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Riflescopes with Capped turrets

VIDEO

Introduction

There are plenty of possibilities when buying a rifle scope. Firstly, we have to ask ourselves why are we buying it. What is the main purpose of rifle scope we are looking for? When we define almost everything about our needs and try to determine the perfect scope, we still have to answer ourselves what kind of turrets should be the best option for us.

In this article, we are going to briefly discuss the most common turrets of them all – capped turrets.

Capped Turrets

Properties

These are the turrets that are being used as the most common choice on rifle scopes. In addition, hunting rifle scopes feature these turrets usually as standard option. Their advantage in hunting situations is that they are low profile. This also means that using them can avoid getting stuck or getting them hit in the bush, between tree branches or similar. They also do not get stuck somewhere on your clothes (pockets, zippers,...) during walking with rifle on your shoulder.

Also, the turrets stay protected under the caps from unintentional movement (adjusting clicks unwantedly). So, should capped turrets always be your decision when buying a hunting rifle scope? Of course, it depends whether the turrets have zero stop or not. For hunting situations, especially in thick terrain, I suggest at least zero stop function. If this function is not an option on your rifle scope, then classical capped turrets would probably be my preferred choice.

What is in common with all capped turrets, is the fact that they are usually only used when zeroing the rifle. Hunters who hunt on planes or mountains and are in need of having more versatile turrets because of easier bullet drop compensations and are also capable of taking longer shots at the same time, usually choose upgraded hunting rifle scopes with BDC (ballistic drop compensation) turrets. Such turrets are normally an upgrade on premium models of rifle scopes.

BDC turrets are probably quite popular nowadays, but majority of hunting rifle scopes still use standard capped turrets. In the past, these were the only form of turrets, found on rifle scopes.

It is important to know that target and tactical turrets can also be equipped with caps, but we shall not mistake them for classical capped turrets. Target and tactical turrets can both be used also without caps and still stay waterproof. However, target turrets are much higher and therefore they can be recognized immediately by their dimensions. If tactical turrets are capped, they are usually of single turn design (turrets are classified of how many times they can be rotated).

One of the important factors when buying a rifle scope are the ranges you plan to shoot at. If you know that most of your shots will be at short or medium ranges, usually there is no need for exposed turrets. If you are a long range hunter, you should probably consider the option with exposed turrets or at least BDC turrets with zero stop function.

Waterproofness of Rifle Scopes if caps are removed

On majority of classic rifle scopes, the construction is not waterproof any more if the caps are removed. In most cases, there is a rubber O-ring seal on the thread of the caps. This O-ring seal keeps the water out when caps are tightened on the turrets. Waterproofness is the main property that makes difference between target, tactical and classical capped turrets. Target and tactical turrets (if equipped with caps) remain waterproof even when caps are removed from the turrets.

Removed Caps

Rifle Scope with removed caps

Conclusion

Classical capped turrets are preferred choice for hunting rifle scopes and are available on the market ever since rifle scopes are being manufactured. The caps normally stay on these scopes until the rifle has to be zeroed or re-zeroed.

Otherwise, people are not taking them off, because they are not the most appropriate choice for adjusting clicks on daily basis. In normal use, caps are tightened to the rifle scope and their main purpose is protecting the turrets against dust, dirt, water and unintentional movement (applying clicks when not needed).

Capped turrets combine two advantages for most users that use their scopes mainly for everyday hunting. These turrets are at the same time the cheapest ones on the market and also the most appropriate choice for the majority of hunters because of their ergonomic features.

Video presentation of Capped turrets

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Vector Optics Minotaur 10-50x60 GenII SFP

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Definition

Field target is an outdoor competition where competitors use air guns to shoot at steel targets 9–50 m away. The competitors shoot from various positions – prone, kneeling, sitting, and standing.

In field target competitions, steel targets with a hole in the face plate are used. They are usually animal shaped. The hole is called the kill zone – if the shooter hits this area (with a certain force), the target trips over thanks to the paddle installed behind the hole. If the shooter hits the face plate, the target does not fall.

The shooters are not given the information on the distance to the target. It is up to them to determine it with the help of their riflescope (more information can be found below). No laser rangefinders are allowed at the competitions.

Schmidt & Bender 12.5-50x56 Field Target II (silver)

General features

An adjustable parallax is the most important feature of a riflescope designed for field target competitions. To cover the distances on which the targets are put, it must be settable from 7 m onwards.

Riflescopes designed for field target shooting boast high magnification power which is important for distance evaluation. Only at high magnification can the user successfully estimate the distance with the help of the parallax.

Tactical turrets are common – it is important for the user to have the elevation and windage adjustments at hand as POI adjustment with the help of turrets is essential in the field target competitions.

Generally speaking, most features of these riflescopes are identical to the ones on F-class riflescopes.

Why do shooters attach big wheels on the parallax turret?

In field target shooting, the competitor estimates the distance to the target with the help of an adjustable parallax.

Participants mark their scope with distance marks – when the image is in focus, the shooter knows the distance to the target. This is done only once for each riflescope before participating in competitions by setting the target at various distances with the help of a long tape measure or a laser rangefinder. Many shooters use a marked tape to write the distances down on the parallax of the riflescope.

A sidewheel makes this procedure easier for two reasons. With it, you can set the parallax much more precisely. Furthermore, you are provided with the surface for applying the marked tape. Most riflescopes with an adjustable parallax have the parallax knob on the side, hence the name ‘sidewheel’. Kahles K1050i FT 10–50x56, for example, has the parallax knob on top, at the base of the elevation turret – in this instance, the term ‘topwheel’ is much more suitable. A universal term used for this accessory is ‘parallax wheel’.

Certain field target riflescopes feature additional equipment such as bubble level to provide the most accurate distance readings.

Schmidt & Bender 12.5-50x56 Field Target II's sidewheel

Does temperature affect the accuracy of distance reading?

Field target competitions require the shooter to be extremely accurate. When competing in high temperatures, the accuracy of the riflescope can be compromised. For this reason, many optics manufacturers offer silver field target riflescopes. These do not heat up in the sun as much as classic, black riflescopes.

Schmidt & Bender 12.5-50x56 Field Target II's sidewheel

Can F-class optics be used for this type of competition?

F-class riflescopes are identical to field target riflescopes feature-wise which is why an F-class riflescope can be used for field target shooting. At the beginning this was the only way – it took a while for the manufacturers to introduce riflescopes designed specifically for field target. The development of these riflescopes was based on the features of F-class riflescopes.

Can this type of riflescopes be used for F-class competitions?

This is possible though not ideal as parallax on certain field target riflescopes cannot be set beyond 100 m. The reticles used in field target are not best-suited for the F-class shooting.

Schmidt & Bender 12.5-50x56 Field Target II's bubble level

A short presentation of optics is available here

Short Presentation | Field Target Rifle Scopes | Optics Trade from Optics-Trade

Riflescopes with Capped turrets

VIDEO

Introduction

Properties

Waterproofness of Rifle Scopes if caps are removed

Conclusion

Video presentation of Capped turrets

Vector Optics Minotaur 10-50x60 GenII SFP

Definition

General features

Why do shooters attach big wheels on the parallax turret?

Does temperature affect the accuracy of distance reading?

Can F-class optics be used for this type of competition?

Can this type of riflescopes be used for F-class competitions?

A short presentation of optics is available here

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Riflescopes with Capped turrets

VIDEO

Introduction

Properties

Waterproofness of Rifle Scopes if caps are removed

Conclusion

Video presentation of Capped turrets

Vector Optics Minotaur 10-50x60 GenII SFP

Definition

General features

Why do shooters attach big wheels on the parallax turret?

Does temperature affect the accuracy of distance reading?

Can F-class optics be used for this type of competition?

Can this type of riflescopes be used for F-class competitions?

A short presentation of optics is available here

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