Newcon Optik Laser RangeFinder from Canada

Newcon Optik, based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, produces many optics products for the Canadian military including laser rangefinders, image stabilizers, and night-vision gear. Newcon Optik also sells a line of laser rangefinders for consumers. Newcon claims that its rangefinders offer performance comparable to Leica, but at a much lower cost. The Newcon Optik LRM2000 Pro is designed to function out to 2000 meters, with a “reliable, all-conditions range” of at least 1500 yards. The LRM2000 Pro sells for $499.95 at SWFA.com, making it considerably cheaper than comparable models from Leica and Swarovski.

AccurateShooter.com has not been able to field test the LRM2000 Pro ourselves. For that reason it was not included in our Review of Laser Rangefinders done in 2007. However, we’ve handled the unit at SHOT Show and there are many features we like. First, it has a selectable reticle, offering a choice between a small rectangle and a cross-hair. By contrast, the $890.00 Swarovski Laser-Guide only offers a rather large aiming circle. Some hunters have complained the Swaro’s reticle is just too big for deer-sized animals out past 600 yards or so.

FEATURES
1 - Measurement result
2 - Units of measurement (Yards, Meters, Mils, Degrees)
3 - Low battery indicator
4 - Over 100m indicator (LRM 2500, LRM 2500CI Models only)
5 - Laser active indicator
6 - Target quality indicator (optional)
7 - Reticle (cross or rectangular selectable)

We also like the Newcon Optik’s shape and ergonomics. Sized 4.72″ x 4.8″ x 2.36″, the Newcon is flat and easy to hold, with non-slip rubber grip sections on both left and right sides. You can hold the brick shape securely with two hands, horizontally, like using binoculars.

By contrast, Leica went to an ultra-compact, vertical design for its latest CRF1200 rangefinder. The CRF’s small size makes the Leica easy to carry, but it is more difficult to hold the Leica stable when precise aiming is needed. With the Newcon Optik, you can set it flat on top of a case or rucksack and it’s easier to maintain a solid grip. The LRM2000 Pro also offers a built-in digital compass, a nice feature for anyone in the outdoors.

In the video below, Alex Rudi of Newcon Optik explains the features of the LRM2000 Pro model:

CLICK HERE to watch NEWCON OPTIK VIDEO

How do the Newcon Optik rangefinders perform in the field? Do they live up to the claims of Leica-class performance? We invite our readers who own or use Newcon Optik rangefinders to add their comments.

CLICK HERE for LRM2000 PRO SPECS SHEET (.pdf file)

Angle Cosine Indicator Aids Hunters

Unlike benchrest shooters, hunters need to be able to make shots with significant up-angles or down-angles. That whitetail buck may be poised on a ridgetop above you, or in a valley below. When making an angled shot, the hunter faces a complex ballistic solution. This is because the angle of the shot alters the effective ballistic distance to the target. Whether you shoot up-angle or down-angle, you must adjust your elevation “clicks” as if you are shooting a shorter distance. See the diagram below. The drop of your bullet is a function of gravity, which remains constant. When you shoot at a steep angle, the actual bullet travel over the ground will be less than the sloped distance to your target.

But how do you determine the flat-line or “gravity-corrected distance”? There’s a simple tool that will do the job: the patented Angle Cosine Indicator (ACI) invented by U.S. Army Veteran Ward Brien.

When you aim your rifle at an angle, the ACI shows the cosine value of your intended shot by means of a highly visible index mark. You simply multiply the true, sloped distance to your target by the cosine value (as a percentage), to get the corrected, flat line distance to target, i.e. the bottom leg of the triangle. Then set your scope’s elevation accordingly. For example, if you range the line of sight distance to your target at 400 yards, and the ACI shows a cosine value of 0.87 (for 30 degrees), then your flat-line “gravity-corrected distance” is 400 x 0.87 = 348 yards. Dial your elevation for 350 yards (from your come-up table) and you’re good to go.

This simple multiplication method works well for typical 100-300 yard hunting distances, but it’s not perfect. For longer-range shots, out to 1000 yards, some other factors come into play. The most accurate method for long ranges is to input the cosine number into ballistic software, such as Exbal Ballistic Targeting Software, that runs on a PDA or Palm Pilot. The software takes into account the fact that, during an angled shot, the bullet must still travel the full distance to target, and will have a longer time of flight than when covering the flat line distance. At very long ranges there can be as much as eight (8) MOA difference between the simple multiplication method and the solution generated by the ballistic software.

The Angle Cosine Indicator costs $109.95 from Sniper Tools. The ACI is made from aircraft grade aluminum, anodized flat black. Angles are laser-engraved onto the body in five (5) degree increments. The lens is water-resistant, shatter-proof, and shock-proof. Completely mechanical, there are no batteries or electronics to fail. For more info, visit SniperTools.com, or call (818) 359-0512.

How to Check Your Scope’s True Click Values

Let’s say you’ve purchased a new scope, and the spec-sheet indicates it is calibrated for quarter-MOA clicks. One MOA is 1.047″ inches at 100 yards, so you figure that’s how far your point of impact (POI) will move with four clicks. Well, unfortunately, you may be wrong. You can’t necessarily rely on what the manufacturer says. Production tolerances being what they are, you should test your scope to determine how much movement it actually delivers with each click of the turret. It may move a quarter-MOA, or maybe a quarter-inch, or maybe something else entirely. (Likewise scopes advertised as having 1/8-MOA clicks may deliver more or less than 1 actual MOA for 8 clicks.)

Reader Lindy explains how to check your clicks: “First, make sure the rifle is not loaded. Take a 40″ or longer carpenter’s ruler, and put a very visible mark (such as the center of an orange Shoot’N'C dot), at 37.7 inches. (On mine, I placed two dots side by side every 5 inches, so I could quickly count the dots.) Mount the ruler vertically (zero at top) exactly 100 yards away, carefully measured.

Place the rifle in a good hold on sandbags or other rest. With your hundred-yard zero on the rifle, using max magnification, carefully aim your center crosshairs at the top of the ruler (zero end-point). Have an assistant crank on 36 (indicated) MOA (i.e. 144 clicks), being careful not to move the rifle. (You really do need a helper, it’s very difficult to keep the rifle motionless if you crank the knobs yourself.) With each click, the reticle will move a bit down toward the bottom of the ruler. Note where the center crosshairs rest when your helper is done clicking. If the scope is accurately calibrated, it should be right at that 37.7 inch mark. If not, record where 144 clicks puts you on the ruler, to figure out what your actual click value is. (Repeat this several times as necessary, to get a “rock-solid”, repeatable value.) You now know, for that scope, how much each click actually moves the reticle at 100 yards–and, of course, that will scale proportionally at longer distances. This optical method is better than shooting, because you don’t have the uncertainly associated with determining a group center.

Using this method, I discovered that my Leupold 6.5-20X50 M1 has click values that are calibrated in what I called ‘Shooter’s MOA’, rather than true MOA. That is to say, 4 clicks moved POI 1.000″, rather than 1.047″ (true MOA). That’s about a 5% error.

I’ve tested bunches of scopes, and lots have click values which are significantly off what the manufacturer has advertised. You can’t rely on printed specifications–each scope is different. Until you check your particular scope, you can’t be sure how much it really moves with each click.

I’ve found the true click value varies not only by manufacturer, but by model and individual unit. My Leupold 3.5-10 M3LR was dead on. So was my U.S.O. SN-3 with an H25 reticle, but other SN-3s have been off, and so is my Leupold 6.5-20X50M1. So, check ‘em all, is my policy.”

NEW Sightrons Due in Early May

Alan Orr at Sightron tells us that the much-awaited new Sightron scopes, including the 6-24×50 MilDot and 8-32×50 Target models, are scheduled to arrive in the first week of May. You may want to place orders with vendors soon to be assured of getting one from this shipment.

The new 6-24×50 SIII is an all-new 30mm scope that rivals the Leupold 8-25 LRT in design and performance. Available in target dot or mil-dot reticle, the 6-24×50mm offers a full 100 MOA of windage and elevation in a relatively compact (14.96″) scope weighing 21.90 ounces. Clicks are 1/4 MOA .

NEW 8-32×56mm with 70 MOA of Windage + Elevation
For long-range shooters, the most exciting new offering from Sightron is the SIII 8-32×56mm. This scope has more magnification and a larger front objective than the Leupold 8-25×50 LRT, but with an $825.00 estimated “street price”, the Sightron costs less. Initially, the Sightron 8-32×56 will be offered with 1/4 MOA clicks, and just one reticle, a target dot. Sightron has indicated that other reticles might be offered in the future.

CLICK HERE for Scope SPEC SHEET (MS Excel File)

Nikon BDC 3-9×40 Scope on Sale

Here’s a good deal on a scope suitable for deer hunting and general field use. The magnification range is sensible for an all-around hunting rifle. SWFA is offering the 3-9×40 Team Primos Riflescope for just $199.00 (item 8435). That’s $150.00 off SWFA’s normal price, and $40-$50 cheaper than the best prices we’ve found at other vendors.

Weighing just 13 ounces, the Nikon offers near-constant 3.6-3.7 inch eye relief and 95% light transmission with full-coated lenses. The nitrogen-filled scope is 100% Waterproof/Fogproof/Shockproof and features a one-piece main body tube. Nikon offers a full, lifetime warranty.

The scope features Nikon’s BDC (Bullet Drop Compensating) reticle designed and calibrated to provide fast, simple aiming points for various shot distances. This system has a series of small “ballistic circles”-each subtending 2″ at 100 yards.

Nikon’s BDC is designed to be used with most standard centerfire cartridges with typical bullet weights, providing aiming points out to 500 yards, with a 100-yard sight-in. With Magnum cartridges and typical bullet weights, the same scopes with BDC reticles offer aiming points out to 600 yards, with a 200-yard sight-in.

Great Deal on Steiner 8×30 Binoculars

Currently, Natchez Shooters Supply has the highly regarded Steiner 8×32 Predator binoculars on sale for $199.00, marked down from $249.00. The versatile, rubber-armored Predator 8×30 is small enough to carry easily and fit into a coat pocket, while offering both power and brightness. The Steiner 8×30s provide 20mm of eye relief and a 390-foot-wide field of vision at 1,000 yards. Weight is 18 ounces. The waterproof Predator 8×30s come with Auto-Focus System, wrap-around eye cups that fold down, objective lens covers, binocular case and strap. Steiner offers a 10-year warranty on this model.

This is a very good deal. We did a quick price search on the web. Cabela’s.com has the same 8×30 Steiners for $260.94, while OpticsPlanet.com is charging $249.00.

CLICK HERE to read Steiner Binocular reviews from Cabela’s Customers.

Murdica Tops Field at Cactus Classic

Lou Murdica captured the Two-Gun title at this weekend’s Cactus Classic benchrest match in Phoenix, AZ. Lou’s Two-Gun .2715 Aggregate placed him ahead of runner-up Mike Ratigan (.3177). Lou also won the Heavy Varmint (HV) Grand Agg (with a .2209), and won the HV 200 on Sunday in wicked conditions described as “horrendous” and “a tornado”. In the HV 200, Lou shot an impressive .2209. The next best score was Larry Costa’s .3457. Match Director Gary Ocock called Lou’s HV 200 performance a “Monster Blow Out Win–it was like Lou was shooting on another range.”

Mike Ratigan also did very well in Phoenix. Mike finished second in the Two-Gun, while winning the Light Varmint (LV) Grand with a .3076. Mike also won the LV 200 on Sunday with a .3976. (This was a 4-target Agg because the LV 200 match was cut short by wind and time problems). Larry Costa finished third in Two-Gun with a .3303, and won the HV 100 on Saturday with an impressive .1972 average.

Don Nielson reports: “Lou did not shoot a tuner on either of his guns. He shot a prototype, modified BAT 3-lug action in a Larson wood stock in Light Gun, and a Grizzley in a John Maxon walnut stock in HG.” Both of Lou’s rifles had Bartlein cut-rifled barrels chambered by Don Nielson. One was a 14-twist, while the other had a 1:13.5″ twist. Lou used Bart’s .790 jacket, 65gr boat-tail bullets.

As did most of the top shooters, Lou used March scopes on both his rifles. Lou ran a 40X on the HV, and a 50X on the LV. Both scopes featured a special raised reticle. This has the intersection of the crosshairs well above center. This allows Lou to see more flags in his scope while he’s aiming. Lou noted: “That reticle gives me a quick edge I think. I can see four flags in the scope. When a flag moved, I could pick that up instantly. That really helped me do well on Sunday.”

DaveB, posting on Benchrest Central, noted: “I can’t express how impressed I was with the preformance Lou put on for both Saturday and Sunday. He had time to talk with whomever wanted to ‘chat’ … and still keep his focus to shoot small in every condition imaginable. This was no turkey shoot guys. The best and toughest competitors were there. Lou not only kicked our butt, but made it look easy and was gracious about it.”

Here are Overall Match results, courtesy Gary Ocock:

HV Grand	LV Grand	Two-Gun
1. Lou Murdica .2209 2. Larry Costa .2715 3. Bart Sauter .3067 4. Herman Hefta .3242 5. Mike Ratigan .3278	1. Mike Ratigan .3076 2. Bill Summers .3092 3. Gary Sinclair .3190 4. Lou Murdica .3221 5. Roy Damron .3383	1. Lou Murdica .2715 2. Mike Ratigan .3177 3. Larry Costa .3303 4. Bill Summers .3426 5. Gary Sinclair .3431

Interestingly, in our Jan. 29th Bulletin, we published Lou Murdica’s advice on Benchrest shooting along with the results of Lou’s testing of turned vs. no-turn necks. Lou certainly demonstrated he’s on top of the game right now. Lou told us:

“Since 1991 when I was on the winning team at the 1st World Shoot in France, I started to experiment and shoot every weird thing I could find or build. I tried more crap, bought and built more guns and while doing this I tried to shoot every shoot I could across the country. I took Tony Boyer’s class three years back, and the first thing he told me was pick a couple of guns out of all of them and shoot 6 PPC and nothing else for the next couple years. He told me to spend my money on barrels for those guns. Well, I did as he suggested and boy, it made a difference in my shooting.

What I’m trying to say to all the guys that have been shooting benchrest for a while and are starting to travel to the bigger matches is, stick with proven goods that have dominated for years, like the 6 PPC, with turned necks. You can try the weird stuff in practice.”

DedNutz One-Piece Scope Mounts

Quite a few of our hunter friends have praised the DedNutz scope mounting system. This is a unitized one-piece base AND ring system. Because the rings are integral with the scope base, you won’t encounter any potential misalignment between the front and rear base. You also eliminate the need to keep the rings torqued securely to a separate base. The rigid DedNutz design has no moveable parts between the firearm and the scope.

Made of milled, anodized aluminum, the one-piece DedNutz scope mounting system is one-third the weight of most other one-piece base and ring mounts and it can’t rust. For target rifles with a Weaver or Picatinny-style base, we still advocate the use of Burris Signature Zee rings. However, if you are looking for a sturdy, more rugged scope-mounting set-up, the DedNutz system fits the bill. It would be a good choice for a walk-around varminter or a deer rifle. Because the front and rear rings are precision CNC-machined, DedNutz says that it’s not necessary to lap the rings. We still recommend you inspect the ring edges and lightly debur as necessary. If you choose to lap the rings, do it gently as the inside should be very concentric already and you don’t want to grind through the anodizing.

One DedNutz user, writing on huntingnet.com, comments: “I bought a pair of DedNutz for a Browning A-Bolt and a pair of Talley Lightweights for the same gun. I have to tell you that I think these DedNutz rings are some of the most rugged rings I have seen and yet are very lightweight. If you saw the length of the cap screws and the size of the base screw heads you would be amazed. The [DedNutz] have a superior finish to the talley lightweights … and they are better machined. I put a lapping bar on both and the talleys needed it but not the DNs.”

DedNutz scope mounts are available to fit dozens of different hunting rifles. They are offered in 1″ and 30mm sizes, in matte silver, matte black, or Realtree Camo finishes. DedNutz scope mounts start at about $50.00 and can be purchased from MidwayUSA.com, or direct from DedNutz.com.

CLICK HERE to watch VIDEO

Tech Info for Schmidt & Bender 12.5-50×56 Scope Now Available

German optics-maker Schmidt & Bender has recently released comprehensive information on the new 12.5-60×56 PMII scope. The spec sheets are found on S&B’s German-language website. (The USA website has not been updated yet.) We’ve handled this new scope at SHOT Show and it is very impressive to say the least. While our auto-translation from the German isn’t perfect, (and some of the published info appears to be incorrect), here are key specs we’ve discerned:

Weight: 21.52 ounces (610 grams) HOWEVER 1100 grams may be more accurate*
Overall Length: 16.38″ (416.5 mm)
Main Tube: 34mm
Click Value: 1 cm per click OR 1/4 MOA (two versions)
Reticle: P3 (Others may be available later)

CLICK HERE for Schmidt & Bender 12.5-50 Scope INFO

Note: S&B also lists an exit pupil size range of 13.3 to 3.3 mm. The smaller number doesn’t seem right, unless S&B has achieved a major breakthrough in optics design. At max 50X power, with a 56mm front objective, we calculate the minimum exit pupil as 1.12 mm.

*We also question the stated weight of 610 grams. The 12.5-50X56 S&B Field Target Scope, which is similar in size and features, is listed at 1150 grams or 40.56 ounces.

The scope description states: “The sight is alternatively available with foreseeing in the 1st plane or 2nd plane.” By this we think it means BOTH first-focal-plane reticle and second-focal-plane reticle versions will be offered. On a variable power scope, a first-focal-plane reticle increases or decreases with the power setting, so the reticle always appears the same size relative to the target. When the reticle is in the second focal plane, the reticle stays a constant size as the image increases or decreases in size with the power setting.

We still have no concrete information on scope price or availability in the USA. We’ve heard the figures $2700-2900 tossed around, but S&B representatives won’t give out hard numbers. Keep in mind that the 12.5-50 is NOT illuminated so it could actually be a little cheaper than the 5-25×56 PMII with illuminated reticle.

March Unveils 50X and 60X Target Scopes

The March 40X target scope has already made a big splash in benchrest competition. Many of the top shooters have replaced their Leupold Competition scopes with the March. This editor has shot with a March 40X and I can affirm it is brighter than the Leupold Comp 40X, and the March is sharp and bright all the way out to the edges. There are none of the side-focus parallax lash problems sometimes encountered with the Leupold. In competition so far, the March scopes have shown superior tracking and repeatability.

Based on the successful 40X format, March has introduced two new fixed-power target scopes, a 50X and a 60X. (In addition, there is a new 10-60X zoom–but that will be the subject of a later report.) Lou Murdica has been using the 50X in recent matches and he reports “it is outstanding. Even at 50X it is plenty bright. Visually you won’t notice the difference between the 40 and the 50 except you get more power, of course.”

The new 50X and 60X are the same size and weight as the March 40X. All three versions are 14.29 inches long, and weigh 599 grams (21.04 ounces). That’s about 12 ounces lighter than a Nightforce 12×42 BR. Front objectives are 52mm and the main tube is 30mm. All three fixed-power March scopes feature 72 MOA of total elevation and 50mm of windage. Clicks are 1/8th-MOA for 40X, 50X, and 60X.

The primary optical difference (other than magnification), is the size of the exit pupil. (A scope’s exit pupil is the actual diameter of the tiny cone of light that your eye perceives. A large exit pupil is more “user friendly”. With a very small exit pupil, it becomes more difficult to pick up the white circle of light–the position of your head becomes ultra-critical.) In optics there is no “free lunch”. Holding the front objective diameter constant, if you increase magnification, the exit size will get smaller. The March 40X has a 1.3mm exit pupil, the 50x measures 1.04mm, and the 60X has a 0.87mm exit pupil. We think the very small exit pupil on the 60X may undercut the practical utility of the higher magnification.

In the USA, March Scopes are sold exclusively by Kelbly’s. Call Hobie Bond at Kelby’s for current pricing and availability. We expect the 50X and 60X to run about $2200.00.

CLICK HERE for MARCH 50X and 60X SPEC SHEET

Midway Offers Discounts on Hawkeye Borescopes

If you’ve ever used a borescope to inspect a rifle barrel, you know how valuable these tools can be. No other device lets you see the true condition of your barrel’s lands and grooves, from the throat all the way to the crown. For many of us the question isn’t whether we want and need a borescope, but whether we can afford one. Luckily, MidwayUSA has made it easier to acquire a quality Hawkeye borescope. Currently, MidwayUSA is offering a special 17″ Hawkeye Borescope “Limited Edition Kit” for just $639.99. That’s about $110.00 less than the regular price for the Deluxe Kit. The more expensive model comes with a fitted aluminum case while the Limited Edition Kit ships in a cardboard box.

Standard features of the economical Limited Edition are a 17″ precision stainless steel optical tube with advanced fiber optics, 25x magnification, high intensity (H.I.) light source with batteries, and 90-degree mirror tube, which provides a full 360-degree view of the bore’s interior. This borescope accommodates 17 caliber and larger with the standard mirror tube, and 22 caliber and larger with the 90-degree mirror tube. Optional accessories are a 90-degree eyepiece, and a rechargeable Nova light source which is 8 times brighter than the standard H.I. light source. NOTE: the Limited Edition Kit does have a 90-degree mirror, but not the 90-degree viewing eyepiece. You don’t want to confuse these two components.

MidwayUSA has the Deluxe Hawkeye Borescope Kit on sale for $719.99 through the end of February. This is $30.00 off the normal $749.99 price. The components are similar to the Limited Edition Kit, but the Deluxe Kit includes a high-quality, lockable aluminum hard-case. The 90-degree angled eyepiece, Midway item 181455, costs an additional $274.95, and fits both Deluxe and Limited Edition models.