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January 3rd, 2008
In its OpticsTalk.Forum, leading optics retailer SWFA.com provides advance info on new products for 2008.
New optics of interest to our readers include the 4.5-30×50 Elite 6500 scope from Bushnell, and a 6-24 power Zeiss Diavari with a massive 72mm front objective and new Fluoride Ion Glass. With a suggested retail price of $899.00, the new Elite 6500 features a 30mm main tube and an industry-leading 6.67 zoom range (from 4.5 power to 30 power). Two reticles are listed, a Mil-Dot and “Fine Multi-X”. Chris Farris of SWFA says the 4.5-30s are not shipping yet, but they should be available soon, and “SWFA will be the first to get them”.
Bushnell Elite 6500
The big 72mm Zeiss has been around for a couple years, but for 2008 it has been updated with Fluoride Ion (FL) lenses with new lens coatings, and RapidZ ranging reticles. The RapidZ reticles employ horizontal hash marks calibrated for popular calibers to allow ranging and hold-over functions. The 6-24x72mm costs a small fortune — vendors are selling it for $3,400. CLICK HERE for more info on Zeiss RapidZ reticles.
December 22nd, 2007
 If you’ve been saving up your pennies for a new high-magnification scope, you may want to wait a few more weeks. Sightron just gave us this exclusive report.
Sightron will introduce two new 30mm-tube target/varmint scopes early in 2008. The first new optic is a side-parallax 6-24x50mm with 100 MOA of total elevation (50 MOA either side of center). It will be available in a variety of reticles, including at least one reticle with ranging features. Sightron expects the street price to be around $775-$790.
The second scope, and this is big news for long-range shooters, will be an 8-32x56mm side-parallax scope with 70 MOA of total elevation. The 8-32 will initially be available only with a 1/4-MOA target dot reticle, but other reticle options may be offered later in the year. The 8-32 should have a street price in the $825.00 range. This means it will cost less than a Leupold 8-25×50 LRT, but have more magnification and a larger front objective (56mm vs. 50mm). Sightron has tested its new 8-32 against the Leupold LRT and Sightron’s engineers believe the 8-32 compares favorably in terms of clarity, resolution, and tracking. This new Sightron 8-32 may even lure some buyers away from the much more expensive Nightforce line.
Sorry, no photos yet. There are only a handful of the new scopes in the country, but Sightron’s Alan Orr has promised full specs and photos in a few days. Stay tuned — we’ll run the pix in the Daily Bulletin as soon as we receive them. And Sightron will be sending us test samples of both the new 6-24 and the new 8-32.
December 16th, 2007
Our initial report on Schmidt & Bender’s centerfire version of its 10-50×56 Field Target scope generated quite a bit of interest. But in recent weeks folks have been emailing us, asking “Is this thing for real?” and “When will it reach the States?” Well, we can confirm that Schmidt & Bender definitely is putting a 12.5-50X56 PMII zoom scope into production, and part of the early production is reserved for the U.S.A. market.
What will the new scope look like? Well Vince Bottomley has seen an early prototype in Europe. He reports: “The overall size is the same as the Schmidt & Bender 5.5-25 model so it’s smaller than a Nightforce but boasts more magnification.” Here is a “spy photo” from Vince:
Schmidt & Bender still hasn’t published final specs on its website, but Mark Cromwell, head of Schmidt & Bender’s North American division, hopes to have them on display at Shot Show in February in Las Vegas. With the rapidly eroding U.S. Dollar, prices are subject to change, but Cromwell expects the scope to run about U.S. $2700.00 – $2800.00, but it could be more. Cromwell says “the current spec sheet for the 12.5-50 indicates it is NOT illuminated. Reticle illumination is normally a $300+ added cost for Schmidt & Bender, so it is possible the 12.5-50 PMII long range could cost LESS than the 5-25 PMII which IS illuminated.”
December 14th, 2007
Here’s a sweet deal for you game hunters out there. SWFA is offering a FREE Garmin eTrex hand-held GPS with the purchase of a Burris Fullfield II scope. We’ve checked around the web and the Garmin eTrex, by itself, runs about $95.00. SWFA’s promo price on the Burris 3-9×40 Fullfield II Rifle Scope with GPS is $209.95, so that means your effective cost for the optic is just $115.00. Not bad for a scope with fully-coated lenses and the Burris No-BS “Forever” warranty.
SWFA is also offering a Garmin eTrex GPS with the purchase of a Burris 4.5-14×42 Fullfield II rifle scope. The package price for the 4.5-14×42 model and GPS is $339.95. Both Burris scopes (3-9 and 4.5-14) feature 1/4-MOA clicks and a Ballistic Plex reticle. This reticle design has vertical hash marks to help with holdover at long range.
The Garmin eTrex GPS is considered a rugged classic. It is compact and light weight at mere 5.3 ounces with batteries, with the buttons positioned on the side for easy, one handed operation. The casing is rugged and waterproof to IPX-7 standards. The eTrex will operate for about 15 hours on two AA batteries.
November 27th, 2007
I know most of this site’s readers on this site would spend their last dime on bullets and powder. But sometimes, you do have to purchase other essentials such as winter clothing and outdoor gear. Plus it’s the holiday season again, and that means gifts for the family.
Today we’re featuring Sierra Trading Post. This is a solid company that provides a wide variety of products for the outdoorsman, at sometimes spectacular prices. This editor has personally shopped with Sierra Trading Post for years, and just today I purchased two items, a Windstopper® Base Layer Shirt (item 12991) for winter motorcycling, and a set of Kenyon Polarskins polypro long johns (item 13854) for snow sports. At $16.95, the Polarskins are half the price I’d pay for a similar product from most outlets.
Sierra Trading Post is now running a huge promotion, with every item at least 50% off retail. Here are some products of interest to shooters and hunters:
I’ve got one of these LED lamps. It is much lighter than most other “headband lamps” and the battery lasts a long time. I use it for camping, reading, and even in the reloading room in the evening for extra illumination.
For $39.95, this Blaze Orange/Khaki Winchester Upland hunting jacket is a great bargain, though it’s not waterproof. What I really like is that it comes with TWO fleece inner liners–a vest and a full-sleeved inner jacket, both of which can be worn separately. It even has cartridge holders in the front and a game pouch on the back. Here’s what one purchaser has to say: “Have worn this in thick bushland, stands up to abuse, and with blaze orange built in, no need for extra items of [hunting] clothing. Very adaptable with warm vest that can be removed if too warm”.
If you want a pair of armored binoculars that will last a lifetime, these 7×50 Waterproof Steiners are a great deal at $274.50. Even at “ultra-discount” warehouse stores, 7×50 Marine Steiners sell for $300-320.00. These binoculars are based on the rugged Steiner mil-spec 7×50 unit used by the U.S. Army. Steiner’s fully-coated lenses are legendary for their clarity and resolution.
Sierra Trading Post isn’t all just camping and outdoor gear. There is a wide selection of other suitable gift items for the wife, kids, and relatives — wool sweaters, silk underwear, travel accessories, ski goggles… you name it.
November 25th, 2007
Check out our enhanced VIDEO VAULT. We have added streaming digital video in Flash Format. You’ll find a slick new Flash Player that lets you watch videos with just one click. There are over 35 Videos in the collection, and we’ll be adding new Videos every week. Flash Videos are highly compressed, so they stream in real time if you have a fast internet connection–no more waiting for long downloads.
Using YouTube technology, we’ve built a playlist with lots of entertaining videos. And, we can add videos from our readers to our Video Vault. Just send your videos to Mailbox [at] 6mmBR.com, or upload your videos directly to YouTube.com and email us the link.
Create Your Own Videos Easily
If you have a recent digital “point and shoot” camera, chances are you can shoot your own videos and add them to the site. It’s pretty simple. Select the “Video” setting, usually indicated by a movie camera icon on the mode dial or menu. Then depress your shutter release (just like taking a still picture) to start the video. Click the shutter release a second time to stop the video. You upload videos to your computer the same way you do for stills. Windows users can then use the FREE and easy Windows Movie Maker software to edit the video or add titles or soundtracks. Here are some resources that can help you make your own videos.
An inexpensive digital still camera, such as this Canon A550 ($140.00), can take excellent video, complete with sound. Try it–you’ll get great results!
How to Take Video with Your Digital Still Camera
Note, this video tells you to upload your video to Vimeo.com. That’s not necessary. Just send your video to us (keep it under 6 megabytes), or upload directly to YouTube.com.
How to Use Windows Movie Maker
Move-Maker Basics
November 23rd, 2007
As part of its “Christmas Flyer” Promotion, Midsouth Shooters Supply has cut the price on 1″ Burris Signature and 1″ Signature Zee (Weaver style) rings. We recommend these ring sets because Signature Rings have plastic inserts to hold your scope. The inserts prevent binding or misalignment so you don’t have to lap your rings. They also keep expensive scopes looking like new since the inserts leave no marks on the scope body. You can also order offset inserts that let you “pre-load” elevation and windage in the rings.
The Signature models are just $21.88, while the Signature Zees are marked down to $24.84. CLICK HERE to download Midsouth’s 16-page 2007 Christmas Flyer in .PDF format.
November 12th, 2007
We’ve looked through many different types of spotting scopes. Initially we thought angled was the only way to go. This lets a shooter mount the spotting scope at his side and easily glance through the lens with the scope body rotated 90°. However, at matches where you spot for a partner, the straight scopes seem to work better. You don’t have to bend your neck down or remove your hat and your “free” eye can scan downrange for wind changes. When spotting for your partner (while seated or standing), a tripod-mounted straight scope was definitely the most “user-friendly” set-up.
Straight (in-line) Spotting Scope
Danny Reever, author of our Spotting Scope Review, tell us: “Straight vs. angled? Man, that’s a tough call! Having used both personally for over a year I’d have to say this: I feel the straight gives you a clearer, sharper image. One less mirror to contend with. If you have a dealer that can give you a side-by-side look at a couple of hundred yards the difference is apparent. That’s one reason Chip Allen chose the straight Zeiss over the angled. On the other hand the angled gives you more options in the way of setup which can be a bonus between cramped benches, when you’re spotting for yourself. I don’t shoot prone, but I think the angled would be the way to go for a solo prone shooter, again more setup options. Another benefit of the angled is that you can keep the tripod lower, a plus on a windy day. The 100MM scopes like the Pentax and Optolyth do not offer an angled body option–maybe there are some engineering issues, or perhaps that’s just to control costs.”
Angled Spotting Scope
November 4th, 2007
Sightron, Inc., has joined forces with the NRA to assist with the largest NRA membership drive in history. Shooters who purchase any Sightron scope (excluding SI models) will receive a free 1-year membership to the National Rifle Association. Current NRA members will receive a 1-year renewal with purchase. “With 2008 being a critical election year, all of us here at Sightron are concerned about attacks against our right to bear arms and future generations having the same rights we have enjoyed,” said Sightron’s President, Scott Helmer. “We are proud to do our part to help the NRA defend our Second Amendment rights.” To learn more about Sightron’s complete line of products, visit www.Sightron.com.
FREE SHIPPING on Sightron Scopes
Lock, Stock, & Barrel, www.LockStock.com, offers excellent prices on all Sightron Scopes. What’s more, Lock Stock & Barrel even provides Free Shipping on Sightron Scopes.
October 30th, 2007
 With the price of some premium scopes edging to $2500.00 (and beyond), it’s more important than ever to provide extra protection for your expensive optics. ScopeCoat produces covers that shield scopes with a layer of neoprene rubber (wetsuit material) sandwiched between nylon. In addition to its basic covers, sold in a variety of sizes and colors, ScopeCoat has released two new heavy-duty products that provide added security.
The XP-6 Flak Jacket™ is specifically designed for extra protection and special applications. The 6mm-thick layer of neoprene is three times thicker than the standard ScopeCoat. XP-6 Flak Jackets are designed for tall turrets, with sizes that accommodate either two or three adjustment knobs (for both side-focus and front-focus parallax models). To shield an expensive NightForce, March, or Schmidt & Bender scope, this a good choice. XP-6 covers come in black color only, and are available for both rifle-scopes and spotting scopes. Shown below is an XP-6 Flak Jacket™ on a Leupold Spotting Scope.
The newest ScopeCoat product is a 6mm XP-6 cover with ZIPPER. This is designed for removable optics that need protection when in storage. The full-length, zippered closure goes on quick-and-easy and provides more complete protection against dust, shock, and moisture. Suggested Retail Price is $30.
Photo Courtesy Shooting USA.
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