April 9, 2023 Sunday Showcase: Notable Optics from SHOT Show 2023In the past 12 months, we have seen some remarkable innovations in riflescopes. SHOT Show 2023 featured some impressive scopes, including the ZEISS LRP FFP optics and a stunning $5790.00 Schmidt & Bender 10-60X Schmidt & Bender. Modern riflescopes are also being made with advanced technology, as demonstrated by the new Burris optic that has a digital display and is linked to a Ballistic App via Bluetooth. Jonathan Ocab, a gun blogger and skilled shooter, visited many optics manufacturers at SHOT Show 2023. This Sunday Showcase features Jonathan’s review of some of the most noteworthy riflescopes at SHOT Show 2023. This article features seven optics brands: ZEISS and Sightron, Schmidt & Bender and Leupold. Tangent Theta and Burris were also featured. I stopped by the ZEISS booth in order to inspect the ZEISS S3 scopes, which were released in 2022’s second half. There are two core models of the ZEISS LRP S3: the 4-25x50mm and 6 36x56mm versions. Both scopes have 34mm main tubes. The minimum parallax distances for the 4-25X, 6-36X, and 6-36X scopes is 16.4 yards and 10.9 yard respectively. The 4-25x50mm scope has 46.5 MRAD/160MOA elevation travel. The 6-36x56mm version has 32 MIL/110MOA elevation travel. The 32 MIL elevation range on the 6-36X scope is exceptional, while the 46.5MIL elevation travel on the 4-25x50mm scope is the best in its class. There is nothing else that can match this scope. The Zeiss LRP S3 turrets have smooth knobs and tactile clicks. The elevation and windage turrets have no springy play and are tactile. The LRP S3 series has many features that I find surprising. [Editor] The word is spreading and more ZEISS LRPS3s are now being used at PRS rimfire matches and NRL22. ]Sightron SVIII 5-40x56mm ED FP. Although not new, I had to check out the Sightron SVIII 5–40x56mm ED FP that has been available for almost a year. The current flagship scope of Sightron, the SVIII 4-40x56mm ED FFP, features a 40mm tube main tube that allows for 40 MIL elevation adjustments and 20 MIL windage adjustments. The new 10-60x56mm Scope by Schmidt & BenderSchmidt & Bender presented its new 10-60x56mm scope. The scope measures 10-60x56mm and has a 34mm main tube. I suspect this may have affected the elevation travel, as it only has 25 MRAD. The S&B 10-60x56mm was designed for competitive rifle shooters, including benchrest and extreme long-range shooters. This is evident in the M1FL reticle used for the 10-60x56mm.
Schmidt & Bender M1FL reticle. Source: S&B. The M1FL does not have a tree-style reticle. Instead, it has a basic crosshair reticle that includes MIL graduations. The 10-60x56mm scope will be available in a Second Focal plane (SFP), MOA scope with adjustment values up to 1/4 MOA. The scope was First Focal Plane (FFP) and had Mil turrets. S&B posted, “MOA shooters, take note: Soon the 10-60x56mm MOA-based Reticle and corresponding Turret Configurations with click values of 1/4 MOA or 1/8 MOA will be available. Keep checking back. The 10-60x56mm scope also features the illumination and parallax adjustments on the same turret. This is not a new feature in scopes, as many manufacturers have this feature. However, many S&B scopes had a separate reticle illumination knob, which could affect what mounts could be used. I believe this scope will be very popular with Benchrest and F-Class shooters. The scope’s 60X magnification will allow you to use it as a spotting scope, allowing you to see hit locations on paper instead of electronic targets. The S&B 10-60x56mm is not a scope meant for the NRL/PRS type shooter.Scopelist.com shows a starting price of $5790.00 for the the Schmidt & Bender 10-60x56mm. The new Mark 5HD 2-10x30mm optic is also available at Leupold. This makes it one of the most expensive optics currently on the market. Based on the magnification range, it is clear that the new Mark 5HD 2-10x30mm optic is designed to compete in the Low Power Variable Optic(LVPO) market. The Mark 5HD 2-10×30 is adjustable parallax, which is a great feature, and it’s unlike other LVPOs. Leupold, thank you! The Leupold Mark5HD 2-10x30mm is available in MOA with the PR1 and MIL with TMR reticles (either illuminated, or non-illuminated). All scopes are First Focal Plane. The MSRP for the non-illuminated versions of the Leupold Mark 5HD 2-10x30mm is $1999.99 and $2499.99 respectively for the illuminated versions. The new Tangent Theta T735P scope will appeal to those who are looking for top-tier scopes. Tangent Theta, a Canadian manufacturer, makes high-quality scopes that are known for their quality optics, functional performance and durability. The new Tangent Theta TT735P scope is a 7x35x56mm zoom scope with a 56mm objective. The TT735P uses a smaller tube than the other Tangent theta models, which use a 34mm tube. The TT735P uses the same tool-less zeroing turrets that are highly regarded in existing TangentTheta scopes.
The TT735P’s most notable feature is its minimum parallax of ten meters. This makes it suitable for high-end rimfire platforms (e.g. NRL22/PRS). I don’t know how to explain the quality of the TT735P scope if you have never handled a Tangent Theta. The turrets have a wonderful tactile feel. Also, the tool-less turret-re-zeroing ability is very useful. The scope also features a lockable diopter. The new TT735P scope can be very expensive. The Tangent Theta 735x56mm is listed by Armament.com as costing between USD $6,369.00 and USD $6,872.00, depending on the reticle.
Gen 3 XR reticle for the TT735P. (Source: ATI/TT).Burris Optics Veracity PH PH 4-20x50mm with PEK. I saw a new scope at SHOT Show 2023. It is a 4-20x50mm riflescope that has a 30mm main tube and a 4-20x50mm aperture. It features a MOA reticle that offers 66 MOA and 37MOA travel on 1/4 MOA elevation turrets and windage turbines, respectively. It is very hunter-oriented due to its relatively low elevation travel and MOA. The Veracity PH scope is not very impressive, considering its basic specifications. Until you discover more about the Programmable Elevation Knob, (PEK), that is featured on Veracity PH scope. The PEK elevation knob doesn’t have tactile clicks as a normal turret and freely spins (albeit under tension). The reticle moves mechanically with the erector, as it should. The elevation turret can be linked to the PEK system to control the digital display within the scope’s sight image. Note: The display does not show the cant/bubble level. It shows the distance, windage hold, and rifle cant (level). The distance and windage holds values are calculated from the ballistic profile, which will be synced to the scope via the Burris Connect app over Bluetooth. You can display the distance (that is, the elevation knob has been set to given the ballistic profil) in yards or meters or the MOA dialed onto the elevation turret.
Burris Wind MOA FFP reticle with PEK. Source: Burris Optics. The digital display’s cant/bubble level is my favorite feature. It provides a level reference in exactly the same plane as the sight picture. There is no need to change focus from the scope rail, scope mount or physical scope that may have a bubble level attached. The scope can be viewed as a sight picture. You can also see the level of the scope and rifle using the Burris Connect App. The Burris Optics VeracityPH 4-20x50mm MSRP is $1200.00.
Bushnell’s new Bushnell Match Pro E 5-30x56mm scope was on my mind so I went to Bushnell. The Bushnell Match Pro ED 5-30x56mm scope was released in December 2022. It has positive reviews due to its high glass quality and $699.99 price. It has locking turrets and a zero-stop for its elevation turret. There are also 30 MRAD and 14.5 MRAD travel respectively for windage and elevation, respectively. The elevation knob has 10 MRAD per revolution and clear, easy-to-read graduations. This makes it suitable for rimfire matches such as NRL22, where the minimum parallax is only 15 yards. The scope comes with the Deploy MIL2reticle, which is a tree-style illuminated retina. SHOT Show exhibition lighting is poor, but the glass looks solid. Bushnell has sold out this scope, which could indicate that people are already inquisitive about this scope.
Jonathan Ocab posts various shooting-related articles on his Ocabj.net blog and shooting videos on his YouTube channel. Jonathan Ocab, a former High Power Service Rifle competitor (Distinguished Rifleman), is now primarily a recreational shooter of pistol, rifle and rimfire. He is currently the NRL22 match director at his local range. See SoCalNRL22.org.Similar Posts:Tags: Jonathan Ocab, Leupold, Optics, Optics Review, Schmidt Bender, SHOT Show, ZEISS LRP S3
