Scope Boosting–Sightron vs. Weaver

One thing that Jackie Schmidt has been doing over the past few months, is dissassembling Weaver and Sightron 36X Benchrest scopes and locking them up internally. With the internal windage and elevation controls fixed in place, these scope are then mounted using the externally adjustable scope mount system developed by Gene Bukys (shown below).

In working with the different scopes, Jackie has observed that the basic designs of the Weaver T-36 and the Sightron BR scopes are similar. However, Jackie did find some important differences when it comes to boosting scope magnification. The Weaver is a better candidate for boosting because of the way its reticle is installed.

Jackie writes: “I have had both brands apart, and they both share the same design feature in the way the erector tube is mounted, that being a permanently fixed ball and gimble joint sleeve assembly that allows the erector tube to pivot. There is a difference in the way the erector tube sleeve is secured inside the scope body, but that is of no consequence. They both share a similar front objective assembly, (sliding lens assembly cartridge held against a stop by a large coil spring), so there isn’t much advantage of one over the other. I would call it a toss up as to which one might be better, or worse. The Weaver is a couple of ounces lighter. The one difference is if you wanted to boost one or the other. When boosting the power on a scope, one must keep the reticle cross hairs within the focal plain of the eye piece lens assembly. Most scopes are boosted by adding a small lens assembly between the erector tube and the eye piece, moving the reticle assembly back so as to maintain its correct position in relation to the eye piece. Since the Sightron has the reticle mounted in the end of the erector tube, it would be very difficult to move it back. The Weaver is much like the older Leupolds, you can move the reticle assembly back, since it is mounted into the scope body itself.”

Preview of New Nikon Monarch Scopes

The new Nikon Monarch scopes have been eagerly anticipated. Now, finally, we expect the first shipments to hit dealers’ shelves the first week of July. We are especially interested in the new 6-24×50 side-parallax Nikon. SWFA.com and The Optic Zone have priced this scope at $629.95 (Nikoplex reticle), making it hundreds of dollars cheaper than a Leupold 30mm 8-25×50 LRT. The new 6-24x Monarch could be an ideal varminting and general purpose target scope. It features 1/8-MOA clicks, 1″-diam. one-piece tube, 34 MOA elevation, 2.1 mm exit pupil, locking side-focus parallax adjustment, and near-constant 3.6-4.0 inch eye relief throughout the zoom range. Nikon has created a new website showing off the features of all the new Monarchs, including the 6-24×50 and the 5-20×44 zooms. Click HERE to visit the new Nikon Monarch preview website.

Schmidt & Bender 12.5-50×56 Long-Range Scope–The Ultimate Zoom?

Well folks, the speculation is over… Schmidt & Bender has developed a long-range version of its 12.5-50×56 Field Target scope announced last year. Originally built as an air rifle scope for the popular European Field Target discipline, the initial version of this scope had parallax set for a maximum of 70 meters. We reported that this design could readily be adapted for long-range use, and we’ve been proven correct. The new long-range scope adjusts from 50m to infinity and is strong enough to handle any centerfire cartridge up to 50 BMG according to Schmidt & Bender.

This is an exciting product introduction–with S&B’s legendary lens quality, this new scope could set a new benchmark for clarity and resolution in high-magnification zoom scopes. Click HERE to download a Powerpoint presentation with specifications for the new scope. The scope has a 34mm main tube, 70mm eye relief, and a 1.8mm exit pupil at max power. It is currently offered with metric windage and elevation controls, .25 cm per click. NOTE: the North American export version of the scope might feature MOA clicks instead. According to Schmidt & Bender, “a new turret and MOA-based click value (probably 1/8 MOA) are under development”. Two reticles are offered with the scope at this time: 1) a second focal plane “Sport Reticle” which has a “floating” center dot and a lower dot in the bottom half; 2) a first focal plane “Tactical Reticle” with vertical and horizontal hash marks for ranging. We think neither of these reticles is ideal for long-range BR and target shooting. Hopefully, S&B will release a more conventional Fine Cross-hair reticle, or something similar to the Nightforce NP-R2 reticle. There is a discussion of the reticle options on Long-Range.com.

The key questions remain, when will the scope arrive in the USA and how much will it cost? We contacted Mark Cromwell, head of Schmidt & Bender’s North American division today. He confirmed that the new scope will be sold in the USA. Thirty Field Target versions are on order, which Mark hopes will arrive before September. The long-range version will probably not be available in North America before the end of 2007, and it might be January or February 2008 before we see inventory. Cromwell told us that the 12.5-50×56 will likely be priced in the $2600 range in the USA, but that is subject to change. Whether we can expect more reticle choices is unknown at this time. If you have questions about this scope, visit SchmidtBender.com where updates will be posted as available. Click HERE for Large Photo.