LPVO's (Low Power Variable Optic) for stalking/hunting

[User00040]

Hi all,

Some of you may be aware of the LPVO (Low Power Variable Optic), essentially a class of rifle scope with a small objective lens (around 24mm, usually below 30mm) that has a zoom range with a bottom end of 1x and a top end that has gone from around 6x all the way to 8x or even 10x now. They are also illuminated sufficiently for daylight use.

Some examples:

Vortex Razor HD GEN III 1-10x 24mm

Schimdt & Bender Short Dot Dual CC 1-8x 24mm

Nightforce (they have two models, ATACR and NX8)

Their intended use is on a 'Patrol rifle', basically an AR type platform where you want a red dot that has the luxury of being 'turned up' to make a longer range shot.

Although we (or at least most of us) don't have access to semi-auto rifles, the ability to have a red dot which could be used at longer range sounds perfect for the woodland stalker who might occasionally make a longer shot or go on a range day.

If Jeff Cooper was still alive, I think he would want this scope on a 'Scout Rifle'. It basically eliminates the need for the weird infinite eye relief type that was required before these came about.

Most of the top models have the following options:

• 1st focal plane reticle (FFP)
• Illumination bright enough for daylight use (just like a red dot sight)
• Fixed 100m parallax
• Elevation dial for dialling a longer range shot

The S&B is particularly attractive as it has features that overcome some of the shortcomings, it has two different reticles in the scope (hence the 'dual'), one is a FD(flashdot) reticle that gives you an ultra bright and good size dot in the second focal plane, whilst still having the benefit of a 1st focal plane MIL reticle (focus switches at higher mag) and CC stands for 'close combat', meaning when the scope is set on its lowest magnification, parallax is reset to 7 meters, making it work for very close range.

These won the Bundeswehr G28 Patrol rifle contract. But they cost over £3k... Schmidt & Bender PM II ShortDot Dual CC 1-8x24 MDR-T6 ST LT MTC ST 0.1 MRAD CW Rifle Scope

If I were to put together an ultimate NZ bush rifle (anything from pigs to Sambar/Reds/Sika), I think it would be a customised Tikka 18" barrel in 7-08 with one of these on top.

What are your thoughts? If someone owns one of these types of scope I would be very keen to hear your experience of them.

 

[HandB]

I use a Leupold VX2 1-4x20 in this role. I love it - small, light and has a beautiful clear image, plus loads of turret adjustment range. This one isn't illuminated but you can get the more recent versions with illuminated reticles.

 

[Alistair]

I talked about my Meopta 1-6x24 here yesterday: 375 scope help

Good scopes.

Al.

 

[EMcC]

I have a Swarovski Z6i 1.2 - 6 x 24 with an illuminated dot in the centre.
For driven game I usually use it set on 1 or 2 and from high seat on selected targets I crank it up to 6.
The only down side to this scope is the weight - or is it me just getting older

 

[Jagare]

Have a look at the S&B Exos. Much the same scope as the one you talk about but without all the tactical crap. I bought a Exos for my double rifle it has the #0 reticle that is just a black dot or red if you turn on the FD. It Does have the CC mode that i have used a couple of times. They cost 25000sek here and i thought that was too much money. They had them on offer for 17500sek, again i thought that too much. My LGS had them reduced to 14900sek and they gave me a good trade in on the 15 year old Kahles that was on the double. So the Exos cost me 8000sek mounted. Used it last season and very pleased with it.
I have got a Meopta R1 1-4x22 K-dot for use on my Mauser M03. Nice scope for the money and have used that quite a bit for driven game

 

[EMcC]

On one of my other rifles I have an Aimpoint which is a completely different beast, no magnification but with a red dot in the middle of the lens.

 

[User00040]

Have a look at the S&B Exos. Much the same scope as the one you talk about but without all the tactical crap. I bought a Exos for my double rifle it has the #0 reticle that is just a black dot or red if you turn on the FD. It Does have the CC mode that i have used a couple of times. They cost 25000sek here and i thought that was too much money. They had them on offer for 17500sek, again i thought that too much. My LGS had them reduced to 14900sek and they gave me a good trade in on the 15 year old Kahles that was on the double. So the Exos cost me 8000sek mounted. Used it last season and very pleased with it.
I have got a Meopta R1 1-4x22 K-dot for use on my Mauser M03. Nice scope for the money and have used that quite a bit for driven game

But...but... I like the tactical crap

Bloody good deal on the Exos there, good to hear that you like it. Did you get the BDC one?

Don't think anyone in the UK stocks the Exos by the looks of it, all too into the tactical crap!

 

[willie_gunn]

On one of my other rifles I have an Aimpoint which is a completely different beast, no magnification but with a red dot in the middle of the lens.

As I recall the lack of magnification didn’t hamper Franz Albrecht too much!

 

[EMcC]

Apart from his Aimpoint he had so much practice and was always in the hot seat when being filmed, say I with a bit of jealousy

 

[willie_gunn]

I was watching some of the early Wild Boar Fevers the other day. His shooting really is remarkable.

 

[Jagare]

But...but... I like the tactical crap

Bloody good deal on the Exos there, good to hear that you like it. Did you get the BDC one?

Don't think anyone in the UK stocks the Exos by the looks of it, all too into the tactical crap!

I Wanted about an extra 1cm on the length of the stock on the double and the Kahles scope had no extra movment to get the eye relief correct. I looked at getting a Swaro 1-?x24 with the extra eye relief but they had stopped making it. The Exos ticked all the boxes. I can't see me ever using the 8x on the double but it may be handy on bolt rifle. The bill was 9000sek for the scope mounted and a thin recoil pad supplied and fitted. When i bought the Meopta i bought the scope and a second hand Mauser M03 scope mount for less than the normal price of the scope. I always plead that I'm a poor pensioner. Whats BDC?

 

[Cottis]

Take a look at the March offerings. Either the standard small models or they even do a shorty (one ring attachment rather than two)

They do FFP and SFP and mag ranges up to 8 with a 24mm obj lens.

Their illumination systems are beyond good. You can replace the entire modules yourself to have choices of settings and brightness systems. The insta touch and silence of it are perfect and the turrets are amazing. Good ret choices too.

MARCH | 1x-8x24 FFP | Precision optical instruments

www.marchscopes.co.uk

 

[User00040]

I Wanted about an extra 1cm on the length of the stock on the double and the Kahles scope had no extra movment to get the eye relief correct. I looked at getting a Swaro 1-?x24 with the extra eye relief but they had stopped making it. The Exos ticked all the boxes. I can't see me ever using the 8x on the double but it may be handy on bolt rifle. The bill was 9000sek for the scope mounted and a thin recoil pad supplied and fitted. When i bought the Meopta i bought the scope and a second hand Mauser M03 scope mount for less than the normal price of the scope. I always plead that I'm a poor pensioner. Whats BDC?

BDC = Ballistic Drop Compensator

S&B are advertising the Exos as having an option for turrets which you can adjust so at longer range you move the turret and aim centre instead of holding off.

 

[User00040]

Take a look at the March offerings. Either the standard small models or they even do a shorty (one ring attachment rather than two)

They do FFP and SFP and mag ranges up to 8 with a 24mm obj lens.

Their illumination systems are beyond good. You can replace the entire modules yourself to have choices of settings and brightness systems. The insta touch and silence of it are perfect and the turrets are amazing. Good ret choices too.

MARCH | 1x-8x24 FFP | Precision optical instruments

www.marchscopes.co.uk

Very interesting, especially with the adjustable parallax.

Do you own one? Interested to hear a field report.

Even Trijicon makes this kind of LVPO, but all the ones which are worth having seem to be priced around or over £1,500 in the UK!

 

[Cottis]

Very interesting, especially with the adjustable parallax.

Do you own one? Interested to hear a field report.

Even Trijicon makes this kind of LVPO, but all the ones which are worth having seem to be priced around or over £1,500 in the UK!

I don't have one of the smaller models that you are considering but I have a 2.5-25x42 compact which has the same type of illumination modules, the same type of low profile turrets and same build quality and glass etc. They are brilliant scopes in a very lightweight package.

Sorry I cannot properly give an evaluation on what you are looking for but as a brand and a scope that just about does it all (albeit for a price) they are quote hard to beat.

 

[Sika98k]

@Jagare , an Exos for 14900 Sek ! Or £1200 or €1375 ! I’d love to find that price closer to home.

 

[Jagare]

BDC = Ballistic Drop Compensator

S&B are advertising the Exos as having an option for turrets which you can adjust so at longer range you move the turret and aim centre instead of holding off.

Now what was i saying about tactical crap . Why on earth would you need a BDC on a driven game scope or even for 99% of stalking. I know it must be hard to work out how much hold over you need on a boar at 70 -80 mtrs when the scope is sighted in for 50mtrs.

 

[Jagare]

@Jagare , an Exos for 14900 Sek ! Or £1200 or €1375 ! I’d love to find that price closer to home.

Have a look at, Schmidt & Bender Kikarsikte 1-8x24 Exos
Thats the cheapest price i can find at the moment

 

[Sika98k]

Have a look at, Schmidt & Bender Kikarsikte 1-8x24 Exos
Thats the cheapest price i can find at the moment

Tack !

 

[User00040]

Now what was i saying about tactical crap . Why on earth would you need a BDC on a driven game scope or even for 99% of stalking. I know it must be hard to work out how much hold over you need on a boar at 70 -80 mtrs when the scope is sighted in for 50mtrs.

Don't think I'll ever have the coin or desire to go driven hunting but I know what you mean!

I like the concept as if you come out of a forest where 50m would be max range (red dot territory), only to come into a clearing and see the (insert game animal) of a lifetime standing broadside at (insert distance that is not extreme but still require holdover with chosen calibre) and with no chance of getting closer, better to quickly dial and hit dead on (or use reticle) than perhaps hold over the shoulder with a simple dot and go for the 'Hail Mary' shot.

Still, its a novel concept which can only improve over time.