These are the scopes around the $400 price point.
The two most popular scopes are the Weaver T-36 and the newly re-introduced Sightron SII 36X42 BR D.
http://www.weaveroptics.com/optics/riflescopes/t-series.aspx
http://www.sightron.com/index.php?action=view_document&did=1201816362&cat_id=7&id=112
Both Weaver and Sightron claim a very repeatable and reliable tracking system.
What is the Weaver Micro-Trac 4 Point System?
All Weaver Riflescopes have an erector tube. These tubes are equipped with a means to adjust one end. This causes the point toward which the scope is looking (along with the crosshairs) to change. The Micro-Trac 4 Point System is similar to an automobile's dual independent suspension. Any adjustment made to the tube for windage is independent of any elevation changes. Therefore, when you change windage, elevation is unaffected and vice versa.
Most conventional conversion systems use 2 screws and 1 spring to adjust their erector tubes. Eventually, adjusting one screw "too much" of your Weaver Rifle Scope will cause the spring to inadvertently affect the adjustment of the other variable. These other systems do not operate independently from one another like the Micro-Trac.
Most systems also have the screws baring directly down on the cylinder, whereas the Weaver Micro-Trac System bears down on a specific point of contact. Just like a ball joint in a car, this gives you better precision. The Micro-Trac erector tube is always being directed from the same point; angular motion is consistent.
What is the Sightron Exact Track System?
ExacTrack is the most
revolutionary breakthrough in modern shooting history.
Thanks to Sightron's patented Windage and Elevation
Adjustment System, this simple, yet innovative advancement,
features an exclusive erector tube that keeps a positive,
flush point of contact from zero alignment through even the
most dramatic adjustments
The heart of any
scope is accuracy. This is obtained by a combination of
different components: Quality of lenses; the design and
resistance of the main body tube: the erector tube and the
windage and elevation assembly.
This is the
neurological system of any scope, and what makes any
Sightron scope overcome the competition, and stand at a
higher level of quality.
Within your
riflescope is an erector or pivot tube. The windage and
elevation adjustments move this tube for proper alignment.
Conventional scopes have a curve surface against a flat
surface. This contact is only complete at zero adjustment
(when the erector tube is in the ideal centered position,
(see Figure 1).
As the adjustments press the erector tube in any direction,
the contact becomes imperfect (see Figure 2), causing the
reticle to drift from the optical center (Horizontal and
vertical reticle trajectory or movement). Also, in many
cases since the point of contact is less than what is
required to hold the erector tube in position, the result
is what every sportsman knows as point-of-impact shift.
Sightron has developed a new erector tube with an integral
ring. This ring and the redesigned adjustment screws have
become the first positive contact system in the market.
ExacTrack will keep constant and perfect point-of-impact,
at or off zero (see Figure 3 and Figure 4).
This constant pressure point will insure the accuracy of
all Sightron scopes during the most rugged conditions.
Figure 1 & Figure 2
Figure3 & Figure 4
Jackie
Schmidt's Opinion
"Well, I have had every brand
of popular Benchrest Scopes apart, (except a March), and
you will just have to trust me when I say that mechanical
wise, there is not a hill of beans difference in any of
them. All three major Japanese brands, (Weaver, Sightron,
and B&L), all share the same basic ball and gimble
joint as the piviot point for the erector tube, and all
share the same basic turret designs and leaf springs. They
may all have different names for their "system", but in the
end, they are all pretty much the same.
I refer to this system as the "basic Japanese
design".
They
all also encorporate the same system to mount the front
objective, mainly a lens cartridge assy compressed against
a large spring. O-rings are used to keep the lens assy from
wiggling around in the scopebody. The part that turns,(the
bell), is simply a nut that acts as a stop, allowing the
objective lens assy to move in and out as the bellis
turned.
When
I was freezing scopes, I found Weavers with loose erector
tube gimble mounts, even found a couple of brand new ones
that had been assy without the lock tite, and the securing
nut was not even tight. Think about the havoc that would
cause if someone would have mounted that scope on a
Rifle.
I
attribute this to a quality control problem, not the basic
design. If all brands of these scopes are assembled
correctly, they should hold POA.
If
a Weaver is assembled correctly at the Factory, you should
have no problems. As for glass, I have seen Weavers with
glass that would rival the best, and some that looked like
the whole world had turned brown."
Jackie
A Test of
Product Support and Customer Service
My last two benchrest scopes had issues right out of the
box.
A portion of my letter sent in with my new Weaver T-36.
"The problem with this scope is large tracking errors when
the objective is changed. Twice I have used the scope and
rifle setup to spot my friend’s shooting at 300 and
600 yds. When returning the objective to 50 yds, I was no
longer zeroed. In one case I was no longer on paper. Also
the scope may exhibit lack of holding point of aim. When
making tracking adjustments, the groups will change to the
new point of adjustment, then after a few shots the group
will move."
A portion of my letter sent with my Sightron 36X.
"This is a new scope and I am the original purchaser. It
was mounted on my .22 rimfire benchrest rifle. Bore
sighting looked nearly perfect at my friend’s shop so
no elevation and windage adjustments were made there.
When sighting in at the range I noticed immediately that
the elevation knob turned and clicked but the reticle did
not move."
Follow-up
Scope sent to Weaver Optics.
Weaver found a sticky eerector. Scope replaced with a new
scope. No problems. Excellent service.
Sightron scope sent to Sightron. They could not duplicate
the problem in their lab. Alan Orr mounted the scope on his
test rifle and sent me the following e-mail:
"Bruce here is the test on your scope. Let me know
what you think."
Alan
May-be the reticle broke loose during shipping. The scope
will be mounted on the rail fixture for testing. Alan Orr
has an excellent reputation for service.
I have 2 other Sightrons and they are excellent. I think
they are brighter than my Weavers.