So I've replaced my beloved Leupy with a Sightron, namely the SSlll 10-15X60 Fine Cross Hair model.
The specs are as follows:
Magnification: |
10-50X |
Object Diameter: |
60 |
Eye Relief: |
3.8-4.5 |
Reticle Type: |
Fine Crosshair |
Click Value: |
1/8 MOA |
Length: |
16.90 |
Tube Diameter: |
30mm |
Windage Elevation Travel: |
50 |
Weight: |
30.10 oz |
Finish: |
Matte Black |
Minutes Per Revolution: |
10 |
Knob Type: |
Target |
Sunshade Included: |
No |
Lens Cover Included: |
Yes |
Minimum Focus: |
13 yards |
Waterproof: |
Yes |
Windage Elevation Knobs: |
Target Type (Resettable) |
Adjustable Objective: |
Side Focus |
Fully Multi Coated: |
Yes (Zact-7 TM 7-Layer) |
I mounted this scope last week and tested it this weekend. It seemed quite a bit heavier than the leupy, but then there is double the magnification. Whilst fitting it, I realised how critical eye relief is at 40/50 X, no doubt the airgun boy's shooting FT could give me a lesson here. It's also quite a long scope and with the sunshade on it extends beyond the end of my fore-end. Turrets are marked in a gold colour which stands out well against the matte black. They rotate easily and lightly, but are still precise and provide 10 MOA per rotation, which are broken down into 1/8 moa clicks.
The retcule is fine and to be honest I was a little worried about how fine it is and how I would get along with a plain fine reticule. On my leupy I had the varmint hunter reticule which afforded me hash marks along the horizontal stadia, which I used for estimation of hold off. The new reticule is a simple fine cross without any extra markings.
Shooting:
I went down to the 25yard range to shoot the safety target, not knowing what to expect from this scope. Target up and bipod set, I peered through it at 10X and focused the reticule on the target. Much to my surprise the target was crystal clear as was the reticule, this was a compromise on the leupy as it could not focus down to under 50 yards. Bonus point for the sightron. The clicks and movement on the turrets proved easy to use and tracked well.
MNSCI's Creedmoor range was my next stop and I decided to shoot 800 yards as it's a distance I and possibly many other shooters seem to neglect. Target board up and rifle on the line I peered through the sightron. Clarity was good and the reticule was easy to see and use, Oh!!! Hang on I'm only on 20X ... let's just see what all the fuss is about, and so I wound it up to 50X. Well to say I could see details on my target would be an understatement. Adjusting the parallax and eye focus allowed me to see the black patches on the black target from 800 yards. Quite impressive. The quality of the picture was a little greyish but only compared to the leupy's high quality contrast and definition, but then I have to remember the leupy was only 25X.
So sightron at 50 X at 800 yards... Verdict? Yep, I like it. There is a slight trade off on the contrast but at 50X the scope is easy to use and provides a good sight picture, to the point where you can think about your shooting and pick your point for hold off and not think about the scope or reticule. I was surprised at how easily I took to the fine reticule and the issue of extra hash marks to guesstimate hold off didn't come into it. I could precisely pick and hold my point of aim.
Conclusion:
This scope provides a good picture quality at longer ranges with very high magnification. It's very usable and tracks well. An excellent scope and excellent value for money. Perfect for beginner or accomplished alike.