Topic: The Best LPVO Riflescopes of 2023, Tested and Reviewed (Read 32 times)
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Topic: The Best LPVO Riflescopes of 2023, Tested and Reviewed (Read 32 times)
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After our optical testing exercises, I strapped this scope to a semi-auto Bergara .22 and took it rabbit hunting. Its performance as a fast, simple, lightweight optic for the field more than made up for its shortco*ings on our evaluation line. In that testing capacity, we dinged its dim glass and optical aberrations, and we wanted more reticle references. But in the field, the fine center dot showed up against every background, and the scope enabled both-eyes-open dynamic shooting that delivered a sight picture more like a shotgun than a rifle. This is a scope that will improve just about every .22 on the market, and a not-insignificant number of turkey and lever guns, as well.
co*petitors would be wise to look at the attributes of this LPVO as they design new optics. While there are some drawbacks to this marvelous scope—among them is its high price and its exposed turret—the versatility of the first-plane reticle elevates the EOTech to the stratosphere. The reticle essentially provides shooters with three very different sight pictures.
At its lower powers, from about 1-4x, the speed ring acts as a fast-acquisition red dot, and it’s here where the blazing-bright illumination makes this the best close-quarters battle scope in our test.
At middle powers, from about 5-7x, the outer ring disappears and the reticle’s precision reference beco*es visible while shooters still have a wonderful field of view.
At its highest powers, 7-10x, the reticle’s hold references take over, and allow for very precise bullet placement out to 500 yards and farther.
Our sample has the LE-5 MRAD reticle, which has a cross-aiming point. I might consider the SR-5 reticle for its .25 MIL center dot inside a 2 MRAD circle. The reticle is also available with MOA references.
A bare-bones LPVO, this simple, versatile scope is at home on just about any firearm, but is very well suited for close- to mid-range hunting in low light situations. Bear hunting co*es to mind, or maybe a short- to mid-range deer rifle. The Patrol 6HD has among the most liberal mounting dimensions in the LPVO class, and its sub-pound weight makes it a great mate with light rifles.
Our sample has a simple duplex reticle with a 1 MOA illuminated center aiming point, but Leupold’s CM-R reticle is a better option for shooters who want more references. Both second-plane reticles are illuminated by the push-button FireDot illumination feature. The Patrol 6HD is also co*patible with Leupold’s custom turret dial system, so you can customize the optic’s bullet drop controls to your specific load.
The heart of this marvelous little scope is Primary Arms’ proprietary ACSS Raptor reticle. If you’re looking for a first-plane reticle that can do just about anything, then this design is worth consideration. Designed by master reticle architect Dimitri Mikroulis, the ACCS co*bines bullet-drop co*pensation with a fast-acquisition chevron, ranging features, and moving-target references.
But those attributes don’t really show up in the scope until about 6-power. At lower magnifications, the illuminated aiming point is set off in a German 4 duplex that guides your eye to the center of the reticle. The sweet spot of the reticle is from 4-6x, when the holdover references are plainly visible, but shooters still have a wide field of view and enough stadia references to place bullets at middling distances.
Like the EOTech and Primary Arms LPVOs, this scope from Trijicon is built around a double-duty first-plane reticle, but unlike the first two, the precision references are standard stadia hashes tuned to .1 MIL or 1 MOA steps, depending on your model.
The result is a very fast close-quarters scope with equally fast action at middle distances. The Credo HX might not have the specific reticle holds for, say, a 5.56 at 400 yards, but you don’t have to count holdover dots in order to place a long shot with decent precision. The turret positivity is among the best of any LPVO we’ve tested, and the slight flare on the objective bell provides a nice shoulder for rings. The Trijicon turned in the best low-light score of the entire field. This would make a great Designated Marksman scope.
The first attribute you notice on this stylish graphite-gray scope is the image. It’s bright and stunningly wide, features that make it an excellent hunting scope. Add velvety power-changing controls and extremely tactile turret turns, and the ToricUHD feels like a precision instrument. The second-plane reticle is a little underwhelming. It’s a standard hash-style with a fine illuminated center aiming point inside a modified German 4 duplex. The simplicity is an attribute, though, because it allows for fast target acquisition with just enough references to make holdover adjustments.
Testers felt the Tract would be at home on a turkey shotgun, crossbow, or straight-wall carbine, but especially a big-bore rifle where an obvious aiming point and clear optics are minimum requirements for what can be fast shooting. The Toric was runner up in both optical resolution and low-light scoring.
