Weather was finally too nice to fish,so I flogged on the new ARKEN 30mm 4-16x LW Mil/Mil. Hint.

Quite a difference in relative sizing and mass,from it's 34mm 4-16x Mil/Mil kin. Hint.



I've yet to see an ARKEN not track,hold zero or repeat. Whistled 200rds through it today,ala esteemed and known Annie 54 22LR. I knew the barrel/receiver/rail to be concentric,as it's wore several scopes in Testing. Factored a 25 MOA
inclination bove mechanical center and shot 50yd paper,less a bore sighting. 1 Mil low and 1.5 Mil's to the right. I subtended,added the corrections,shot a tidy cluster and zero'd turrets. Hint.




Capped windage isn't ever gonna piss me off. No tools required to zero same. Unscrew the center screw,index and refasten,then throw the cap on. Hint.




Hasty initial thoughts are,that mechanics are like all my others. These are VERY good things. I gunned come-ups on tall paper to 18.5 Mil's(all that remained after the 50yd zero,with flat rings),whirled zoom and parallax between every shot and it never bobbled. All VERY positive an unerring. Hint.

I find the eyebox and reticle MUCH slower,than it's 34mm version. Nothing quick here,even from the bench and it isn't NEARLY as "friendly". From the hip,I think the lacking tree hurts acquisition and eye-relief is just simply fickle. I've another enroute and will be curious to extrapolate. Hint.

It lacks the erector travel to be serious for Rimfire (26 Mil's total) and too slow for a Krunchenticker. Not really sure o the platform it'd shine upon,but perhaps a CTR-ish 223 or the ilk?!? Hint....................

Built in China like the athlons you’ve been pimping?

Gentle Reader,

Perhaps you could make a list of wares I can purchase,which will not effect your VERY Tender Feelers,or Raging Estrogen Levels,let along jeopardize your "esteemed" Professional Victim Status? I am at ease in fielding wares,that are the culmination of a US Navy SEAL's first hand ideals,but your feelings concern me. Hint.



Fhuqking LAUGHING!................

B,

In the 15 years I've been acquainted with your verbiage, I think this is one of the most cogent expressions of yours of which I"ve had the pleasure.


TFF,

ya!

GWB

Between those Arken and Athlon, can you please elaborate on which shines and why?

Thanks for your report Stick. I agree with GWB too. One of your better responses.

It is always nice to see a scope report from someone who actually knows how to put it through its paces and not just babble about it. Good job, Stick.

I tend to look at scopes different from most,because I actually fhuqking shoot. Such realities,lean mightily upon the mechanical aspects of an Optic. Hint.

It is heart warming,to gun glass,which do what glass is SUPPOSED to fhuqking do and that is to steer bullets,to arrange POA/POI. Said attributes are easily discerned initially and only get warmer/fuzzier as round counts increase. Everything I've seen,shot or got from both Companies,has been fhuqking exceptional in those regards. Only with mechanics PROVEN,can a foundation be made for a Skookum Rifle platform. It really truly amazes me,how many Fhuqktards skirt that and fawn the schit which matters least,to frost their Velvet Glove "pursuits". Hint.

With mechanics being a given,the purpose and blueprint of said platform rate a thunk. There is great disparity in the above's physical dimensioning and mass. Hint.

The 2-12x42 are 30mm tubes,go 25.5oz,have 10yd parallax and 32 Mil's of erector travel.
The 4-16x44 LW is 30mm,weighs 23.7oz,has 10yd parallax and 25 Mil's of erector.
The 4-16x50 is 34mm,weighs 35.6oz,has 25yd parallax and 36 Mil's of erector
The 5-25x56 is 34mm,weighs 39.2oz,has 10yd parallax and 32 Mil's of erector

So by literal default,all are not "equal",nor slated to like platforms...at least not for me. Hint.

All are FFP,which is a GOOD thing. All have intuitive reticles,which is another good thing. All have mechanical zero stops,which is a good thing. From there,things change. Hint.

The 2-12x42 wears locking turrets. It is also of modest length/mass,with a far more bold reticle and greater illumination,due that. I find them exceptional for Utility,due the lightning fast reticle. You can do bidness at muzzle burn distances,or stretch them to distant zip codes,less nary a fret. I love 'em on Kruchentickers and a goodly herd of killer bolt guns. They sell like fhuqking hot cakes,after someone gawks one. Hint.







The 4-16x44 30mm LW has been discussed. It lacks locking elevation,but obviously wears capped windage. Like all ARKEN,save the 5-25's,it wears an 8 Mil per revolution turret. Deal breaker? Nope. Though Base Ten everything is vastly superior. Might poke it aboard my Vudoo Hummer,for R&D. The reticle suffers in not having a "tree",which helps speed acquisition up. Hint.



The 4-16x50 34mm has been fhuqking EXCEPTIONAL. I REALLY like this glass,for it's intents. No locking turrets,but the parallax control and generous erector connect alotta dots. It gives up 6-ish Mil's of erector to a Fixed Fhuqker and weighs nearly a pound more,but it is great on dedicated Heavy Rifles. For me and my typical atmosphere,16x is way more than enough zoom. I've LOTS of rounds through these and the added mass helps soak recoil,to chase trace/impact. Hint.




The 5-25x hasn't been mounted yet and one can't "review" something,less pulling the trigger. I'm torn where to mount it. To be continued. Hint.

Just sayin'...................

So it has a short critical eye relief and it's not user friendly to sit behind?
dave

Good review. Thank you.

I was thinking of one for the little 6 ARC.

Despite the allure of POURING rain and my propensity to be dredging Chrome,I'll stay yesterday's course and R&D rifles. The 4-16x 34mm will get yanked from the aforementioned Vudoo Hummer and I'll poke the 30mm version aboard same. Perhaps an Annie 54 Position Rifle wearing 27" of spout,effects handlin'?!? Hint....................(grin)

I have one of the 2-12 Athlons.
I mounted it on the 6.5x47 MooCow.
Long story but DonKnows SIL needed alittle help so I offered and he accepted.
130g LRX at 300 yards with 4 different loads .3 of a grain apart.

Not a speed demon but flat out shoots good.
I appreciate the heaviness of the Athlon reticle. I like the fat heavy stuff in the dark on deer.
The SIL used it all deer season but did not connect unfortunately.
He needs trigger time, warms up some we will stretch it out to 500 ..

dave

When doubt...2-12x. Hint..............(grin)

I have been looking at the Arkens.
The reticle seems less busy than the Athlon which interested me... But finer thinner ..
Scotty likes the 4-20 Athlon alot.
The Arkens package of rings caps and stuff is attractive.

dave

Stick,
Didn't mean to interrupt your Arken testing .
Please carry on.
It's interesting.

dave

Well , for the most part I think I am following along with what is being said , but what the heck is a Kruchenticker ?

Going for the Swapaloo. Will poke 10x MQ in 'Horn's back on The Long Annie. Hint.



1000 words on the glass discussed,in extrapolation. Hint.



Was talking to a pard yesterday on the phone and he was fretting scopes and heading off wayyyyyyy into left field,with magnification. I said simply "You were shooting my 7 Mag to 1600yds + on 12x" and he said "NO schit?!!?". I laughed. The Bushie LRTS in all fairness,is rather Skookum. Hint.




I'm cool with the '12x BTR Gen2's reticle,whether spitting distance,a coupla hunnert yards or 1200yds+. Hint.







Just sayin'................

Thanks for the review, Stick.

Gentle Reader....

LMFAO!

Great Review Stick!

Glass quality is very important. I hunted with an eye surgeon, he showed me a very useful tool in evaluating scopes. Take a Color newspaper flyer, where they are advertising the weekly grocery specials, and place the newspaper print at 100 yards, and 200 if you can. There will be all sizes of print and a variety of colors. Now, look at his news paper print, some expensive scopes are just junk. Look at the edges of the letters, and how much of the print you can read or even see. Some scopes have such poor glass that the colors will even look dull or will show different color.

Point being, you need clear image of your target at longer range.

I spent $1300(with significant discount) on a scope, glass was junk, but it was built like a battle tank.

The newspaper print test is going to piss off a lot of people, but the glass quality is just one part of the equation.

Did you ladies feel that? The World IS righter now. Hint.



Now to come FULL fhuqking circle,things done did change. Hint.(grin)



Literally night & day. The transition is fhuqking with my head and I don't totally get it,other than I was MPAJ yesterday. EVERYTHING muchly improved,in regards to the view,which by default "strengthened" the reticle. Cain't recall that happening before,but it's a NICE "problem" to have. Things just got MUCH warmer and fuzzier. Hint.



Now I GOTTA go shoot. Hint....................(grin)

Looks like you should be able to pick off Aborigine midgets on the dark side of the moon!

That would make a good match!

🦫

I’be been slacking on getting it set up. I have a feeling it’ll be fun. Those little 6 ARCs with Hornadys 108 factory ammo as pretty damn fun.

Amazing how well them itty bitty cases make stuff happen.

The transition from ARKEN 30mm LW 4-16x to BTR Gen2 2-12x,is less than two ounces. For two ounces,I'll scramble to take locking turrets,better illumination,10 Mil's per revolution and almost another 10 Mil's of added erector travel. Hint.



Just sayin'................

Stick,

I bought one of the 2-12 a couple of months ago and really like it. I intentionally drop tested it and it held zero great but am concerned because on another forum three of them failed the drop testing.

I know you have several of these scopes. Would you mind sharing your thoughts on those test results?

Thanks

Someone wants to see Stick do a Michael Jordan with his Arken onto the rocks.

Lol

🦫

I reset zero stop (1) "click" off bottom of total erector travel,to pad the Vudoo 40MOA rail. Ended up being PERFECT. Erector had to go back 1.3 Mil's right,to "correct" for Vudoo concentricity,which put it .2 Ml's to left of mechanical center. Flung a high wind 100yd Trio and they were hovering where needed,for the prescribed 125yd zero(+.2 Mil's). Hint.



Conditions were/are shy of "perfect". Was gunning a blacked 100yd Annie 54 come-up 5-shot 100yd cluster,from yesterday,which was in better but not "good" conditions. Same scope. Hint.



The 'Horn' is on his way ever and probably going to talk me into something new. OLDEST "Trick" in The Book. Hint.

Fhuqking LAUGHING!..............

Thanks for the nice review. Those Arken scopes look nice.

The ARKEN 30mm LW 4-16x would work for me.

I’d pay a good peso to see that

That was very well done for sure, I'll agree.

I can't know who did what,when or where...nor do I give a schit. Hint.

I simply shoot and have yet to see one falter,in any fashion. Lotsa pards are gunning them too and nobody buys glass to coddle. Mounting systems matter,as do ring spacing and I tend to give such things a thunk. Hint.

The 'Horn' had one in tow,on a new rifle. Hint.




If/when something Pukes,I tend to bring it up. Hint................

Most people I know that had a gun drop.
Would check it afterwards anyways.
I would.....
Dave

OP: Thanks for putting this together, Now, all we need is some inventory.
BS, I think you talked me into a 2-12. That should meet all my needs. Or, 3 of them.

Again, thanks.

Pards be cashing checks

Form says they are sh&t.........he's a pro you know...laughing.

"Rock slide rube"

'Stick, thanks for taking the time to do this.

BTW, the patina on the Annie is pretty cool.

Good shootin' -Al

Ordered two yesterday after seeing Doug posted they were a new dealer for them.

Read a little on the company, what motivated me is two Things:
1. Camera Land is carrying them.. and backs up what they sell.
2. Developed by former Navy Seals, guys who know what they are talking about., and VETERANS..

Schtick had no input on my purchase...

but Kudos for not having a Big Chip on his shoulder for once in a long while. This was a pleasant read overall.

Still think he learned to talk, by mom putting him on the living room floor and have him watching the Muppets all day while she was at work,
and he learned to talk, modeling Fozzie the Bear.....sentence structure is identical...

Stumpy must buy his scopes, 20 at a time... will find a rifle to put them on later...

so Super Chickens are out on Prince of Wales Island, and Athlon and Arken are IN??

Al,

That rifle is THE Sleeper and really fhuqks with heads. It looks like an Annie 54(because it is),so it should "shoot",but when intertwined with The Herd,it often gets lost in the crowd. I've often used it in the past,for folks to set the hook on themselves and that rifle has sold alotta rifles and alotta scopes. With the 10x MQ back on board in original configuration,it do fair to middlin' at Long Range with 65 MOA of inclination,so it is a 42 Mil "all in" mechanical platform. I need to have Bob do another run of 75MOA extended 1913 54 Annie rails. 50 Mil's is where I'd rather be. Hint.(grin)




The rolling flame patina adds to it's friendliness,but is a fhuqking stone cold HAMMER. Once it breaks day,I'll flog on it,to confirm zero. Hint....................

That’s about where I landed.

Great info, guys. I'm new here and was searching the internet for reviews on this scope, the posts here are really helpful.

Why is it,that a simplitic critique by me,sells more scopes in a weekend,than Joan Squirms has in her "life"? Hint.

Hell...even the CLUELESS Lying Piece Of Fhuqking Schit Texan Cheese Grader,is "forgetting" about her Imaginary Pretend Ignore and Shefire takes a break from buffing bed pans for Minimum Wage,as they suck ass. What were the "odds"?!? Hint.

Fhuqking LAUGHING!.............

I've sort of lost track of him, has he gone Bear Grylls on any hunts lately?

Caught nice conditions this morning and THE Pateener 54 did nice thing at the 100yd line,with a Hasty Fivetuple. Nice to have it back,with 65MOA inclination. Hint.




I shoulda' mentioned that 30mm LW 4-16's wear splined windage,which do not suck. Hint.



Just sayin'.................

NICE.

I appreciate getting the chance to read your thoughts and compare/contrast on those scopes. Thanks.

GB has a fair amount of variation in their stock weights. When I saw your pic, along with some I've seen GB post specific weights on when listing the individual Trekker's, it's surprised me. I've two of them, though only one saw use this year and a bit last season. The one I put to use is 1 lb 6.1 oz. I can't remember the exact weight on the other but it's about the same. Both are short action/M5 inlets. At any rate, I've really taken to that stock with a pencil barreled action. I've found it comfy from any position, offhand or rested/prone. Nice comb height for a rail or Hawkin's not so low's and the grip is solid. Very slim through the action when carrying in hand. Last year I decided it wasn't meant to be with a chunky carbon as the forend had to much flex....I do like it with the slimmer steel though.

Will be curious to hear your thoughts on it after you've snuggled with it a bit.

All I know is, I want this.




🦫

It's ALL I can do,to not give The Peteener,THE Chop and poke it in my remaining MacaMillion T-hole Silly Wet handle. Hint.






Now as to the GB Trekker,that was a rifle that The 'Horn carted over yesterday. I can like the ergo's and the vertical gip will assuredly soak recoil,no flies there. M5's nip a LOT of schit in the buds and is often without peer. Hint.

I'm awaiting a Flyweight 7" RPM 223 SALAMI,which will go in an Outlander. I'm torn on whether to stretch an OEM box via shim slide,or cut to the fhuqking chase and simply open it for M5. Were they inletted ADL,I'd 100% leave it alone,but OEM Big Green BDL "metal" is fhuqking Dog Schit and I tend to default M5 there,when upgrading same. Hint.



I'm not a Carbon Guy,anywhere,on anything(except stocks). Hint................

I just got a phone call that a few MOA and MIL's of the EPL4 4-16's are shipping to us today. After filling pre-orders we will have 3 MOA's and about 6 MIL's available for those looking

Got the email and tracking number for the ones I ordered on Nov 2nd.....

Are they still offering the special promo price for the 30mm combo pack when you order the scope?

Our pleasure to discuss this, or anything else with you if you have the time to call us, 516-217-1000

Just got an email with tracking number that my November 17 order has shipped.

Just got a e mail that my scope has been pulled waiting for UPS to pick up Nov 9th order nothing was happening till Doug contacted Arken. Thanks Doug.

Always glad to do whatever I can

looks like the 'slow boat from China' finally docked....

The express balloon dropped them off.

Any of you guys get your hand on them yet??

Mine were delivered today. Got one mounted on a .22, sighted and wrung out. Other will have to wait...

I was thinking the exact same thing... that is a beauty and I think I have one more slot left in my gun safe for another rimfire...

Initial thoughts as to how it compares to the EPL 6-24x50? I was really impressed with it on my Sako S2 PRC this past weekend.

I just ordered a second EPL4 4-16X44 from Niel

Could possibly ship this week

My EPL 4 4-16x44 just rolled in on todays truck. Might get a ride on my R700 7 RM for starters

Glad to see some EPL 4 4-16x44 scopes are arriving at there final destinations. I have been waiting over 2 months now. I just got a reply from Arken today.

(John, there has been a very high demand on the EPL4s for quite awhile which has caused us to adjust or lead times. We are working very hard to fill all orders. We appreciate your patience and apologize for the delay. We are expecting the 4-16's to arrive in 6-8 weeks. You will receive an email with your tracking information once it ships. Thank you for your business and support.)

jacob handy



Now they are saying another 6-8 weeks.

PintsofCraft did you order your scope from Doug or directly from Arken?

Mine came from Arken - I ordered it last Fall (11/2)

I ordered mine about a month after you did. Hopefully I'll see mine in a month. Thanks for the reply.

Was it your post that sorta kicked off the pre-order ideas?

No, I just thought I would give one a try. Trying to replace some scopes with ones that have illuminated reticles. It looks like a good price for what I'm looking for.

That sticker! 🤣🤣

'Nother. Hint.





The Sporter CTR was a rather good idea by me too. Hint.



Just sayin'................