Was shooting my CZ 550 American in 9.3x62 yesterday, after finally getting some Talley rings on there to eliminate the problems I'd been having with the scope rings moving around. I'd gotten rid of the factory rings because they were too high/heavy, and put some Milletts on there, which was a big mistake.

Anyway, on about shot number 18, I noticed something weird when I looked into the scope, and, on closer examination, I saw what looked like little pieces of ice in there. Shook it and it sounds like it's full of corn flakes. One of the internal lenses came apart.

The scope is a one of the "new, back in business, just like the old company" Redfield 2-7 Widefields. Oh well, I guess it's better to have discovered it now than out in the hunting field.

R-WEST

That's too bad but not surprising I guess. I have a few of the old Redfield's and they are warhorses, much like the Leupold Vari X-II has been. They just keep working and have always provided the clarity, light gathering, repeatability, etc., I have ever needed.

By the way, if the 9.3x62 is new to you I think you will like it a lot. I just used one (FN Mauser) in South Africa this past June. Everything from eland on down to springbuck dropped quick with the 250 gr Barnes X. Powerful and mild on the shoulder, great round.

Ed - Probably should have clarified. I have probably 10 other "pre-going out of business, then back in" Redfields, and, like you, am major impressed with their performance.

I have one old 3-9 "warhorse" that is my "known good" scope that I use any time I suspect an optics problem. Currently it's sitting on a 416 RMag, and I haven't had any trouble (with the scope, that is - now, my shoulder is another story ) with it after over 100 rounds through that hard kicker (at least to me). Another 1.75-5 Widefield (love those Widefields) resides on a 7 pound 350 RMag, another test of shoulder and optics, and it's never done anything but work for 15+ years now.

I still think any old used Redfields are worth picking up, and I do any time I get a chance.

R-WEST

Hey, we're posting over top of each other.

You know, I don't think I've heard ANYTHING bad about the 9.3x62, yet. I just wish I could keep an optics system intact for more than one range session Next tryout is a 3-9 Leupold Compact. They're supposed to be pretty tough.

What loads did you use with the "X"? I'll probably never get to Africa, so, I have to be content with keeping PA clear of Cape Buffalo/elephants/lions, etc.. (so far so good), so, I'm using 232 Norma Oryx; 250 Nos. B-Tip and 270 Speers.

Pretty impressed with the Oryx (58 I4895/WLR/Lapua/Oryx @3.150" gave 2660 FPS and 1.2" 3-shot group. The B-Tip and Speers have grouped well, but velocity is way down. More work to do, compounded by the fits and starts because of the scope/ring problem. Kind of frustrating - first time I've ever had so much trouble with a scope/bases. If the old eyes weren't SO old, maybe I'd just stick some good irons on there.

That CZ550 is one nice piece!!

R-WEST

On my 9.3 X 62 I have a Weaver 4X with post reticle, the old steel tube scope. No problems at all. I also have various old Redfields on various rifles, from a 22 Hornet to a 340 Wby. So far, no problems there either. FWIW - Dan

Dan - I think it's just another case of deterioration in quality that we're seeing so much of nowadays. I've got way too many old Redfields that just keep on plugging away to blame anything other than modern, el cheapo, assembly methods. The thing is, the scope wasn't cheap - I think I paid around $280.00 for it. Live and learn.

Those old steel Weavers were always grumbled about because they were heavy, but, they always worked. Remember the old Lyman Alaskan? One of the most reliable scopes ever made, and, it's considered "obsolete" now.

R-WEST

I was neve to trilled with the Redfield wide fields. Now the old Redfields from the 40's 50's and 60's were tops for scopes in that time. The old steel weavers were the same. Then now a days, you get just what you pay for in a scope. Almost nobody makes fixed power scope's any more. One of the best sights ever made was the M-8 3x Leupold. They don't make it any more, The other fixed 4 x Ziess. Those have been gone for some time to. As for mounts, Talley's a just about the best that can be had for the money. Warns are good to. Like all things the shooters tastes have changed and the scope makers make what the public wants. I think one of the 1.5 x 5 Leupolds or a fixed 4x on that 9.3 x62 of yours maybe the way to go.

It is my understanding that the Blount folks took a "market segmentation" approach with their Simmons, Redfield and Weaver brands. Weaver was to be their top of the line (hence the new "warhorse" Grand Slam), with Redfield and Simmons positioned as "also rans".

When they first came out, I recall Chris at SWFA making the comment he was not terribly impressed with the new Redfield construction. FWIW, Dutch.

R-West,

I use a compressed charge of VV N-550 with the 250 gr X and am able to very safely get 2670 fps from my 24" barrel. I posted pictures of some of the recovered bullets on the Africa Forumn here, I beleive. The 232 Oryx, 250 Ballistic Tip and 286 gr Partition also shoot well in my rifle. Both RE 15 and H414 have proven themselves as great powders too. My FN is scoped with a 2.5x8 Vari XIII in ugly ol' Weaver mounts and has not budged. I am going to try the Oryx in a couple of weeks on hogs. If I am lucky I'll advise on bullet performance.

Okay. This weekend I had a chance to try the Leupold 3-9 Compact on the 9.3x62, and, hooray no problems. Now, on to load development.

R-WEST

The 4X Redfield Bear Cub I have had is an excellent scope. So when I got a fancy Browning 7mm Mag on a FN action I bought a new Redfield 3X9 and I thought it was the cutting edge. This was before the WideFields came out.

I missed a neck shot on a deer with it. The shot was from a difficult position but my let off was good. Investigation showed that this scope had severe parralax at 100 yds and that must have been the reason for the miss.

But I still had not learned what it can mean when the owner of a company dies as John Redfield has. I got a set Redfield rings for a .375 Improved and the screws were so soft they opened right up from recoil.

Redfield is history.

While these instances of failure are of concern, I would point out that even the best brands can fail. It has been noted that any new scope should be tested by (a) submerging it in warm water to check for leaks, (b) and shooting it about 30-40 rds. to make sure all functions as it should. E

the only problem ive had with a new redfield is the ring came apart after 6-8 rounds of my 358's normas best.