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8X56 Kahles?

Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2016 6:54 am
by SPEEDY
I've been looking at scopes to go on my 6mm Norma BR barrel, my 1st thought was a Zeiss in something up to a 15 or 20x but there are some good buys on 8x56 Kahles scopes atm and they are an awesome spotlighting scope.
As this barrel will be used pretty much just for spotlighting and a bit of bunny bashing.

Ya recon I might be handicapping myself a bit with the fixed power and should I go for a larger variable?

Re: 8X56 Kahles?

Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2016 12:36 pm
by stokesrj
I've been thinking about the same thing. When I hunt at night in Europe from the high seat the 8X56 makes a lot of sense, I don't think you can do better. I also have my 3-12X56 Zeiss HT that will do the job but I also use it for other purposes and have considered buying an 8X56 Kahles, S&B, Zeiss or similar to leave there for that purpose. I've used a 6X42 Zeiss with #4 reticle and it worked well enough also. It is illeagle to spot light in most of the places I hunt so I'll probably go with a lighted reticle.
One advantage of the fixed power scopes is you don't have to fret over first or second focal plane reticle position.

Re: 8X56 Kahles?

Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2016 3:40 pm
by mchughcb
8x56 is fine. The problem with higher power is target acquisition at night and how far the light can be off target so game is not spooked but you take the shot. The 8x56 is ideal in a good quality scope.

Re: 8X56 Kahles?

Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2016 6:23 pm
by 9.3x64
I use a Zeiss 8x56 on my 6XC and will never change it.
I don't find it too heavy or unwieldy to carry, and when you walk into thick timber or in the early morning and late evening it is much better than a 42mm.

Re: 8X56 Kahles?

Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2016 7:32 pm
by SPEEDY
I thought about the Zeiss too, but there is something about the Kahles.

Re: 8X56 Kahles?

Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2016 8:46 pm
by Gun Barrel Ecologist
Slight problem though, the Kahles is no longer made. Zeiss, Doctor, S&B and Kapps are I believe the only Germans making 8x56's and the Austrians, Swarovski and Kahles, ceased production 5+ years ago
http://www.kahles.at/en/products/
There was talk that the last run was of steel tubed 8x56's bought up by one of the shops in Dubbo for the roo shooting market - you could still get lucky in Europe https://www.optics-trade.eu/au/catalogs ... t=5&q=8x56

Re: 8X56 Kahles?

Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2016 9:33 pm
by Chamois71
I don't have alot of intel in this realm, but I can tell you that when I was in Austria and Switzerland in 2010 for a chamois and Steinbock hunt, some of the other locals we met had 8x56 glass on their rifles. It seemed to be their goto set up.

Re: 8X56 Kahles?

Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2016 9:33 pm
by SPEEDY
Found one new in box

Re: 8X56 Kahles?

Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2016 9:45 pm
by mchughcb
Go for it. I think you will be pleasantly surprised. Just make sure the mounts don't make it too high for your comb.

Re: 8X56 Kahles?

Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2016 10:13 pm
by Gun Barrel Ecologist
SPEEDY wrote:Found one new in box
L or S model? (L is alloy S is steel)

If the price is right grab it ;)

Re: 8X56 Kahles?

Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2016 10:46 pm
by SPEEDY
Its a helia C so should be alloy

Re: 8X56 Kahles?

Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2016 1:15 am
by Gun Barrel Ecologist
They made Helia Cs in both metals right to the end

Re: 8X56 Kahles?

Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2016 5:37 am
by SPEEDY
Bugger, only one way to find out I guess.

Re: 8X56 Kahles?

Posted: Sun Nov 06, 2016 8:53 am
by SPEEDY
I just discovered the Schmidt & Bender Klassik 8X56, it seems like an awesome scope and very good value about the same as the Kahles which is pleasantly suprising.

Re: 8X56 Kahles?

Posted: Sun Nov 06, 2016 9:00 am
by stokesrj
There is also a Schmidt and Bender 8X56 classic made in Hungary for even less than the German model.
https://www.optics-trade.eu/us/schmidt- ... -8x56.html