Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Precision Rifle Scopes: What The Pro's Use

Mils vs MOA has nothing to do with "human targets," They are units of measure, nothing else. They are not ballistic reticles, as you infer.

Not really. To be competitive a scope must posses certain features- Front focal plane, a good Mil reticle, 1/10th Mil adjustments, an upper power range of at least 20x, good clarity/resolution, solid tracking and be durable. The only Nightforce scope that was FFP was the F1 and it is a 3.5-15x50mm. That's why you don't see them in matches. With the release of the BEAST they will probably start showing up.



As for military issued optics-

Marines issue the S&B 3-12x on the M40, the 2.5-8x Mark 4 on the Mk12, and the Leupold 3.5-10x Mark 4 that comes on the M110. The Army issues the same Leupold 3.5-10x Mark 4 on the M110, the 34mm tubed M5 6.5-20x on the M2010 and the 4.5-14x Leupold Mark 4 M1 on the M107. SOCOM issues Nightforce, S&B and the new Leupold Mark 6 3-18x just won a contract.


What's important to understand is that the only scopes that have won a straight up large open competition are Nightforce and S&B. All of the Leupolds (excepting the Mark 6) that are issued are there because that is what the manufacturer of the weapon submitted. Not because they were tested and beat any other scope.

What ? The US Army doesn't test scopes ? They only test whatever comes with the rifles they order ?
I seem to recall that back in the mid 80's Leupold had to work with the US Army for a few years to give them just what they wanted. No other scope maker would do that. They still use that scope, the 10X, M3, Mk.4.
A few months back, the American Rifleman reported that the US military issued a requirement for a scope with some fancy characteristics for their sniper backup people, etc. I understand there were a number of makers submitted a design. But Leupold's Mk.8, the 1.1-8X model, was the only one that really worked. BTW, Leupold says the US Marines use it as well. E

No. By and large the optics on SWS haven't been tested as separate contracts.


The Leupold 10x Mk4 M3 is a legacy scope and only seen because it is still in the system and hasn't been replaced everywhere. It was a very good optic for its time.

The Leupold 1-8x Mark 8 was bought in very limited numbers by a certain organization. Not really fair to say it's "issued".

The Marine Corp bought some as well.... For Mk19 grenade launchers. Not to be mounted on rifles. Though of course some have.

So, you are telling us there is no competitive bidding or testing for rifle scopes in the military ? I recall the US Marines issuing a specification for a new day scope some time back. Since nobody made one in 30mm, the only other scope that met their specifications just happend to be the current S&B which is a 34mm scope. Hmm.
I recall the Navy seriously considering a hand built 10X Tasco at one time. Almost got the contract.
Then there have been a pretty much yearly contract for up to 50 Nightforce scopes up until the Gulf wars. Purchased for "extended testing."
So all of this isn't accurate ? E