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Gateway To Product Reviews => Scope and Mount Reviews => : daved April 25, 2007, 03:23:38 PM
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Ordered this scope from Cheaper Than Dirt to try out on my HW 77. Total with shipping was $123. One minor gripe with them, they said the scope is 12" long, and that was the magic number to get me to push the order button. Because the front of the scope is angled, it measures just over 13" at the bottom of the front objective, and about 13 3/4" at the top. Had I known the true dimensions, I probably wouldn't have ordered it. So far, I'm glad I did.
This is a very nice looking scope. It's a smooth, even matte black, with the Nikko Sterling crest on the parallax knob in silver, and the Name, scope model, and power in bright white on the top of the occular lens. Along with the angled front objective, it makes for a classy looking package. One thing I wasn't thrilled with, you get the scope and that's it. No covers, no shade, just the scope. Oh well.
The scope itself is a side focuser, instead of the ring on the front objective. All the adjustements turn smoothly, although they're pretty stiff. I'm hoping they'll loosen up a bit with use. Optics seem clear and bright, no blurring or distortion around the edges. Reticle is a duplex instead of a mil dot, but the center cross is quite fine, so it's good for target work.
I mounted it on the 77 with an Accushot 2 pc. high mount. Even with the longer than expected length, the front objective only hangs over the loading port by about 1/4". With the angled front, it still allows plenty of room for loading. Eye releif is good and forgiving, even at max power. The big surprise came with my first shot. My bench was already set up at 20 yards, so that's what I decided to sight in at. The 77 likes CPL's so that's what I used. The first shot at 20 yards was 3/4" low and left! The next four went to essentially the same place. That's right out of the box, guys, I didn't bother to optically center it first. At 20 yards 3/4" is close to 4 MOA, so I gave it 12 clicks of right windage, and was there. Elevation was now an inch low, so about 20 clicks up and I was nailing the bull. Although they don't seem to be EXACTLY 4 clicks per minute, it's damn close, and it seems very precise and consistent. BTW, all shooting was done at 6x.
So far, I'd have to say I'm pleased with this scope. This sight in session was a far cry from my last session with the 77 and my Leapers 3-12x44 full size. The replacement for the Leapers is due Friday, I intend to do some serious side by side comparisons of the two scopes. More later.
Dave
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Good review Dave.. It is a good feeling when you mount a scope and it is close like that...:) I passed up that scope because of some negative comments about it but now I am having second thoughts..:) One thing I know is that you know your scopes and how to use them..:) And to the help you gave me many months back, I now know where my power settings need to be to shoot straight...:)
Thanks for sharing..
Gene
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Hi Dave,
how is that Nikko still holding up? Wanting to put a platinum on my stutzen but worried about the springer eating the platinum.
cheers
JT
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Hi, JT. Short answer is yes, it's still holding up just fine. I got rid of the HW 77, so the Nikko now lives on a CFX that I gave to my brother. He just sold the CFX to a friend, but will be swapping scopes to get the Nikko back. It will then be going on the Talon he sold the CFX for. I think you'd be fine with one of these on a Stutzen. Like I said in my original review, it has a standard duplex reticle instead of a mil-dot, so if you prefer the mil-dot (which I do), you might want to consider the Air King. I'm not familiar with that model, but Gene reviewed one a while back. Hope that helps and good luck.
Dave
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thanks Dave.. will keep it in mind... If it wasnt for the side saddle of the platinum, the airking would already be on order..
cheers
JT