Introduction
Leica told us that they would be presenting many new things at this year’s Shot Show. We didn’t hesitate to stop by their booth to check them out. The new Geovid 3200.COM features Bluetooth connectivity, while the Rangemaster CRF 3500.COM can measure distances up to 3500 yards (3200 m) thanks to the powerful 3R laser. Furthermore, we were shown their brand-new riflescope called PRS 5–30x56i. In this article, we are going to take a look at its functions.
Leica PRS 5–30x56i
Precision rifle shooting (PRS) is a discipline that is gaining in popularity, especially in the USA. It is a shooting sport with a focus on long-range shooting where competitors must be both quick and precise. With targets ranging from 10–1000 m away, the users must be well-acquainted with the ballistics of their firearms.
Because of the increasing popularity of PRS, many manufacturers of sport optics have introduced a riflescope for this shooting sport. The features of such riflescopes are similar; they feature a first focal plane (FFP) reticle, adjustable parallax, magnification up to around 30x and uncapped (tactical) turrets. Among those who make such riflescopes are Vortex, Schmidt & Bender, Kahles, Primary Arms, Nightforce, Delta Optical, and many others. Now, Leica has joined the competition.
The new PRS 5–30x56i is a high-end, first focal plane riflescope designed for long-range sport shooting. The maximum 30x magnification allows the user to land shots at extreme distances. As befits Leica, the optics are of high quality, and the light transmission rate is listed to be 90 %. On the exterior of the lenses, the AquaDura® coating is applied – it repels dust, water droplets and grants mild protection against abrasion. With Leica, it’s not only about optical quality; it’s also about looks and style – the riflescope is elegant, with all the details carefully perfected. PRS 5–30x56i is made in Germany.
The housing of the riflescope is made of high-quality aluminium. The tube measures 34 mm in diameter. The clicks are in MRAD/MIL – 1 click equals 0.1 MRAD/MIL, and there are 32 MILS of elevation at disposal. Its turrets are equipped with the Zero Stop function – it can be set with the handy on-board tool which is located under the cap of the windage turret. The parallax is adjustable and can be set from 20 m to infinity.
It comes with an illuminated reticle. There are three reticles to choose from: Leica’s famous, standard L-4a reticle; a ballistic reticle with hold marks (Ballistic); and PRB, a reticle specially designed for precision rifle shooting. The PRB reticle is a result of the cooperation between Leica and Cal Zant, one of the authors on precisionrifleblog.com. To check out the article where he thoroughly examines the reticle, click here.
A sunshade and a screw-in throw lever are included in the box.
Conclusion
At Leica’s booth at Shot Show, the new PRS riflescope looked very promising. At such competitions, the quality of the optics plays a major role, and this is where Leica convinces. PRS 5–30x56i is going to retail for 2700 €, regardless of the chosen reticle. It is available from January 2020.
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