Looking at scopes

[Eric Johanen]

Yesterdays peeper doc appointment was a good news/bad news deal. Eyes are healthy, pressures good no glaucoma but starting to develop cataracts. After a good discussion of requirements (me) and what can be done (doc), the conclusion is am asking more of my vision than it is currently capable of. No problem with the irons at 600 and 800 yards but things are starting to get tough at 900 and downright a tussel at 1000. My current prescription is about as good as it's going to get so, that means glass for the longer ranges. Do not want to change but will have to in order to properly see the targets. I guess this and getting my Medicare card means I'm entering my "Golden Years"? Thank God for modern old time scopes and mounts! I'll be researching them and picking one up this off season and be ready to learn how to use one and do battle next year. Any thoughts on scopes and mounts would be welcome.

[Mike]

Eric, Been there, done that... The scope I selected was a used RHO which is now mounted to my .40/70. That has helped me see the targets but it hasn't helped much in hitting those targets... And, just two days ago, I had the lens in my shooting eye replaced. I expect to test that eye, with iron sights, tomorrow. One thing I will point out about the scopes, in general. Look at the Quigley scores and at other matches. Iron sight shooters almost always outshoot the scope shooters. That probably just because they are better shooters.... Shoot sharp, Mike

[Kurt]

I been fighting with a scope now for several years. I have a MVA and a DZ Arms scope. Both are good quality scopes but I just cant shoot a scope as well as the tang sights. I put the scope on and in a short time it is back off.

The only advantage I see using a scope is I can again see a target on hazy days or see the target when the background is dark like a black silhouette on a dark brown mineralized berm. I have a very heavy floater in the center of my vision and when it get overcast I cant see through it even with the largest hole in the eyecup. Looking at the iron gong targets that have a white dot on them I see two dots and they seem like they are moving all over the place on a overcast day.

[rdnck]

If you had eye surgery (lens replacement) two days ago, you are making a HUGE mistake shooting tomorrow. For God's sake, check with your eye surgeon! Shoot straight, rdnck.

[Fogman01]

I have researched old time style modern scopes and MVA is about it. They are the best that is out there now. I have a full length MVA on my 45-70 and like it just fine. RHO scopes are better replicas and are superb IMHO, but very hard to find.

[Eric Johanen]

Confirmed this weekend at the Lodi Creedmoor...I can no longer see a defined bull at 1000 yards! Did not break 50 on both days. Low score for 900 on Saturday due to not enough light on the face of the target. 76 posted for Sunday as the light was brighter and I could see the bull. 800 on Sunday I posted my best score to date at that range 85-1X. I could see a nice clear bull. My eye's now require a bright target face for a well defined bull. (rear is opened to the max available). Will have to go for glass to see in the future. I am being very, verrrrry good in hopes that Santa brings me a nice gift for Christmas. Come Spring I'll be learning to properly use and adjust a scope for long range shooting. Steel matches I can still see the targets to 600 and will continue to use irons for those matches.

[Don McDowell]

23 in MVA with the mil dot reticle and the silloutte mount will serve you well.

[Eric Johanen]

Shooting Pal has been using a MVA series 3000 28 inch, 7 mli-dot with the Creedmoor mounts very successfully for the last month and fielded it at the Lodi Creedmoor over the Labor Day weekend. No shadow of the front of the scope at these ranges and I will likely order the same set up for my scope requirements. Glass is very clear and the reticle is sharp for me. Adjustments are easy and hold using a 45-90. I use 25 and 36 power scopes on my target bolt rifles and unless I coffee up a little too much have no problems breaking the shots so a low power scope should not be a problem. Come on Christmas and pay attention Santa!

[Gunlaker]

I have been recently using a 23" MVA with the centerless mildot reticle and DZ Arms mounts.

I used this combination at the Byers regional Creedmoor match in August and really liked it. I could see the mirage as well as the shot markers very clearly. I think if you spot for yourself this can have some advantage.

Chris.

[Eric Johanen]

That's interesting Chris. When on a short squad and you have to share a spotter who is naturally more concerned with his mates posting good scores, you sometimes get a bit short shrift and have to make your own calls. Being able to read mirage with the scope could improve your score. Happened to me at Lodi last weekend. Not complaining but without my own scorer/spotter made staying in the center a lot harder. Sunday we had a full squad and it really improved my scores when my partner was calling conditions for me. Do you have any problems with the DZ mounts ? I am looking at the MVA Creedmoor mounts and the DZ's may be worth a look. My Pal took high score in a buffalo match yesterday using his scope and pulling his targets he was able to really keep a nice tight group in the middle of the heart scoring ring. 4 shots through the spotter disc. Looked pretty nice in the pits! He was 12 points up on the best iron sight shooter. I shot my Sharps 74 Military Rifle in 50-70 and was pleased with my score. Shot the only true "Buffalo Gun" in the match! Barrel sights in the rain and overcast conditions. Great fun!!