Schmidt and Bender Rifle Scopes - European Excellence

In business for over 50 years, Schmidt and Bender scopes have earned an impeccable reputation for quality, clarity and dependability. Do you know what else they make besides riflescopes? If you said nothing, you are correct. Focused completely on making rifle scopes, Schmidt & Bender has spent the last 50+ years perfecting the rifle scope.

Overview

Inside Look - A visit of thier website reveals a lot about the company. What you will notice is there is a lot of technical information about light, light transmission, and scope construction (this is found under the “facts” section and is worth reading). Much was learned from their website, not the least of which is that Schmidt and Bender purchased their own glass company, which allows them greater control over the glass they use in there scopes than other manufactures who outsource their glass making. What is missing from their website is a lot of hype, no smoke and mirrors, or ‘creative advertising” here; they tell you what it takes make the best scope possible, then tell you how they make scopes and let you decide.

High End Only - Unlike most nearly every other optics manufacture S&B doesn’t make entry level, or budget model scopes, they make only premium scopes. They make a scope the best they can and charge what they need to. This theory of manufacturing used to be norm in high end manufacturing products of all sorts; however, now days manufacturing processes are often dictated by price points, target markets, and the bottom line often at the expense of quality. These scopes obviously aren’t for everyone, but it is refreshing to see a manufacture stick to their belief of making the best possible product they can, rather than chasing after market share.

Schmidt & Bender Models

Model

Police Marksman II – As the name implies these scopes are designed for tactical shooters. The 1.1-4x20mm, 1.1-4x24mm, and 10x42mm models in this series are built on a 30mm main tube, while the 3-12x50mm, 4-16x42mm, 4-16x50mm, and 5-25x56mm models utilize a 34mm main tube. Numerous tactical reticles are available for these scopes and vary with magnification choices; there are also models that have illuminated reticles.

Precision Hunter – The name again tips the hand as to the application of this scope. The Precision Hunter is available in only three options: 3-12x42, 3-12x50, and 4-16x50. These Schmidt and Bender models are built on a 30mm main tube and feature both bullet compensation elevation adjustments and mil-dot reticles.

Zenith – This scopes series is also designed for the hunter, with magnification ranges for more short to intermediate ranges with available models ranging from 1.1-4x24 to 3-12x50. These are 30mm models and feature the unique POSICON system, which basically lets you know if you have your rifle “sighted in” in the center of your windage and elevation adjustments. Numerous standard reticles and some illuminated reticles are available within the Zenith series.

Classic Variable – These are variable power scopes for hunting. The line-up consists of models that cover the hunting spectrum from dangerous game scopes to varmint scopes. Once again these scopes are built on a thirty millimeter tube and feature a variety of both illuminated and non-illuminated reticles.

Classic Fixed – Fixed power hunting scopes, these are built on a 1” main tube. Designed to be simple, rugged, dependable hunting scopes, these models are available in a variety of standard reticles. Currently Schmidt & Bender's website lists three models: 6x42mm, 8x56mm, 10x42mm; however, searches of the web also turn up a 4x36mm model.

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