Introduction
The Mueller Optics Tac II rifle scope came out to fill a purpose between tactical shooting and everyday hunting. That idea has been revisited now with Mueller’s new 2.5-10×44 Tac III. Today we are taking a look at one of these scopes, to see how it fits into the dual roles. We’ll test the scope on various rifles, and bring you our best informed opinion on it. With that said, lets get into the review of the Mueller Optics 2.5-10×44 Tac III.
Mueller optics 2.5-10×44 Tac III
The Tac III riflescope has received so significant upgrades. Starting on the foundation of a 30mm tube, which has become the minimum standard for tactical riflescopes. The larger tube supports a 44mm objective lens, which is a little smaller than many tactical scopes. Perhaps for a lower profile.
Inside the scope you will find a first focal plane reticle, which means the reticle will change size depending on the magnification setting. This has become a conspicuous trait of tactical scopes, as it allows quicker use of the reticle for measuring downrange details. And using these details for on-the-fly corrections.
The capped turrets can be used for zeroing the scope as well as dialing corrections. They are graduated in 1/4 MOA clicks which are very popular with hunters. The fine scale allows for precise corrections. Mueller uses what they call camera grade lenses, for precise images for accurate engagements.
Specifications
| Eye Relief | 3.25″ |
|---|---|
| Length | 13.125″ |
| Weight | 17.6 oz. |
| Tube Size | 30mm |
| Color | Matte Black |
| Lenses | Fully Multi-Coated |
| Magnification | 2.5 – 10 × power |
| Objective | 44 mm |
| F.O.V. | 36 – 11.4 feet @ 100 yards |
| Illuminated | Adjustable Brightness |
| Click Value | 1/4 M.O.A. |
Out of the Box
After my initial inspection, finding all the included accessories and such. I decide to mount the scope first off on one of my .22lr rifles, as this would allow plenty of inexpensive shooting to test the functions of the scope.
I would mount the Mueller to my Ruger Precision Rimfire rifle, using a ZRO Delta 30mm Cantilever mount. These two went together nicely with a perfect height for the rifle. Once mounted I spent some time looking through the scope to get a feel for it. The initial clarity and sharpness of the scope was nice. And with it mounted properly I was excited to get outdoors and put the scope to work.
On the Range
With a target setup at 50-yards, I did a quick boresight job on the rifle and scope. And after loading a magazine I fired a few shots to see how close I was. It only took a couple additional adjustments before the little rifle was hitting everything I put the crosshair to. I stretched it out a bit further and I was very impressed with how consistent this combination was. It didn’t take long to figure out corrections for one-hundred, one-fifty and two-hundred yards. There was too much fun to be had. I zeroed the turrets of the Mueller Tac III, to ensure things would stay this predictably fun.
Accuracy
Adjustments of the Mueller Tac III were crisp and consistent. And they matched the values shown on the FFP reticle. The sharpness of the imagery in this scope made for very precise shot placement. I found myself taking tiny white pebbles out of a hillside some 115 yards out. And dialing corrections would make holding dead center an easy option.
I am a huge fan of FFP scopes, and the execution on the Mueller Tac III is fantastic. I prefer MRAD over MOA, perhaps someday they’ll produce that option as well.
Tracking the scope across its full sweep of movement showed a smooth return to where it started. Accurate erector movement made the corrections line up with predictions.
Reliability
So many scopes these days are manufactured in Asia, even though they may have higher quality components from elsewhere. You can’t blame people for being suspicious of product quality coming from such places, though there seems to be a huge improvement recently. So far, I see nothing in the Mueller Tac III that suggests it won’t perform very well. I have drug it all over the hills here, bounced it around on the back of an ATV and it hasn’t lost zero or its great image quality.
Quality
Lower magnification optics tend to suffer less from optical aberrations. But adding the FFP option of this scope throws a level of complexity back into its construction. With that said I can say the optical quality of this scope is much nicer than my pictures can show. That said, keep in mind that this scope is priced under $300. For that price I think its quality is at or above its price point.
Value
Looking at similar optics in similar configurations, there isn’t a lot of competition. Mainly its competition comes from low power variable optics (LPVO) that have 24 and 28mm objectives. These aren’t going to have as bright and impressive an image as the Mueller Tac III with its 44mm. And the few options that are also FFP like this one come from other brands mainly unknown and unproven in the US market.
With an MSRP of $299 this scope is neither Temu trash tier, nor is it unreachable for the masses. It offers a great optical performance and FFP reticle without having to spend a lot of money.
Pros and cons
I like this scope quite a bit, it has handsome good looks which goes a long way. The imagery seen through it is even better though. The sharp details are very nice, making this rifle seem even more accurate. It’s a great match for this 22lr, but would also do very well on a centerfire rifle. I usually prefer dialing turrets over holding over, but with this scope being an FFP I am more likely to use its reticle for holding over instead. Especially since it uses MOA versus my preference of MRAD.
Docking a few points from the Mueller Tac III results from few things; First off is the illumination. It is challenging to make an LPVO with FFP and great illumination, and the Tac III shows that. In bright daylight, I found the illumination to be okay. If you are running the scope at low power for fast sighting the illumination would be more helpful if it was brighter. It does have off settings between each brightness setting, which is a plus.
I guess this isn’t exactly marketed as a long-range optic, but it does use some features useful in long-range shooting. The 30mm tube is pretty standard for such shooting, and having a reticle designed for hold-over corrections on longer shots would suggest it could be purposed on at minimum a medium range rifle. I’d prefer it had adjustable parallax as that would make it much better for that purpose. But this feature also has to be weighed against price as well, because adding adjustable parallax would increase the cost.
My conclusion
With medium range carbines becoming ever more popular, scopes in this range have gone up in demand quite a bit. I find the Mueller Tac III to be a significant improvement over the Tac II, but it does find itself in a flooded market full of other great options as well. I found this scope to be a great companion to my 22, and I also think it would do very well on a medium range carbine or hunting rifle. As competition in this market grows, I expect Mueller Optics will continue to adapt their offerings to customers needs and budgets.