or anyone else that wants to chime in on the subject. I am building a 9.3x64 and want to put a 3-10x48 Docter scope on it, but wondered if there is enough eye relief in the scope? Would a 1.5 – 6 be a better choice?

Thanks for any comments.

The 1.5-6 would be alot better, better eye relief, better looling? why do you want such power as the 3-10 for this caliber? i presume you will be hunting bigger game therefore closer range if thats the case why not splitt the dif and go with a straight 6 or 4?
only my thoughts B

Fergus,

At one stage, Doctor Optics were on permanent price reduction over here and they don't seem to be rated as high reliablity wise as the likes of Swaro or S&B...when they first came out in the UK, I know of poeple who bought them and had problems within a few months...two sets of bins and a 6x42mm scope...they might well have improved by know, but I still don't trust them..

When I want a medium priced optic, I tend to go with Meopta...Their scopes seem a bit short on the advertised eye relief, but in reality they have worked fine for me...

I've come to the conclusion that stock fit is just as an important factor as eye relief when it comes to avoiding "scope eye"..

I used a 4x32 meopta on a CZ550 in 9.x3x62mm in RSA and that worked very well..I have also used a meopta 7x50 on the same rifle for load development and again, I had no problems with eye relief...

Regards,

Pete

DON ALLEN of Dakota arms in his time used them and had troubles with them ...gave up on them
daniel

Fergus, et al,

I purchased a Docter 2.5-10x48 w/Illuminated Red Dot Recticle @ 4 years ago. Simply had to have one of these new fangled Illuminated Recticle thingies since they were supposed to be all the rage.

Now that I have an Illuminated Recticle I realize just how much I DON'T need it or use it. All my shooting could quite easily get along without paying extra for that little Red X. For me, in poor light situations I think the illumination feature (even turned down very low) distracts me more than assists. When I've got really poor light I can aim easier by concentrating on that German #1 or #4 recticle. O.K. so much for my personal opinion on illuminated recticles.

I spent a few hours comparing Zeiss, S&B, Swarovski, Kahles and a couple other brands in the same/similar power range when I purchased the Docter. I went for the Docter based on my perception of price/value/optic. I have been extremely please with all aspects of this scope; to the point where it has earned a place on my Blaser 93 .30/06 Sprg. which is pretty much my "Go-To" rifle. Can't complain at all except for one minor issue and that is the Illuminated Recticle On/Off Knob dosen't have a click-stop and I have to pay extra special attention that it isn't advertently left in the On position or the battery is discharged quite quickly. It's a matter of second habit now and as I always carry a spare battery anyway, a pretty moot point. Would I have paid alot extra for the others that have this feature, probably not.....?

I like the scope for it's size, power range and the light transmission factor required here in the Fatherland for evening/dusk hunting. For night time my trusted Zeiss 3-12x56 or 8x56 is my preference. For my .30/06 Sprg. it certainly has enough Eye Relief and I wouldn't hestitate to mount it on a Boommer, either. An advantage would be that it doesn't have the mass of some of the REALLY BIG scopes which tend to make mounting them on heavier recoiling rifles an issue.

I've got a couple of 1.5-6x42's (on .375H&H's) but they tend to spent almost all of their time cranked on 6X; net, this is just about where I live scope wise since currently my two favorite hunting rifles have 6x42's, either a lovely crystal-clear S&B or my old but valued global hunting companion; a steel-tubed 6x42 Kahles.

Color me stupid but I don't get all wrapped around axle about the current Eye Relief hype since I'm a notorious stock-crawler with a giraffe-like neck. I have also never been the recipient of a case of "Magnum Eyebrow" (been lightly kissed & carressed on occasion but never received the real thing). I would add though that as much as I liked a brand new Zeiss 3-9x40 Conquest - I left it in Africa with a PH who couldn't believe his good fortune and it fits & suits him just fine. I had it rammed as far forward in the rings (Blaser 93 Saddle Mounts) as the turret would allow and found it's "new-fangled", "All the Rage" 4 inches of eye relief to be too much of a good thing for me anyway. Perhaps I'm just an anatomical wonder?

If I was going to put together a 9.3x64 or another .375H&H (unless you've some really specific purpose in store for it like dust or evening Sambar shooting where more light transmission is required) I'd be looking at a brand name 4x32 with a Heavy Wide Duplex - just my $0.02 worth.

Have fun and hope I answered the mail.

Thanks everyone for the input.

Gerry, thanks especially, that is some great info and I appreciate the level of detail.

It does seem like the majority of people are recommending against the Docter. Does anyone know what sort of warranty they offer?

Litts stopped stocking them because of the poor warranty backup.

I have a 9.3x62 - it wears a 1.5-6x42 Swaro which I find excellent and very versatile. I shot my moose on 2x and could not have made the shot with a fixed 6x and might have struggled with a 4x.

My one gripe is the 30mm tube which is a bit bulky but you get used to it.

Fergus,

You're welcome!

Really didn't look into the fine print on the warranty. Actually, haven't needed it.

My expereince on warranty & repair of German optics has been extrodinarily positive with any number of bino & scope manufacturers, Zeiss, Optolyth, Steiner, S&B, Kaps and Kahles to mention a few. Given I'm in Germany, speak the language and have direct access to their Service Centers I'm sure that may have a bearing but even when I have been at 100% at fault in optics failures I'm still pleased at the service and amount of damage/repair costs and replacement opportunities some of the manufacturers have taken on themselves. I've never heard mention that would indicate that the Docter company would be otherwise.

I also read alot of negatives about Weaver in the optics section but have to say, I had a self-induced tube damage issue with a Grand Slam scope that Weaver quickly fixed - for free as well.

I'm sorta surpised at the Docter negative publicity as well, as my expereince has been positive.

You know I have to chime in here about Gerry's giraffe like neck.

Well yep, that's it. The guy has the longest damn stocks you have ever seen for a guy about 5'9-5'10. I am an inch or two taller than he is and if you've seen photos of me, I am sufficiently lacking in the neck department. I really had to crawl on all his rifles to make the scope work.

I agree with him on the illuminated reticle, at high power it's a worthless concept, that tiny dot get's so small at 12x that it's damn near impossible to see.

Red dot in an aimpoint is perfect, but at 12 it's diminishing returns.

Guys

Thanks again for all the comments. These and other posts I have seen have got me reviewing my choice – I’m now thinking Kahles or Swarovski might be better options. Any thoughts on these two or any others I am missing?

Fergus

...my Docter 1-4x24 serve me well tho can`t go wrong with above mentioned - how about
Zeiss
Schmidt & bender or
Nickel ?

So what's the scoop with these Nickel scopes? I checked the web link. Prices look not too bad, especially if I can get a VAT refund . But only if the quality is on par with the "big 3".

Anybody using one or seen one first hand?

- stu

...after all I have heard I guess I might give them a try as my next (whenever) tho looking at that Magnum 1,5-6x30, with 4.9 eye relief - you pay big time on field of view - only 53.8 ft at 100 yd compared to 86.1 ft with 1,5-6x42

Stu,

Nickel makes an outstanding scope and I'd rate them right up there with Zeiss, Swaro & S&B.

I had one on a (now sold) Sauer 80 in .30/06 Sprg. and it was an excellent scope.

A comparison article (years ago) in one of the German Hunting rags put one of Nickel's 56mm Mega-Monsters as their best rated scope.

Nickel has consolidated their logistics costs and are now only available factory direct.

Fergus,

Well, you've narrowed it down to one company anyway; if I'm not mistaken Kahles is a Swarovski subsidiary.

I don't have any Swarovski's so I cannot comment first-hand, naturally; their products have an excellent reputation.

I do though, have five Kahles scopes and expereince with another; a (since sold, with the rifle) 3-12x56 Kahles that was an outstanding night scope for me. I've currently two 1.5-6x42's and three 6x42's Kahles scopes. All are currently mounted and see heavy use. One of the 1.5-6x42's has been around the world with me about three times, is still going strong and currently mounted on a .375H&H.

O.K., I guess you can figure I kinda like Kahles scopes.

Thanks again guys.

I think I will have a good look at a Kahles.

Fergus

The Schmidt& Bender scopes are the best that I have used.
They are a bit heaver than the Swarovski or Zeiss although. Is this a bad thing ?
ozhunter

Fergus/Stu

I have two Nickel scopes, one on a Heym .243 and the other on a Styer 6,5x55 and couldn't be happier with them. Good clear optics, high light transmission, stay on zero, good in all weather extremes.

The price is good and so is the product, I've owned S&B previously and rate hickel as equal to them, and also to the Zeiss and Swarovski that I've seen and used.

Guys

Thanks for all the input. Just thought I’d let you know the outcome. I have ordered a Kahles 1.5-6x42 and a Kahles 2.5 -10x50 for two projects I am building.

What is the eye relief on Kahles?
Schmidt&Bender 1.5-6 =80mm, 1.1-4 = 95mm , Zeiss 1.5-6 =90mm, Nickel 80mm & Nickel Mag 1.4-6x33=125mm
ozhunter

quote:

Originally posted by ozhunter:
What is the eye relief on Kahles?

From memory, in the order of 3.5", so that is around the 80-90mm mark I think? Should be fine for the 300 mag, and hopefully for the 9.3x64 too.

Fergus