Meaning of Tactical Scopes

[thenewguyalaskan]

I have done a lot of research into tactical scopes, Leupold Mark 4, Mark 6, Mark 8, Schmidt and Bender, USO, Nightforce, etc.

What are the benefits of these scopes compared to say Leupold VX-6?

What I have found is that a VX-6 has really nice glass, has a great reputation, and the follow up shots are consistent.

Mil-dot scopes from what I've read are predominately for range finding, which I feel is not really applicable if you use a laser range finder. I could be off base here, but what advantage does a Leupold Mark 4 have over a Leupold VX-6, except for the reticle options and target turrets, which you can easily get on a VX-6.

I have two guns in particular that I have topped with a Leupold VX-6 2-12x42 and VX-7 2.5-10x45. They are CMMG MK3 DMR custom with Black Hole weaponry barrel, Geissele DMR NM Trigger, Precision Armament M11 Severe Duty Muzzle Brake, and PRS stock. The other gun is a DPMS SASS LRT 308 which is stock except the Precision Armament M11 Severe Duty Muzzle Brake. Any advice would be greatly appreciate.

 

[henschman]

Mil reticles are for holdovers and wind holds as well as ranging.

 

[jmr40]

The mil-dots allow you to have a crude range finder built into the scope. Not as accurate as a dedicated range finder, but faster to use.

 

[strambo]

I prefer mil reticles more for holdovers and wind as well as matching turrets (and matching ballistics info) than for range finding.

It makes it real easy, range, check chart, says 2.3 mils drop, .8 mil wind, dial 23 clicks up and hold .8 into the wind and fire. Observe splash .5 mils low in reticle, hold on the half mil hash mark and re-engage.

Because all the units are the same, you never have to convert anything to inches or MOA etc. You can have the same benefits with a MOA reticle and MOA turrets, but those are harder to find.

 

[Conelrad]

A soldiers' width....

Tacticals are for shooting humans.

The rest are for game and paper.

DG

 

[HankB]

I contacted Leupold with a similar question (apart from reticle type) a few years ago asking about the difference between their Mk 4 and VX series 'scopes. The answer I got back was that the Mk 4's were stronger and more rugged, with thicker tubes and stronger internals.

In some other brands, I'm pretty sure "tactical" simply means "we're charging more, and making a higher profit on each one we sell." (This isn't just limited to 'scopes!)

 

[Sunray]

No such thing as a 'tactical' anything. It's nothing more than a marketing term. The buzz word used to be 'law enforcement'.

 

[grter]

These are made for authorized special ninjas only.

 

[CraigC]

No such thing as a 'tactical' anything. It's nothing more than a marketing term. The buzz word used to be 'law enforcement'.

Then there's no such thing as "sporting" anything. People seem to have a weird issue with the term "tactical". Like it or not, it does mean something and there is a difference. I'd love to hear your proposal for a term that differentiates between equipment made for sporting purposes (hunting) and that made for fighting, which won't be as offensive to sensitive folk as the term "tactical".