Tag Archives: scope

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.

mule deer, Patriot Valley Arms Modus rifle, 6.5 PRC, US Optics TXH 3-18x50 — deer season from 2024, the TXH worked perfectly on this PVA Modus 6.5 PRC rifle

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

Like this? Try this one…

US Optics TS25X Precision rifle scope

March 25, 2023Optics, Product reviewriflescope, scope, ts, ts25x, us opticscoldboremiracle

Introduction

You have probably seen some of my opinions on other US Optics rifle scopes, but today we are going to talk about another one. The Tactical Sport line of optics from US Optics is a more affordable line of optics. And in my opinion, they are a great choice for someone who needs a good repeatable riflescope without going broke. Today we test one of those scopes, the US Optics TS25X .

The TS25X

**Solid scope mounts like this one are outstanding**

Today’s subject is the TS25X, it is a 5-25 power riflescope built on a 30mm tube. The 25X is the highest magnification scope in the TS line, but the TS20X scope has a 34mm tube. While I think I prefer the 34mm tube the TS25X is still a great option for various applications. The objective of the 25X is a 50mm to gather enough light to present a clear image, and the side-focus parallax adjustment is on the left side of the turret housing as we have come to expect.

The TS25X mounted on the **Bergara HMR 6.5CM**

Most of the controls and features will be very familiar to most shooters, the ocular lens adjustment can be focused by turning the rubberized ring at the back of the scope. The five MRAD turrets have a locking feature, they must be popped up to rotate. This helps avoid accidental turning of the turrets when moving. I prefer turrets that use at least ten MRAD per rotation, but considering the size and price of this scope its not a big deal to me. Inside the erector of the 25X sits the JVCR reticle, this has become my favorite US Optics reticle and I use it in all my US Optics scopes. It gives plenty of holdover and windage points to use for corrections, and not so much as to become cluttered like many other can. The reticle is illuminated red by rotating the rheostat on the outside of the side-focus knob with six brightness settings.

Purposes for the TS25X

The TS25X in the hunting field mounted to a Ruger American

I’ve been running this scope for over a year now, and I’ve gotten a good feel for what its capabilities are. I love shooting, and I’ve found that this little scope can be an excellent tool in various shooting applications. Whether you are going to use it for long-range target shooting, competitive shooting, or more traditional purposes like hunting.

I mounted the TS25X in both Warne and Vortex rings

I have used the TS25X for all of the above and it has served me well. In fact I have used the 25X as sort of a gap-filling scope, one that I have swapped back and forth from one rifle to another. Mounting and dismounting from an assortment of rings and mounts, zeroing and re-zeroing it over and over again. It has done very well in this role, and has performed as well as I could have hoped.

Field Use

The 5-25 power of the TS25X is an excellent range for multipurpose use in the shooting field. Like most scopes the maximum power tends to be a little darker and some resolution is lost, but that is easily remedied by maxing out at something like 21 or 22X. The 25X went on many hunts with us over the past year, as well as many different rifle reviews. The five MRAD turrets work great, but they can be easier to accidentally be off by a revolution. I’ve had that happen before with this and other similar scopes, it’s just something that happens. I ended up putting a piece of tape under the elevation turret to show where actual zero is to avoid it happening again. I can simply look to see if the bottom of the turret is flush with the tape, and if I see a gap then I’m one turn off.
The JVCR reticle in the scope is very handy for measuring your misses, there are just the right amount of subtensions to be able to measure a correction.
I have been impressed by the durability of this little scope, it has been dialed up and down as much any scope has rights to, clamped in rings over and over again and at least one time too hard. And after all the swapping and dialing it just keeps on ticking, and the hits keep coming.

Hunting

The twenty-seven ounce scope is a great option for a hunting rifle, and it has spent a good deal of time mounted to hunting rifles in my time with it. We have used it to take several mule deer here in the Rocky Mountains, and I would have felt every confidence that it would continue to perform in the ice cold weather of winter too.

After having spent a whole year using this scope across multiple different semi-auto and bolt action rifles, I can tell you with confidence that it is a great little scope. I wouldn’t go as far as to say I have abused it, but I have certainly used it harder than many folks will. So if you are looking for a riflescope with features like these, I can recommend the TS25X to you with confidence.

-CBM

The TS25X did some time on my **TIkka T3** as well

Burris Veracity PH 4-20X50 riflescope

March 15, 2023Optics, Product reviewburris, riflescope, scope, veracity phcoldboremiracle

Introduction

Being a sucker for nice optics, I enjoy exceptional riflescopes from both American and European manufacturers. But I really want to buy American-made optics as much as I can.

burris veracity ph review mounted on desert tech srs m2

Burris is a well-known American optics manufacturer that has recently teamed up with optics stalwart Steiner Optics. Being a fan of both, I was excited to review the new Burris Veracity PH 4-20X50.

The Veracity is Burris’s premier hunting scope line, and the PH model is at the top of that line.

The Veracity PH incorporates Burris’s PĒK elevation turret, an electronic programmable and mechanical hybrid adjustment turret. Housed inside the 30mm tube of the PH, you will also find a digital Heads-up-display (HUD) that gives you all the information as you look through the scope.

The reticle is in the first focal plane, which always represents the indicated values regardless of magnification.
A traditional side-focus/parallax adjustment is on the scope’s left side; on the right, you will find a capped windage knob. Since hunters typically utilize the MOA scale instead of the MRAD one, it makes sense to have built the Veracity PH in MOA.

The reticle inside the Veracity was built for holding wind corrections with graduated windage marks.

The Veracity PH promises to give hunters a rapid and accurate firing solution for long-range hunting scenarios. Often when pursuing animals, there is little time to make corrections for distance. The PH allows users to use either MOA come-ups or have the actual distance shown rapidly in the internal HUD.

I can think of several scenarios over the past couple decades of hunting where that would have been very helpful. Hunting open country and long-range has been my bread and butter for at least that long, so I figured it would be a good place to put this scope to the test.

My initial impressions of the Veracity PH are pretty positive, it looks good, feels solid, and the optical quality seemed on par for its price.

I was pleased with the simplicity of the Bluetooth intercourse and integration with the Burris Connect app used to control the Veracity PH.

BURRIS VERACITY PH REVIEW

As a hunting scope for long-range hunters, the Veracity PH provides fast information for making quick shots.

Technology like rangefinders and ballistic computers have greatly increased the potential for making longer shots with predictability. The Burris Veracity PH was made to capitalize on those advances, and bring some of this technology aboard your riflescope.

With uploadable ballistic profiles, you can put the data right into your scope. These profiles carry bullet drop and windage deflection rates.

This is necessary when making longer shots to correct for distance and atmospheric changes around you. Having this data in your scope is a great advantage for long-range hunters in wide-open country.

If you are more of a bean-field hunter, where shots may not exceed two to three hundred yards, it’s probably more of a novelty than a necessity.

SPECIFICATIONS

Power	5X
Magnification	4-20
Objective	50mm
Tube Diameter	30mm
Reticle	PTC Wind MOA reticle
Illumination	yes
Turret Graduation	¼ MOA
Focal Plane	First focal
Length	15 inches
Weight	27.2 ounces

PROS & CONS

PROS

Made in America by Americans
Aggressively priced
Good optical quality
First focal plane
Heads up display (I mean C’mon!)
Internal level
Bluetooth connection with free downloadable app
Includes sunshade and flip caps
Zero stop elevation turret

CONS

Elevation PĒK turret is stiffer than I would like
I really wish there was an MRAD version
Wouldn’t mind a few more elevation subtensions on the reticle

jeff wood burris veracity ph test long range shooting

FIELDING THE VERACITY PH

I’ve had a few experiences with Burris optics over the years, and they have all been good ones. So I was eager to open up the Veracity PH package and get it into shooting condition as soon as possible.

My plan was to replace the Steiner T6X that I was currently running on my Desert Tech SRS M2. It is essentially the big brother to the Veracity, made in the same Colorado factory.

I mounted the Veracity in a Nightforce scope mount and leveled it on the rifle. It was during this process that I discovered one of the technological gadgets on the Burris scope; the internal level was not showing level compared to my bubble level, or my eye for that matter.

I assumed something was wrong, but after booting up the Burris connect app, I found the calibration procedure for the internal bubble level. You can zero the level on the scope physically using traditional procedures and then zero the internal digital level.

Before I’d even done that, I of course installed the two CR2450 lithium batteries that power the Veracity by loosening the battery cap on the side of the scope.

With the scope leveled and torqued down, I bore-sighted it looking out the window at the mountains above. Like most scopes, the PH turrets have three allen screws around the top to loosen the turret and reset them back to zero after getting the rifle sighted in.

I appreciated the capped windage turret since I rarely dial wind; I prefer to hold it instead. The Wind MOA reticle inside the scope was perfect for that.

Once I was on my range, I fired a few shots to adjust the zero of the rifle, and then it was time to see how this thing performed.

Before leaving the house, I had downloaded the ballistic profile of the ammunition I planned on shooting. It was easily added to the PH’s heads-up display, and using the app, I could select to have the HUD show either the actual MOA correction or the equivalent distance to the MOA dialed.

Again this seems like a very handy tool for hunters since you can upload your data, and after proofing it with the scope, it’s as easy as dialing the distance.

I’m not always a fan of “just dial the number” systems such as caliber/ballistic custom turrets because, typically, they do not allow for atmospheric changes and other common variations. The Veracity PH system, however, when used with the Connect App, allows you to update density altitude (DA) and other important factors to increase the accuracy of the firing solution.

It was time to stretch the rifle and scope combo out and see how all this tech lined up in an actual shot. The first thing I noticed when dialing the scope out for a longer shot was how stiff the elevation turret was.

I might have blamed it on the extreme cold that day, but it was just as stiff sitting on my kitchen table earlier that morning. I guess you could consider this a positive in some ways because the turret is unlikely to get accidentally turned before you make a shot. But even if it did, as you looked through the scope to make the shot, you could see if the elevation had been moved via the HUD inside.

I also noticed, to my surprise, that there were no clicks on the turret, a feature so common on riflescopes that it startled me. But due to the 1/10 MOA sensitivity of the turret, the clicks are unnecessary. You can see either on the turret housing or by the HUD inside what the turret is set to.

The focus/parallax adjustment on the side of the scope on the other hand is very smooth and easy to adjust. The variable 4-20 power magnification is an excellent choice for hunting and long-range hunting in my opinion, allowing for close up shots under one hundred yards or long shots as far as you have the skill to make.

Twenty power magnification is plenty for making shots as far as a thousand yards in my opinion, and it wasn’t long before we were doing just that with the Veracity PH.

The magnification adjustment ring was also easy to adjust, adding to my ability to zoom out to find targets, and right back in to engage them. With the scoped zoomed out to the four power setting, the reticle detail became quite fine, almost fine enough to lose its value.

Not a huge concern in my opinion because chances are if you are shooting at an animal at four power, it is likely going to be quite close and won’t require using reticle subtensions. The tapered reticle posts that thin as they approach the center also create a very natural point of aim that also reduces the importance of the center reticle details.

We fired a bunch of shots that afternoon, closely mimicking the same kinds of shots we would have taken on deer in these very same canyons. The Veracity PH made it very easy to move from one target to the next, and not much was getting away from me at that point.

Click here to continue reading

RELIABILITY

The Veracity PH was quite reliable during my tests.

If I were to anticipate a failure it would likely be of the electronic portions of the scope simply because it is new technology being used for the first time. It’s good to know that even if the electronic features of the scope were to fail completely from something like a dead battery, everything you need to make a good shot is still there.

And should something fail, it’s nice to know that Burris stands behind their product with an excellent warranty.

ACCURACY

The PĒK elevation turret measures movement of the turret down to 1/10th of an MOA, making it much more sensitive to movement than what we are used to.

I mounted the scope to a solid base, and measured the actual movement vs. what it said it was moving and it was quite accurate in its movement.

OVERALL FEEL

The Veracity PH feels like a great little scope. It keeps the handsome looks of a classic riflescope while incorporating some really cool technology inside.

Other scopes that have incorporated electronics like this have resulted in a turd looking finished product. I applaud Burris for not making that mistake here.

FEATURES

PĒK TURRET

Probably the most defining feature of the Veracity PH, I found the turret to be very handy other than the resistance mentioned earlier.

The ability to use the solid zero-stop is very handy for those in stressful shooting situations like hunting. Connected to the HUD inside, these features can make shooting far on the fly quite doable.

HEADS UP DISPLAY

The internal Heads Up Display is an outstanding little feature, allowing you to see all the pertinent data from the shooting position without taking your eyes off your target which will likely be moving.

You can get an estimated wind hold, the elevation or distance setting to hit the target, and level up your rifle all without taking your eyes off the scope. The only outside information needed would come from a rangefinder.

BURRIS CONNECT APP

The Burris Connect App allows you to connect to and update data within your Veracity PH riflescope.

It is easily downloaded for free, and I found it pretty easy to navigate and update information with the app. Ballistic profiles for various bullets could be selected and adjusted with real data after shooting, and you could true the data by adjusting data points in the app.
Once you had a good profile for your ammunition, it was as easy as turning on the bluetooth connection on the Veracity PH and tapping the “upload settings” button in the app. This uploads that profile to the scope which then lines up perfectly with the displayed information in the HUD.

You can also use the connect app to adjust other settings like zeroing the level indicator once installed. Other functions like selecting incline compensation, zeroing the elevation turret, the timeout for the HUD, and the auto-off time for the scope to save battery life.

HOW WE TESTED

After uploading my ammunition profile to the Veracity PH, it was easy to shoot the rifle at various distances.

I’m typically a guy who simply dials corrections for distance, but with the ability to true the drop-chart in the app, I actually found it quite pleasant to use the scope in the impact distance setting.

Much like the custom turrets were sold to us years ago as a; just dial the distance and shoot, you actually can just dial the distance and shoot with this scope.

After truing up the ballistic data in the app, it was deadly close at most ranges I shot. I could simply hit the target with my rangefinder and dial the distance it came back with.

While this might be a change for some of us and our practices, it is an easy change in practice and will surely speed up the process for many people. For several hours I found myself simply picking out different targets all across the deep snowy canyon and engaging them individually.

The Wind MOA reticle has plenty of good hold points for offsetting the wind, which I found to be very helpful as the wind and distance changed during the day. But I found that the reticle’s elevation holdover points were significantly fewer. This makes sense, though, as theoretically, most if not all elevation will be counted for with the turret.

Maybe I’m just old school, but I like to have options; when measuring targets with the reticle, I found myself having to use the horizontal windage marks to try and measure vertical targets since there weren’t enough vertical marks to do so. Again, this is not a huge deal, just something I noticed.

burris veracity ph test on desert tech srs m2

SCORE CARD

RELIABILITY (10/10)

I experienced no failures during testing

ERGONOMICS (8/10)

Everything felt great except for the elevation turret

CUSTOMIZATION (9/10)

Some very cool features with the connect app. I wish there was an MRAD version and perhaps the connectivity to allow drop tables from other ballistic apps

APPEARANCE (10/10)

Good looking scope with all the right curves.

VALUE (10/10)

I was actually blown away that this scope was priced at $1200 MSRP, but even more seeing it go for $999 in the market. I figured any scope with an internal digital display was going to cost at least $1500 or more.

ACCESSORIES

BURRIS SIGNATURE 2000 LASER RF

I got to use the Burris Signature 2000 laser rangefinder, which worked out to be a great companion to the Veracity PH. The 7X Signature 2000 rangefinder is rated to reach 2400 yards, which is pretty good for most hunters as they will not need that much range.

Whether you use this one or another rangefinder, you definitely want one to fully take advantage of the Veracity’s capabilities.

Shop Burris Optics Here

CONCLUSION

I must say I was very pleased with the Burris Veracity PH. It was one pleasant surprise after another. The scope was optically excellent, or at least better than its price-point, I would say.

The features were outstanding, even though I would have changed some slightly to suit my personal taste better. I think the Veracity PH is designed with the average long-range hunter in mind, and I think it’s a perfect fit for them.

It brings a pretty impressive technology suite to a good riflescope that is competitively priced. And so far as I can tell, it seems to do everything it claims to do. Most notably, reducing the activities between spotting my game and hitting it.

This scope gets me even more excited than normal for hunting season to come back around. With technology creeping into everything we do, what are your thoughts on the Burris Veracity PH?

-CBM

Kahles K318i Ultrashort precision rifle scope

June 14, 2022Optics, Product reviewk318i, kahles, riflescope, scopecoldboremiracle

Introduction

When I was a child, I spent a good amount of time under the tutelage of my Grandfather. One of the many things I spent time doing with grandpa was shooting, he always made it fun and ensured that I came away having learned something. The very first time I heard the name Kahles, it was uttered my my grandpa, and probably like most Americans in the early eighties he pronounced it wrong. He said it just like you’d expect a cowboy raised in the desert would: Kales.
All these years later, I’ve managed to become quite familiar with Kahles and their high-quality riflescopes. Something I think grandpa would have enjoyed.

Shopping for Kahles 318i?

The K318 mounted on a Surgeon Scalpel 300WM

The K318i riflescope

Kahles is one of the oldest riflescope manufacturers in the world, so it should come as no surprise that they make a good product. They have taken over the competitive rifle circuit like a storm over the last ten years or so, and with good reason. The Kahles K318i is a more recent development from Kahles, its short length I can only assume was designed to be competitive with other short scopes from several other manufacturers. The short length of the scope makes it a perfect match for a rifle you may want to keep a little more compact. This without giving up much if any performance.

The K318i is a 6X variable zoom optic, it utilizes a thirty-four millimeter tube with a fifty millimeter objective. The K318i utilizes many of the same features found in other top-tier Kahles scopes; features like first-focal-plane reticles, MOA & MRAD models, an illuminated reticle, and the ability to choose which side of the scope you want the windage turret on. And the choice of which direction you want said turret to rotate. Quite a few options there if you are a finicky shooter, I myself am pretty easy going, so however it comes to me is perfectly suitable.
The reticle itself is also an option you can select, mine came with the SKMR2 which I think is just about as good as you can get. But there are other options as well if this one doesn’t meet your fancy.

Perhaps the most curious feature of this an other Kahles scopes is the position of the parallax adjustment. The adjustment knob is at the twelve o’clock position underneath the elevation turret itself. A larger knob with clear printed settings makes it very easy to set the parallax for whatever shot you might need to make.

Other features like a zero-stop and turret rotation indicator are also very handy, the indicator is a small red pin that pops up on the top of the turret giving the shooter both a visible and tactile indication of which rotation of the turret you are on. The elevation turret itself is a boastful sixteen MRAD per turn, which decreases the likelihood of missing your rotation anyways. It also allows the majority of practical shooting to be done without ever going into the second rotation of the turret.

There is one last cunning feature, which is Kahles’ Twist-Guard windage turret. A free-spinning end to the turret prevents the turret from being inadvertently turned when rubbing or pushed into something such as a barricade.

In the Field

I’ve run many a Kahles scopes over the years, but I was just a little excited to see how this newer model looked. I have always been impressed with the optical clarity of Kahles scopes, and I was curious to see what this little 318 had in store for me. I’ve lost track of how many different rifles this scope has ridden in the last year, but they were not just a few. Like any good scope should, the Kahles was easily transferred back and forth, rezeroed, bore-sighted, torqued, over and over again. And it has never skipped a beat.

For a time the scope directed fire for my 257 Blackjack, a mostly carbon fiber rifle with a sharp recoil impulse that is lightning on animals. It also spent some time on my Desert Tech SRS M2, getting a large variety of testing on various calibers like 300 and 338 Norma. In more recent adventures the chubby little Kahles was the scope of choice for my Tikka T3 TACT A1 in .260 Remington, which made an unstoppable combination. At the moment the scope is mounted on a Bergara BMP 6.5 Creedmoor where it has been for the last month or two. Wherever I put the K318 it seems to shine, I love the moderate magnification range. I rarely set my scopes above 16X unless I am looking at or shooting something really far out there. For average everyday shooting inside a thousand yards I find the 3-18X range to be ideal.

Picking out small targets on distant hillsides is not hard with the bright and clear image from this scope. The impressive transfer of the image from across the canyon to my retina comes with great ease. The eye-box is plenty forgiving for my taste, I’ve only used it on one rifle that didn’t have an adjustable comb. Nevertheless I always found the scope easy to get behind, and very quick to ascertain a good full image.
Shooting the K318 in the field I was quickly enamored with the turret tension and detents, just easy enough to turn without becoming a problem. And the clicks are crisp and audible, I can almost feel it in my cheek-bone as I look through the scope. The zero-stop on Kahles scopes has always befuddled me, there is always four clicks under zero. Perhaps there is a reason to which I’m not privy, but it seems like it would be better to just stop at zero.
The illumination turret is opposite the windage turret on the erector housing, it is a variable rheostat so there are no numbered settings like many other brands. The brightness of the reticle increases as the knob is turned. The SKMR2 reticle is particularly useful for field shooting, where corrections and holdovers are needed. With .1, .2, .5, and 1.0 MRAD subtensions to use for various measuring purposes, and even-numbered graduations for those significant hold-points.

Pros & Cons

I know it says pros & cons just now, but I have had a hard time finding anything to hold against this scope. With a street price around $3350.00 I guess you could say the cost is a bit of a challenge for many people, but if you are in the market for a scope like this you probably were ready for that price before you got here. Being that the 5-25X sibling to this scope is only an additional $200, it almost seems a premium to pay this much for “less” scope, but again I think prospective shoppers for these scopes know what they are getting into. The K318 is no lightweight, at just over 33 ounces it is heavier than many of its competitors. But said competitors also don’t boast as many feathers in their cap either.
Pretty much everything else about the scope is as advertised, the very robust turrets are accurate and repeatable. The optical clarity is as good as any scope I’ve ever used, particularly with lower light conditions. Granted, the lower power range tends to give the appearance of brighter image than comparable larger magnification scopes. Generous adjustments and solid construction just seem to make this scope feel bulletproof.

Final comments

If you haven’t gotten on the Kahles train, its worth your time even if it’s just for a few stops. I think there is good reason and evidence as to why so many competitors and pro’s use the Kahles line of precision optics, I’ve run this scope all over the mountains, and I’m not easy on equipment. The scopes perform like a professional scope should, I think that whether you are engaging steel targets in world class competition or shooting with lives on the line, you will be happy with this one. The short and compact K318i will likely never leave my collection, its just that good.

-CBM

Optics: First Focal Plane vs Second Focal Plane

May 19, 2022blogFfp, first focal plane, front focal plane, Optics, riflescope, scope, second focal plane, sfpcoldboremiracle

Introduction

I may certainly be biased in my thinking, but I think that first focal plane riflescopes are perhaps the best development of the last couple decades. Sure they existed before then, but they have only become prevalent to the general shooting public over the last ten or fifteen years. Before we get too deep into the subject, lets make sure we both understand what this subject is about. So we are on the same plane so to speak.

This is the **US Optics TS8X**, a front focal plane LPVO

Focal Planes

No, I’m not talking about an aluminum lifting body flying through the atmosphere, I’m talking about a point of focus used in your shooting. When you look through a scope and see the magnified image of the target, you are looking through several lenses inside the scope. A first focal plane scope (often called a front focal plane) has the reticle placed effectively before the magnification.

A second focal plane riflescope as you might imagine has the reticle placed after the magnification feature of the scope. These two different construction techniques allow for two differing functions. Most of us have likely used the more traditional second focal plane scope. When the magnification ring is turned and the scope zooms in or out, the reticle remains unchanged. For most of the past, with simple duplex or crosshair reticles, this wasn’t a big deal as the only relevant point on the reticle was the tiny intersecting point at the middle.

The view from a **Crimson Trace FFP scope**

As reticle technology has grown over the years, additional points (subtensions) of hold have been added to our reticles. These additional reticle markings are for measuring hits and misses as well as holding wind corrections and holdovers. This is only relevant to the discussion in that the values of these additional points can change when used in a second focal plane optic. In a first focal plane scope, the reticle is magnified with the image. As the scope zooms in, both the target and the reticle increase in perceived size. The advantage to this lens configuration is that the reticle values stay the same regardless of what magnification the scope is set to. Second focal plane reticles typically register full value when they are at their maximum magnification.

Which is Better for long-range?

Despite a revolutionary change towards front focal plane scopes, one is not necessarily better than the other. Its simply based on the user’s preference or purpose. Both types of riflescopes have their pros and cons, so better is not the way to look at it. For example, if you are shooting extreme long range (ELR) competitions then you likely would prefer the finer size of a second focal plane reticle on a target that is three-thousand yards away. And on the other hand, if you are shooting a PRS Match where you have to quickly call your own shots and make corrections at varying ranges it helps to have your subtensions uniform regardless of magnification setting. So while some folks will try to convince you that one is better, keep in mind what you plan to do with the scope.

Some folks favor SFP scopes for their **hunting rifle scope**

Pros and Cons

To help you better make a choice between these two scope configurations, I’ll discuss a few of the pros and cons of either selection. First focal plane scopes as I mentioned keep the reticle values intact regardless of what magnification setting you use, this comes at an additional expense. Many manufacturers offer near identical scopes in both FFP and SFP, with the latter being the more affordable option. If reticle usage isn’t part of your routine then this may not be a justified expense. Whereas if you use reticles frequently, it is well worth the added cost.

As I mentioned above, reticle thickness can be a downside to FFP scopes depending on the reticle design. As the reticle increases in size with magnification it can obscure the target or aiming point. Second focal plane scopes don’t have this issue as the reticle is always the same size. They also don’t become so fine as to become illegible at lower power. If you have poor eyesight or other issues related to reticle size, you may be better off with a SFP scope.

A traditional Winchester model 70 with an **FFP scope** and **Warne Rings**

If you are looking for a very high magnification optic like a 5-50X, you will find that nearly all of them are SFP, their reticles would otherwise disappear at low power, or cover up a truck at maximum power.
If you do use your reticle for measuring hits, misses, and range features with a second focal plane reticle, you may need to refresh your math skills. Using a SFP reticle to measure things at any magnification besides its calibrated setting will require you to calculate the actual value based off the magnification setting and the measurement with the reticle. Some people like math but they should not be trusted.

Shop all riflescopes at Euro Optic

Conclusion

There is no wrong or right answer when it comes to focal planes, there is only an evaluation of their applications. Things such as engagement distances and moving targets should surely be considered when deciding which way to go. I have fully embraced the FFP revolution that has occurred these past years, and I think the huge increase in FFP market share tells that I am not alone. The rapid expansion of long-range shooting and related competition has likely driven the trend.

Whether you are a competitive shooter, a military or law enforcement sniper, or just a redneck hunter with serious intentions, the FFP scopes of today can give you an edge that shooters of the past would lust after. But that’s not to say SFP scopes are inferior, as the brilliant shooters of the past have shown us.

-CBM

SAI Optics 1-6X24 LVPO Riflescope

May 5, 2022Optics, Product reviewarmament technology inc, SAI 1-6, SAI optics, scopecoldboremiracle

Introduction

The only thing I like more than rifles, is riflescopes. If I could I would probably have two or three scopes for every rifle, each of my different purposes would utilize a different optic. I often make the comparison to women’s shoe collections; this scope might go well for a sunny day and a pair of jeans, and this other scope might be better for a dimly lit walk on the cabin porch.
But to stay on topic, today I want to focus on another great little optic that scope addicts like myself will enjoy. And that scope is the SAI Optics 1-6X24 LVPO Riflescope from Armament Technology Inc. (ATI), the same people that bring you the Elcan Specter and Tangent Theta.
With a heritage like that, I expected the SAI 6 to be a home run optic for a battle rifle-type sight.

The SAI 6 is a one to six low power variable optic (LVPO), the one power setting is to be used much like iron sights or a red dot sight. The six power maximum is designed to be utilized in a longer range engagement, with the rest of the power spectrum to be utilized at the shooter’s discretion as needed.

Buy your own little SAI 1-6 here

The scope features a calibrated drop compensating reticle called the RAF (Rapid Aiming Feature), it is available with drop curves for both 5.56 and 7.62 ammunition. The reticle is mounted in the first focal plane of the riflescope, this allows the reticle values to stay constant regardless of magnification setting. All this is mounted inside the thirty-millimeter tube, and MRAD erector housing.
The SAI 6 has many features very similar to other LVPO riflescopes, such as an adjustable diopter on the eyepiece, and a twenty-four millimeter objective lens. But it also has some features that set it apart, such as an included anti-reflection device that threads to the front of the scope. And seeing as how Armament Technologies Inc. also owns Tenebraex scope flipcaps, they also include the highest quality flipcaps to protect the SAI 6 from getting damaged or dirty.

The SAI 1-6 mounted on my Desert Tech MDRX

Another very welcome add-on was the tethered scope caps, a soft rubber-like tether captures both the elevation and windage turret caps. This is very handy when zeroing the rifle, as the turret caps never leave the riflescope, avoiding loss or damage.

The SAI 6 has set parallax at one-hundred yards, which is a good compromise for up close as well as distant aiming. The left turret houses the rheostat and battery that controls the illumination settings for the illuminated reticle, with ten power settings with an off setting in between. The scope’s finish is a very tasteful shade of FDE, adding yet another shade of FDE to mismatch your already multicolored rifles.

First impressions

As I lifted the scope from its box and straight to my eye, I was floored with how clean it looked. The apparent true 1X made looking through the scope completely effortless at one power, using both eyes open there was no aberration nor forcing the eyes to focus together. With the scope zoomed in to six power, the reticle detail became much more apparent, as did everything behind it. The clarity and quality of the image in this little scope is immaculate.
At six power I looked at the reticle to evaluate its utility. Off to the left of center is a range bracket series, which allows the shooter to quickly estimate the distance to a thirty-inch target or full-size IPSC target which silhouettes a human torso and head. Below the center of the reticle there is a familiar “Christmas Tree” type drop grid with accompanying windage holds that are progressively wider as distance increases.

In addition to the windage marks on the horizontal posts there is a curious “X” shape surrounding the center of the reticle, I found this design to be very handy particularly with the reticle illuminated. The X tapers to the center of the reticle and reminds me of a twentieth century space sci-fi film heads up display, like the image of young Skywalker’s X-wing being targeted by a Tie-fighter. It does so without blocking out much of the target like some of the Chevron or horseshoe reticles do.

Mounting the SAI 6

Enough about the reticle for now, it was time to get this Canadian beauty into a set of rings so I could shoot with it. I chose an ADM 30mm scope mount for this scope, as it would easily facilitate rapid movement between the several rifles I intended on shooting. With the scope plumb and torqued, I mounted it up on my Desert Tech MDRX and headed to my Rocky Mountain hide.
I bore-sighted the rifle and fired a few shots. It was then that I first removed the tethered turrets from the scope, underneath I found some very clean a solid looking adjustments.

Shooting with the SAI 6

The SAI 1-6 mounted in an American Defense mount

The turrets were easily adjusted using just my fingers, and after a few corrections I was zeroed. My MDRX was chambered in 223 that day, so I set to shooting with the SAI 6 to see how the drop corrections lined up. I’m not a huge fan of calibrated reticles, inasmuch as they are only calibrated for a specific ammunition and atmosphere.

That said, they can be very close in many occasions, and even if they are not one need only figure out the true value of the drop points. For example the SAI 6 has drop points for three, five, seven, and eight hundred yards. While they may not be perfect, the three-hundred might actually be two-hundred and eighty yards. And the seven hundred may not be exactly seven-hundred, but more like seven-fifty.

Shop SAI Optics on Scopelist

The important part is that you figure this out using the ammunition you use most frequently, and keep the atmosphere in mind.
The drop points on the RAF reticle were very useful, and not so thick as to obscure the target area. I was able to use them for engaging targets out to six-hundred yards, and the wind hold-off’s were also very handy to counter the effects of wind downrange.

I also mounted the scope on a typical AR-15 type rifle, where I was able to repeat the process of zeroing the scope, and engaging a bunch of different targets. One thing that stood out as I shot was the outstanding view through the SAI 6. Regardless of power setting it has a beautiful image that is very useful for identifying targets and seeing hits and misses.

ATI manufactures at throw lever or “cat-tail” as many call them that gives the user more purchase for quickly adjusting the magnification setting of the scope. Also while speaking of accessories, the ARD shade that came with the scope is very handy at keeping sun out of your scope, and protecting the objective lens. But like most honeycomb type ARD’s, it also robs the scope of some light, and reduces the image somewhat. This is not a big deal, but something you should know if you plan on using it.

Conclusion

The SAI 6 has an MSRP of $1290.00 which sure seems like an easier sale than its closest two competitors. I have used both the Vortex Razor 1-6 and the Sig Sauer Tango 6, and I really like both of them. But the SAI 6 comes in at a lower price and for me the reticle seals the deal. (If you want to shop more Sig Sauer Optics, click here)

If you are looking for an LVPO or battle rifle sight like this, you would be foolish not to look into the SAI 6. The only thing I would change if I had a wish was to make it into a 1-8, as I like to have a few more X’s in case things get far away. Or even better, if ATI is listening, how about a 34mm version 1-10x? Then I would be happy to have both of them.

-CBM