Test pilot

Over the years I've been fortunate enough to have built some really great relationships, all are very strong and built on respect, trust and understanding. As a guy who keeps a very small friends circle I have to ensure those within it are the right people and, as always things sometimes change...Friendship bubbles drift together and apart and sometimes pop and disappear, so it takes constant effort.

I've been shooting guns for thirty years now and the same can be said about the friendships I've created in and around my firearms and shooting activities. Not everyone is a friend, however those that earn the title and right, are very close to me, very reliable and have always got my six. (That means they have my back, look out for me and actually care.)

One such friend is coming over tomorrow to drop off some equipment he wants me to test out; A rifle scope called the Tangent Theta 315M, (made by Tangent Theta.)

This scope is a high-end optic with a retail price of $5,830AUD. A lot of money for a scope. My most expensive is $4,500 (Kahles) so this one is way up there!

The 315M is a precision instrument though, designed for law enforcement and security marksmen. It's incredibly lightweight when compared to others and so it also becomes a good option for culling, hunting and practical long-range competition use as well. These are the applications I'll be testing. Below is my wife cradling the rifle I will mount the scope on.

As it was designed for professional use it has features that help to mitigate adjustment errors in elevation and windage and incorporates zer-stops (stops the dial from moving down past the zero-point) and mechanical revolution-indicators which virtually eliminate adjustment errors when dialling in field-firing solutions and under time pressure. Of course, the adjustments are incredibly precise, as you would expect from any precision optic of this calibre.

Speaking of optics, the optical path of this scope is optimised for spectacular image quality in any light conditions and assists to reduce eye-fatigue when an operator is looking through it for extended periods. (Think a hostage or siege situation where a marksman is on-target for a long time.)

Some of the specifications are as follows:

• 50mm objective lens
• 30mm main tube (I prefer 34mm, but this is how they help reduce weight)
• Mechanical windage direction-indicator
• Eleven reticle illumination settings (most high-end scopes have this, and certainly all the tactical ones.)
• Side parallax adjustment from 50m to infinity with advantage of being parallax free after 250m (Parallax is critically important to long-range and precision shooting)
• Elevation zero-stop
• First focal plane reticle
• Double-turn elevation with revolution and windage direction indicator
• 3-15x magnification range
• Lockable rapid adjusting diopter (required to allow the shooter to gain a good sight-picture based on their vision.)

It's very expensive though and most shooters would not be able to justify the cost I suppose. I spend a lot of money on guns and equipment but would certainly think twice about spending this much on a single scope. This is why I jumped at the chance to evaluate it and play with it a little - Unless my buddy gives me one for free it's unlikely I'll own one.

This scope is reputed to be a tough operator. It is lightweight at only 800 grams, (my Kahles 624i is 950 grams and considered very light) and has many features to help the marksman find a clear target image quickly and to dial elevation and windage adjustments with great speed and accuracy. Then of course there's the incredible optics as well. I've been told it's a spectacular bit of kit but I'll have to see for myself when I start shooting it I guess.

I started this post by saying my friendships are based on respect and trust...This is why my mate, who owns a national business distributing things like scopes, firearms, high-end range finders and environmental meters to law enforcement, military and civilians alike, feels able to hand me a brand new, in the box, unit worth almost $6,000 to play with for a month or so. It's a great privilege and it happens a lot with this mate...I'm his test pilot shooter.

...However, maybe, just maybe I'll compromise that respect and trust and run away with his scope forever...We'll have to see how much I like it I guess! Ok ok, I'll give it back...But only if I don't like it.

Design and create your ideal life, don't live it by default - Tomorrow isn't promised.

Be well
Discord: galenkp#9209