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Rifle scopes with S&B Convex mounting rail

Introduction

Schmidt & Bender, well reputed German manufacturer of sports optics, chose the same direction as other premium European manufacturers and invented their own rail standard for rifle scopes with integrated mounting rails. The most recent rail mounting from this producer is called "Convex rail" and it is also known by the name "S&B rail". Mounting rail is placed underneath the scope and is integrated as part of the scope, same as with other rails from other manufacturers. These mounts cannot be removed, thus mounting with integrated rails is the only option with these scopes.

The solution has been here for years, decades to be honest. It was developed roughly at the same time as ZM/VM rail from Zeiss. However, it did not gain popularity like Zeiss or Swarovski rail and it is used only by Schmidt & Bender.

Properties of Convex Rail Standard

The mounting rail system from S&B uses matching slide-in mount fasteners which connect the rifle scope to the gun.

What is interesting with Convex rails is the fact that these solution offers the possibility to tilt the scope up to 1° angle to the left or right. This is not like with the similar rail standards and Schmidt & Bender is quite unique with this option.

It is possible to recognize Schmidt & Bender rifle scopes that uses their rail standard by the name – the models with integrated rails have LMC acronym in their name and this is in common with all their railed scopes.

Pros

Mounting, removing or changing the scope on your rifle is much easier when using a rail. There are also no mounting marks left on the scope tube when removing it. If there is no stress applied to your scope tube, because there is no mounting rings used, this also means that no harm can be done to your rifle scope (which eventually gives a mounting rail a major advantage).

Personally, I usually find hard achieving the perfect horizontal alignment when mounting a rifle scope with mounting rings. There are no similar issues when using rails. You just slide the rail on, tight the screws and voila – your rifle scope level should be perfect. After hundreds or thousands of round through the barrel, rifle scope might slide backwards when mounting rings are used. This cannot happen while using Convex rail or any other mounting rail. Definitely, the stability, robustness and reliability are improved with railed scopes. During the mounting process, correct eye relief is much easier to achieve with railed systems; the scope can easily slide forwards or backwards to the point where you are satisfied with an eye relief position. When this goal is accomplished, you will only have to tighten the screws in the rail and that’s it. Simple as that.

Cons

As with all of the rail mounting systems, in some occasions the setup can appear a little high. For those who are sensitive about the scope height, check your configuration and heights before buying such rifle scope.

Precision made rails on scopes add some costs to the production which means that railed scopes are usually more expensive solution, compared to mounting rings. Last, but not the least – with Schmidt & Bender railed scopes there might be some troubles to get a perfect setup, because not many mounts manufacturers make mount solutions for these scopes. Availiability of mounting systems for Schmidt & Bender rifle scopes with Convex rails is not that well represented on the global market.

Conclusion

Schmidt & Bender Convex rail is probably the least popular modern rail standard available. It has very good technical properties, nevertheless. If you can found a decent mounting system for S&B Convex rail, look no further. You should be pleased with Convex rail solution, because it is a quality system and will perform well.

Finally, Convex rail mounting system will always achieve better results than a conventional mount with mounting rings. Therefore, you should always choose a rail system if you have that possibility available.

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VIDEO

A riflescope is an important piece of equipment when hunting in the mountains. Such hunts are strenuous – the hunter has to be in good physical condition. Hiking to the desired location and back to the starting point usually takes hours, not to mention that the shot game (if any) has to be carried when returning.

A riflescope is an important piece of equipment when hunting in the mountains

General features

It is important not to carry to much weight when going on a mountain hunt. For this reason, the riflescopes in this category are compact and lightweight. The objective lens measures 40–50 mm in diameter – a bigger lens is not required as mounting hunting is mostly done during the daytime.

It is important to have a high maximum magnification as the distance to the observed game can be quite substantial. A magnification of at least 10x is recommended. An adjustable parallax is a must when high magnification is set.

A BDC-turret comes in handy as the user can quickly compensate for the bullet drop at various distances (1 – 100 m, 2 – 200 m, 3 – 300 m, etc.)

To summarize, the features of a typical optics designed for mountain hunting are:

A light, compact chassis
40–50mm objective lens
High maximum magnification (above 10x)
Adjustable parallax setting
Optionally available with a BDC turret

Use on mountain rifles

Since minimizing the weight is the key to a mountain hunt success, the primary piece of equipment is a lightweight rifle. Such rifles are often referred to as mountain rifles.

These firearms, designed for use in mountainous terrain, are compact and designed to withstand adverse weather conditions. Popular choices include repeating short-barrel rifles and single-shot drop barrel rifles such as Blaser K95 Stutzen and Merkel K3 Stutzen.

These lightweight rifles and riflescopes mentioned above are a great combination.

Long-range shooting

In the mountains, the distance to the observed game can be huge, especially in the open ground. For this reason, these riflescopes are equipped with a high maximum magnification power, allowing the user to carefully examine the game before taking the shot.

Furthermore, they feature an adjustable parallax turret for a clear focus at any range. A BDC turret works well in such situations as it allows quick compensation for the bullet drop at various distances. In the majority of cases, shooting in the mountains is done at distances up to 400 m.

Shooting at greater distances than this is rarely pulled off as it violates the principles of the ethical hunt.

Riflescopes for mountain hunting are designed for long-range shooting

Riflescopes for mountain hunting vs stalking

These two types of riflescopes appear identical at first sight as they are both compact and lightweight. There are, however, many differences between them. The most notable is the magnification range. Riflescopes designed for stalking have a much lower maximum magnification.

Consequently, they lack an adjustable parallax feature. Because of lower magnification, it is difficult to shoot accurately at a target far away. Riflescopes designed for stalking are scarcely offered with a BDC turret.

Riflescopes for mountain hunting aren't suitable for driven hunts because their minimum magnification is too big and field of view too narrow. Even though the magnification range of riflescopes designed for stalking doesn't begin at 1x, they can still be used in a driven hunt (the lowest magnification is often 1.5x, 2x or 3x).

Illumination

All the premium riflescopes for mountain hunting are equipped with an illuminated reticle, even though it is not an essential feature. Mountain hunting is done during the day, meaning that you won't have to use the illumination often but it might come in handy in certain situations. Having a thin reticle is far more important – you don't want to have too much coverage of the game when the magnification is set to high power.

It is important not to carry to much weight when going on a mountain hunt

Best riflescopes for hunting in the mountains

Optics manufacturers with headquarters near the mountainous areas tend to have the best understanding of the mountain hunters' requirements. If you are looking for top-of-the-line riflescopes for mountain hunting, Austrian (Swarovski, Kahles) and German riflescopes (Zeiss, Leica, etc.) won't let you down.

Leupold has an extensive offer of high-quality riflescopes suitable for this purpose, and Vortex is also highly competitive in this field with their LH riflescopes.

A short presentation of Riflescopes for Mountain Hunting is available here.

Rifle scopes with S&B Convex mounting rail

Introduction

Properties of Convex Rail Standard

Pros

Cons

Conclusion

Crimson Trace Hardline 4-16x42 BDC

VIDEO

General features

To summarize, the features of a typical optics designed for mountain hunting are:

Use on mountain rifles

Long-range shooting

Riflescopes for mountain hunting vs stalking

Illumination

Best riflescopes for hunting in the mountains

Short Presentation | Riflescopes for Mountain- Hunting | Optics Trade from Optics-Trade

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Rifle scopes with S&B Convex mounting rail

Introduction

Properties of Convex Rail Standard

Pros

Cons

Conclusion

Crimson Trace Hardline 4-16x42 BDC

VIDEO

General features

To summarize, the features of a typical optics designed for mountain hunting are:

Use on mountain rifles

Long-range shooting

Riflescopes for mountain hunting vs stalking

Illumination

Best riflescopes for hunting in the mountains

Short Presentation | Riflescopes for Mountain- Hunting | Optics Trade from Optics-Trade

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