What is your opinion of Shepherd scopes?

Where are the Shepherd's made? The reason for my asking is that I've become snakebit at anything made in the Peoples Republic of China. I had to return two Bushnells last year. They never even made it through their first trip to the range. One was a Sportsman 4x12; the other was a Sportview 4x12. They simply couldn't handle any degree of recoil. Both were mounted on a .308Win. If the Shepherd is made there, I'd certainly look elsewhere. Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal
 
Personally I don't like them. For the price I'd buy either a Leupold, Nikon Monarch, Bushnell Elite 4200 or Zeiss Conquest.

It's not that difficule to learn how to range using a duplex reticle and I take the drop of my specific round inside the flip up.

I think you wold be money ahead to buy a Leica laser range finder and then when you set up at a stand range several landmarks and make a mental note of what a 100, 200 etc yard shot is.

Just my opinion.

Cheers!
 
Hi Cal. Here's a link to their site. http://www.shepherdscopes.com/ They are in NE but I'm not sure if they make them there or not.

Yeah hoosierdaddy, they are kinda spendy. The "one shot zero" thing seemed attractive to me. I could see where real precise shooting might be a problem with those circles. Maybe not.

Thanks fellas! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
Originally posted by Curt:
[qb] The "one shot zero" thing seemed attractive to me.[/qb]
Click to expand...
I can generally have my rifles zeroed at 100 yards in less than 10 rounds if I get on the paper within the first 2-3 rounds. My brother and I shoot together and spot for one another. Once I'm on the paper, I use 1/4" grids on my targets, I move only up/down or left right, never both. This makes it easier for me to remember what adjustment I've made and correct it if I need to. I really only need to know if my scope has 1/8MOA or 1/4MOA clicks. Then it's just a matter of knowing how many 1/4" squares I need to move.

This process has worked so well for me that I rarely use a bore sighter any more. The only time I get into a problem is if I use rings and mounts that have windage adjustments. Then I have to be very careful to mount the rings so they are exactly in the center of the bore. However, if you have access to a bore sighter you can get on the paper faster ond make your adjustments according to the 1/4" squares. The $500+ you save will buy a ton of graph paper.

Of course, if you like a Sheppard and want one don't let my opinion stand in your way. All that really matters is that you like your rig enough to go out and shoot it.

Cheers!
 
Curt, I've only ever actually used a Shepard once, so... But, anyway, one of my buddies has one on a .22WMR. His is calibrated for p-dogs (9" circles). The optical quality of his is excellent - better than most Leupold's. The ranging/trajectory feature does seem to work, within obvious limitations.

- DAA
 
Curt,
I used to think the Shepard was the way to go. Had a buddy with one and he shot pdogs at amazing distances. But, I just got a Leica rangefinder and this little baby has taken all the guess work out of shooting. I have a Mil Dot reticle in a Burris 4-16 signature. With the rangefinder, I know exactly how far something is and all I do is put the appropriate dot on it. Works really well. Food for thought.
 
Curt,
Worked with one of these several years ago for sniper rifle applications. Was not too impressed. However, the newer ones maybe lots better! The circles as you said were hard to do precision shooting with. On a large animal or foe, I could hit the target at extended ranges but only somewhere! Not precise. Unlike DAA's experience, the optics on this one was not good at all on long range targets Much better to go with Laser and target turrets.

Another option would be have Dick Thomas at Premier Reticles design a reticle for your rifle/load. He can put ever how many lines or dots you want at distances you want.
 
I have a Shepard P2 on top of my Bushmaster AR-15 and love it. The main feature that I like about it is that you can visually see if the scope is off, like if the scope gets bumped for some reason. Up til now, that has never happened to me.It is very deadly on PD's at just about any range. I would purchase another one.
 
Thanks a bunch fellas! The main thing I was going to use it for was coyotes. Seemed like the Shepherd would be handy for the quick ranging needed for those mobile critters. Randy, how do you like your on coyotes?

I hear a lot of good stuff about Premier Recticle. Something to consider.

Thanks again
 


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