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Rifle Scopes The latest IOR - 2.5-10x FFP mil/mil

glock24

Gunny Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
  • Sep 14, 2006
    2,094
    91
    West Michigan
    I thought I'd pass along some cell phone shots of my little brother's new 2.5-10x42mm IOR that he received from Liberty Optics this afternoon. Albeit shitty pics, they highlight the new exposed Mrad knobs that look just like a smaller version (5 mils per rev) of the ones found on the 3-18x.

    He's building a non-traditional hunter in 223 using a Savage action, H-S stock, and CDI Precision bottom metal. He is still waiting on the 20" fluted McGowen barrel and 10 round AICS mags from Bauer Arms. Since he cut his teeth on a Falcon 4-14x, he wanted to keep the same mil/mil system on all his rifles.

    He says the glass is clear and bright, and the knobs are distinct and positive. Only the center dot illuminates, and it is 0.1 mils in diameter. At 2.5x, it gets quite small, even when illuminated. He's not sure that FFP is the best choice for hunting, but he usually runs a high power magnification when in the field.

    The first couple clicks on the illumination knob don't even illuminate the dot bright enough to see at night. I'm told this is for NV compatibility. On the highest setting, the dot can illuminate entire inside of the scope, more than enough light to get the job done. It is NOT however daylight visible.

    The reticle itself looks just like the 3-18x. He didn't get a shot of it, but scanned the Valdada spec-sheet that came with the scope.

    All in all, he's very happy, especially with the service from Scott. It was ordered on Friday and there on Monday!

    I get to play with it on Thanksgiving. I'm building a non-traditional hunter myself. Now I have to decide between this scope, and the comparably equipped 2.5-10x32mm Nightforce.

    Scott! Please post some better pics!

    024.jpg


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    011.jpg


    Scan_Pic0001.jpg
    c
     
    Re: The latest IOR - 2.5-10x FFP mil/mil

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Luvman</div><div class="ubbcode-body">if it tracks and is reliable I'd go with it over the NXS just because it's FFP.

    I'm jealous!! </div></div>
    I thought the 2.5-10x32mm NF would be an easy choice, but the $300+ price difference and 10mm larger objective have me thinking!
     
    Re: The latest IOR - 2.5-10x FFP mil/mil

    my next optics will be a for an AR carbine I've been piecing together. I'm leaning heavily towards the 1.5-6 USO.

    this IOR or the 2.5-10 NXS would be a touch of overkill for it but would work. Maybe I'll have to scrap the precision carbine idea and just go with a .223 bolt gun. hmmmmmm
     
    Re: The latest IOR - 2.5-10x FFP mil/mil

    No way man! 10x is never overkill!

    I dumped the 1.8-10x37mm USO on my precision AR for a 1-4x NF and really wished I hadn't.

    And by the way - those 223 AICS mags have an internal length of 2.550", great for loading up with 80 grain VLDs!
     
    Re: The latest IOR - 2.5-10x FFP mil/mil

    I'm not thinking overkill in the sense of too much magnification. I'm thinking physical size. Hell I've toyed with the idea slapping my heritage on it. that would definitely be overkill in the physical size department.

    All I need is a barrel, free float tube, optics mount, and optics. I'm leaning towards a 16" midlength with a 11" tube. This IOR may be the ticket (like how I got the thread back on track)
    smile.gif
     
    Re: The latest IOR - 2.5-10x FFP mil/mil

    Those pics aren't bad!

    I have pics but can't post them. I can email them to someone who can post.

    This scope, is very impressive. I've been selling IOR for awhile, and this one might be the best ever. My only beef is the field of view shrinkage as you dial from 4x to 2.5x. Not sure why this is necessary but it is what it is.

    Scott
     
    Re: The latest IOR - 2.5-10x FFP mil/mil

    Here's the pics courtesy of Scott Over at Liberty Optics:

    2e23xo1.jpg

    o01c47.jpg

    2wqud90.jpg



    <span style="font-size: 20pt"><span style="font-weight: bold">Reticle is at 10x</span></span>

    2vtegdc.jpg

    6tlcld.jpg

     
    Re: The latest IOR - 2.5-10x FFP mil/mil

    Urrrrhhhhhh! I just purchased the one with the capped turrets. I would have waited on this on had I known that it was coming out. Those capped turrets are my only beef. The scope is solid and repeatable with excellent glass. And after shooting with the scope, I certainly see why every raves about the reticle. Excellent choice. Now if I can just figure out how to barter, sale or trade to get the one with the exposed turrets. I like the numbers on the reticle also.
     
    Re: The latest IOR - 2.5-10x FFP mil/mil

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Racialist</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Are those photos of the reticle at 10X? </div></div>

    Sure are, I edited post to rectify error
    smile.gif
     
    Re: The latest IOR - 2.5-10x FFP mil/mil

    I have one of the SS 3x9 on my LR308, because I couldn't wait for the new IORs . . . Now that they're back, and with better goodies, I may have to pick one of these up for my 7mmRM hunting rig.

    Anybody wanna venture an opinion on how it'll hold up to some rough elk hunting on a 700BDL. She's got a bit of recoil, and I'd hate to be a day or two away from camp with dropped reticle.
     
    Re: The latest IOR - 2.5-10x FFP mil/mil

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Utnapishtim</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have one of the SS 3x9 on my LR308, because I couldn't wait for the new IORs . . . Now that they're back, and with better goodies, I may have to pick one of these up for my 7mmRM hunting rig.

    Anybody wanna venture an opinion on how it'll hold up to some rough elk hunting on a 700BDL. She's got a bit of recoil, and I'd hate to be a day or two away from camp with dropped reticle. </div></div>

    The reticle will hold up to recoil very well!
     
    Re: The latest IOR - 2.5-10x FFP mil/mil

    Alright, I've looked over the pics and spec sheet two or three times, besides the knobs, what's different? Besides the $400 price increase.

    Oh well, Falcons and SS's for me I guess. And I was really pumped for this scope.
     
    Re: The latest IOR - 2.5-10x FFP mil/mil

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Kyshooter</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Alright, I've looked over the pics and spec sheet two or three times, besides the knobs, what's different? Besides the $400 price increase.

    Oh well, Falcons and SS's for me I guess. And I was really pumped for this scope.

    </div></div>

    The Price increase is closer to $300, as the $899 price on the old models was a closeout price. Plus, we sell for less than MAP on these. To answer your questions:


    * A new reticle copied/adapted directly from the MP-8 A5 reticle from the 3-18 FFP

    * A new 11-position rheostat that eliminates the "too bright" lowest settings; Scott @ Valdada tells me that they are NV compatible!

    * Illumination is in the center dot of the reticle ONLY

    * New, 1/10 mil exposed knobs with 5mils per turn, a new turret mechanism, and 24mils of travel (85moa+)

    * Brand new lens coatings, an IOR first in many years

    I'm not sure about the lens coating but the turret housing of the scope is definitely new, different than any other IOR made.

    Scott
     
    Re: The latest IOR - 2.5-10x FFP mil/mil

    Scott,
    I have an IOR 2-12x32 I bought from you awhile back. (Still havn't used it yet.) What makes thei new one better than mine, if anything. The three thing's I care about are: ruggedness, tracking, and how clear the glass is. Is this new scope better at any of these?
     
    Re: The latest IOR - 2.5-10x FFP mil/mil

    Received mine today. Thanks Scott! This scope feels heavy and solid (does not have anything to do with durability though). Mounted her up and compared it side by side with my 3-15X50 NXS w/ ZS at 10X and right off the bat I noticed that the IOR's glass looks a lot better (for me at least). The clicks are nice and positive no mush at all. The reticle design is awesome and it's not too thin or too thick. Another plus is now both my 308's have a mil/mil set up with a 5 mil per turn knobs! I have to load some ammo and check for repeatability sometime this week. Can't wait to cut my Savage to 18" and with this nice and compact optic it's going to be tits
    grin.gif
    .

    Also I did notice what Scott said at 2.5X - 4X the FOV shrinks but it's not that bad although some people might find this annoying.

    I think IOR made a really good decision putting this little optic out. Now hopefully she holds up for a long time...
     
    Re: The latest IOR - 2.5-10x FFP mil/mil

    Scott or anyone else,

    I understand you stated it has 24 mils of travel (I assume that includes both internal and external). But how many turns of elevation adjustment does it have with 5 mils/turn (how many turn knob is it)? Put another way, once I zero the scope out about how many turns (or mils) is there until the elevation knob is max'd out?

    TIA
     
    Re: The latest IOR - 2.5-10x FFP mil/mil

    All you really need is around 10 mils (308) to reach 1000 yards. Plus a 20 MOA mount I don't think there's really nothing to worry about. After I zero my scope I can let you know.
     
    Re: The latest IOR - 2.5-10x FFP mil/mil

    If it is a 24 mil scope and it has 5 mil per turn knobs then you would be able to turn the knob 4 4/5 turns from bottom to top. Of course they are never exactly what they claim so it might be a little over or under 24 mils.

    IOR konbs are not like Premier where they are fixed based on whether or not they are 1 or 2 turn knobs and they do not have a zero stop. They just keep turning til they reach the max end of that direction.

    Chances are with a 20 MOA base zeroed at 100 yards you will have something like 6 to 8 mils down and 16 to 18 up.

    My IOR 3-18x has 21.something mils full range adjustment. I ahve a 30 MOA base on it and have 3ish down and 18ish up.
     
    Re: The latest IOR - 2.5-10x FFP mil/mil

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: thebolt</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Utnapishtim</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have one of the SS 3x9 on my LR308, because I couldn't wait for the new IORs . . . Now that they're back, and with better goodies, I may have to pick one of these up for my 7mmRM hunting rig.

    Anybody wanna venture an opinion on how it'll hold up to some rough elk hunting on a 700BDL. She's got a bit of recoil, and I'd hate to be a day or two away from camp with dropped reticle. </div></div>

    The reticle will hold up to recoil very well! </div></div>

    I read LL's review of the SS3X9. I threy my debt card at SWFA that night.

    If I he were to provide a similar review of this bad boy, I'd consider getting two . . . maybe a 2.5-10 and one of the new 4th Gen 3-18s.
     
    Re: The latest IOR - 2.5-10x FFP mil/mil

    can anyone elaberate on the optic at low power? I have the old age eyes and a buddy had a premier and i could not see the crosshair at low power. I heard that the crosshairs in the IOR were larger and you can see them better at low power.
     
    Re: The latest IOR - 2.5-10x FFP mil/mil

    They will be very small at low power, all FFP scopes are. I have the old version of the 2.5-10x IOR and at 2.5x it was pretty much to small to be of any use. Same with the 3-18x as well. I have very good vision and do not like to use them below 4x.
     
    Re: The latest IOR - 2.5-10x FFP mil/mil

    prplhaz,

    I'm not sure. Against a very busy background, 50 yds distant I can still see the reticle well enough to make a shot. The heavy posts help. Here is a picture of my 3-18x42mm IOR FFP @ 3x:



    IOR3x-1-1.jpg
     
    Re: The latest IOR - 2.5-10x FFP mil/mil

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: prplhaz72</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Yup, that is pretty dang small for someone with bad eyes. And the 2.5x is going to be even a little smaller. </div></div>

    well hold on a sec.

    @ 3x I have taken shots to 700yds with this scope doing holds.

    Does it work????

    YES, is it the best way to go??? NO!!!

    But it does work, the other question is this, you dial down to a low mag due to how close the target is or in need of a wider FOV right? So if you need to take shot at 3x, you know where the center of the reticle is, and I assume the rifle is dialed in, so you take a shot, if you need to see more, dial UP and get out of the 3x.

    And go any location you want, 3x to 18x.

    My main question is this, if you do not shoot movers, unknown distance, targets that pop-up and down, and all these non-static range situations, a FFP optic is not needed.

    but I have found, if a person wants to get hits in a situation that i not in front of a berm, and allows sighter shots, a FFP or fixed power is needed.

    John
     
    Re: The latest IOR - 2.5-10x FFP mil/mil

    If he cannot see the reticle because of his bad eyes then it is of no use to him. That is all I am saying. I am not saying some people cannot use it or that it cannot be used. I killed a running coyote with mine on 2.5x. It would have been a little easier to see it on 4x but I did not have time to change it.

    He said he has bad eyes, so I am addressing that issue period.

    My dad has bad eyes and cannot see the reticle at all when it is that small on either of those scopes.
     
    Re: The latest IOR - 2.5-10x FFP mil/mil

    Sir,

    I understand the bad eye part.

    As I read this topic, the issue I see is how most do not like how small the reticle gets at the lower end.

    Sorry that I quoted you and skipped over the bad eye part.

    John
     
    Re: The latest IOR - 2.5-10x FFP mil/mil

    Thanks Guys
    I do have to use reading glasses when I read so using this on a lower power would not work for me I like the concept of first focal but the older you get the worse my eyes get, and I would be using this for Hunting aswell so lower power is needed from time to time. I really like the scope and would still like to see one first hand. I know the Premier has a finer cross hair and I could not make it out at the lower settings. We will see if I can find someone local that sells them and check one out first hand.
    Thanks Again for yalls input!
     
    Re: The latest IOR - 2.5-10x FFP mil/mil

    gmac,

    I'll be 60 next birthday, and I also wear bi-focals. I have no trouble using an FFP scope at low power. Not trying to be simplistic, and say your eyes are like mine, but correctly focusing a scope for your eyes, and then correctly adjusting the parallax (if the scope is adjustable for it) to sharpen your target, takes bit more than just dropping behind another's scope at the range, or peering though it in a store or gunshow.

    You may know these things or not. I can't tell via the internet. But if your corrected vision is anywhere near 20-20, it could just be a focus and or parallax adjustment issue.

    However, if the problem is your eyes, and not the focus, then all is not lost, consider the SFP version of the IOR 2.5-10x42. The reticle stays a constant size, and you can still range at 10x

    Regards,

    Bob
     
    Re: The latest IOR - 2.5-10x FFP mil/mil

    I've been waiting for this exact scope for quite some time. Looks like Christmas is going to come a little early for me!

    Wait, I might have to take that back. Does this scope include parallax adjustments, or is the knob on the side for the lighted reticle only?
     
    Re: The latest IOR - 2.5-10x FFP mil/mil

    Is it the old version of this lens that had a phenomena where at low mag levels the image circle shrank, for lack of a better explanation? Does the new version do the same?
     
    Re: The latest IOR - 2.5-10x FFP mil/mil

    I just got one of these and got her mounted up. The glass is great, I was worried but it is as clear as my Kahles and Swaros which to me are better than SnB, my eye not yours..I love the knobs and the clicks are solid, the reticle is the cats arse, but the fov is small at 2.5 at least compared to what I have been using but upon review it holds 41' at 100yd. I am not keen on the illum as it doesn't show up for me until the number 8 setting. Number 9 and above throws a circle of red around sight picture and destroys clarity of target at ten and above its not even usable.
     
    Re: The latest IOR - 2.5-10x FFP mil/mil

    To add to my earlier post, I just messed with the battery and the rheostat a bit and took her into a dark room and I can see the dot all the way down to one power. I took the battery out when I got it to get a spare and maybe didn't have it seated right or something..Any way I can now see it down to one power. I think the illum problem was my fault the whole time..
     
    Re: The latest IOR - 2.5-10x FFP mil/mil

    Is it just me, or is this newest version no longer listed for sale on LO's website??? I can't find it anywhere . . .

    ETA: Or are they just using the older model pics on the new website?
     
    Re: The latest IOR - 2.5-10x FFP mil/mil

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Basher</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Is it just me, or is this newest version no longer listed for sale on LO's website??? I can't find it anywhere . . .

    ETA: Or are they just using the older model pics on the new website? </div></div>

    You're right, the scope description and price are correct on LO's website, but the picture is wrong. Maybe he's waiting for the "offical Valdada" picture before he updates the website.
     
    Re: The latest IOR - 2.5-10x FFP mil/mil

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: STRICK9</div><div class="ubbcode-body">yep wrong picture but he does have the new ones. And before he updated his website he did have the correct picture as well. </div></div>

    Which is why I asked, because I could SWEAR I saw it on the old site. Thought I was losing my mind or something, haha.
     
    Re: The latest IOR - 2.5-10x FFP mil/mil

    I ordered one of these up from Scott today. After reading some things people have to say and chatting with Scott about it, I'm pretty optimistic.

    It will be going on my LTR and I was looking for something reasonably light weight to fit that rifle.

    Requirements were:
    - Reasonably light weight / compact
    - 10X or greater on the top end
    - Mil reticle
    - Mil exposed knobs
    - Decent glass
    - Reliable
    Preferred but not required:
    - Illuminated reticle
    - Zero stop

    So, the only thing the IOR didn't have was a zero stop. Oh well, I can live with that. I suppose some might question IOR being reliable, and I'll have to admit that's my biggest concern with trying one. Without Liberty Optics I probably wouldn't be... Scott says this model is the most solid IOR variable yet and if there's an issue he'll take care of it. Good enough for me!
    grin.gif


    In the end my LTR scope quest came down to IOR 2.5-10x42, NF NXS 2.5-10x32, and Leupy Mk4 3.5-10x40 (when the M5 turrets are out)...
    ...The Nightforce is $1549 MAP for mil / mil (also has ZS). That just seems like ALOT of money for a scope this size. Probably the best rep for reliability which is nice. I would also expect it to have the nicest feeling turrets as well, although I've admittedly never handled that model (or any IOR). Reticle is SFP which some might not like (I really don't have much of a preference at this point). The small 32mm objective somewhat concerns me for low light performance. Good solid CS from NF.
    ...The Leupold with TMR / M5 turrets won't be out until April-ish from what I'm told. Not sure on real world price but SWFA has it pre-listed on their site at $1499.95. Meh, basically the same as the NF's real world price realistically. Leupold CS is solid, and close for me. No illum or ZS though, although it's the only one with a parallax adjust which I wouldn't mind (even though everyone says you don't need it on a 10X). But, I'd like to be shooting and not waiting for the next three months so no Leupold this time around.
    ...And last but certainly not least the IOR. From everything I've read / heard it has the best glass of the bunch and I really like the reticle design. It's FFP which many like. Supposed to have nice knobs. My main concern (reliability) is canceled out by Scott so no worries there. The center dot is illuminated which is nice. The 42mm objective I like (the biggest of the three). And the kicker for me, $300ish cheaper than the other two contenders. That's enough for me to give it a whirl.

    In the end, if I was inclined to wait until April I'd probably just try the Vortex PST 2.5-10x44 and save A TON of money over any of these three. I think if the PST line ends up being solid with decent glass these three may be in trouble. For now, the IOR gets the nod... in depth review to follow after I've ran it a bit...