Suggestions for long range target shooting sights

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sonichanxiao

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Having Schmidt & Bender PM2 and Kahles 624i/525i in mind.

Did some quick googling, seems people are saying both are good brands for optics and have their strong and weak part comparing to each other, more like a personal preference thing.

Any thought in terms of latest scope updates/quality/reticle etc.?

Thanks a lot.
 
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Owned both. Sold the S&B. I feel the k624i is superior in every way.

Better glass (subjective)
Better reticle choice
Better features (left hand windage and parallax on the elevation turret)
Better price (they have been greatly discounted)

Both track perfectly, so that doesn’t matter.

The S&B is really a 7-25x scope. There is tunneling from 5-7x. So the S&B has a higher top magnification (25x versus 24x) but also has a higher low EFFECTIVE magnification (7x versus 6x).

So magnification to me was an insignificant difference between the two.

Set your priorities and that will determine what you should get.

My priorities were specifically:
Tracking
Durability
Reticle
Features
Glass
Weight
Price

Between the two, the top two were neck and neck. Both scopes are in service with military units, so I don’t think durability is an issue. When looking at the rest, the k624i was superior
 
FrankieT said:
Owned both. Sold the S&B. I feel the k624i is superior in every way.

Better glass (subjective)
Better reticle choice
Better features (left hand windage and parallax on the elevation turret)
Better price (they have been greatly discounted)

Both track perfectly, so that doesn’t matter.

The S&B is really a 7-25x scope. There is tunneling from 5-7x. So the S&B has a higher top magnification (25x versus 24x) but also has a higher low EFFECTIVE magnification (7x versus 6x).

So magnification to me was an insignificant difference between the two.

Set your priorities and that will determine what you should get.

My priorities were specifically:
Tracking
Durability
Reticle
Features
Glass
Weight
Price

Between the two, the top two were neck and neck. Both scopes are in service with military units, so I don’t think durability is an issue. When looking at the rest, the k624i was superior
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Thanks.

I was told Schmidt & Bender hasn't really updated their scopes and kind of behind the competitions in recent years?

By the way, is it worth for the Schmidt & Bender 5-45x56 high power if not going to shoot anywhere over 2000 yard?

And I am wondering if Kahles has anything can get external source feed like Schmidt & Bender PM2 digital?
 
I would throw the Minox ZP5 in the ring as well. I had 3 SB 5-25s and sold all of them for ZP5s. The glass is better, the turrets are better, tracks true, illum is good (if that matters to you), and it can be had for less. The MR4 reticle is really great, the Kahles reticle is good too but if you are not after a Xmas tree style reticle you can get the ZP5 for a little over $3K.

As Frank mentioned the SB does have some tunneling on the bottom end. I never really shoot at that level but it is there.
 
Ryan.M.Anderson said:
I would throw the Minox ZP5 in the ring as well. I had 3 SB 5-25s and sold all of them for ZP5s. The glass is better, the turrets are better, tracks true, illum is good (if that matters to you), and it can be had for less. The MR4 reticle is really great, the Kahles reticle is good too but if you are not after a Xmas tree style reticle you can get the ZP5 for a little over $3K.

As Frank mentioned the SB does have some tunneling on the bottom end. I never really shoot at that level but it is there.
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Thanks.

For the reticle, I always had a image where most of the time, I see it like S&B's H2CMR style, not sure others like the mentioned Kahles SKMR3 rectile, how useful it would be? Mainly calculation?

By the way, what does CA stands for? I've seen many places mentioned this abbreviation, I couldn't figure out what it is.

Thank you.
 
CA stands for Chromatic Aberration - it is a purple fringing that can be seen around edges. It won't make you miss a target but it really bugs some guys.

Reticles are very personal. I use the Xmas tree style for PRS type shooting (holdovers, calling corrections, etc.). If you are not doing that the MR2 and MR5 reticles are good Mil based reticles.
 
The one knock on the k624i is CA. The early generations were apparently worse than the new ones. I have a gen3 and I don’t have any CA.
 
Your best bet is to look through all the contenders. You may luck out and have people at a local range owning them. Or you can attend one of Tactical Teacher’s clinic/matches and there will probably be a cornucopia of scopes to look through. Most guys there are willing to let some fresh eyes look through their scopes
 
FrankieT said:
Your best bet is to look through all the contenders. You may luck out and have people at a local range owning them. Or you can attend one of Tactical Teacher’s clinic/matches and there will probably be a cornucopia of scopes to look through. Most guys there are willing to let some fresh eyes look through their scopes
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May need to check the local outdoor range or store to see if any one has or carry these brands and models.

With this kind of price, better try it before take it home.
 
I replaced SB PMII with Kahles 10616 and never looked back. FrankieT covered pretty much everything. I would add that Kahles has a better second turn turret indication and better finish. Also, the illumination is better (I compare SKMR 3 and H59: full illumination versus dots only). My scope doesn't have any CA as well.

You may check a new Kahles 5-25 as well. By the end of the day, scopes in this price range are pretty much the same in regards to a glass clarity, quality and etc. and is mostly a personal preference. Except Tangent Theta that cost way more money.

P.S. Contact Omer from Precision Optics. He will guide you through and help you to get the right scope. His prices are the best as well.
 
Ryan.M.Anderson said:
I would throw the Minox ZP5 in the ring as well. I had 3 SB 5-25s and sold all of them for ZP5s. The glass is better, the turrets are better, tracks true, illum is good (if that matters to you), and it can be had for less. The MR4 reticle is really great, the Kahles reticle is good too but if you are not after a Xmas tree style reticle you can get the ZP5 for a little over $3K.

As Frank mentioned the SB does have some tunneling on the bottom end. I never really shoot at that level but it is there.
Click to expand...

I would concur that the Minox ZP5 is worth considering in your search. The MR4 reticle is excellent and we'd be happy to help with product selection, pricing and availability!
 
mockba77 said:
I replaced SB PMII with Kahles 10616 and never looked back. FrankieT covered pretty much everything. I would add that Kahles has a better second turn turret indication and better finish. Also, the illumination is better (I compare SKMR 3 and H59: full illumination versus dots only). My scope doesn't have any CA as well.

You may check a new Kahles 5-25 as well. By the end of the day, scopes in this price range are pretty much the same in regards to a glass clarity, quality and etc. and is mostly a personal preference. Except Tangent Theta that cost way more money.

P.S. Contact Omer from Precision Optics. He will guide you through and help you to get the right scope. His prices are the best as well.
Click to expand...

Thanks a lot.

Just curious, did you choose the version with windage on the left or right for Kahles?
 
I have/had both. The S&B has very very slightly better glass( but it is definitely better in my opinion) but I like everything else better on the Kahles. I sold the S&B .
 
sonichanxiao said:
Thanks a lot.

Just curious, did you choose the version with windage on the left or right for Kahles?
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Model 10616. Windage is on the left side. Only Kahles offers this option as far as I know. It's very handy.

sonichanxiao said:
By the way, it looks like the K525i has even wider magnification and everything else is the same?
Click to expand...

Please use the search. This was discussed before.
 
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