shepherd v1
- Thread starter prawnking
- Start date
I don't know anything about Shepherd scopes personally. But from what I've read about them, those that have them either love them or hate them. There doesn't really seem to be any middle ground. As far as importing a scope from the U.S., check the 6th thread down on "Optics". It should give you all the info you need.
I have one of the Shepherd 22 scopes on an Anschutz. Good scope, works as advertised. - dan
I have two Shepherd scopes.
I love both of them.
One is for centerfire and one is for rimfire.
Both are sharp and clear but take a bit of getting used to. Once they are set up though, for your load or rimfire round of choice, they are tough to beat and the rangeing circles will hold to point every time.
Now, there isn't a reticle out there that is perfect for every round. Velocities on commercially loaded ammunition will vary from lot to lot.
The ranging circles will get you into the bread basket at the ranges indicated, if your velocities are within the scope's settings.
To give an example of how tough they are, I lost one out of a boat on the Prophet River in Northern BC. I managed to get myself and the boat to shore but lost some of the contents.
One thing I lost, was a custom Mod70 in 338-06, topped with a Shepherd 3-9. I was POed at the loss of the rifle and wrote it off as a loss.
I had some spare stuff in base camp, including a rifle. The next morning, I went back to the launch site and set out again. After about an hour drifting with the current and calling elk, I came to a large still pool, with only a current along one side.
Lo and behold, there was my sleeping bag, still wrapped tightly in my shelter tarp and a rifle butt sticking out of the water about 3 inches. The bbl was stuck in the sand at the bottom of the pool. I was ecstatic to say the least. My $400 sleeping bag and $2000 rifle were back where they belonged.
I thought the scope would be hooped. It was badly scratched but not dented, as was the rest of the rifle. I put them into the boat, along with some other floaters present and continued on with the hunt. No, I didn't get an elk over the next two days.
When I got back to base camp, there is an impromptu runway very close by. It's close to 1200 meters long. Only gets used on certain days, when the fly in hunters are changing out or they are flying freight into and out of the hunting camps.
I took the rifle apart and cleaned out the crud, amazing how far that silt gets in. Lubed it up and reassembled it again. I didn't touch the scope, as it had retained its lens covers and looked like it hadn't leaked or sustained any internal damage.
The very first shot missed the 100 yard target completely. I checked all of the screws for tight and found the forward action screw slightly loose.
After making sure all was where it should be, the 2nd shot it about 2 inches high from the one inch white circle in the center of the target. Exactly the same as the rifle had been set up for before the hunt.
I only had 30 rounds for it, so took a chance and shot at the 200 yard target. It was about 1/4 inch high and 1/2 inch to the left. Normal for that rifle and load.
I was feeling pretty good about this by now and tried the rifle out at 300/400/500 and 600 yard marks. The rangeing circles are only quickly reliable at those ranges, without turret adjustments. Everything worked as if nothing had happened to the rifle or scope.
I can't think of a much better reccomendation to give a very decent scope.
The US Marine Corp, took a bunch of them to Iraq for general purpose use on their M14s they had special reticles, designed specifically for their ammunition.
Their designated marksmen, loved the Shepherds. The Marines, ordered everything Shepherd had on hand and wanted more. Trouble is, Shepherd is almost a mom and pop outfit, they just couldn't supply as many scopes as the Marines required on short notice. Of course, the Marines went to another manufacturer that could supply them.
Google it. It's a true documented story, with some descriptions of the actions the scopes were used in.
I contacted Shepherd with my experience and they loved the story and actually used it in some of their ads.
They have a 100% ironclad guarantee. They are willing to spend lots of time with you on the phone or emailing to make sure you know how to adjust it properly and set it up properly. Very good customer relations.
The only problem I have with them is that because of their reticles being in the second sight plane, rather than the first, the cross hairs get quite large on higher magnifications.
Also, a bit more light retention would be nice.
Those are minor things for most hunters. If you want a tough durable, consistent scope, don't be afraid of purchasing a Shepherd.
I love both of them.
One is for centerfire and one is for rimfire.
Both are sharp and clear but take a bit of getting used to. Once they are set up though, for your load or rimfire round of choice, they are tough to beat and the rangeing circles will hold to point every time.
Now, there isn't a reticle out there that is perfect for every round. Velocities on commercially loaded ammunition will vary from lot to lot.
The ranging circles will get you into the bread basket at the ranges indicated, if your velocities are within the scope's settings.
To give an example of how tough they are, I lost one out of a boat on the Prophet River in Northern BC. I managed to get myself and the boat to shore but lost some of the contents.
One thing I lost, was a custom Mod70 in 338-06, topped with a Shepherd 3-9. I was POed at the loss of the rifle and wrote it off as a loss.
I had some spare stuff in base camp, including a rifle. The next morning, I went back to the launch site and set out again. After about an hour drifting with the current and calling elk, I came to a large still pool, with only a current along one side.
Lo and behold, there was my sleeping bag, still wrapped tightly in my shelter tarp and a rifle butt sticking out of the water about 3 inches. The bbl was stuck in the sand at the bottom of the pool. I was ecstatic to say the least. My $400 sleeping bag and $2000 rifle were back where they belonged.
I thought the scope would be hooped. It was badly scratched but not dented, as was the rest of the rifle. I put them into the boat, along with some other floaters present and continued on with the hunt. No, I didn't get an elk over the next two days.
When I got back to base camp, there is an impromptu runway very close by. It's close to 1200 meters long. Only gets used on certain days, when the fly in hunters are changing out or they are flying freight into and out of the hunting camps.
I took the rifle apart and cleaned out the crud, amazing how far that silt gets in. Lubed it up and reassembled it again. I didn't touch the scope, as it had retained its lens covers and looked like it hadn't leaked or sustained any internal damage.
The very first shot missed the 100 yard target completely. I checked all of the screws for tight and found the forward action screw slightly loose.
After making sure all was where it should be, the 2nd shot it about 2 inches high from the one inch white circle in the center of the target. Exactly the same as the rifle had been set up for before the hunt.
I only had 30 rounds for it, so took a chance and shot at the 200 yard target. It was about 1/4 inch high and 1/2 inch to the left. Normal for that rifle and load.
I was feeling pretty good about this by now and tried the rifle out at 300/400/500 and 600 yard marks. The rangeing circles are only quickly reliable at those ranges, without turret adjustments. Everything worked as if nothing had happened to the rifle or scope.
I can't think of a much better reccomendation to give a very decent scope.
The US Marine Corp, took a bunch of them to Iraq for general purpose use on their M14s they had special reticles, designed specifically for their ammunition.
Their designated marksmen, loved the Shepherds. The Marines, ordered everything Shepherd had on hand and wanted more. Trouble is, Shepherd is almost a mom and pop outfit, they just couldn't supply as many scopes as the Marines required on short notice. Of course, the Marines went to another manufacturer that could supply them.
Google it. It's a true documented story, with some descriptions of the actions the scopes were used in.
I contacted Shepherd with my experience and they loved the story and actually used it in some of their ads.
They have a 100% ironclad guarantee. They are willing to spend lots of time with you on the phone or emailing to make sure you know how to adjust it properly and set it up properly. Very good customer relations.
The only problem I have with them is that because of their reticles being in the second sight plane, rather than the first, the cross hairs get quite large on higher magnifications.
Also, a bit more light retention would be nice.
Those are minor things for most hunters. If you want a tough durable, consistent scope, don't be afraid of purchasing a Shepherd.
