It’s early November
and I have two pre-production prototype binoculars in my hands from Alpen
Optics. One is a 10x32 Rainier model (Alpen’s top of the line premium
series) and the other is a 10x50 Teton model (one step down). As
mentioned, these are prototypes, but all major, and nearly all of the
minor issues have been put to bed. Subsequently, these binocs are very,
very close to the final product which will probably hit the dealer’s
shelves in April 08. It’s very unusual that a manufacturer will let a
writer work with a prototype, even a near production prototype.
Consequently, I feel very lucky to have this opportunity.
Let’s take a look at
the made in Japan, premium quality, 10x32 Rainier’s first. They’re what I
would call a semi- compact binocular measuring roughly 5” x 4.75”. I like
these new 10x32s as they are a handy size that’s small enough to fit into
the pocket of a G.I. fatigue jacket or most parkas. They also weigh less
than their big brothers. But, the overall size is still large enough that
there’s plenty of room to pack in lots of good sized, image enhancing
lenses. The little itty bitty binocs that one often sees just can’t
deliver the brightness and resolution that a serious outdoors person needs
in demanding real world conditions. This is because the case on those
little binocs is just too small to accommodate the necessary optics.
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"New for 2008,
Alpen's Rainier and Teton binoculars are premium quality and suited for
silhouette spotting from a tripod." |
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Alpen has gone all
out with the Rainier’s. For instance, the body is cast magnesium. Compare
that to a certain Austrian premium brand that uses cheaper and heavier
aluminum instead, and yet, charges several hundred dollars more. The
Rainier’s also utilize apocromatic lenses. In a previous story on a Nikon
spotting scope (see “The best 60mm Spotting Scope on The Planet” at
LASC.US) I explained that almost all sports optics products use objective
lenses that are a sandwich of two different types of glass. While this
design can provide very good quality images when high quality glass and
coatings are used, it still falls short in some important wave lengths.
The best objective lenses use apocromatic lenses which have a minimum of
three layers of different optical glasses. The Rainier’s objective lenses
have even more layers.
The BaK4 roof prisms
(the best kind) in the Rainier’s are 25% larger than the prisms in other
binoculars and have both phase coating and multicoating as well. Many
binoculars have only a single coating on their prisms or perhaps
multicoating only, or they may be phase coated but not multicoated. To
have both types of coating on the prisms is one of the marks of a high
quality optic. In fact, there are literally dozens and dozens of layers of
these optical coatings on the Rainier’s to ensure superlative image
viewing. To further maximize image quality, oversized lenses are also used
in the Rainier’s internal optical train.
Using the Rainier’s
at the range and in the field was a lot of fun. First of all, they’re
tripod adaptable which makes them compatible with spotting handgun
silhouettes or other competitive sports. Some people mistakenly convince
themselves that you absolutely need a super power spotting scope to spot
targets. Tain’t so. In previous reviews, I’ve had no problem seeing hits
or misses with ten power binocs provided they were of good or better
quality. There’s also nothing like that 3D view when spotting that you can
only get from binoculars.
Additionally, the
eyepieces have three position snap out eyecups that are very positive when
you rotate them. These are very handy for preventing stray light coming in
from the side and degrading the image in the eyepiece. Another thing I
really liked was the fact that the diopter adjustment on the right
eyepiece can be locked in place once you set it for your eye. Just lift up
on the ring to unlock and twist to adjust, and then push it back down to
lock. No more having the right lens slip out of adjustment during
handling. I especially liked the nice 15 mm’s of eye relief, as it made
viewing very comfortable, even when wearing my glasses. The front lens
covers are also tethered to the binocs so they can’t get lost. Now if only
someone could figure out how to do that for the rear covers as well, I’d
really be set. I’m always losing those things.
The viewing with the
Reiniers was extremely impressive. Everything was bright and clear with no
distortions. When checking out a humming bird across the yard, I felt I
could actually count the feathers on the little guy. Even when he flew
down into the depths of a deeply shaded shrub, the image was nice and
bright. I even tried out the Reiniers during twilight and at night, and
still got a very nice image. This thing sucks up photons like a vacuum
cleaner - just what you need for coyote hunting at night.
One of the other
things that especially impressed me was the fact that color fidelity was
spot on. I looked very hard to see if there was any shading, tinting, or
color fringing of any kind and I found absolutely none.
Nothing puzzles me
more than to look through a big bucks optic of some kind and to see a
deliberately tinted image - often gray. Evidently some manufacturers feel
this tinting provides a better view. It doesn’t. It just dilutes the
colors and makes things look artificial. You don’t get washed out colors
with the Alpen’s.
Resolution on the
Rainier’s was also outstanding. When hand holding the binocs on a high
power transmission tower 300 yards away, I could easily see rivets and
bolt heads, rust spots, and the rows of spikes designed to keep birds off
of the wires. This was first class viewing.
The Reiniers have a
pricey MSRP, but as we all know, very substantial discounts are available
from the internet retailers. Never the less, top of the line Japanese
optical quality has its cost. However, if you absolutely can’t fit the
Reiniers into your budget, then consider the Tetons.
The Tetons are also
made in Japan and are a hybrid design consisting of the superb Rainier
eyepieces and the body optical system from the Alpen Apex binoculars that
I favorably reviewed a couple of years ago. Just like what the auto makers
often do, when compatible systems from two different models are combined
together, a third model can be crafted. The advantage of this happy
marriage is that a very capable system can be put together at less cost
because you’re using existing parts. What this means to you and me in
dollars and cents is that the Tetons will cost $200-$300 less than the
Rainier’s. Here’s what you get with the 50mm Tetons:
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The Rainier
eyepiece design
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BaK4 prisms with
over 60 layers of phase coating and multicoating
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19 mm’s of eye
relief (even more than the 10x32 Rainiers)
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3 position twist
out eye cups
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Quiet click
adjustable diopter adjustment
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Tripod adaptable
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Apocromatic
objective lenses
So what aren't you
getting with the Tetons vrs the Rainiers? Well instead of a magnesium
body, you’re getting a polycarbonate body - and that’s not a bad thing.
Polycarbonate is actually a very good, strong material and it works very
well. You’re also not getting the diopter lock. Most of all, you’re not
getting the larger Rainier roof prisms or the more capable Rainier
objective lenses.
So how do the
Reiniers and the Tetons compare in the field? To be honest, in bright
daylight conditions I actually couldn’t tell any difference in the quality
of image produced by either model - which is actually a complement to the
more expensive Rainiers. What? You’re probably thinking I’ve flipped out
or something. Consider this. The Rainiers that I had on hand were
providing a beautifully bright image using 32mm lenses while the less
costly Tetons are doing it with 50mm lenses. Big difference. When it comes
to brightness, lens diameter is very important. Size does matter. Bottom
line - when it came to brightness, crispness, and color correctness, they
appeared identical in bright sunlight. However, at night, in heavy
overcast or in deep woods conditions, the Reiniers would definitely have
the optical advantage.
Of course the
size of the Tetons can be a disadvantage to a certain extent. There're
longer and wider (6.75”” x 5”). They also weigh 5 ounces more than the
Reiniers. However, if you’re going to use the Tetons for silhouette target
spotting from a tripod, weight and size aren't a problem if you have a
good solid tripod. In fact, they may be an advantage as it could
contribute to stability. If you want smaller, lighter binocs for a long
carry in the field etc., the Raniers might be a better choice. Of course,
if you want an even brighter image, the 8x42 or 10x42 Rainier would be the
way to go. However, when it comes to bang for the buck, the 50mm Tetons
are hard to beat. They also come in an 8.5 x 50 as well.
If the Tetons are
out of your budget too, then definitely look at the previously mentioned
Alpen Apex binocs. They’re made in China but in a Japanese owned and run
factory, and the quality and performance is very good. They also cost only
around half of what the Tetons run. Check’em out. They’re all top drawer.
My review of the Apex can also be found at
LASC.US.
Small & Fast for Half Scale
I was talking to my
old friend Jerry Bruce the other day about shooting half scale. He’d been
experimenting with a TC barrel chambered in 204 Ruger. When he mentioned
this, it rang a responsive cord as I had just recently purchased a Cooper
varmint rifle chambered for the same. If you’re not
familiar with the 204, it’s simply a 222 Mag case necked down to 20
caliber. While a
variety of bullets are available for it, the most common are 32, 39, and
40 grains in weight. The advantages are excellent ballistic coefficients
for the weight of the bullets and dazzling velocities. 4000 fps and
more in a rifle is very easy to achieve, although many people keep their
loads to around the 3800’s.
I asked Jerry if the 204
had enough push to knock down the half scale targets and whether they would
damage the targets. He replied yes to both questions. In an experiment, he
shot a full sized pig with a normal 204 load using a 39 gr Sierra Blitz King
bullet out of his TC. Jerry said the big pig went down like it was hit with a
10 lb sledge hammer. When he went out to check it during a line break, he
found to his embarrassment that the pig was deeply cratered. Jerry immediately
knew that he would have to reduce the load. After trying a couple of different
things, Jerry settled on 18 grs of AA5744 with the same 39 gr Sierra Blitz
King. As you know, AA5744 is an excellent powder for reduced, low volume
loads. Velocity out of the TC was now in the middle 2700’s. Jerry reported
that when shot scoped off sand bags, the TC would shoot groups the size of a
dime at 50 yards.
I decided to try Jerry’s
load out of my Cooper just for fun. I’d also shoot some regular half scale
targets to check knock down and inspect target damage. The Cooper is a
beautiful gun and incredibly accurate. Quarter inch groups with 32 and 39
grain Sierra bullets and 32 and 40 grain Nosler's are routine. It’s definitely
the most accurate rifle I’ve ever owned.
The Cooper is topped
with a Weaver 6x20x40 Grand Slam scope sitting in Leupold rings which are
furnished with the gun. This scope is a real bargain and can be purchased on
the internet for around $350. It’s a great middle priced optic that gives a
lot for the money. The image is super clear and bright. Even when set on 20X,
you get a superior, bright image. This is no doubt due to what are obviously
very good quality lens materials and high grade polishing coupled with full
multi-coating. I suspect that Weaver’s parent company, Meade Corp, transferred
some technology and design expertise into the production of this scope. The
windage and elevation adjustments are also firm and positive. There’s a fast
focus eyepiece for easy crosshair adjustment and the rubber covering over the
scope means that you’ll never have to worry about the rings marring the scope
body.
I duplicated Jerry’s
load except I used a Nosler 40 grain bullet instead. I’ve used both Sierra’s
and Nosler’s in the Cooper with many different kinds of powders. I would have
to say that for this gun, the Sierras had a slight edge in that they would
work with more powders than the Nosler’s. In other words, the Nosler’s always
shot well, but you had to pick your powders a little more carefully to get the
very best performance than you had to with the Sierras. Anyway, a 40 grain
Nosler went into a Hornady case with 18 grains of 5744 and was ignited by a
Winchester primer. It would be interesting to see how the Nosler’s like 5744.
The velocity measured at 2967 fps with a standard deviation of 16 fps. This
was 200 fps faster than what the load was doing out of Jerry’s TC. As usual, I
used Redding dies to assemble the ammo including their competition seating
die. As you know, Redding doesn’t make products for regular shooters but
rather for people who want something more than what’s “average”. If you want
to wring the best accuracy from any load, you need one of Redding’s
competition dies.
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"Nosler 40 grainers
and AA5744 make a heck of a combination." |
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I loaded up 25 rounds
and then shot Jerry’s load for accuracy. The first shot out of a clean cold
barrel was exactly dead center. “A good start” I thought to myself. With the
barrel now fouled, I then fired another five shots which then stacked right
exactly on top of each other just to the 11 o’clock position of the first
shot. The group was a mere .106 inches. Yep, I guess the Nosler’s like 5744.
I then got one of our
club’s T-1 half scale chickens and a half sized ram. I noticed that one side
of the chicken was pock marked pretty well from the 6.5mm bullets that
everyone is using these days. The other side was still pretty smooth however.
I set up the chicken smooth side forward at 50 meters and fired away. When the
sear broke the chicken just disappeared from sight. It went down so hard and
so fast I thought for sure that the target was probably damaged. Nope. When I
examined the target, I found a small splash mark and nothing more. No moon
crater. Great! I then took a shot on the half scale 200 meter ram and asked my
friend Harry to spot with his Alpen Model 788 80mm spotting scope. I didn’t
have a scope setting for 200 meters so I just guessed at one. I fired and the
ram disappeared. Harry said it didn’t just knock the ram down, it slammed the
ram down. When I pulled the ram and examined it, I found a small bright splash
mark about a half inch above the belly line and no damage what so ever - just
like the chicken. What this was telling me that any load developing 2967 fps
or less was perfectly safe to use on T-1 targets. It also told me that that
the 204 Ruger is a great cartridge to use for half scale. It’s got great knock
down, super flat trajectories, low cost, and has very low recoil as a
additional bonus. Sounds pretty good to me.
New
Cartridge from Ruger & Federal
This looks very
interesting. In essence this is a kind of 32 Super Mag that is supposed to
have similar performance to a 357 Mag with 20% less recoil. It’s called the
.327 Federal Magnum. It obviously is being oriented towards the self defense
market as Ruger is chambering its SP101 revolver for it with a three inch
barrel. (Believe it or not, the 32 H&R Mag was originally designed as a self
defense cartridge also.) However, the new .327 looks like a natural fit for a
TC barrel, Field Pistol silhouettes, and small game hunting. Who knows, maybe
someone will even squeeze the case down to .308 and use it with heavy bullets
on the long range targets ala Jim Rock’s “Super Slow” loading which did the
same with 32 H&R cases. (Let’s see, I think I still have those Redding dies
around here somewhere.) It was a real ram slammer at the time.
Micro
Engraving Part II
A couple of months ago,
I told you about a law that was winding its way through the California
legislature which would require the tip of firing pins on semi auto handguns
to be engraved with the serial number of the gun. (A new laser technology
makes this possible.) The idea behind this proposal was that ejected cases
would be stamped with the serial number when the gun was fired. If the gun was
used in a crime, the shooter theoretically could then be traced.
Like so many proposals
submitted by legislators who know nothing about guns, the idea sounded good on
the surface. However, as I previously pointed out in these pages, the idea was
loaded with all kinds of technical problems that would render any stamp on the
primer illegible. The legislature’s own study of the proposal also concluded
that the idea was not practical. However, that didn’t deter the anti gun nuts
from pushing the bill as hard as they could.
When the bill was being
discussed in the California House, I called my state representative’s office
and expressed my wish that he not vote in favor of the bill and gave my
reasons. He subsequently voted against the bill, but it still passed and went
on to the state Senate. I then personally visited the local office of my state
senator and went through the drill again. Subsequently, my senator also voted
against the bill, but it passed again.
Finally, it went before
the governor who could veto the bill or sign it. I sent a short but thorough
email to the governor’s office asking him to veto the bill. No luck. He signed
it, so in a couple of years time, new semi auto handguns will be required to
have these itty bitty serial numbers on the firing pin tip. In response, the
gun manufacturers have said that they just won’t sell semi autos in California
any more. Gee, do you think that might have been the real goal of the
anti gun proponents all along - to get the manufacturers to stop selling semi
auto handguns in California? You bet!
OK, here’s my point. I
had been discussing the progress of the bill with several of my gun owning
friends for several months. They were as upset about it as I was. When the
bill was finally signed into law, I asked them how their representatives voted
on the proposal. They didn’t know. “How could you not know” I asked. “They’ll
usually send you an email after you contact them and after the bill comes up.”
Well, they admitted they never contacted their representatives - and there’s
the problem.
In this day of cell
phones, texting, emails, etc. contacting our government representatives is
extremely easy. Why would anyone not stand up for their rights? How can we
prevent our guns from being legislated away if super active shooters like my
friends won’t pick up the phone to speak out? No matter the issue, as
citizens, we not only have the right to tell our representatives what we want
them to do, we have an obligation to do so. We pay their salaries, they work
for us, and we can’t assume that they’ll do the right thing for us. It’s not
enough to just vote, but to also monitor what our representatives are doing
and to guide them as best as we can. If dedicated gun owners won’t do
something as simple as that, we have a very big problem. (BTW, the contact
info for your federal and state reps is in the front of the phone book under
“Government”).
Getting back to
micro-engraving. Don’t be tempted to laugh up your sleeve about us poor
shmucks in California. Now that this thing is real, several states in the
Midwest and the East are looking into doing the same. Your turn is coming.
Speak out for your rights.
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