• Redfield BattleZone 3-9X42mm Riflescope

    Redfield Optics has gone tactical in 2013 with the introduction of their all new BattleZone line of rifle scopes. Since Leupold & Stevens purchased the Redfield Optics brand in 2008, they have been introducing value conscious optics to their line up while keeping in line with Leupold’s noted quality and ruggedness. The new BattleZone is no exception as it joins other Redfield product lines such as Revolution and the Revenge.

    Unlike other offerings from Redfield where the focus has been on reliable and affordable hunting optics, the BattleZone is for the cost conscious tactical shooter that wants a scope that can be configured for either the .223/5.56mm NATO or the .308/7.62 mm NATO. Like all Redfield rifle scopes the BattleZone is Nitrogen filled to keep it waterproof and fog proof, the lenses are fully multi-coated for a bright and clear sight picture even in low-light conditions, and the eye piece is of the fast focus type. The new TAC-MOA Reticle is set up with horizontal stadia lines and vertical crosshairs at two minute of angle (MOA) increments to provide the shooter the ability to quickly compensate for bullet drop and cross wind at transitional distances as well as for range estimation on objects of known sizes.

    A key feature of the BattleZone 3-9x40mm scope is that it comes with two interchangeable Bullet Drop Compensation (BDC) dials for the pop-up resettable elevation turret. One dial is calibrated for the .223/5.56mm NATO round loaded with a 55 grain bullet at a muzzle velocity of 3,100 FPS and the second dial is for .308/7.62mm NATO round loaded with a 168 grain bullet with a velocity of 2,650 FPS. They are designed for the rifle to be zeroed at 100 yards and the dial set to the 100 yard mark. From that point the dial has marks at 50-yard increments out to 500 yards.

    The windage turret is also of the pop-up resettable type and uses ¼ MOA per click movement featuring both tactile and audible clicks. All of this and Redfield’s “No Excuses” lifetime warranty.

    For the test I grabbed two rifles from my safe that have been extremely underused. The first is a Savage Model 12FV in 223 with a 26” bull barrel, AccuTrigger, round rear receiver and stagger feed magazine. The second is a Savage Model 10FP in 308 with a 20” bull barrel, AccuTrigger, round rear receiver and stagger feed magazine. Neither rifle is a newer center feed model and both have blind magazines (they have been hiding in the safe for a few years). For mounts I used a Ken Farrell base and Weaver steel rings. The ammo consisted of Winchester .223 Remington 55 Grain full metal jacket (FMJ) factory ammo and Winchester Match .308 Winchester 168 grain boattail factory ammo that I had available. Since this is a tactical scope with calibrated elevation turrets I wanted to use commonly available ammo that meets the BDC specifications rather than hand loads.

    After a quick cleaning and function check on both rifles I mounted the scope and verified I could move it from one rifle to the next with little trouble. All I had to do is loosen up the scope rings and then move it from one rifle to another and tighten everything back down (easy to do when using the same type of monolithic base on each rifle). I then attached it to the 12 FV and headed to the range.

    At the range the first step was to fire 5 shots at a 50 yard target and chronograph the bullet speed of the 223. On average the speed was between 2,975 and 3,000 FPS a little less than the desired 3,100 FPS and makes me think the 26” barrel may be robbing some of the speed from this round. Then I sighted the 12 FV in at 100 yards. After it was dialed in I reset the elevation nob to 100 yards and the windage dial to 0. I fired 5 shots at 100, 200, 300 and 500 yards adjusting the scope elevation dial to the appropriate marks and then returned it to 100 yards and fired 5 more shots. After I completed the firing sequence I moved the BattleZone over to the 10FP and swapped out the BDC dial for the 308 one and began the process again. The average velocity of the 308 Match ammo was between 2,645 and 2,660 FPS, much closer to the recommend 2,650 FPS for the scope. I repeated the same shooting process for the 10FP as the 12FV and recorded the following average results from the five shot group:

    Range 12 FV (223 Remington) 10FP (308 Winchester)
    Elevation Windage Elevation Windage
    100 0
    200 0
    300 -2½ L1 0
    500 -5¼ L1 -1
    Return 100 0 0

    Note: For Elevation + is above the desired point of impact and is below the desired point of impact. For windage L is for Left of desired point of impact and R is for right of desired point of impact while facing the target. Example: +1, L½ would be one inch high and left a ½ inch from center of target.

    After looking at the targets I was very pleased with this scope. The BDC dials worked as advertised even though the 223 dropped drastically compared to the 308. I'm inclined to believe that was because of the lower than desired velocity from the .223 ammo/firearm combination.

    Traditionally I haven't wanted to use custom BDC turrets on my rifles when hunting, but after using these it has made me rethink that opinion because of the ease of use offered by the BattleZone. The TAC-MOA reticle was a nice variation and separates the BattleZone from other tactical sights that still use standard mil-dot reticle. I found the crosshairs to be easier to use and I did not feel the reticle was blocking my view which I have at times when using a standard mil-dot. Overall the glass was very clear and with the fast-focus eye pieces the reticle was very crisp and sharp.

    Since Leupold has re-launched the Redfield brand I have not been disappointed with their economy minded scopes. Are there better scopes on the market? Yes, but you will not find one at $200 price point. If you’re new to tactical shooting and have never used BDC dial on a scope the BattleZone is a good choice to begin with and learn on. If you’re looking to top your Savage varmint rifle in 223 and give yourself some added confidence on those long range shots without breaking the bank, the BattleZone is a sure bet. If you have rifle in .223 Remington or .308 Winchester and want to build an accurate rifle for shots out to 500 yards then look no further than the BattleZone 3-9X42mm rifle scope.





    Contact Information
    REDFIELD
    14400 NW Greenbrier Parkway
    Beaverton, OR 97006-5790
    www.redfield.com


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