Rifle scopes with mount rail

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Introduction

In majority, rifle scopes have central tubular part where rings can be placed for mounting them on a rifle. This is how first scopes were mounted on rifles and it is still common practice in most cases, but not all of them. European manufacturers of rifle scopes have started to produce scopes with special rails under the tubes and this began already decades ago. Such scopes do not need rings for mounting, because they offer completely different solution.

In the beginning, there was only one type of rail in use by most European scope manufacturers. Nevertheless, manufacturers decided to develop better solutions. In the end (we are talking about last decades), three more modern rail standards were established.

This type of mounting systems gained in popularity recently and will become the predominant way of mounting premium scopes in the future.

Pros of Rifle Scopes with Mounting Rails

One of the main advantages of using the rail is that scopes with integrated mounting rail are robust. The whole mount is stiffer because there is lack of many screws which are not needed with this solution. Therefore, reliability comes to place here (also because of the rigidness, mentioned above). If there is no rings attached (with screws) to the scope tube, it also means that there is no stress on the scope – that might also end in better accuracy when shooting. If there is a need to change the scope or put it on the other gun, there will be no marks on the tube from previous installation, which is common when mounting with scope rings.

Schmidt & Bender with S&B convex rail

One of the advantages which might be very important to a lot of shooters, is that there is always the perfect level of the scope when rails are used. Balancing and leveling the scope to reach perfect horizontal alignment, while mounting with scope rings, can really be pain in the ass. Through my eyes, always getting the perfect level of the scope, is really the main advantage of using integrated rails. We should not forget that mounting a railed scope is always much easier than with rings. Last, but not least – scopes with integrated mounting rails offers better recoil profness of the mounts.

Cons of Rifle Scopes with Mounting Rails

Sometimes scope bases combined with rifle scope with integrated mounting rails end up much higher, compared to traditional setup with scope rings. Height of our setup must be checked before buying bases and railed scope. In that way, we can avoid disappointment.

As a rule, rail mounting is only available with expensive rifle scopes.

Type of Scopes Rail Standards

Below, we are going to briefly present different types of scope rail standards, available on the market nowadays.

LM Rails

LM rails standard is also known and often called "prism rail" or "70 mm prism". This is the oldest rail standard on the market and is not used anymore. The problem with this standard was that drilling was needed when mounting these scopes on rifles.

Zeiss ZM/VM Rail

ZM/VM rail standard is widely used these days in it is probably the most common rail mounting standard available. It is widely known also as "Inner rail", "M rail" or "Zeiss rail" standard. It was invented by Zeiss and for this reason it is widely known as "Zeiss rail" – however, it is used by many manufacturers nowadays, not only Zeiss.

Zeiss Victory HT 3-12x56 M (rail)

Swarovski SR Rail

One of the most famous European optics manufacturer, Swarovski Optik, presented their own mounting rail solution on the market – known as SR rail. It is a specific design, patented by the company. It contains many small teeth under the scope through the whole area of the rail which is great for more powerful calibers with stronger recoil. It is no wonder that this rail is also used by Kahles, since Swarovski company took over Kahles in 1974.

Swarovski Z6i gen.2 2-12x50 BT SR

S&B Convex Rail

Schmidt & Bender’s Convex rail is made by Schmidt & Bender and is used only by them. In terms of design, it is quite similar to Zeiss rail. However, lower surface on S&B rail rounded and not straight, on the contrary to Zeiss. Comparatively, it is most rare among all rail standards.

Conclusion

As seen above, only the best European rifle scopes manufacturers have rails as option on their scopes. These scopes with rail are usually more expensive as the ones without rails – it is quite logical, because they are more expensive to produce. Unquestionably scopes with rails provide best possible mounting solution and hopefully, most of the rifle scopes in the future will be made with rail mounts.

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Kaps Classic 8x56 mm RC/OC (rail)

As low as $649.00

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Kaps TLB 3-12x56 (rail)

$1,379.00

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Kaps Classic 2.5-10x56 mm MRC/OC (rail)

As low as $919.00

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Kaps Illuminated 2.5-10x56 MRC/OC (rail) First focal plane Scope

Kaps Illuminated 2.5-10x56 mm MRC/OC (rail)

$1,119.00

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Kaps Illuminated 8x56 RC (rail)

$909.00

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General properties of Low light rifle scopes

The low light rifle scopes category holds those riflescopes that are built to offer the best possible performance at dusk or dawn and when hunting during the night when the moon and the stars are the only source of light.

Best Scopes for hunting

Low light scopes are used solely for hunting and especially in Europe where hunting in low-light situations is very popular.

Low light rifle scopes - Best low light scope

Steiner Ranger 6 3-18x56 scope

Commonly associated features of scopes in this hunting category are:

50 or 56mm objective lens diameter
High-quality glass and coating of the rifle scope
Capped turrets
The illuminated reticle or thick FFP reticle
Low-intensity illumination of the reticle
1 inch or 30 mm tube or rail mounting
Fixed or variable magnification
Minimal magnification ranging from 2x to 4x
Maximal magnification ranging from 10x to 16x

What is the best Low light rifle scope?

What makes a low-light rifle scope the best?

When on a hunt for the best scope, there are many factors to be considered:

a finely adjustable red dot (dimmable),
brightness of the scope,
scope image quality,
fields of use, and many more.

Low-light rifle scope Buying guide

Due to numerous factors, price ranges, and manufacturers always producing new scopes, it is impossible to say which one is the best. However, we created a buying guide to keep you updated on some of the best buys in each price range.

Comparison of Low light scopes - information of low light scopes

Steiner and Leica low light riflescopes

Lens, coatings and magnification in best Low light scope

A good low light rifle scope is one that fits the user’s financial goals, brightness, and provides a quality image, nevertheless. A lower zoom factor means there are fewer lens in the design. And fewer lens result in less loss of light. The coatings are also important – if they are of higher quality, again, less amount of light is lost every time light travels through the lens’ surface.

As for the lens size, the bigger, the better. The magnification of the scope should also not be too high, as this results in a smaller exit pupil, which we do not want for low light use.

But the most important factor to be taken into account is that the scope performs best in low light if it has an illuminated reticle, preferably in the form of a finely adjustable central dot (if the whole reticle is illuminated, it covers up the image of the target).

Can you use a low light scope at night?

Yes, a riflescope can be used for hunting at night, if you make use of the available residual light, such as the Full Moon or starlight, but your observation will not be ideal.

However, if you wish to hunt at night and see the target clearly, you need the help of other night vision optics, such as thermal and night vision attachments, as night vision optics collect whatever little light there is and amplify it. So, without thermal optics, you would only see a silhouette of the animals and no details.

Leica Low light rifle scope

Leica Magnus 2.4-16x56 i scope

Rifle scopes with mount rail

VIDEO

Introduction

Pros of Rifle Scopes with Mounting Rails

Cons of Rifle Scopes with Mounting Rails