DarkLordOfOptics
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Guns, Optics, 2nd Amendment and resisting the Left in everything they touch.
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What's the application?

This is a subject I cover with reasonable regularity, but it has been a while, so it is worth bringing up for a minute again.
During a discussion elsewhere, someone asked where he should go for a Athlon Ares ETR 1-10x24 (https://bit.ly/3p1uOSU) or Vortex PST Gen2 2-10x32.
It is my favourite kind of question because there essentially not information given on what it would be used for, on what gun, etc.
Now, apparently, there was an earlier discussion that I missed that specified what the gun was and what it was going to be used for. Still, I did not know that at the time, which created a perfect opportunity to be an arrogant sanctimonious prick for a few minutes whether justified or not.
In the end, I ended up recommending Vortex PST Gen II 3-15x42.
How did we get get from here to there? That is really the important question. What specifically I recommend is perhaps less critical, but how we arrive at an appropriate selection is more interesting.
First of all, while what gun this optic is going on matters, it is more important what the targets are, how far away they will be and what lighting conditions you will be facing.
An LPVO (like the 1-10x24 mentioned above) is usually a good option when you are not exactly sure what you might be facing. Now, it is often a good option when you need to engage man-size targets from up close and personal on out to 500- 800 yards. Sometimes further, but LPVOs are essentially about flexibility. Now, the Ares ETR happens to be a very nice scope, but it is not ideal on 1x due to illumination not being ideal for that. It is also not light, but it is currently the highest quality LPVO made in China. Ultimately, Ares ETR scopes are more expensive and higher quality than Vortex PST Gen2 scopes.
However, the question was about the 2-10x32 PST Gen2 and it is really not an apples to apples comparison because the objective lens diameters are different and because one goes down to 1x. Both make a difference.

The way the question was asked was, unintentionally I am sure, virtually designed to set me off: "trying to decide between two scopes. Very comparable, but one is a 34mm body with 24mm obj. The other is a 30mm body with 32mm objective. What will be the performance differences between the two scopes? Would a mediocre shooter like me notice the differences anyway?"

First of all, let's do away with the mediocre shooter part: that provides no useful information since mediocre means different things to different people. Either way, it makes no difference whatsoever on scope selection. With gun people, most of the time when people say they are mediocre shooters it is one of two things:
-false modesty where everyone knows they are pretty good, so this is sort of a cute way of saying "I know I am good, but it would be impolite to point it out"
-they hang out with pretty exalted company. For example, I always say that I am not a very good shot. Compared to an average gun owner, that is not really true. However, I likely have unreasonably high standards. While I do not exactly hang out with him, I have a fairy cordial relationship with David Tubb. Almost everyone is a piss poor shot compared to David. I am friendly with guys like Frank Galli, Phil Velayo, Caylen Wojcik and a few others. That's my yardstick and compared to them, I suck. However, without knowing that background, if I tell you that I am not a good shot, you will get a very wrong impression.

Then, there is the maintube diameter business: it is always worth repeating that the diameter of the scope is a consequence of what the scope designer was looking to do inside the scope. Sometimes you need the extra real estate. Sometimes you do not. As a consumer, you have not way of knowing which it is and it does not matter.

Tube diameter, by itself, SHOULD NOT BE A FACTOR IN CHOOSING A RIFLESCOPE. Unless, of course, you are compensating, then more power to you. I am sure IOR is planning a 50mm scope tube just for you.

Objective diameter, on the other hand, is a big deal. When I do scopes comparisons, I sort scopes primarily by objective diameter and only then by magnification and other characteristics.

How much light gets into a scope is proportional to the area of the objective lens. Assuming there is not addition exit pupil constriction, at the same magnification a 32mm objective scope has approximately 78% more light to work with than a 24mm one.

The flip side of the coin is that is you really need 1x, it is hard to do larger objectives, so you end up compromising.

What did I end up recommending? PST Gen II 3-15x44. While looking up prices to make sure I am not talking out of my ass, I also noticed that Europtic has the earlier EBR-2C reticle version of the 3-15x44 for under $600. At that price, it is an absolute steal: https://bit.ly/3k6wpWc

It turned out that the scope was going on an accurate AR intended for shooting at coyotes and varmints out to 300 yards, i.e. small targets that will occasionally be engaged in low light. For that, you need magnification and objective diameter. Now, I am not a magnification hog, so many of my scopes top out between 12x and 20x. However, even on 10x, it is much easier to use a scope with a 44mm objective than a 24mm objective. Exit pupil size makes all the difference in the world the moment the light levels get low.

For this application, having a scope go down to 1x offers no meaningful advantage unless the varmints you are after band into an army and mount an offensive campaign on your shooting position.

Is the Athlon Ares ETR 1-10x24 a nice scope? Yes. Is it a good scope for this application? No. Ares ETR 3-18x50 (https://bit.ly/3P4yzBO) would be quite appropriate, however, as would the new Element Titan 3-18x50 (https://bit.ly/3bBFfJP)

PST Gen2 2-10x32 is a decent enough scope, but it is heavy for its size
https://bit.ly/3vNSE8t

On top of that, within each scope line, not all scope are created equal and it so happens that with PST Gen2, the 3-15x44 is, I think, the best of that product line. It is notably larger than the 2-10x32, but it is better optically. They are obviously very similar in terms of mechanical quality, but here is the kicker: the weight is within two ounces.

Between the two, the only reason to go with the 2-10x32 would be if you want the scope to be shorter and/or if you really need 2x on the low end. That essentially means that if you plan to put a thermal clip-on, then 2-10x32 has some advantages. Barring that, the 3-15x44 is a no brainer https://bit.ly/3vKJpG6

Now, that gets us into the $1k range, so the next logical question is whether there is something less expensive I recommend that has a reasonable objective diameter, tops out at 10x or more and performs well.

There is and that comes out of the MPVO test I did recently: PA GLx 2.5-10x44 (https://bit.ly/3Q9zq5i) and Athlon Helos BTR Gen2 2-12x42 (https://bit.ly/3vNgH7s). If you can swing the more expensive stuff, it is worth it. If not, these do very well too.

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5x Prismatic Wrap-up

This is not the end of my commentary on 5x prismatics, but it is a wrap for an unintentionally very long term project I had. I spent an unhealthy amount of time evaluating these four prismatic riflescopes:
Element Immersive 5x30 https://alnk.to/gzXEPUr
Swampfox Sabre 5x36 https://alnk.to/aAPTubq
Vortex Spitfire Gen2 5x https://alnk.to/3co4hVD
Primary Arms SLx 5x https://alnk.to/2jOhnT7

Two are large prism designs. Two are small prism designs.

The order in which I list them above corresponds to the image quality, from best to worst, although there isn't a ton of difference between SLx and Spitfire Gen2. Purely on the merits of resolution, Sabre is comparable to them as well, but much wider FOV and forgiving eyebox does put it a step above in terms of performance (at the expense of about a pound of weight). Element Immersive 5x30 is a different beast optically and it should be at a higher price at which it sells. It resolves better, has higher contrast and widest FOV of the bunch. Side-focus adds ...

00:16:40
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
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

Is it possible to integrate functions of impact 4000 into/with a scope cam system with a ocular side display, without running into patent issue?

Hey Ilya,
This may be a dumb question but is the quality control of leica binoculars and other sport optics are expectably worse compared to their photography counterparts?
I’m only asking since I have lots of excellent cameras and lenses from them and had never had any complaints for the 3 shelves of lenses I owned but the first and only binoculars I got from them seems to have a sizeable imperfection in the case of my Geovid AB+ It’s a wonderful piece of equipment throughout its range of utility and optical clarity.
However, I’m not sure if I’m cherry picking like with photography and cinematography gears but I can’t help to notice there’s a tiny hair/ crack/ glue flake in the edge of the 10 O’clock area in the right tube and it appears to be around 5mm when looking down the binos.
In photography world inperfections like this probably warrant a trip back to the factory; but I assume that similar imperfections in sporting optics doesn’t prevent it from fulfilling its ...

BOTC prizes raffle

As I mentioned yesterday, Ethan and I picked up a couple of items off of the prize table at Burris Optics Team Challenge, which I will be raffling off.

Both prizes were provided by Burris for the prize table which we should all appreciate. Without sponsors, shooting sports would not develop the way they have.

1) $2000 off MSRP certificate for Burris XTR PS 5.5-30x56. This was Ethan's pick, so you can say this is courtesy of Burris and Q.

2) Burris Fastfire 4 was my pick. I have one of these and like it. I've got mine set up as an offset RDS on a nice DMR-ish rifle.

If you would like to be a part of this raffle, please send me an email at

[email protected]

Make sure the email has your name and whether you are going for the XTR PS certificate or Fastfire 4. You can not go for both.

Is anyone excluded from this raffle? yes. Youtubers and influencers. There are a few on this email list and, for the same reason why I think it is inappropriate for me to take anything ...

A morning with a chronograph

When I tell people that I am using Hornady's factory ammo for matches, I get occasionally surprised looks.  Occasionally.  Most of the time, I get fairly condescending looks from handloaders who would not let a factory round pollute the chambers of their precision rifles if their lives depended on it.

To be fair, if I had the time, I might be reloading as well.  I might be able to do better than modern factory ammo, but the truth is that I am not a quarter MOA shooter, so a lot of that would be lost on me.  The UKD matches I fidn most interesting can be done by a competent shooter with a 1MOA gun.  I am working on that first part.  I reload when I have to, but if I can get factory ammo that's not outrageously expensive and that shoots well, I will go with that every time.

I looked around and realized that I have about 600 rounds of Hornady 147gr 6.5CM factory ammo from two lots.  400 rounds from one that I will use during the match later this month.  The remainder I will likely use up practicing prior to that.

I woke up early and snuck out to the range while my family was still asleep earlier today.

I set up in the 100 yard tunnel we have.  I took my four shots to zero with the lot I plan to use for the match.  Then I fired a six shot ~0.7MOA group.  That's accurate enough for my purposes.

Here are the chronograph results:

It is slow, but accurate and consistent.

Then I shot a five round group of Hornady 147gr ammo from the other lot.

Both of those lots are not too shabby for factory ammo.  POI was within 0.2mrad between the two lots, all laterally.  

 

I had some other ammo on hand, so I fired two five shot groups with Berger 144gr hybrid target ammo and Sako TRG 136gr.

Here is what I got for five rounds of Berger:

That's not a ton of statistics, but it is a data point.  The group was ~1.1MOA

 

Here the data for the Sako TRG 136gr ammo:

This ammo showed some mild pressure signs, but not too significant.  

Again, this is not a ton of data, but Hornady is looking pretty decent here.

I'll repeat the zero retention and consistency tests a couple more times between now and June 18th when we head to Wyoming.

I might pick up a couple more boxes of Hornady 147gr from a different lot to get some more data.

More to come.

 

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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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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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