, and whether or not you need all that power.

PFI, pride fowler industries, evolution, rifle scope, bergara b-14, hmr, rapid reticle — FFP scopes like this one from **Pride Fowler Optics** make great long-range optics for rifles like this **Bergara HMR**

Variable Power

Most modern riflescopes or optical sights can fall into one of two types; variable power zoom optics, and fixed power optics. A fixed power optic like a Trijicon ACOG might have 1.5X or something more like 3.5X or 4X. Variable power scopes come in a variety of ranges, for example; a 4X scope might have a 4-16X zoom, while a 6X scope might have 5-30X magnification.

athlon Talos 10x42 — This Athlon Talos is a fixed 10X, which was very common once upon a time. The **Athlon Talos line** has a variety of variable power scopes worth looking at as well

Variable scopes can further be broken down into two additional subcategories; front focal plane, and second focal plane scopes. Front focal plane (FFP) scopes feature the reticle in the front or first focal plane and are therefore magnified with the target image. This results in the reticle changing size depending on the power setting used.

First and Second Focal Plane

Second focal plane scopes have the reticle fixed after the magnification feature. These reticles remain the same size regardless of magnification setting. One of the potential downsides to second focal plane scopes is that their reticles are typically calibrated at max magnification. Many of them also have a clearly marked mid-power setting. This is so you can use the reticle there as well with double the indicated values.

There is also a downside to some FFP scopes, with high-power zoom’s the reticle can often be magnified enough to be obtrusive. If the reticle gets too thick at high magnification it can be challenging to aim precisely with it. If you are shooting groups at a hundred yards this may not be an issue. But if you are shooting small targets at long-range, it certainly could become a problem.

as you can see, shot placement can be precise without heavy magnification

Why Too Much Magnification Could be Bad

Depending on your purpose, there can be such a thing as too much magnification. I used to hunt quite a few rabbits, and using a scope at high magnification was not helpful as the small animals darted between brush piles. I ended up setting my scope at it’s lowest setting 3X for the best results.

While hunting bigger animals like deer 3X might work in some situations, I often would prefer to have more if possible. The rifle I hunted with last season had a US Optics TXH 3-18 scope, and I found it to be perfect. It gave me the ability to use three power when sneaking through thick woods where shots wouldn’t go beyond 75 yards. But when I stepped out of the forrest into the wide open canyons of the Rocky Mountains, the 18X of the scope would make even long-range shots doable.

mule deer, Patriot Valley Arms Modus rifle, 6.5 PRC, US Optics TXH 3-18x50 — you can read more about this rifle the Patriot Valley Arms Modus

When shooting on a range where the furthest target might be two-hundred yards away, you don’t really need high magnification. And yet some still do, probably because they need a higher degree of precision. Shooting tiny targets at 150 yards with a .22Lr could certainly justify using a higher power scope. Whereas shooting IPSC targets at the same distance with a 5.56 carbine can be easily done with a red dot or low power variable optic (LPVO).

primary arms PLx Compact 1-8, eotech VUDU 1-8, vector optics Continental 1-10, lpvo, low power variable optic, scope, — LPVO’s are outstanding choices for close to medium range shooting. They can be used at longer ranges as well, these three are some of my favorites Lto R: **Primary Arms PLx Compact 1-8**, the **Eotech Vudu 1-8**, and the **Vector Continental 1-10**

Using Your Scope at Max Power

One reason why telescopic sights may not be ideal at maximum power is because of the reduced field of view. The higher the magnification the narrower your field of view. This can make it more difficult to acquire and track moving targets, especially at close range. In hunting situations, this can be particularly problematic, as game animals can move quickly and unpredictably.

reticle, steiner, moose — Here you can see how at max power in low light, you can lose a lot of a scope’s brightness, but to be fair the view through this **Steiner TX6 5-30** is still pretty good from over a mile away

Another reason why telescopic sights may not be ideal at maximum power is because of the reduced depth of field. This means that the area in focus becomes shallower, making it harder to maintain proper sight alignment and focus on the target. This too can be especially problematic in low-light conditions or when your target is moving.

Other Factors

Overall, while telescopic sights can be a valuable tool for shooters, using them at maximum power may not always be the best choice. You should consider their specific shooting situation and adjust the magnification accordingly to optimize their accuracy and success. When a riflescope is set to its maximum magnification, the image can become less clear due to a few different factors.

Howa, m1500, mini, 22arc, suppressor, yhm, — Having a broad spectrum of magnification gives you more options, this **Lucid Optics MLX** was a perfect fit for the **Howa Mini 22 ARC**

Firstly, at higher magnifications, the image can become dimmer. Increasing magnification causes a reduction in brightness. This effect can be particularly noticeable in low-light conditions, such as at dawn or dusk.

Second is something I have noticed over the course of many years and countless scopes from nearly every manufacturer. Almost all scopes are brighter and sharper when not zoomed all the way in. In my experience it seems like when they are at 80-90 percent of their maximum power is when they offer the best image. This is more often the case with lower priced scopes, and not as much with the high-end scopes.

Using all the features of the reticle also sometimes requires using less than maximum power, like in this **Burris Veraci t y PH**

Its also worth mentioning that some of the modern reticles we have today aren’t even fully visible at max power. Much of the reticle features are better used with 75-90% of magnification.

Use Application

Obviously if you are shooting static targets on a bright sunny day with a good target spotter, max power is a great option for precise shooting. Its important to practice and understand when and where to adjust your scope’s zoom, optimizing its use for your needs.

I often find myself adjusting my scope for the terrain and anticipated use as I move from one scenario to another. I do the same thing with the parallax adjustment on my scopes when present.

junior first deer — My son and his first deer, shot at 490 yards with a **1-6X LPVO**, you can watch the video here

I like to start new shooters out on LPVO’s. With their incredibly forgiving eye-box and low magnification, it’s MUCH easier to get a new shooter on target quickly. If all they see is tree bark and leaves when they look through the scope its hard to guide them to a target like a deer.

When my son was just a little guy, I would use these low-power scopes to ensure he could see the target. If the image in the scope is very similar to what they see unmagnified with their own eyes its much easier to pick out where the target is. And once they find the target you can zoom in as needed for better point of aim placement.

More Magnification Means More Range?

I once thought that more magnification meant you could shoot further, but your rifle has the same capability for accuracy at distance regardless of what scope you put on it. The difference is what you can see at a given distance.

With a good scope you can shoot just fine at long-range even with low power optics. I’ve made some outstanding repetitive hits at a kilometer using my 6 ARC WLVRN using a simple US Optics TS-8 LPVO. While I wouldn’t exactly recommend that kind of scope for shooting that far, just know it can be done.

Desert Tech WLVRN suppressed with Eotech VUDU optic — the **Desert Tech WLVRN** with the **EOtech Vudu** is a potent shooter

For all the reasons I’ve mentioned, when shooting long-range I often will use my scopes at less than maximum power. It seems that generally I like 10-14X for much of my long-range shooting. This seems to give me the right field of view to keep the target in sight, as well as allow me to spot my own shots. Sometimes I will use more zoom, and sometimes less. Practice helps build skill in knowing what power to use.

Final Thoughts

I’m not trying to talk you out of high-power scopes, or even using high magnification. I’m simply saying that its not always the best option. Many years ago when I was first getting into the long-range shooting game, all I wanted was more magnification. But now I find myself looking at 4-16’s and 3-18’s with as much excitement.

-CBM

All You Need to Know About Parallax

May 20, 2025blogadjustable objective, focus, long-range, long-range scope, long-range shooting, parallax, parallax adjustment, parallax correction, riflescope, scope, side focuscoldboremiracle

Introduction to Parallax

If you deal with optical devices used for measuring or observing purposes, you are likely to run into the topic of parallax. Parallax is the optical phenomenon of two objects on differing planes appearing to move at different rates to the observer. Today we are going to dive into how this can effect your shooting experience; with all you need to know about parallax.

this Primary Arms GLx 3-18 shows off some of the features we discuss today

What is parallax?

If you look at two objects one close and the other far, it is difficult to focus on both at the same time. The parallax adjustment in your riflescope is designed to bring the target image and reticle image together in the scope. We take it for granted that we should be able to see both the target and the reticle clearly through our scopes. When in fact, it is through the hard work of optical engineers who’ve designed them to correct for this characteristic.

**Here you** **can see an illustration of how parallax setting can cause problems**. not having the reticle and target projection aligned can allow your reticle-to-target positioning to vary

Adjustable parallax riflescopes use internal optical correction to adjust the presentation of the reticle to match that of the target. Parallax is the difference in position when the viewing point is moved. Much like distant mountains appear motionless while clouds, trees and other parts of the landscape move when viewed from a moving vehicle.

The same thing can happen within your riflescope, albeit to a lesser degree. But we know it doesn’t take much to induce change in our point of impact. Even your own heartbeat can often be seen as movement through the scope.

Looking Through Your Scope

The eye box is the area where your eye can see through the scope, if you move too far out of the eye box you lose sight picture. And if you move too much within the eye box with uncorrected parallax, you might miss

You can see the effect of parallax sometimes looking through a stationary rifle scope. Without moving the rifle or scope, if you move your eye ever so slightly within the eye-box of the scope. You might see the reticle shift similarly on the target. With nothing physically moving but the eye of the observer, the optical anomaly can be seen.

Apex Optics Rival Desert Tech SRS M2 — Side focus knobs like those found on this **Apex Rival** are used to both focus the image and set parallax

How Does Parallax Effect Your Shooting?

You can imagine now how even the slightest shift in reticle position can effect your bullet’s impact once the trigger is pulled. If your eye is misaligned slightly, any parallax present in the image could cause you to aim incorrectly. The optical misalignment might make you think you’re aiming center of the target when you might be holding a measurable amount off.

This image (right) shows an exaggerated amount of optical misalignment. when parallax is present in your optic this example shows how a good shot can suddenly become a bad one.

We’ve all seen when you move your eye too far left/right or up/down a shadow appears on that side of the image. If you move just a little, before the shadows appear, you might see the reticle wandering on the target. This is because you haven’t adjusted your parallax properly, and you could be in for a miss.

**A closer look at the image from above, you can see how the point of aim has been compromised**. **or at least appears to be**

If you’ve done any shooting at longer distances, you know how often the difference between holding center and even the thickness of the reticle off center can be the difference between a hit and a miss. Removing parallax is important to ensuring you have the correct image while aiming.

**Corrected parallax allows both target and reticle to be seen on the same plane. With both images aligned together there is far less room for error**

Fixed or Adjustable Parallax

Not always but typically any good riflescope designed for long-range shooting will have adjustable parallax. Whereas short range optics like red dots and low power variable optics (LPVO’s) generally have fixed parallax. Cheap scopes typically also come with non-adjustable parallax. It might be fixed at one-hundred yards, or infinity. You should understand this when buying your next scope. If your purpose is shooting up close on a range, 100-yard fixed parallax is fine. Whereas if you plan on shooting precision shots at long-range, fixed parallax at 100-yards would be less ideal.

Focus or Parallax?

Most riflescopes with adjustable parallax also use the same control for image focus. Let me clarify; I’m not speaking of the diopter at the rear of the scope used to focus the ocular image. I’m speaking of what is usually a side focus turret or an adjustable objective. Either of these two control options usually does the same thing, it focuses the target image and sets parallax.

winchester model 100 leupold rifle scope — this old Leupold VXII scope has an adjustable objective to compensate for parallax

Perhaps you’ve experienced a binocular where both barrels needed focus adjustment for each of your eyes. Bino’s typically have a diopter on one side, the idea being you use the center focus knob to focus the other barrel. And adjust the opposing barrel with it’s diopter, once you’ve done that, both barrels are adjusted equally by the center focus knob. I expect parallax and focus are yoked together in a similar way inside the scope. But are focus and parallax the same thing?

No, you can have a focused image and still have uncorrected parallax or vice-versa. I expect that adding another precisely controlled internal device would grossly increase the price of riflescopes.

Because they can be optically measured and corrected for at the factory, and adjusting the focus of the image and the parallax are similar movements. Coupling them into the same control makes sense. But they aren’t the same thing, they are set and then slaved together to work as one.

With focus and parallax adjusted properly, the target and reticle are clear and stable, as seen through this **US Optics FDN1 7 X**

Last Thoughts

You should be able to identify parallax in your particular setup. Knowing what to look for, and how to correct it is an important part of long-range shooting. Hopefully it makes a little more sense to you, and you can apply it to your shooting for improved results. Remember; Little things matter at a distance.

-CBM

Arken Optics EP-5 5-25X56

May 5, 2025Optics, Product review5-25x56, arken, Arken Optics, ep-5, riflescope, scopecoldboremiracle

Preface

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.

Arken Optics, EP-5, 5-25x56, riflescope, scope, — 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.

Arken Optics, EP-5, 5-25x56, riflescope, scope, Desert Tech SRS M2 — the EP-5 mounted in the **Zro Delta mount**

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.

Arken Optics, EP-5, 5-25x56, riflescope, scope, turret — 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.

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 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.

You can buy Arken Optics at Optics Force

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.

Arken Optics, EP-5, 5-25x56, riflescope, scope, zero stop

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.

-CBM

Check out more Rifle Scope reviews here

Vector Optics Continental X6 5-30X56 Riflescope

April 6, 2025Optics, Product review5-30x56, continental, scope, vector, vector opticscoldboremiracle

Preface

In my endless quest to get hands on every riflescope available on todays market, I bring you another scope review. This one comes from Vector Optics, which has been in the optics industry since 2005. Vector Optics has a stated goal of changing our perspective of what a “made in China” riflescope means. In furtherance of this goal, Vector seeks to build the most value in a riflescope possible. Today I find myself in a position to evaluate exactly that, and I bring you a review of the Vector Optics Continental X6 5-30X56 riflescope.

The Vector Optics Continental is built on a 34MM maintube, with a 56 millimeter objective lens up front. The erector assembly while fairly petite, carries a robust elevation turret that has twenty-six MRAD of elevation. Inside you’ll find the EBC-MBR MRAD illuminated reticle. All these features fall into the set of a serious long-range rifle scope, lets go deeper into this scope review.

The Vector Optics Continental 5-30X56

Vector Optics Continental 5-30X56 Riflescope Features
Magnification	5X-30X six power zoom
Objective Lens	56 Millimeter
Tube Diameter	34 Millimeter
Ocular Lens	42 Millimeter
Field of View	24.5-4.1 feet @100 yards
Eye Relief	4.0 Inches
Length	15.4 Inches
Weight	28.6 Ounces
Click Value	1/10 MRAD
Mechanical Elevation Range	26 MRAD
Mechanical Windage Range	16 MRAD
Parallax/Focus Range	10 Yards to Infinity
Reticle	Etched glass VEC-MBR
Reticle Illumination	Six Position Red
Battery Type	CR2032
Turret Values	10 MRAD (100 clicks) per turn
Zero-stop	Adjustable
Included Accessories	34mm picatinny high rings, sunshade,, lens caps and cleaning cloth

Vector Continental Features

So far you might have figured out this scope has an impressive suite of features, and all the right ones for most precision rifle shooters. The broad 34mm tube has become the standard for tactical long-range shooting, as it allows greater internal travel for larger elevation corrections. Large lenses compress great detail into the image viewed through the scope, and with a parallax adjustment down as close as 10 yards make it suitable for rimfire purposes. A six-position illumination knob with off settings in between sits outside the focus turret.

the included tool for adjusting turrets was handy and prevented overtorquing

The turrets of the Continental are quite impressive. Ten MRAD per rotation of the turret is what I consider a minimum these days for a serious scope. But theres more; the turrets feature a push/pull locking system, as well as an adjustable zero-stop. The elevation turret also features a revolution indicator that is both visible and tactile, it pops up red upon hitting the second revolution. And when you reach the third revolution of the turret it pops up further still, exposing a silver ring under the red. This feature is excellent for keeping track of what rotation you are on. The Continental also comes with a second elevation turret that allows you to function without the zero-stop and rotation indicator.

the two included elevation turret options

Added Accessories

Aside from the extra elevation turret, the Continental also came with a sunshade which has become common practice as well. As have the inexpensive flip caps that often come with scopes, particularly those made in China. It also came with all the necessary tools to service the scope, including a plastic tool to safely loosen and tighten the turret screw.

the included **scope rings from Vector**

What hasn’t been a typical included accessory is a set of scope rings. I was actually expecting something a little more “economic” to put it candidly. But to my surprise, the rings were actually quite nice. Triple-screw rings with Torx fasteners on both the ring-cap and the pic-rail clamp.

Mounting the Vector Continental

Because I am so familiar with it, I decide to initially mount the Continental to my Desert Tech SRS M2. The included rings were a perfect fit for the height of the scope over the long picatinny sight rail. After leveling the scope in the rings, I torqued them down using my torque limiter T15. The wide coverage of the rings appeared to give great purchase on the scope, which should hold even under heavy recoiling cartridges like the 338 LM.

the SRS fitted with the Continental scope and **Area 419** equipped **Atlas bipod from B&T**

It was then time to boresight the combo, using my visual tool-less boresighting method. Adjusting the scope to match the bore of the rifle would put it on paper at 100 yards. After shooting a few rounds to make final adjustments for zero, it was time to adjust the zero-stop.

Setting the Zero-Stop

Once you have the rifle zeroed properly, the zero-stop can be set. The way to set it 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. Approximating the amount you think you’ll need to dial down.

vector optics, continental, 5-30X56, rifle scope, zero-stop, turret — under the elevation turret you can see the zero-stop feature

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.

On the Range

For starters, I used the Continental on my Desert Tech SRS M2. Using a 22-inch 6.5 Creedmoor would make for pretty easy and predictable shooting. The SRS M2 uses a 30 MOA tapered optics rail, which would allow me to maximize the elevation adjustment available in the scope.

Optical Performance

With a 6X zoom the Continental has an impressive magnification range. I had brought along my Kahles 318i as well, and I took the opportunity to look through both scopes at five and eighteen power to see how they compared. It came as no surprise that the Kahles was clearer, with a slightly less hazy image than seen through the Vector scope. I would expect the Kahles to look better at four and a half times the cost.

While it might not have been as clear as the Kahles, it was certainly very usable. The clear image was as good as any Chinese scope I’ve used at that power range. I often find that folks with poor eyesight have more to say about optical quality than I, so keep that in mind.

Ergonomics

I was very happy with the controls of this scope, the textures of the control surfaces were just right. And the resistance to the magnification ring and parallax adjustment were also appropriate. The turret lock is both crisp and audible, so you’ll always know when you’ve locked or unlocked it. And the clicks are also quite crisp and audible, so you’ll have no problem simply counting the clicks if you are dialing blind.

Tracking Performance

Few things have made riflescope more friendly over the last few decades than matching turrets and reticles in my opinion. Being able to spot an impact at 900 yards, quickly measure it and dial a correction, and hit with a following shot is much easier with such a scope. The Vector Continental worked perfectly for dialing corrections, and the reticle gives you a great deal of data points to use.

Measuring the movement of the reticle proved to show repeatability and accurate movement. I like to bolt down my scopes to an immovable object, and run the turrets up and down repeatedly to see how close they track. The Vector Continental was as close to the actual distance adjusted as most scopes I have checked. With less than plus or minus 1/10 MRAD across 20 MRAD of adjustment.

VEC-MBR Reticle

Using reticles for their actual purpose has gotten much easier as they have developed better options. The VEC-MBR reticle of the Continental gives you some great features like an open center, a Christmas tree style drop grid, meter ranging bracket, and an illuminated center. I am not a big fan of incredibly busy reticles, but I found this one to be fine enough that it hasn’t bothered me. It was very effective at measuring corrections and holding wind.

Value

I have had a great variety of Chinese and other Asian made riflescopes, both good and bad. I will certainly say that they have come a long way from the comically poor quality from decades ago. After shooting with the Vector Continental now, this might be the best value for a high-power precision long-range rifle scope I’ve seen yet. After opening the box and seeing the presentation, features and the image through the scope I was actually blown away at the $700 price on Euro Optic.

Pros and Cons

The Vector Optics Continental 5-30X56 has a fantastic feature set, with all the features most precision rifle shooters are looking for these days. Professional finished looks that don’t suggest it was made in a sweat shop, and matched with good lenses that provide great detail. Excellent controls make this scope a precise tool for hitting targets, as do the little extras that matter like zero-stop, turret rotation indicator, 10 MRAD rotations etc.

Included extras also greatly improve the value of this scope, even the packaging gives the feeling of a high quality product. The scope rings were also a nice touch I wasn’t expecting. My very initial thoughts about this scope seem to have been right, its as though Vector engineers channeled some European scope design and brought it all together for less.

If I had to come up with something to dislike, it could really only be the Chinese origin of this scope. I never liked the idea of my sport/defense products being made somewhere besides at home, but thats the world we live in currently.

the view through the Continental at around 24X

Final Thoughts on the Continental

The foreseeable future it seems will be filled with more and more options for shooters, which is a nice thing. Vector Optics has done an excellent job changing what Made in China means. I expect that competition among the optics manufacturers will continue, and we will see more rifle scopes like the Continental that break molds and drop prices.

The Vector Optics Continental X6 5-30X56 riflescope offers impressive performance that would do well for most shooters. It is an excellent value if you find yourself wanting to compete with your financial superiors without spending your children’s future on a scope. Be it plinking in the hills like me, heavy varmint hunting, or shooting PRS competition, I expect the Continental would do well.

-CBM

Looking for a scope? Check out these other reviews

Athlon Optics Helos BTR 2-12X42 Riflescope

March 29, 2025Optics, Product review2-12x42, athlon optics, helos, riflescope, scopecoldboremiracle

Preface

I’ve been lucky to be able to use quite a few high quality riflescopes in my day. In fact, I remember when the optics market was starved for lower-priced high-quality riflescopes. Today I bring you another product review that has satisfied that market, the Athlon Optics Helos BTR 2-12X42 riflescope.

I have used a few riflescopes from Athlon Optics, and they have all been positive experiences. So I was again optimistic to have a look at this new to me scope.

Athlon Optics, Helos BTS, 2-12x42, riflescope, Franchi Momentum

The Helos BTR 2-12X42

Athlon Optics Helos BTR Gen2 2-12X42 FFP IR MRAD Features
Power Magnification	2-12X
Objective Lens	42 MM
Tube Size	30 MM
Turrets	Locking MRAD
Reticle Focal Plane	First Focal Plane
Eye Relief	3.6 Inches
Field of View @ 100Yards	55.7 to 9.6 Feet
Turret Click Value	0.1 MRAD
Turret Adjustment per Turn	10 MRAD
Total Elevation Adjustment	32 MRAD
Total Windage Adjustment	25 MRAD
Parallax Adjustment	Side Focus/ 10 yards to Infinity
Weight	25.4 Ounces
Length	11.8 Inches
Reticle	Illuminated AHMR2 MRAD

Athlon Optics, Helos BTS, 2-12x42, riflescope

Helos BTR Features

The Athlon Optics Helos BTR 2-12X42 riflescope is built on a one-piece 30mm tube with a 42mm objective lens. Like pretty much every scope manufactured in modernity, the Helos features fully coated lenses and is filled with Argon to purge the internals.

In the middle of the scope you will find a robust erector system that incorporates the parallax/focus turret. On the top of the erector assembly you will find a 10 MIL locking turret, it locks using a pretty standard push-pull with a snapping sensation so you can be sure it is locked or not. The windage turret also locks, and shows you 5 MIL left and right on its markings.

The elevation turret includes a zero-stop ring that can be set once your rifle is zeroed. This helps avoid loosing track of what scope revolution your zero in on. It’s a robust zero-stop design too, which is much appreciated.

Athlon Optics, Helos BTS, 2-12x42, riflescope, zero stop

The Focus knob shows various parallax ranges from 10 yards to infinity, which turned out to be pretty accurate. Stacked on top of the focus turret, there is a secondary rheostat control housing the CE2032 lithium cell for the reticle illumination with various brightness settings.

Athlon Optics, Helos BTS, 2-12x42, riflescope, lithium cell battery

Unboxing the Helos

When the Helos arrived, I carefully opened the handsome box. I must say that Athlon does a great job at presenting their product. The box has a great many details, and included some great add on accessories. After pulling the scope itself from the foam, I took inventory of the other goods. The typical owners manual, battery, lens cloth, and tools for servicing the scope were there. But there was also a 42MM sunshade which is nice to have, as were the front and rear flip-caps to protect the lenses. Additionally, there was a polymer throw-lever or “cat-tail” as some call it that attaches to the magnification ring to enable faster zooming of the scope. It was time to get this scope mounted and ready for the range.

Athlon Optics, Helos BTS, 2-12x42, riflescope, throw lever — the throw-lever was a nice accessory, though I would have liked an aluminum one

Mounting Solution

I ended up using the Helos on two different rifles, in order to give it a proper workout. The first rifle was a custom 10/22 I put together, you can read about it HERE. The other rifle was a Franchi Momentum Elite Varmint rifle chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor. For mounting on the 10/22, I used a Primary Arms 30mm scope mount, and alternatively when mounted to the Franchi I used a set of Warne 30mm rings. The two different mounting solutions worked well, giving unfettered access to the Helos features.

custom 10/22, ruger 10/22, .22lr, Athlon Optics, helos, — the Helos made a great accessory for my 22, as did the YHM Phantom 22 suppressor

Shooting with the Helos BTR

My initial excursions with the Helos were using the 10/22. I used the turrets to quickly zero the rifle, followed by slipping the turrets to zero. This is done by removing the screw in the center of the turret, then you can pull it off, and reset the turret on the zero. After reinstalling the screws on both turrets, we were ready to shoot.

I have always been impressed with the optical quality of Athlon Optics, every one of their products that I have tried has been impressively sharp and clear when considering the price. The Helos BTR was no exception, and using the parallax adjustment to focus at targets as close as 10 yards is convenient for a .22lr rifle.

custom 10/22, ruger 10/22, .22lr, athlon optics, helos gen 2 BTR 2-12x42

Shooting the rifle out to distances like 150 and 200 yards gave opportunity to do elevation corrections using the turrets. The clicks are crisp and audible, making it easy to make small corrections without even coming off the scope.

The AHMR2 reticle was also convenient for measuring and correcting for drops. I suppose I could have done without the ring in the center, but when you use this scope at 2X you can see why its there. At 2X the reticle is so fine, and the target area so wide, that you really only need to bracket the target inside the ring. You can almost use the Helos like a red dot at that power setting, especially with the illumination powered up. I also really appreciated the illumination settings, with an “off” setting between each power setting.

Athlon Optics, Helos BTS, 2-12x42, riflescope, AHMR2 FFP IR MIL reticle, — the AHMR2 FFP IR MIL reticle seen at 12X

After a few range trips with the Custom 10/22, I decided to give the Helos BTR another task. I remounted the scope in a set of Warne rings on top of a Franchi Momentum Elite Varmint rifle chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor. This rifle was certainly up to longer shooting distances, and would give the scope more of a workout. It would also allow us to evaluate the scopes ability to show detail at further distances.

Franchi Momentum Elite Varmint, 6.5 Creedmoor, Athlon Optics Helos 2-12x42 — the Athlon Helos BTR made a great companion for this Franchi Momentum, read about the rifle here

One again I zeroed first the rifle, then the turrets were set back to zero. I also took the opportunity to set the zero-stop. The zero stop is a brass ring that you can adjust to stop the turret rotation from going any lower. Its easily done by loosening three Allen screws, and turning the ring to the bottom stop, then retightening the screws.

With that process complete, it was time to get shooting. I started by shooting a few groups with the rifle at a hundred yards. I often prefer higher magnification when doing accuracy testing, mainly just to see my aimpoint better. But the 12X of the Athlon Helos did just fine for my purposes.

Franchi Momentum Elite Varmint, 6.5 Creedmoor, Athlon Optics Helos 2.5-12

We then turned our attention downrange, picking out various targets in the hills and ridges beyond. We’d pick out little white rocks surrounded by dirt for easy impact spotting, and shoot until the rock disappeared. Using the Helos to spot misses at distances like seven and eight-hundred yards was certainly doable, and the fine center-dot of the reticle made a good aimpoint even at small targets at those distances.

As we moved from target to target it gave me pause to appreciate the throw lever that Athlon had included with the scope. I frequently run the zoom back on forth while shooting, and having a throw-lever like this was very handy. I also like the 180 degree rotation of the magnification ring, the only downside is when the throw-lever and bolt-handle get too close.

Pros and Cons

My cons for this scope are few and perhaps picky. For example, I really like the throw lever they included, but its also made of pretty soft polymer. This could be to make it less likely to snap off when bumped into something while hiking, which I totally understand. But I also feel like it might still be pretty easily broken or damaged. I also smashed my finger a couple times while running the bolt vigorously by running into the throw-lever.

On the plus side, this scope comes with some great features and accessories. The throw-lever, the sunshade, and even the cheesy flip-caps are nice to have. At least until you buy some better ones.

I absolutely love the 10 MRAD turrets, it used to be that scopes in this price range all had five or six MRAD turrets. But manufacturers have gotten the memo, and making turrets 10 MRAD per turn is much better, and greatly reduces the likelihood of loosing track of your setting. The locking feature of the turrets is also very nice, and well executed.

Another feather in the cap for this scope is the zero-stop, which is not only functional but also robust. I dislike mushy or imprecise zero-stops, and this one is neither. The reticle is great for measuring misses and holding corrections.

The Verdict

I keep on having good experiences with Athlon Optics products, and my complaints are few. The Athlon optics Helos BTR Gen2 2-12X42 would be a great little scope to leave on my 22, or mount to my hunting rifle. It gives clear presentation of the landscape and target, and come with great tools to help you engage with them. All this at a competitive price and with a solid warranty should it go wrong. For most of us, our shooting isn’t life or death, (unless its about dinner) and these scopes are more than adequate for those purposes. Offering a fantastic experience for a good price.

-CBM

Check out more rifle scope reviews HERE

US Optics TXH 3-18X50 Riflescope

July 8, 2024Optics, Product reviewriflescope, scope, txh, us opticscoldboremiracle

Preface

I’ve been using riflescopes since my first BB gun, I’ve always preferred them as a sight device. In more recent years I started using riflescopes from US Optics, my first one almost a decade ago was a 25x SN3 TPAL. An amazing scope that I literally abused and it never lost zero. I’ve also since had several other US Optics scopes of all kinds, you can read more about my experience with other US Optics scopes here. But today I am bringing you a brand new US Optic riflescope, and I am quite excited about it. Today’s subject is the US Optics TXH 3-18×50 riflescope.

us optics TXH 3-18x50, desert tech wlvrn bullpup

I initially saw the TXH at SHOT Show 2024, as I met with the US Optics team we nerded out over this new scope. Its hard to tell everything about a scope indoors, but I could tell enough about it to know that I needed to get it into my mountain shooting country as soon as possible.

Specifications & Features

Power	3-18X
Tube Diameter	34mm
Objective	50mm
Turret Values	1/10 MRAD
MRAD per rotation	10 MRAD
Parallax	10Yard to Infinty
Illumination	Six Red settings with off in between
Turret Locks	Push/Pull
Reticle	MHR2 First focal plane
Zero Stop	Adjustable
Magnification ring	180 degree throw with removable throw lever
Weight	35 ounces

The TXH is anticipated to hit shelves this fall, stay tuned for more info

Like most US Optics scopes, the TXH is full of great features. First off I really like the 34mm tube, as it gives maximum internal travel for shooting long-range. The popular 34mm tube is coupled with 10 MRAD turrets, which is much better than 5 or 6 MRAD turrets that are common in this price range. Smaller turret values mean you have more rotations, and its easy to get lost on which rotation of the scope you are on.

us optics txh 3-18x50 — removing the elevation turret to set the zero-stop ring (right)

Zero-stops are another feature that are meant to combat loosing track of which rotation you’re currently on. The TXH also has a zero-stop feature which makes it even easier to stay aware of your elevation settings.

Parallax and focus are done on the left side turret, with a parallax setting as low as 10 Yards. This is very nice for those that intend on using this scope for things like shooting precision rimfire. Illumination is controlled by a rheostat stacked on-top of the parallax turret. It has six power settings with an off setting in between each one.

Adjusting magnification is easily done with the included throw lever, and the ring turns 180 degrees needing only a single motion to go from three to eighteen power. This 3-18x size scope is excellent for a medium range carbine or a light precision rifle. I would feel more than adequate for engaging anything inside a kilometer with ease. The first focal plane MHR2 reticle changes size with power setting, but always gives you accurate options for measuring targets and holds.

Mounting and zeroing the TXH

Mounting the TXH was done using a ZRO Delta 34mm cantilever scope mount. I like the hand tightening fasteners, making it easy to swap from one gun to another. I torqued down the oversized screws securing the TXH into the mount. This scope was destined to end up on my Desert Tech WLVRN, so I used it for the initial host. With the scope mounted properly, I set the rifle up so I could boresight it using my tool less method.

In just a few minutes, I was shooting with the TXH. After getting the rifle and scope zeroed, it was time to set the TXH turret to zero. This was done by using the plastic tool that came with the scope, it has several flat edges similar in shape to a coin-edge. But since they are plastic, you wont damage the turret caps, or over-tighten them either.

Setting the zero-stop is done by loosening the three set-screws of the black inner ring under the turret. Rotating the ring counterclockwise until it touches the stop. Snugging the three screws back down will cause the turret to stop on that fixed point.

Shooting in the Field

With my rifle and scope combination ready for action, it was time to put it to work. Much of the shooting I planned on doing with this rifle would be part of my varmint hunting adventures. Shooting at small rodents in the high Rocky Mountains would be an excellent way to test the TXH. Picking out furry little marmots hiding in and around rocks and trees requires a sharp eye.

desert tech wlvrn, us optics txh 3-18x50 — field shooting with the TXH

As I expected, the TXH looked fantastic in the clean mountain air. The bright images were just what I expected to see, and one of the better parts of scopes in this power range. Its ability to focus on targets as close as 10-20 yards away was impressive.

As is the case with most every scope I’ve ever used, the image suffers a bit at max power. The TXH looses some of its brightness, but I find that as usual when I back the scope off slightly, I find a sweet spot.

HMR2 reticle, US Optics TXH 3-18x50 — the MHR2 reticle seen at 18X

Parallax adjustment seemed to be easy to correct, and with the image focused there was almost no aberration’s around the edges. I think I would have preferred the available EMCR reticle, as there are a couple things I would change with the MHR2 reticle. Mainly even out the spacing of sub-tensions, but I like the open center.

US Optics TXH Turrets

I have always liked US Optics turrets, more-so their domestically produced scopes. The turret design of the TXH definitely has a better design than the TS line of scopes. The turret outer ring snaps up and down to lock the setting. But the inner part of the turret only rotates. this is a much more robust design than having the whole assembly pop up and down to lock. That robust feeling translates into incredibly crisp clicks on the turret. They are so clean that you can feel and count them audibly without even looking. Furthermore, the last click as you hit zero has a different sound to it.

Speaking of the zero-stop, this one feels amazing. No sensation of compressing or tension building as you approach it. It is simply a solid stop, like a hammer hitting a rock it stops perfectly on zero every time. The internal ring of the zero-stop allows for two rotations of the turret when installed. If you remove the zero-stop, you will get full range of motion which gives a full 35-ish MRAD range.

The windage turret has five MRAD either right or left once you set it at zero. I rarely use anywhere near that much while shooting, so its more than enough for me.

Tracking the TXH

All the best scopes have accurate tracking, meaning that they actually move the amount they say they do. I’ve checked quite a few scopes over the years, and most of them have been pretty close to their actual value.

My process involves bolting the scope down to an immovable object, and then measuring the actual movement according to the turret value. Finding fixed points downrange allow you to dial the scope up and down, left and right making boxes until the crosshair returns back to the same starting point.

Dialing several box tests two revolutions from the zero-stop to max elevation and back. Additionally ten MIL’s of windage and back, the TXH rendered the same return to zero every time. And measuring the click value against a ruler proved the movements to track well within a small percent of actual. For example; if you dial 7.8 MRAD of elevation for a shot, and the actual movement is 7.791 MRAD. You probably can’t shoot well enough to notice the difference. Especially at a distance needing 7.8 MRAD of correction.

US Optics TXH 3-18x50 MHR2 reticle — testing the tracking of the US Optics TXH 3-18×50

Pros & Cons

Pros

Today we’ll start with the things I like about this scope, which are many. I don’t normally start with price, but today I will. I have a couple other scopes that are comparable in both size and performance, I recently got into a PA GLx3-18×44 for example. After heavily shooting through that scope for a season, I was very impressed particularly with the price. So when I found out that the US Optics TXH would sell for around a hundred dollars less I was astounded. While I like both of these scopes the little TXH easily walks away with the win at that price point, and not just because of the price point.

The optical performance of the TXH is fantastic. I have recently started to notice my eye’s acting their age, but even still I find the clarity of this scope to be well above its punching weight. Its clarity is partially due to the great focusability and immaculate parallax adjustment.

The design of the TXH turrets are very user friendly, and they are built for strength and apparent heavy use. Extra points for ten MIL turrets and a great zero-stop mechanism, a step up from previous versions that restricted overall turret travel. The throw-lever is a nice touch as well, making this scope very quick and controllable.

Cons

I mentioned earlier that I might prefer the EMCR reticle, I like that option over the MHR2. Not that the MHR2 reticle isn’t useful or anything, it just a preference. I doubt it will inhibit my shooting much in real world scenario.

us optics txh 3-18x50, desert tech wlvrn

Another thing I would change if I had the ability is the illumination. Scopes in the sub-thousand price range seem to all suffer from a bit of flooded reticle illumination. What I mean by that is with the whole reticle illuminated there seems to be too much. You can combat it by using a lower brightness setting, but I wish the reticle was only partially illuminated. Either way this is a small complaint, as I rarely use illumination, and if I did need it this would certainly work.

Lastly is something perhaps a little more subjective. As much as I love the turrets on this scope, I feel the control surface textures don’t match up. I wish they had made them more similar to the FDN series, just for looks I think it would have strengthened the whole brand look.

Final Thoughts on the TXH

There is no getting around imported optics these days below a certain price point. The optics market has been flooded with many good rifle scope options that are made overseas. It comes as no surprise that most optics companies are offering additional lines that are more competitively priced. This scope does an excellent job bridging the gap between the US Optics high-end domestically produced models, and less expensive imported riflescopes.

us optics TXH MHR2 reticle — I will for sure be using the US Optics TXH later this year for hunting season

The US Optics TXH 3-18×50 is from what I can tell a great option for those looking for a solid precision rifle scope for under $700. Something crazy to imagine a decade or two ago. And coming from a well-known manufacturer like US Optics makes me confident that it has been well thought out and tested. I have heard it’s likely we will see these scopes on shelves later this year, probably just in time for hunting season.

I will continue to use this scope aggressively and frequently to see how it continues to perform. If my experience with other US Optics scopes is any indicator it will have no problem doing that. Follow me to see how that journey goes, I will continue to update here with more info as time passes.

-CBM

2025 Update: I’ve spent well over a year shooting this scope now, I’ve lost track of how many different guns I have mounted this scope on, re-zeroing, and running the typical cycle of shooting. This scope has done a great job, hasn’t skipped a beat , lost zero, or mis-tracked.

Area 419 Tactical One-Piece Scope Mount

February 4, 2024Ancillary gear, Product reviewarea 419, scopecoldboremiracle

Introduction

Even the nicest rifle scope in the world must be mounted properly to function as designed. And as rifle scopes have advanced, so too have the devices we use to mount them to our rifles. An unprecedented selection of options are available to today’s sharpshooter, and today we will be taking a look at one. Area 419 is well known in the precision rifle community for manufacturing many high quality shooting products. Today’s subject is Area 419’s Tactical one-piece scope mount.

Scope Mounts

Some out there might be asking; why a one-piece scope mount over rings? It’s not a bad question, and I’ll give you my answer. A one-piece scope mount is much more rigid than a pair of scope rings. It better holds your scope in a solid position on the rifle. Added benefits are things like built in cant, and greater clamping surface on both scope and rifle interface. And perhaps one of my favorite benefits, is the ability to easily swap scopes between one rifle to another.

Un-Boxing Area 419 scope mounts

As per usual, Area 419 products come in incredibly nice packaging. These scope mounts came in a waterproof locked hard-case, much like you’d store your rifle in if it was 6 inches long. Inside the foam lined case was the scope mount, the appropriate tools needed to install it, loctite to apply to fasteners, and enough instructional material for even a chimp to mount it properly.

installation instructions were very clear and informative

The mount itself also looked immaculate. I really like the machined finished surface, and high quality coating. Even more so I like the large fasteners, something I wish more optic mounts would use. I was curious why the inside of the rings was raw aluminum, more on that later.

I looked at the base, and at first it seemed like perhaps the picatinny clamps could have been spread out a little bit more. But the more I looked at it, the less of a concern it became.

I must say, this thing looks extremely robust. Large screws holding down caps, and additionally secured and aligned by stainless dowel pins. Which I thought was an exceptional touch. The overall initial impression of these mounts was absolutely top notch.

note raw aluminum interior, and stainless steel dowel pins for alignment

Rifle Scope Installation

After playing around with these mounts for a bit, it was time to put them to work. I had a couple different ideas as far as where to use them. The first one would be on one of my heavy precision rifles, the Desert Tech SRS M2 in 338LM. I mounted a US Optics FDN25X in one of the Area 419 one-piece scope mounts, and because I’m a gear queer I added the diving board as well. The diving board attaches to the front scope ring cap, and serves as a mounting position for additional accessories. The Vortex Impact 4000 for example mounted up nicely on top of the scope, and would be right at home there. You can also mount a Wilcox Raptar fire control system with mounting holes made specifically for that device.

a US Optics FDN25X mounted in conjunction with a Vortex Impact 4000

As I mounted various scopes in the Area 419 one piece scope mounts, I quickly found out why the rings remained raw inside. If I remember correctly I was told by the manufacturer that the rings are finish machined last, for a perfectly round cut for better holding of your scope. The raw aluminum additionally creates and incredibly cohesive grip on the scope tube. So much in fact that several times while mounting scopes I found myself cursing it.

note diving board details, captured screws and threaded holes for Wilcox Raptar

When leveling a scope in the rings, we are all used to snugging the screws down while keeping the scope level. But the grip of the Area 419 rings is so impressive that even with minimal screw tension it was very difficult to move the scope. The rings grab the scope so well that even without the scope caps installed it is hard to move the scope in the mount. I can’t imagine how strong the grip must be once the rings are torqued down.

two **Eotech** optics mounted together on my **Desert Tech MDRX**

Accessory Mounting

Mounting accessories to the top of the ring cap is easy. There are two Torx screws to attach either a short pic rail section, a diving board, or one of the other accessory options. I mounted both of the options mentioned. The picatinny section is easy as can be, whereas the diving board was a touch more sensitive. The screws are captured within the diving board itself, using internal snap rings. And it is mounted using a tapered boss patented by Area 419. This requires the screws to be tightened equally as the diving board seats to the ring cap, and removed in the same fashion. Pushing the diving board up against the snap rings as the screws are loosened.

Other accessories can be mounted to the smaller screw receptacles. Area 419 makes level indicators, red dot mounts and other accessory mounts that easy screw into the side of the scope mount.

Rifle Interface

I mentioned at first that I thought maybe the picatinny clamps could have been placed wider. Maybe I’m mistaken but I like the idea of having as broad and integral mounting surface as I can. Close inspection of the picatinny clamps on the Area 419 mounts show more than enough clamping pressure and surface. Part of me thinks the bottom of the scope mount should have reciprocal picatinny teeth to better engage the rifle. But I’m also pretty sure the Area 419 engineers would have an explanation as to why they didn’t need such a feature. For such a well thought out device, I find it hard to believe they didn’t think through that idea and eliminate it.

I also found when mounting scopes to rifles that the picatinny clamp screws were a touch shorter than I would have liked. Perhaps this was done as a weight reducing measure, or to simplify the mounting. But on several different firearms I found that I had to basically remove the screws before I could get the mount onto the rifle’s pic rail. Maybe they are designed to be that way, but even if they aren’t I find it to be a very minor inconvenience.

the Area 419 mounts made a perfect fit for this **Primary Arms GLx** and **Savage Impulse 7PRC**

Once attached, it is very obvious how well these mounts work. The ability to add or remove accessories to your optic mount is easily done. And with such precise manufacturing, zero’s are easily maintained even when removing and reinstalling them.

Final Thoughts

Having used the Area 419 one piece scope mounts on several different rifles now and mounting an assortment of scopes in them, I’ve gotten a good feel for them. Rifles chambered in 338 Lapua magnum, 7mm PRC, 308 Winchester and even 223 Remington. They are another outstanding product from the good folks at Area 419, and certainly worthy of their place in the niche market of high-end precision riflery. While they are not inexpensive, they are well within their asking price for $330. Other competitors like MPA offer similar robust design for less, but with less modularity as well. You can also find other options with equivalent strength and modularity from manufacturers like Sphur , albeit for significantly more money.

Like most products I have experienced from Area 419, you simply cannot go wrong with the products or service offered. If you are looking for a quality mount for your darling new precision rifle scope, look very hard at these before passing on them.

-CBM

Read about more Area 419 products here

What is “getting scoped” and why is it an unfortunate ritual?

October 10, 2023blog, Uncategorizedriflescope, scopecoldboremiracle

You may have heard the term before, it is often some variation of getting kissed by the scope or some other colorful reference. But they typically all mean the same thing, it is caused by the eye piece of a scope hitting the shooter in the eyebrow or nose area.

The impact of the scope is caused by the recoil of the firearm. It can cause anything from a red spot, to outright bleeding or a black eye.

This **Remington 700** does not feature a muzzle device, but it does have a heavier barrel, and chambered in the low recoiling **308 Winchester**

What Causes it?

The cause of this phenomenon is a simple result of physics. As a firearm fires a projectile from the muzzle, it produces recoil pushing the whole weapon towards your shoulder. The force at which it comes at you depends entirely on a few things. The biggest factor is usually the size of the cartridge and the energy it produces.

The bigger the force pushed forward by the cartridge, the larger the force will be coming back at you. This can be arbitrated somewhat by other factors, such as the weight of the firearm in question.

Why is it a hunting ritual?

Probably the biggest reason getting scoped occurs is due to a lack of practice. Proper shooting practices include recoil management. Holding a rifle or shotgun properly in order to control the recoil as you pull the trigger. For many gun owners, shooting a scoped and heavy recoiling gun may not be as frequent as plinking with their preferred firearm.

A very typical case is this one; A person can shoot frequently and in high volumes with one rifle. But perhaps when hunting season rolls around each fall, they pull out their preferred hunting rifle. Which may be of a large caliber, and frequently a light-weight firearm.

Since many hunters only shoot a few rounds a year (at least from their hunting weapon). They run the risk of being unfamiliar with its recoil. And when you couple that to a heated hunting moment, where you have worked hard to get into a shooting position.

You often have to make a quick shot, and it’s easy to forget your recoil management or hold the gun in just such a way that it kicks you right in the eyebrow. We’ve all seen the hunting pics where a grinning hunter smiles behind a set of antlers with blood running down their nose.

How to avoid it

As mentioned above, proper recoil management is the best way to avoid getting scoped. Properly seating the rifle against your shoulder and doing so in the correct position will greatly reduce your chances of redecorating your eyebrows.

Other ways you can protect yourself from the shame of scope eye is to use mechanical aids, such as a muzzle brake. Brakes reduce felt recoil by redirecting the high-pressure gasses from the muzzle. Deflecting at an angle that reduces the recoil that is felt by the shooter. Some folks use gun-vises, something I don’t encourage for good reason.

A gun-vise holds a rifle and takes up much of the felt recoil for the shooter, but in doing so they affect the way the gun recoils and can change your point of impact as compared to shooting without the vise. This could easily cause a miss in the field when you least expect it. So unless you plan on hunting from your gun vise, it is perhaps more harmful than helpful.

Another good option to avoid mockery by your shooting companions is to avoid some monster caliber in the first place. Much of the hunting done in North America takes place inside three-hundred yards. Animals like white-tail deer and comparable animals do not need a 300 Ultra Magnum to effectively and ethically take them.

A Soft Option

There are plenty of softer-shooting cartridges with more than enough power to take game animals without rearranging your face. The way your firearm is configured can greatly affect the way it recoils. A heavier gun will require more energy to push it back. Therefore a heavier gun will recoil less than a comparable gun of lesser weight.

This **Savage model 12** is outfitted with a **muzzle brake** to reduce recoil to a very comfortable impulse

You can apply any or all these methods to avoid getting scoped, but recoil management is the most important. It is part of the foundation of good shooting, so don’t jump immediately to mechanical aids until you master the basics. A good hold tight in your shoulder pocket, and a good cheek weld, will keep the gun from recoiling more than the distance your brow needs to stay safe.
We should also mention length of pull and scope mounting. Your firearm should be setup with a proper length buttstock, and proper eye relief to keep your eye a safe distance from a recoiling scope. If it doesn’t fit you, you’re asking for trouble.

Conclusion

If you’ve made it this far in life without getting scoped, chances are you are doing things right. And if you are one of those in the exclusive “Split-brow” club, you probably learned how to avoid it the hard way.

If you’re somewhere in between these two groups, I encourage you to employ the tactics we’ve discussed here. Continue your shooting endeavors so that perhaps someday your unscarred face might grace this publication.

-CBM