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DarkLordOfOptics
Politics • Science & Tech • Sports
Guns, Optics, 2nd Amendment and resisting the Left in everything they touch.
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Black Friday

There is a very fair chance that your e-mail is filled with hundreds of "once-in-a-lifetime" or "today only" deals. If you are not careful, you can end up with a once in a lifetime credit card bill next month.
I am generally not hugely pre-occupied with deals and I do not wait for a particular season to buy something. If I am looking for something specific, I usually need it and I am unlikely to spend months analyzing what deals are out there.
There are some exceptions to that, most notably with backup optics (see my earlier post on Primary Arms) and tools.
I have a good assortment of tools to use, but I have been keeping an eye out for deals on Fix-It-Stick kits since I like to have a few spread around different bags/backpacks/etc. It turns out that I am pathologically incapable of remembering to move one from bag to bag, so I ended up accumulating a few here and there I am picking another one up this time since they have a healthy Black Friday discount going on: https://bit.ly/3nTqzsL
They seem to have a site-wide discount going on. I primary use different kits from them All-in-One torque limits. This is not as precise of an approach as preset torque limiters, I think, but I like the flexibility.

Another type of a back up optic I found myself using a good bit is a SeeAll sight. I have talked about these in the past and it is another topic I need to revisit. Originally, I was somewhat unimpressed and thought it was a solution looking for a problem. Honestly, I still do, if you are looking at these at regular price levels. However, they have a 50% off deal going on at the moment and that changes thing a little bit. I'll have another video up on these in a bit since there has been some evolution with these. In terms of functionality, I think these are an improvement over iron sights, but they are not quite as fast on target as proper small red dot sights. SeeAll sights do have the advantage of being inexpensive, fairly robust (so far) and not requiring batteries. I ordered a couple to keep as spares and to use in an upcoming red dot sight test I am working on. https://www.seeallopensight.com/

With conventional riflescopes, I have not spent a whole lot of time looking at what is out there since I am not really looking for anything specific at the moment. However, I did fish out a very nice deal on the Arrowhead LPVO from SwampFox. You know my general take with LPVOs is to spend a little more money and get a little more performance, but if you budget is limited, between SwampFox Arrowhead and Delta Hornet you have very respectable options. I did a review on the 1-10x24 Arrowhead and concluded it is a well built scope. Brownells carries them, so technically I can use my affiliate links and all (https://bit.ly/312Wzle), but you can get these for less directly from SwampFox, presumable this weekend only: https://www.swampfoxoptics.com/arrowhead-lpvo-series?utm_source=ALL&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Black%20Friday%20-%20Friday%20-%20REG%20%28QQ9Yvc%29&_kx=UTi__uzrjA7GwaHSJLYYqDEXxFreT5Dj2Jq-lshpB4n4LOYEk2rl1gvnWUxO3t7y.XdaVQT

From a training standpoint, I have been spending a lot of time with Mantis products lately, most importantly the Blackbeard and Laser Academy. I really like them. I do not see any Black Friday deals right offhand, but but if you are looking for a better way to do dry practice, this is worth looking into:
https://mantisx.com/collections/all-items/products/blackbeard-the-auto-resetting-trigger-for-ar-15

Shooting support: I mostly use tripods from Field Optics Research for shooting (Pro32) and I even have a discount code for supporters, but they have a Black Friday deal that is better than my discount. 25% off is pretty nice: https://www.fieldopticsresearch.com/shopping.htm
The discount code is BF2021
The specific products that stand out to me and that I use are the following:
Flexlite Gunpod Vise:https://www.fieldopticsresearch.com/shop/Weapon-Support-Tripod-Mounts/p/FlexLite-GunPOD-FM-300F-x52099105.htm
High Angle Bracket: https://www.fieldopticsresearch.com/shop/Tripods-for-Shooting/p/High-Angle-Bracket---HAB-270-x49747654.htm
PRO32 tripod: https://www.fieldopticsresearch.com/shop/Tripods-for-Shooting/p/PRO32-MIL-ASFPL-System-x45153725.htm
ULP Panhead https://www.fieldopticsresearch.com/shop/Heads--QR-Plates/p/Ultra-Low-Profile-Pan-Head-ULP-x51054447.htm

While Primary Arms seems to have a sitewide Surefire sale ( ), the one Surefire product I use all the time is not there. Palmetto does have it discounted nicely though: https://bit.ly/3rdy3Je
I like momentary tailswitches and Surefire's E2T Tactician is the handheld flashlight I use more often than not. I keep on trying a bunch of other stuff and for handheld I use I keep on coming back to this one, so I ordered a spare: https://bit.ly/3lbzJPR

Triggertech: most of the recent AR-15 builds I have done had a Triggertech trigger in them, largely because I got a few during the last Black Friday deal. However, I really like their feel, so that is another thing that I am constantly keeping tabs on and try to have one or two on hand. Eurooptic has these at 20% off. The one I use most of the time is the adaptable model with flat trigger: https://bit.ly/3xoTmc0

US Optics: I have talked in the past about US Optics' budget TS product line. The only one of these I have any significant experience with is the 3-12x44 TS-12x and I happened to really like it especially for rimfire applications. Also, the existence of this design gives hope to my version of the MPVO concept. At this moment, this scope can be had for $350 which is a really good deal: https://bit.ly/3lbzfsO

S&B: given how much these cost, this is definitely not an impulse buy. Schmidt makes a significant number of different scope models and keeping track of them all can get kinda interesting. I have been looking at them here and there and there are a few models I really like. Somewhat controversially, one of my favourites is the 5-20x50 Ultrashort. It is hard to make very short scopes, but as I spend more time with various thermal clipons, I develop new appreciation for these. Unfortunately, this is also a model I do not see discounted very much. Europtic has a 12% discount on them right now which is ahefty some of money given how much these cost. If I were looking to pick one, the 5-20x50 with DT II turrets and MSR2 reticle would be at the top of my list: https://bit.ly/312VUAE

I'll add more stuff to this post if anything else that is interesting pops up.

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ILya Koshkin@DarkLordOfOptics
May 28, 2025
Blast From The Past: Millett ZoomDot RDS

I dug this thing up purely by accident. It has been a long time since I used it for anything, but I am thinking I should, especially as I work on a magnifier video.

MIllet's ZoomDot was a unique red dot sight that had auto brightness and variable dot size from 1MOA to 10MOA.

Early ones, like mine, were made in the US. Millett had some aspirations of selling these to the US military.

I do not think they got very far, then the company was bought by Bushnell and essentially shut down after a little bit. At some point, the manufacturing for the ZoomDot moved to China and it was not really the same.

00:05:44
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ILya Koshkin@DarkLordOfOptics
May 24, 2025
Scout Scopes: Burris 2.75x20

Scout scopes are almost like a forgotten art form these days. There is an occasional discussion either on how they are the greatest thing since sliced bread because 1) THE colonel said so 2) if you do not think they are, refer to rule number 1.
Alternatively, the prevailing thought is that they are completely useless and if LPVOs existed in Jeff Cooper's time, there would never be such a thing as scout scopes.
The truth, as is usually the case, resides somewhere in the middle.
Scout scopes do have their place, but they are definitely a niche product. It is, however, an interesting niche.
Scout scope pickings are relatively slim in terms of what's on offer.
Leupold makes a 1.5-4x28 https://alnk.to/gKSibYj
Burris makes a 2-7x32 and 2.75x20
Vortex has a 2-7x32 in the Crossfire line
There are also a few out there from UTG, Aimsports, etc.

I strongly lean toward compact fixed power designs, so Burris 2.75x20 https://alnk.to/cSJCBQx is probably my favourite and is the subject of this ...

00:11:58
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ILya Koshkin@DarkLordOfOptics
May 19, 2025
Integrix M1 MRAD Reticle in the 3-18x44

Wind was really making things difficult, but at least this gives you a look at the reticle.
It is a respectable design that is conceptually closer to SKMR reticles than to the ones I usually gravitate to. They also have an M2 that is, I think, a little better.
In the grand scheme of things, the M1 did not take me long to get used to and it is not giving me any real issues.
https://alnk.to/9TaI2kH

00:06:33
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ILya Koshkin@DarkLordOfOptics
May 27, 2025
Integrix 3-18x44 Tracking Follow-up

I reached out to Leapers to relay the issues I found with reticle sizing and tracking in the 3-18x44 scope they sent me.

They confirmed that the scope I have here is an engineering model. They also talked to engineering and, apparently, they found the same issues I did with the mrad model and fixed them for the production run.

The MOA model (https://alnk.to/eZIJo9a) is, according to them, spot on. The issues were only present in pre-production mrad scopes.

Once they get production scopes going, I plan to re-visit them. I think the first one to become available will be the 4.5-27x model with the M2 Mrad reticle. I saw it during SHOT and I think it will be more up my alley than the M1, though the latter is still serviceable.

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LinkLQChen@LinkLQChen
May 23, 2025

This is strange but once in my lifetime I felt fortunate to be not smart enogh to be in Harvard University...

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ILya Koshkin@DarkLordOfOptics
May 20, 2025
Memorial Day Sales

I am beginning to see some early Memorial Day Sale emails in my inbox.
If I see anything interesting, I'll add it to this post which will be pinned to the top, rather than inundate you with incessant "it's a sale!" emails. Better keep it all in one spot.

The first one I see is from Opticsplanet. https://alnk.to/cwU58u8
They have all sorts of stuff rom Burris and Steiner discounted including the recently introduced Burris XTR PS 5.5-30x56 for $2199 https://alnk.to/d3Em4Su and the rather unusual Steiner T6Xi 3-18x56 https://alnk.to/ge7ZJBN
Eliminator 6 gets you $400 of bonus bucks to use on something else. https://alnk.to/flycPy8

Tract Optics will be running a 10% storewide sale starting Thursday with the discount code "REMEMBRANCE". While I generally like their products, the one that is really agreeing with me the most is the new 2.5-15x44 with MRAD Eagleman reticle. https://tractoptics.com/toric-uhd-30mm-2-5-15x44-ffp-illuminated-mrad-eagleman-long-range-hunting-rifle-scope/
I am sure ...

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ILya Koshkin@DarkLordOfOptics
May 18, 2025
First PRS Match is behind me
High Noon at Del Norte

My first PRS match is officially behind me.  It was, I think an officially sanctioned regional PRS match at the shooting range called Del Norte about an hour from me (just east of Rio Rancho).
As I discussed previously, rather than using the rifle I originally prepared for it, I ended up having to change gears at the last moment and slapping a 5-25x56 Tangent on my daughter's 6ARC MiniFIx.  A lightweight 16" Proof barreled 6ARC is not an ideal set up for PRS competition, but, in the grand scheme of things, the rifle did hot hold me back at all.  I had a couple of weights that fit the Q-cert handguard, so I slapped them on there as well, which got the rifle to right around 12lbs.  The balance point was almost where I want it, but not quite.  In all other ways, this was a very handy rifle to shoot.  I am actually thinking of getting a couple more weights that I can stack on it (Sawtooth weights are stackable), so that I can shoot some future local matches with it.  It shoots Hornady's Black 105gr ammo very well (it also shoots 108gr ELD-M and 103gr ELD-X well, but I had a larger supply of Hornady Black ammo on hand).

It chrono'ed pretty consistently for factory ammo.  Here are the measurements for a 20 shot group.

If I were to take out the fastest shot, SD drops down to 8fps.  

In terms of wind performance, it is a 5mph rifle, so slightly better than the 308 ammo I was going to use originally, but not as good as the 6.5CM that was my intended match rifle for this year (we make plans, but then life happens).

I do have to admit that I really enjoyed shooting the match with the MiniFix.  So much so, that I am seriously thinking of building another one for myself, since this rifle is technically my daughter's.

The closest shot we had was a bit over a couple of hundred yards.  The furthest was around 1150.  That was a bit challenging for the 16" barreled 6ARC, especially since the terrain there is tricky and wind is doing strange things.  Morning was relatively quiet wind-wise, but then the wind becamse gusty with changing directions.

It was a one day match with about 30 shooters (six squads) and ten stages.  The 17 year old kid who won the match was in my squad with his dad.  Apparently he is on the US team, so it should not be surrpising that he won.  He was very good.

Overall level of the shooters in the match was quite good.  I really was not sure what to expect.  Somewhat paradoxically, the only matches that I have shot in so far are the much larger two day NRL Hunter matches.  In those, I am just out of the bottom third in terms of skill level.  In this match, it was pretty much in the same spot, I think.  

The terrain was a little bit like Cameo, I think (I have been there, but not shot there), with some angle changes and sufficient vegetation to make getting on target occasionally troublesome. 

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ILya Koshkin@DarkLordOfOptics
May 14, 2025
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Updates
Getting back on the horse, little by little

My original plan was to do a livestream on Thursday of this week, but I think I'll push it out to next week.  A few days at home is doing wonders for my recovery, but my voice is still not quite there.  I do not think any of you are looking to listen to me cough for two hours straight.

Also, I am going to try to shoot that local PRS match this coming Saturday, so doign a livestream next week after the match is likely to be more productive.  It is my first one, so I fully expect that I will screw it all up.  It should be a good learning experience.  I do not have a dedicated PRS rifle and I am not looking to set one up jsut yet.  If I like it, I'll put something together, but as far as competition goes, my focus is really on UKD matches like NRL Hunter, Competition Dynamics, etc.  My 6.5CM is not back yet, so I'll just shoot it with my 308 FIx.  It is not ideal, but it will do just fine for my purposes.  I am in no danger of winning anything either way and this will stress my ability to read wind.  A secondary purpse here is that I am not 100% certain what rifle I will take on a mule deer hunt with later this year, but it will be either something new to test or this 308.  Now that I think about it, the 308 is going with me regardless either as a primary rifle or as backup.  The rifle shoots, so if I miss, I know it is on me.

For the match, I have Burris XTR PS 5.5-30x56 scope on the 308 Fix.  I think the way they did the heads up display in these is a meaningful improvement over conventional riflescopes.

https://alnk.to/d3EjPHC or https://alnk.to/8iVRlGN

Optically, I think XTR Pro is a little better, but the EO integration in the XTR PS is, I think, in advantage.

In parallel, I am looking at the replacement AAC ammo (they replaced the faulty ammo and I have chrono results on it) and testing the optics of the 40mm scopes in parallel.

 

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ILya Koshkin@DarkLordOfOptics
April 23, 2025
A first look at Steiner H6Xi 2-12x42
MPVOs are finally getting some attention

Here are some initial thoughts on the Steiner H6Xi 2-12x42.

I finally had a chance to shoot with it both supported and unsupported, which is an important part of figuring out how usable an optic is.

I found what looks to be more accurate specifications in the manual that came with the H6Xi, so the spec table is now updated:

To re-iterate from an earlier post, Eurooptic is selling the H6Xi 2-12x42 for $1350 and at that price, it is easily the best deal going in this category: https://alnk.to/90ALO3C

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