Swarovski’s Ballistic Turret

These days, rifles are more accurate and can shoot farther than ever before. Military sniper rifles and bench rest rifles can accurately reach ranges of 1000 yards or more on a regular basis. Most shooters can afford a sub-MOA rifle these days and in a caliber that gives good knock down potential even at greater distances. This gives modern hunters and shooters confidence to make ethical kill, and more accurate shots farther.

Since there are so many rifles out there that shoot very well, you need a good rifle scope and shooting solution for greater distances. An easy solution for various distance shooting is what most shooters and manufactures are after. Almost every rifle scope manufacture has a solution for various distances shooting. Nikon, Leupold, Burris, Zeiss, Nightforce, Pentax, Schmidt and bender, Swarovski and many other companies have come out with one or more ways to compensate for shooting at various distances.

To explain what I mean, most of these companies’ solutions start with a busy reticle, or a custom made dial specific to one, very specific load. While these solutions are good, they aren’t absolute or perfect. The custom turrets can be a good solution for some people, and many guys like them but I’m not a fan of custom turrets. With custom turrets too many things have to stay constant, if there is even a slight variation in loaded ammunition, if you switch powders or bullets in hand loads, you have to get a new turret. This could make or break a hunt if change ammunition for any reason. The ballistic reticles are another good option. Most ballistic reticles are backed by online calculators supported by the manufacture. This can give shooters and hunters flexibility not offered by custom turrets. You can also change ammunition without any problems. These ballistic reticles are a great option. But what if you want a simple reticle, like a duplex or classic german number 4? Swarovski has a ballistic reticle, but Swarovski also has a system that I think is the easiest and most versatile to use for easy various distance.

It’s called the Swarovski Ballistic Turret system, and it’s the best system to date. Backed by a Swarovski’s ballistic calculator, the Swarovski Ballistic turret rifle scopes allow the shooter to use a simple reticle, and give the shooter the ability to engage targets at various distances. The way the system works is it allows shooters to zero the rifle, and then set up to 4 more zeros by using the calculator. Let me say it again, you only have to zero your rifle once, and then the calculator gives you the other 4 zeros. This allows you to have 5 different zeros and means you can have your cross hair dead on at a target and simply change the turret’s position to the specified colored tab. You can set your zero at any distance, and vary the distances your other zeros will represent. No busy reticle, no specific ballistic turret, just a simple reticle and solution. This system also allows you to shoot at various distances under stress, which is important if you stalking a trophy animal or in intense competition. Even under high stress it’s easy to choose the color and put the cross hair on the animal. Any shooter that uses this system will tell you how easy it is to engage targets at various distances with speed all because of this innovative system. It’s as close to perfect as a various distance shooting system can be. Check out the short video at the bottom to see the potential of this system. If you want the easiest various distance shooting system, the Swarovski Ballistic turret system is the way to go. That’s the word from sportoptics.com.

Nightforce NXS and Benchrest Comparisons

We are often asked what the difference between the Nightforce NXS Rifle Scopes and the Nightforce Benchrest Rifle Scopes are. Here is a response we got from our good friend Nathan Hunt, formerly of Nightforce Optics, on the subject:

“Both models are inspected individually for resolution, tracking accuracy, and point of impact shift after being subjected to a battery of impacts: side impacts from the 12, 3, 6, and 9 o clock positions on the objective bell (this includes the adjustable objective BR models), and forward and reverse impacts to simulate various types of recoil. Although they endure the same quality control checks both scopes were designed from the ground up for different and specific purposes. The NXS is a dedicated design for the tactical marksman and the BR is a dedicated design for the Benchrest shooter.
1. The NXS scope has quarter minute clicks while the Benchrest scope has eighth minute clicks.
- A quarter minute click is a good compromise between precision at distance and not having to count too many clicks to get on target. A quarter Minute Click will yield a click value of roughly 2.5” at 1000 yards. This is great for tactical use but the target shooter may want a finer adjustment to get impacts as close to center as possible.
- The BR Series of scopes has adjustments with eighth minute graduations. This yields a click value of roughly 1.25” at 1000 yards. This allows a shooter to take advantage of all of his rifles practical accuracy
2. The Nightforce NXS scope has a side parallax adjustment and the BR has an AO(Adjustable Objective).
- A side parallax adjustment allows a shooter to eliminate parallax with a minimal amount of movement required. This configuration is safer for military marksmen and faster and more comfortable for competitive shooters engaging targets at varying distances.
- An AO allows less lens elements to be used in the optical design. This provides a scope that is less expensive to produce and has less air to glass surfaces inside that reflect or absorb available light.
3. The NXS has an internal rheostat and the BR has an externally adjustable rheostat for illuminating the reticles.
- The internal rheostat in the NXS is impossible to inadvertently activate at maximum intensity, giving away a soldiers position. It comes adjusted from the factory for low light conditions, but is end user adjustable by turning a small screw under the battery.
- The external rheostat on the BR allows the shooter to choose the level of illumination appropriate to the conditions instantly by turning an adjustment located on the scope’s ocular bell.
4. The NXS has exposed windage and elevation adjustments and the BR has capped windage and elevation adjustments.
- The NXS has exposed turrets for fast adjustments in the field.
- The backlash clearance in a Nightforce Rifle Scope is less than 1/30th the thickness of a human hair, but the use of capped windage and elevation adjustments on the BR series eliminates that entirely.
5. The NXS has a lock-ring adjustable eyepiece and the BR has a fast focus eye piece; for reticle clarity and definition.
- Once adjusted, the diopter adjustment on the NXS is protected by a lock ring preventing it from being out of focus when the operator needs it the most.
- The fast focus eyepiece on the BR allows the competitive marksman to have the sharpest reticle image possible with a quick and easy adjustment.
6. The NXS’s eyepiece rotates with the zoom ring while the BR’s eyepiece is fixed.
- The rotating eyepiece on the NXS allows a shooter to turn the entire ocular bell to obtain the desired magnification. Adjusting a small zoom ring is a fine motor skill and can be difficult under stress. The rotating eyepiece also allows for a scope body that is more rigid.
- The zoom ring on the Nightforce BR allows the use of the fast focus eyepiece and typical “flip up” lens covers. ”
To the best of our knowledge this is the best explanation you will find on the main differences between these two Nightforce Scopes. We hope this information will be helpful to you.

Nightforce Rifle Scopes Overview Part I

In the world of premium rifle scopes it’s hard to stand out, there are  simply too many great scopes on the market, but don’t tell that to the folks at Nightforce Optics. The rifle scopes made by this company are exceptional in so many ways its hard to know where to begin, but here is a listing of some of the features common to all Nightforce Rifle Scopes:

• Fully Multi Coated Optics – Each and every Nightforce Scope receives their proprietary broadband multi coating lens coating on all air to glass surfaces. This coating is applied so to almost unimaginable tolerance of 1/4 wave deposition or .000005 inches, and it exceeds the toughest Mil Spec abrasion test making this rifle scope lens coating one of the toughest on the market/
• Optical Indexing – Every Nightforce scope is matched and aligned by hand perfectly to its partners. This technique, called optical indexing provides the best possible optical performance and clarity. This process takes time and its expensive to do, but if your interested in building the best scope in the world you do it.  At Nightforce Optics they’ve been doing it that way from the beginning.
• Objective Lens Perfection – The objective lens determines the resolution, light transmission and exit pupil size of every scope. To push optical performance to its limit every Nightforce objective lens assembly utilizes a multi-lens design similar to those found on the worlds finest telescopes. This lens system focuses light rays more precisely for exceptional image clarity and color accuracy.
• Tube Strength – Nightforce scope tubes are machined from solid bar stock 6061-T6 aircraft grade aluminum alloy. These tubes are not extruded or formed like those found on lesser scopes. They are two to three times thicker than other riflescopes. This means less overall stress, greater thermal stability and a consistant zero even in the most punishing situations. The Nightforce NXS rifle scopes take this performace to the extreame as they are know and the most durable and rugged scopes in existance.

Swarovski Optik 2009 Shot Show

Swarovski Optik one of the worlds premier sport optics manufacturers introduces several new models to the landmark Z6 Rifle Scope product line. These Swarovski rifle scopes were the first 30mm tube models to feature a 6 X zoom magnification. Chris Wisecarver of OpticsReview.com interviews Dean Capuano of Swarovski Optik who demonstrates the new Z6i rifle scope in the 3-18×50 design. This new scope covers a full array of possible hunting situations from heavy timber to long distance bean fields. The scope is a marvel of design and construction and even at its equally impressive price tag this scope is sure to be a big hit in the high end rifle scope market!

Leica’s New Rifle Scopes

The long anticipated return of Leica to the rifle scope market has finally occurred. This premium sport optics leader introduced two models at the 2009 Shot Show. and they are exceptional to say the least. Leica focused on the 42mm size for its initial introduction which has been a long time favorite of sportsmen. If these two premium level rifle scopes are any indication of the future Leica is sure to care out a respectable share of the rifle scope market. These models should be available sometime mid year 2009.

Zeiss Z-Point Red Dot

Carl Zeiss Sport Optics has really turned some heads in the tactical and recreational shooting community with their red dot scope called the  Z-Point. This innovative design was originally designed for the German military and features a body style that’s all about function and reliability, most notably it has no square edges,  no protruding leavers, and no exposed switches. Every thing is simple and smooth, a real advantage when not having your sport optic gear get caught on something is a priority.  We’ve compiled a short list of the big advantages this scope has to offer.

• First the unit has no magnification. This allows the shooter to keep both eyes open for maximum situational awareness and fast target engagement. This is a huge advantage for close range work.
• Without the multiple lens system needed for magnification scopes the unit is remarkably light, about 3.5 ounces, and lack of extra glass makes it extremely bright. Combine this feature with legendary Zeiss lenses and you’ve got a low light scope that’s simply hard to beat.
• Easy on and easy off. The Z Point uses a patented quick connect  system that requires no tools for attachment or dis attachment.  Simply push in the spring loaded retaining clamp and this red dot scope is easily connected or taken off. This is a real plus for shooters wanting to quickly change their optic systems.
• The red dot illumination  system is really impressive. First its  easy to turn on with a momentary push of a flush mount button of the side of the scope, its under the Zeiss logo.  Second, a light sensor built into the front of the unit automatically detects the ambient light available and adjusts the red dots brightness intensity to the perfect setting.  This auto brightness does have a manual override but you wont need it, the auto brightness feature works great. To turn the unit off you simply press the switch down for a moment and its off, and if you forget to turn it off, like I did, it’s no problem the unit shuts down automatically after 4 hours.
• Here’s another really cool feature of the Z-Point. This unit combines battery power, CR 2032, with solar cell technology. This maximizes battery life by utilizing available light as the primary power source when available and dependable battery power when its not.
• Windage and elevation adjustments are easily field adjustable with the use of an Allen wrench.
• The Z Point has huge 56.4 foot field of view at 100 yards, and the red dot covers 3.6″ of a target at this distance.
• Two models are available from Zeiss, one for the Picatinny mount system and one for the slightly smaller Weaver style mount system.
• The unit is completely submersible waterproof and thus will not fog internally when going from one temperature environment to another.

We must admit that the simplicity of the units design and function is a bit disarming, but make no mistake this  Carl Zeiss scope has a bunch to offer. The range of possible applications is huge, AR-15 style guns, turkey guns, deer shot guns, you name it. The company even offers a bow hunting bracket for the Z Point. Come to think of it  I might want to give that application a try this comming October.

Nightforce 2.5-10×32 Rifle Scope Review

Nightforce has taken a good thing and made it better. This new 32mm scope is made entirely in the US and was produced by adapting the 24mm scope that was originally designed for a special operations contract requirement. As a matter of opinion, the 24mm objective left little to be desired, but this new Nightforce Rifle Scope manages somehow to improve on an already good thing.

With an objective lens size one third larger than its predecessor, this new scope does not disappoint in its picture quality. Brightness and resolution improvements are equally impressive and are better than many comparably priced scopes having much bigger lenses. This Nightforce NXS Rifle scope’s low magnification and larger objective combine to produce an enormous eye-box that is very forgiving. This makes the scope’s target picture extremely fast to acquire when quick shots are necessary. The objective lens, still being relatively small at 32mm, gives this scope a tremendous depth of field and eliminates the need for parallax adjustment. Parallax is less than .5  MOA at all practical distances and is zero at 150 yards.

Being true to typical Nightforce scope form, this model is extremely rugged and tracks like a bloodhound. The tube body is machined from a solid piece of T6 aluminum bar stock and is two times thicker than most other manufacturers. The lenses are bedded with a mil spec bonding agent in individual aluminum housings. This unique method of production isolates the lenses from shock by eliminating metal to glass contact in the rifle scope. Lastly, this scope possesses copious amounts of internal travel. 100 minutes of elevation and windage adjustment are verified accurate to 1/8 moa throughout the entire adjustment range during the rigorous inspection process that each scope undergoes before being certified by a factory technician.

Nightforce has proven itself to be consistent in producing quality products and this scope is no exception. By improving on an existing model, it has produced an ideal lightweight scope for short and mid range use. With innovative products continuing to be produced by today’s manufacturers, one can hardly wait to see what this industry has in store for us next.