Benchrest Scope Report

J

Jack Roberts

Moderator - Deceased
I do not shoot benchrest but a good friend does and he tries to keep me up on what's happening. The following is from an email he sent me.

"Now that benchrest rifles capable of sub 0.2" groups are common, the limiting factor is the scope's stability under recoil. There are several guys who are taking the guts out of $500 - $1000 target scopes and epoxying the erector lens and crosshair (centered) so they can't move. They use mounts with some degree of adjustability to get on target. This works fine for the group shooters, but its a non-starter for us score shooter types. There's supposed to be a new scope being made in Japan that will be "rock steady" in terms of holding absolute zero. I can't wait to hear the reports on the Benchrest board.
Ed"

This is not news to me because for years it has been easier to get an accurate rifle than an accurate scope. With all the expensive target scopes out there it is a shame nobody makes a perfect one.

Jack
 
From what I hear, the BR Leupold scopes are good for about one season and then it's off to the custom shop for repair. The 8.5x25x50 LRT's are holding up very good but 25x compared to 35x, 40x or 45x??. Nightforce = $$$$$$$$
Some are shooting the B&L Elite 4200 series or the Weaver T Series. I'll stick with the Leupold for now but your right, the scopes are certainly the weak link.
 
Ran into one of the old Unertles the other day in a local pawn shop. I would love to see that design come back with the old micrometer adjustments outside the tube. I think I would really love to try one. The one I saw was $750 for a 14 power.
 
I have several of those but although better than new scopes they still can vary .050 to .100 from shot to shot.

When only .010 or less separates the winner from the rest, the closer to perfect the better.

True, wind doping ability is most important but a good scope is second.

Jack
 
Jack,

I haven't shot centerfire benchrest competetively since 1980, so I'm dated.
But, I've read where guys are taking a regular scope and fitting Unertl type adjustments to the scope to solve the problem. One of the big improvements in centerfire benchrest shooting came with receiver mounted scopes by getting the Unertl type scopes off the barrel, where they did influence accuracy. But, that external adjustment system is about the best system, leaving the internal adjustments out of the equation. Epoxying the internals, and using external adjustments is about the best we have going for benchrest scopes.
I would agree with you on the lack of adequate benchres scopes available today. I gotta think it's a matter of the market not being large enough for a scope maker to address.

Good thread, and close to my heart. I started centerfire benchrest shooting in 1970, prior to the 6mm PPC coming on line. The rifles of choice back then were the 222 Rem and the 6x47. I had both.

Kind of wish I had another 6x47 as it was a winner, back then. The PPC overshadows it today, but I had a love affair with my 6x47, and like that chambering.

Martyn
 
Jack: I'm impressed with the amount of knowledge you have acquired and thank you for being willing to share it. My neighbor back in 1980 had a Unertl on a Remington 6mm. I was always impressed with those optics. My only problem is his 20power had a tuff time finding the dog if he missed. That being said , how much do you feel one of the Unertl's should cost on todays market ? I'm asking ballpark. I understand use, condition all those things , but I checked ebay and they look like they are running in the $300-500 range and spiking for a Marine Sniper in the $4,000 + range. Thanks for any input. Al.
 
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I have a couple Unertls but have no idea on value. I sent them to Unertl about 20 years ago and had them completely refurbished, which they did for free. They are very nice scopes and compare favorably with new scopes even though they have to be 50 years old.

Jack
 
SSCOYOTE : Sounds like your not using them anymore ??? Or are they in the closet gathering dust ? PM me if you don't want the 20 X.
 
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I appreciate the offer Al, but i'm gonna hold onto these. I'm into LR handguns these days, but for some reason i just can't sell them.
 
SSCOYOTE: Can't blame you. If I had a couple I would keep them also. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif They are like gold, can't go anywhere but up in price. Take care, AL.
 
Hi Jack,
Lou Murdica has an order coming in soon for the new March scopes made by Koto Precision in Japan. I believe Turk Takano is the importer, or is helping in getting this run made. Here is a picture of one on Lou's rail gun.

102106Visaliaunlim001-copy.jpg


They are supposed to be flawless in keeping POI-they better be for 2300-2500 bucks. But then again, you won't have to buy 3 or 4 Leupolds to modify or freeze and get the external adjustment rings either.

As you said, it will be interesting to see. On the other side of the fence there are many top shooters including HOF that don't have any modifications on their Leupolds.

-Mike
 
I do not compete in benchrest so I am quite content with a fixed power scope that will hold .125". There are no variables that will hold that but I have some fixed power Lyman and Leupold scopes that will.

For benchrest competition giving up even .020" to the scope can mean the difference between first and fifth place.

Jack
 
Haven't seen one word on this thread about the fine Nightforce scopes. More and more of these are showing up at IBS matches nowdays. Excellent optics coupled with amazing brightness. The weight is the only drawback to those wanting to shoot in the LV or Sporter class. (10.5 lbs.)
 
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Haven't seen one word on this thread about the fine Nightforce scopes. More and more of these are showing up at IBS matches nowdays. Excellent optics coupled with amazing brightness. The weight is the only drawback to those wanting to shoot in the LV or Sporter class. (10.5 lbs.)


Probably because there's nothing bad to say about them! The only drawback as you mentioned would be the weight factor. A lot of competitors will use a single gun for LV, HV, and sporter because they find it easier to keep in tune. Tony Boyer told me that down at the 2005 Cactus when I was thinking about changing to another rifle for HV.

There are guys that have made weight with the Nightforce, but some of them are under the 5lb weight on their barrel which means they may be losing some fps by shooting a shorter barrel. The normal 5lb barrel is 20-22" long depending on blank size.
-MP
 


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