Not everything is as it Seems

The first thing I noticed kind of diminished my original enthusiasm for this purchase- the words “made in China”. However I guess all things are not always what they seem- so read on. A 30mm tube is a necessity for the internals in a quality optic and the M30 does not disappoint in that regard. With almost 4” of generous eye relief there should be little chance of contracting the dreaded scope eye (if you do let someone else set up your scopes from now on). The reticule is a standard mil-dot that Konus claims is glass etched on the second focal plane. It seems this is factual on the M30 series but I understand that it is a misrepresentation on their lesser models. Being on the second focal plane would mean that proper distance calculation via mil-dot can only be done at one specific magnification, usually 10x. However the M30 uses an unusual setting of 12x which is marked in a gold color on the magnification power ring (haven’t tried this yet so can’t attest but I’m sure it works just fine). The illumination dial is slightly canted so as to allow a quick glance up at the elevation turret setting. Nicely thought out touch. The tactical type turrets (look like Leupold M1 knobs) feel good and tight (maybe a little too tight) but have a positive and clearly audible click to them. A little unusual here again are the click values- 1/8 MOA which can quickly become quite a lot of clicks when shooting at longer distances. What the heck maybe it’s more accurate (it is). The reticule is lit both red and blue, although it really isn’t necessary. Possibly in low light conditions it might be helpful. Back to the “made in China” conundrum. The glass really is outstandingly clear even at the periphery. The “fast focus” knob moves smoothly and dials in a crystal perfect image. Clear as a bell even at its highest mag setting! Before I comment on the meat and potatoes (shooting with it) of this review let me first list the equipment the scope is mounted on. Remy 700 S/A .308 in a Choate Super Sniper stock, 2.5 lb pull (luv it) with optic mounted on a DNZ cradle tightened to 35 inch pounds. Ammunition used were both Lake City 7.62 x 51mm M80 ball @ 147gr and Winchester 7.62 x 51 FMJ target @ 147gr. Ambient temp approx. 85 degrees with little to no cross wind (not going to get into barometrics here, will leave that for the sniper forums). After bore sighting the night before it took only four shots to zero at 100 yards. After shooting several sub .5 MOA groupings with lots of holes in holes I took it to 300 yards and after making the necessary elevation correction (approx. 9” drop @ 300 yds) it was still shooting sub MOA groupings! Nice. Now for the real test. Return to zero. Back to 100 yards and an eternity of clicks back to zero (remember 1/8 MOA click value), and I start to curse. Not the scope- forgot the exact clicks back to zero so had to do the whole darn thing over, only wrote it down this time :). Lo and behold this “made in China” glass held zero as well as any Leupold or Nikon I own! For you naysayers out there that are probably muttering “yeah, but how long is it gonna hold a zero?” I ran over 100 rounds through the barrel NO PROBLEMO. Really nice optic, being that I took a chance with it over (albeit a bit more expensive) SWFA Super Sniper. If you can find one in the $150 -275 range don’t hesitate for a moment. Grab it before someone else does. What more can I ask? Hold your American Constitutional rights tight!Read full review