Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Schmidt and Bender scopes - anyone familiar with them?

Which of their hunting scopes would be appropriate for hunting out to 400-500 yards and with what reticle? They don't seem to offer ballistic reticles like Swaro and Zeiss.

I was looking at the 3-12x 42mm Klassik with A4 reticle.

Just wondering if/how it could be appropriate to 400-500 yards?

I have that very scope and it will work perfectly for what you need. powdr

I had the 4-16X50 with the Varmint reticle, but the dots were very fine, O.K. for varmints in daylight, too fine for hunting. I switched to the Swarovski Z-6 3-18 with the BR reticle and when it is all said and done, the BR reticle is a good choice as you are never dialing a crosshair and counting on getting back to absolute Zero, or forgetting to change the setting.

On a critical hunting rifle, leaving all the options for failure aside, it is still a better way to go than turrets. I know you have been looking at this seriously, I have many BR reticles and many turret scopes, but missing a varmint is much less stressful than the elk or deer of a lifetime in the most unfavorable circumstances...

S&B has an ideal scope. They don't widely advertise the TDS reticle but they offer it in the 3-12's and the 4-16 Klassik scopes. These are First Focal Plane reticles so they are insensitive to magnification. You don't state what cartridge you intend to use it with but the TDS is in my opinion one of the if not the best reticle solution for typical hunting distances. For instance with a 180 grain 300 win mag you zero at 200 and then have lower stadia hold points for 300, 400, 500, 600. Alex at Eurooptic tries to keep them in stock. PM me for more details

Never even heard of the TDS. Ill look it up.

This is for a Cooper 280AI

I have the opportunity to buy a S&B PMII 3-12x 50mm with the p4L reticle; a demo, in mint condition for almost 50% off. Bit concerned about how busy the reticle is. The fine version would have been ok I think. Struggling with whether I should pass up on it or not.

A Klassik is right in my price range but can't figure out how to even hold over with the A4 or A7. Will dig into TDS.

I have a couple of Swarovski scopes with TDS reticles. It is the very best balistic reticle for big game hunting in my experience. Swarovski stopped using the TDS because it is a proprietary design but fortunately Schmidt and Bender now uses it.

I have two Schmidt and Bender scopes and if anybody makes a better hunting scope,it has escaped my attention.

In short,a Schmidt and Bender with a TDS reticle would be a fantastic big game scope. I would most likely go with the Klassic seies since it has a first focal plane reticle and the TDS reticle works the same at any magnification. This is very rare with variable scopes and balistic reticles,most only work at one magnification setting.

With a Klassic scope and the TDS,the 500 yard stadia wire works with the scope at 4x,8x,12x and everything in between.
Once you get the hang of it,this system is very fast and useful plus nearly fooproof.

Looked at the 280AI 140 Partition Nsler ammo and it works ou t perfect like the win mag

I traded my Swaro 6-18 TDS because it had to be on max power for the TDS to be accurate. Sitting with Harris Bipods, shooting a speed goat at 385 yds. on 18 power, the shake was distracting. I did make the shot, but later traded that scope for a Z5 3.5-18 with BT. I do like turrets, as you can adjust for yardage and scope power independently.

IMHO,

DF

TDS is my favorite of the available yardage reticles. If one had a TDS with a FFP scope, it would probably be OK. I never had one set up like that. The SFP TDS with max power only, is IMHO, a drawback.

One could theoretically use a SFP TDS, but would have to use conversion formulas for other than max power, which to me is way too complicated and time consuming for a hunting rifle.

DF

I'm just a simple hunter. I have the klassik 3-12x42, that and a range finder and practice is all I need but I don't shoot far

Pretty nice glass for a "simple hunter"...

DF

I have a 3-12x50 Swaro PH with the TDS in the FFP. Perfect midrange hunting optic IMHO.

If I ever went back with a TDS, it would definitely be with a FFP. Had I started out with a FFP TDS, I may still be using it.

DF

If i understand correctly, the SBs TDS version is FFP and very bold. No need for illumination, an all reality, in most quiality optics, but if the SB TDS is bolder than my PH TDS, it would be as functional in the lowest of light conditions.

powdr, how do you hold over with that reticle for upto 400-500 yards?

Overrated comes to mind. Nice optics and heavy weight.

I have a couple and have been underwhelmed to say the least. Have also shoot a bunch and still have the same opinion.

Good for the yuppies (in the shooting world) but lacking in real world performance vs others.

I have a 3-12 klassic. Shoot me a PM if you want to buy it.

Classic. You think the guy who used to post here (Scenarshooter) is a "yuppie of the shooting world?"

That's funny.

I was disappointed in the Klassic I had as there was very little up MOA available and the model I had was not able to get a turret added. For the money and for what I use it for, a VX3 3.5-10x40 with an M1 is just an easy, easy answer. That and I like 12 ounces of scope weight vs larger scopes.

I think the PM II's are what you want for elevation. Plenty of travel.

PS, you're welcome to check mine out, it's a fixed 10X, I really like it.

"I was looking at the 3-12x 42mm Klassik with A4 reticle."

The TD Smith reticle will give you what your looking for in spades.
My personal favorite is a straight heavy no4.
With alittle english you can get to 400 and 500 no problem.
If speed is an issue a TDS is much MUCH faster than clicking.

The PMIIs are excellant but a tad over kill for a carry deer getter...All depends on what your trying to do.
I have both single turn and double turn PMIIs.
Expensive.But rock solid reliability.
dave