Need A Good Era Scope

[Steve Sudbeck]

I have not been on this board for about two years because of a bout of cancer (suspected Agent Orange exposure from my Army service in the early 70's) - I was lucky! Anyway, the chemo really compromised my vision: I took my Hartford Model to the range last week - the tang and globe front just do not work for me anymore. I would like some suggestions/ detail for an era scope in about four power and nice mounts. My rifle is an extremely nice rifle so I would like to mount the best on it. I am kind of partial to the shorter era scopes - do they require drill/ tap? would I be best served returning the rifle to Shiloh and let them do the work? There is a lot of scope knowledge on this board and I could use the education before I spend the money. Thanks for your help.

[John Boy]

My rifle is an extremely nice rifle so I would like to mount the best on it. I am kind of partial to the shorter era scopes - do they require drill/ tap? would I be best served returning the rifle to Shiloh and let them do the work?

Steve - have Shiloh tap the barrel to mount an Unertl scope blocks on it with the normal 1/4 click distance. A local qualified gunsmith can do the tapping also. They may be able to supply the scope mount blocks also. Otherwise, Steve Earle can provide the blocks ... http://www.steveearleproducts.com/scopeblocks.html Depending on the maximum distance you want to shoot, Steve has the proper rear and front block
Then search on eBay for an old Unertl - Fecker or Lyman scope, the power of your desiring.

I have 5 barrels on my CPA Stevens 44 1/2 and have a combination of Unertl-Fecker & Litschert scopes on each barrel. Caliber specific barrel, I can shoot 100 to 1000yds

[Kurt]

I'm getting ready to get this combination for my rifle. My lamps are getting a little dim also. http://www.dzhepburn.com/sights/dz-arms-scopes/

[Don McDowell]

It depends on how far you want to shoot,but the MVA winchester scope with the unearthly type rear mount is a good scope at reasonable cost. You can also get the unearthly type rear mount to go on the 23 inch scope

[gunlaker]

I've got a couple of the MVA 23" Malcolm style scopes and like them a lot. I think they suit the Sharps rifles well.

I've also got one of the MVA B5 scopes on a Winchester and like it a lot. The mounts are easier to use than the ones on their Malcolm style scopes which I think is an advantage if the winds are changing quickly.

The DZ Arms scope and taller mounts look like a good idea, but I'd stick 'em on a Winchester.

Chris.

[Kurt]

Chris.

I have some concerns with the hairpin spring holding the scope tube up. I would think in time that spring would get soft from pressure that gets put on the scope body.
The DZ looks like the mounts are easy for me to read and the 1/2 MOA adjustments are fine enough for me. I have a 28" MVA and I have some issues with that scope and the mounts that I don't like, but it has fine sharp glass. But I just cant read the adjustments unless I have a big glass hanging around my neck and the cross hairs twist from the torque of the rifle and I have to straighten it after 5-6 shots.

Kurt

[Orville]

When you say era, what do you mean, historically correct? The first scopes were full length of the barrel.

[gunlaker]

Kurt I know what you mean about the mounts being hard to read. That's the only thing I don't like about my MVA 23" scopes. I don't have much trouble with them in good outdoor light, but they are very difficult at my covered range when the light is bad. I haven't had troubl with needing to adjust the reticule level with those scopes, although mine are on a .40-65 and my .45-70 paper patched rifle so there isn't a lot of torque. I have had to re-level the reticule on my MVA B5 a few times though. That was when it was on my .38-55 CPA and the .45-70 where it's currently used.

Has anyone out there got one of the DZ Arms scopes yet? I'd love to hear a review. I think that the Unertl style mounts are way easier to use and much less likely to cause you grief when you need to make constant adjustments in a hurry. I think they'd look out of place on a Sharps though, but that's just my opinion and it's not worth much.

Chris.

[march41]

MVA has add on knobs and the numbers are way better to see.I just count the number of turns for each range distance.They sure saved me at lot of squinting and line counting.MHO Bob.

[Don McDowell]

I don't care much for the addon knobs, especially on the windage. Every time you loosen the lever to make an elevation adjustment , that oversized windage knob will get bumped and give you a surprise you guess which way it went, windage adjustment.
I'm fairly well of the notion that the MVA 23 in, or Winchester scope, in the DZ Unertl mounts is the better way to go.

[march41]

Don What ever rings your Bell. Respectfully,Robert.

[Don McDowell]

Robert I've spent quite a bit of time and money to reach that conclusion. When the results from the nationals this year come out you may want to pay particular attention to Michael Jacksons scores ( he won the scope matches), and then I'll let you ask him what combination of scopes and mounts he used..

[march41]

I saw DZ mounts and they are top notch,but I like my MVA mts with the knobs.They work for me.Some like chevs,some like fords and they both get the job done.Again what ever rings your Bell.Respectfully,Robert. ( PS Don, I still really like your CPA.)