Guns Illustrated 2011. Dan ShidelerЧитать онлайн книгу.
the world over, Steiner introduced last year the 21-ounce Wildlife Pro 8x30 binocular, its first center-focus Porro-prism glass in twenty years. For 2010, the firm has announced a laser range-finding binocular. The 10x50 LRF can reportedly range refl ective targets to 1,600 yards, and with 1-yard accuracy to 500. The digital display comes up quickly; a scan mode helps you range moving targets. The LRF has HD glass and weighs 46 ounces. Also new from Steiner: 8x56 and 10x56 Predator C5 binoculars. While at 40 and 43 ounces these aren’t as portable as smaller Steiners, they give you brilliant images in poor light. The 7mm and nearly-6mm exit pupils are all the average eye can use in the deepest shadow. I find these glasses very bright. The newest center-focus versions wear a thin rubber armor for a slim profile. Still the flagship of Steiner’s line is the Peregrine XP. This center-focus, open-bridge binocular focuses as close as 6-1/2 feet. The large 30mm eyepieces have twist-up eyecups and fl exible wings that fold back to prevent external fogging from face moisture. Outside lens surfaces feature a hydrophobic “NANO Protection.” It beads water so you can see clearly in rain and snow. The Peregrine XP (8x44 and 10x44) is waterproof and lightweight, with a rugged magnesium frame. It comes with neoprene hood and a clever Click-Loc strap. The Peregrine XP has earned the NRA’s coveted Golden Bullseye Award for excellence. (Steiner-binoculars.com.)
SWAROVSKI
After a decade of vigorous new-product development, Swarovski is tweaking its EL binocular. The Traveler 8x32 and 10x32 are the company’s best hunting bi-nos in casual dress. I like the open-hinge design. Swarovski has expanded its Z6 rifle-scope line to include 2.5-15x56 and 2.5-15x44 sights. They afford you the lowest practical magnifi cation plus enough power to pester prairie dogs in the off-season. I’ve used the 1.7-10x42 afield, have only good things to say about it. The newest Z6 is a 2.5-15x56. As with other 30mm Z6 models, an illuminated reticle is an option. The switch, atop the eyepiece, has an automatic shutoff and two memory locations, one for daytime and one for night use. Turn the switch and the reticle delivers illumination for prevailing conditions. The 1-6x24 Z6 has the broadest power range of any “dangerous game” sight. At 4-3/4 inches, its eye relief is most generous. Swarovski’s Z5 rifle-scopes offer fi ve-times magnifi cation in one-inch tubes. A 3-15x42 may be the perfect scope for shooters who want the greatest versatility in a relatively lightweight scope. Swarovski borrowed from subsidiary Kahles to produce a Ballistic Turret capable of storing several zero settings. You set those zeroes with ballistics tables or by live firing. Change load and zero; then return to your original in a wink. The Ballistic Turret is an option on selected Swarovski scopes. A simpler way to hit long-range targets is with the BR reticle. Its ladder-type bottom wire has 10 hash-marks. BR is available in three AV models and 1.7-10x42 and 2-12x50 Z6 sights. (Swarovskioptik.com.)
Nightforce specializes in high-power Riflescopes. But hunting models have recently appeared.
Author killed this leopard in tall grass at 12 yards. Credit a Leupold 1.5-5x20 for the quick shot!
Bright glass (here in a Leupold) can salvage a hunt when your only shot comes in dim light!
TRIJICON
The ACOG (Advanced Combat Optical Gunsight) established Trijicon as a leading innovator in rifle optics. More than half a million have been sold. But the ACOG’s application is primarily military. The AccuPoint is Trijicon’s fl agship hunting optic, a scope with two sources of reticle illumination. The fi ber optic window in the ocular bell, and tritium in the reticle itself, yield a bright aiming point without batteries. An adjustable cover lets you trim light from the fi ber optic coil and tune reticle brightness. Last year AccuPoint came up with plex and crosswire-and-dot reticles, as alternatives to its original super-fast delta. Lost in the lumination hype, however, has been the quality of Trijicon optics. “It’s defi nitely top-drawer,” Trijicon’s Andrew Chilkewicz reminds me. I agree. Trijicon’s fully multi-coated glass gives you brilliant, razor-edged images. And if you’ve shied from lighted reticles, this is the brand to try first. Choose a delta in amber, red or green, a dot in amber or green. Combine it with a black crosswire if you like. I prefer the crosswire and amber dot. My pick among Trijicon scopes is the 3-9x40. After decades in the fi eld, it’s still in my view the most practical for all-around big game hunting. But you can also opt for a 1.25-4x24 or a 2.5-10x56 with 1-inch tube. A 1-4x24 and a powerful 5-20x50 have 30mm tubes. For fast shooting in ‘pole thickets, Trijicon markets refl ex sights with lighted dots of various sizes. The RMR (Ruggedized Miniature Reflex) can be had with a light-emitting diode that automatically adjusts to incident light. It has an alloy housing, the Trijicon RedDot sight a nylon-polymer frame. Either can be paired with the ACOG. A battery-free RMR uses tritium and fi ber optics only; the electronic version is powered by a 17,000-hour lithium battery. (Trijicon.com.)
Author banged this gong repeatedly from 540 yards with a Leupold/Greybull scope on a .243.
TRUGLO
Luminescent shotgun beads and rifle-sight inserts, with tritium and fi ber-optic elements, brought TruGlo early success. Now the firm offers red dot sights and Rifle-scopes too. Waterproof and compatible with any Weaver-style mount, the red dot sights come in refl ex (open) confi guration or 1-inch and 30mm and 40mm tubes. Dual-Color (red and green) Multi-Reticles come standard in some models. All versions of the tube sight have unlimited eye relief, multi-coated lenses, click-stop windage/elevation adjustments, an 11-level rheostat to control reticle brightness. Refl ex red dot sights weigh as little as 2 ounces, carry a 4-minute dot with manual and light-sensitive automatic brightness modes. TruGlo markets several series of rifle-scopes, topped by the Maxus XLE in 1.5-6x44, 3-9x44 and 3.5-10x50. The Infi nity 4-16x44 and 6-24x44 have adjustable objectives. To make long-range hits easier across a variety of loads, each comes with three replaceable BDC elevation knobs. Tru-Brite Xtreme Illuminated rifle-scopes feature dual-color plex and range-finding reticles. Pick a 3-9x44, 3-12x44 or 4-16x50. Muzzleloader versions are available. The 4x32 Compact scope for rimfires and shotguns, 4x32 and 1.5-5x32 illuminated sights for crossbows round out TruGlo’s stable of 1-inch scopes. TruGlo line of illuminated iron sights includes a fiber optic AR-15 gas block front sight with protected green bead. (Truglo.com.)
VORTEX
New Razor scopes from Vortex refl ect the growing interest in tactical sights. The 1.4-4x24 has a 30mm tube, the 5-20x50 a 35mm tube. Both scopes deliver brilliant images from extra-low-dispersion lenses. Lighted, etched-glass reticles lie in the first focal plane. A zero-stop mechanism in the elevation dial prevents it from spinning past sight-in setting, for fast return to zero. Vortex matches turrets with reticles; and you can specify mil-dot graduations, or minutes of angle. More practical for most hunters are Vortex Vipers. Also available in tactical guise, they come in six versions and fi ve power ranges. I prefer the 3-9x40 (14 ounces) and 4-12x40 (17 ounces). Choose from six reticles, including dot, BDC and mil-dot. The Viper line features both 30mm and 1-inch tubes. More affordable Vortex Diamondbacks have 1-inch tubes only, as do entry-level Crossfires. All boast fully multi-coated optics.
A BSA Catseye scope on a Kimber 84L in .30-06 produced these groups (and filled a deer tag).
The widest selection in the Vortex family comes under the Crossfire banner. That line includes 2-7x32 and 4x32 sights for rimfires, a 2x20 handgun scope and a 3x32 for crossbows. As with the Vipers, you get tall target knobs (and 30mm tubes) on the most powerful scopes. Specify a mil dot or illuminated mil dot reticle on the 6-24x50 AO. Vortex also lists a red dot sight, the Strikefire, with fully multi-coated lenses. Choose red or green dot to suit conditions. The sight has a 30mm tube and weighs 7.2 ounces. It has unlimited eye relief, comes with a 2x optical doubler. The new, shorter Sparc red dot sight weighs just 5 ounces and features a one-piece, multi-height base, a 2-minute dot. Like