The latest Kahles scope series is called CL, for Compact Light. The turret-mounted "AO" dial refines focus and eliminates parallax error. Kahles offers this feature on every CL sight, not just high-power models. Kahles marketing manager Hermann Theisinger points out that parallax (the apparent shift of the target image against the reticle as you move your eye off the scope's axis) can be exacerbated at low magnification. "High power shrinks the exit pupil," he says, "forcing your eye onto the optical axis of the sight. At low power the lenses can give you a full field of view even when your eye is off-axis." But the headline feature of the CL has nothing to do with parallax. It's the elevation dial that allows you to preset the scope for multiple zeroes.
"In fact, you can establish up to five zeroes at distances to 500 yards," says Hermann. "The dial has a miniature clutch that engages to give you normal quarter-minute adjustments, but once you've set a zero, you can disengage it to set another. Each is easily recorded. Once you've set the scope, all that's needed to switch zeroes is a twist of the elevation knob to the next detent. You never lose the settings unless you change them." According to Hermann, the CL mechanism is durable, reliable and more accurate than ballistic cams--though it was an engineering challenge. "You can set zeroes for different ranges or loads or use the settings to lock in point of impact when you switch the scope from one rifle to another."
Kahles CL scopes are available in three configurations: 3-9x42, 3-10x50 and 4-12x52. Manufactured in Austria, these sights are assembled at the company's U.S. headquarters in Cranston, Rhode Island. They will retail for a little more than the AV scopes. I recently tested a CL scope on a .22-250 rifle with zeroes set at 100, 200 and 300 yards. The bullets hit the middle with a center hold every time. Hermann says the Kahles factory in Vienna is now running three shifts seven days a week to keep up with demand for CLs and its other scopes.
LEGACY KEEPS PRICES LOW
Legacy-imported Howa and Mauser rifles are familiar to many shooters. "But we also sell Nikko-Sterling optics at very competitive prices," says Janet Davis. Three Gold Crown riflescopes debut this year: 4x32, 4x32 AO and 3-9x42. "The 4x32 AO is designed for rimfire riflemen who want to zero out parallax at closer ranges but don't want the bulk or magnification of traditional varmint scopes," Janet says. All three one-inch scopes feature multicoated lenses, plex reticles and fast-focus eyepieces. They come with flip-up scope covers and list for less than $70. Even more affordable are Reflex Red Dot sights from Nikko-Sterling. New 30mm and 40mm versions with integral mounts have 11 brightness settings and five MOA dots.
LEUPOLD'S UPDATED FIXED-POWERS
I've a warm spot in my heart for Leupold and not just because its headquarters are in my part of the country. While many optics firms have abandoned fixed-power scopes, Leupold has kept them in the catalog. Now, after many years of success with M8s, Leupold is improving the series. The new 4X has the endearing profile of its predecessor. It's called the FX-II, a predictable follow-up to the VX that replaced the legendary Vari-X series. The FX-II 4x33 weighs 9.3 ounces, same as before. But lenses have Multicoat 4 coatings, a step up from the treatment given the old M8s. Coin-slotted quarter-minute click adjustments replace traditional friction-fit dials. Available in matte finish or gloss, with wide Duplex or standard Duplex reticle, this scope offers a whopping four inches of eye relief.
Leupold Mk 43 5-10x40
Of course, Leupold didn't stop with a 4X. The new FX-II 6x36 offers the same improvements. But you can also order this 10-ounce sight with Leupold Dot and Post & Duplex reticles. Leupold's other new 6X is the 11-ounce FX-III 6x42. The "III" means that like VX-III variables, it has a matched-lens system. Windage and elevation dials are finger-friendly. Generous objective glass gives you an exit pupil of 7mm. A competition model features target knobs and adjustable objective. It weighs 15 ounces. For longer shots, there's an FX-III 12x40 target scope with adjustable objective. Trim and lightweight at just 13 inches and 13 ounces, this is an ideal sight for "walking varmint rifles" that are often shot from the sit or prone.
If you hunt in timber, consider the FX-II Ultralight 2.5x20. At 6.5 ounces, it's lighter than some iron sights and delivers a 40-foot field of view at 100 yards. There's also an FX-II Scout scope, designed for forward mounting on the likes of Ruger's 77 Frontier. Leupold has added FXII 2x20 and 4x28 pistol scopes to its line as well. They deliver 18-inch eye relief in six- and seven-ounce packages.
Variable scopes are making headlines at Beaverton, too. The VX-I 1-4x20 features a heavy Duplex reticle for quick shooting. Both it and a companion 2-7x33 are named "Shotgun and Muzzleloader," with parallax correction set at a practical 75 yards. VX-IIs include Ultralights: a 2-7x28, at just over eight ounces, and the 3-9x33, at just under nine. They feature Multicoat 4 lenses. The EFR version of the Ultralight 3-9x33 includes a focusing (AO) sleeve up front.
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