Rifle Scopes US Optics SR-8C Quick Review

[Black-X]

I was fortunate enough to get one of these delivered today and I wanted to put up some initial impressions of US Optics' SR-8C 1-8x scope. If you are going to make it to the Allegheny Sniper Challenge, come by and put your hands on this scope at the vendor day on May 16th between noon and 4pm.

Even though I love the people at US Optics, when I heard about the SR-8 I thought to myself, "sure, another "1x" scope." I've played with a few "1x" powered scopes in the past and as many people have found out just like me, it wasn't really 1x. No more. US Optics nailed it and has delivered an actual 1x capable, variable powered scope.

Optical clarity and brightness are great from 1x to the max zoom of 8x. The reticle in my scope is the C2 which can be found on US Optics' website at USOptics.com if you would like to see the Mil breakdown. The red dot is easily seen in the bright light and is pretty much indistinguishable from similar red dots such as my trusty Aimpoint T1. Even when zoomed in to 8x, clarity and brightness are still great and 8x gives more than enough zoom to take the longer shots.

(1000yds to the barn)

While I've shown some pics so you get an idea of the FOV and surroundings, here are some closer in shots of the reticle at 1x and 8x. This view gives more of what the shooter actually sees when looking through the scope. The red dot can be left on at 8x if you wish, but I turned it off for these pics.

I personally don't believe people at US Optics made this scope. I'm pretty sure they hired a wizard who tossed an Aimpoint and LR-17 scope into a magical cauldron and out popped this thing. Regardless of who or how, US Optics has made what I thought impossible a reality. If you are interested in a true 1x variable power scope, you owe it to yourself to check out the SR-8.

(Forgive the quality of the pics. I was rushed and some were a bit blurry and/or overexposed so don't let my rushed picture taking imply anything poorly on the clarity and resolution of the scope itself.)

 

[pmclaine]

Ive had mine on order since late January. I probably screwed myself by wanting to color coordinate and get a FDE finish. I picked the C2 reticle with red dot and blue illumination.

You have bouyed my spirits to thinking I may have mine in hand soon.

I'm always jealous of you guys that live in places where you can take your rifles out along the side of a roadway, pasture, etc to fondle your equipment without having a swat team arriving to "take you down".

 

[Papa Zero Three]

I've had 2 of them since SHOT show and have been telling people that USO has raised the bar in the 1x8 scope range, it's good to see others concur that this scope is something special.

 

[Black-X]

I've had 2 of them since SHOT show and have been telling people that USO has raised the bar in the 1x8 scope range, it's good to see others concur that this scope is something special.

The SR-8 truly is something special.

pmclaine, I took what I could get.

 

[Deisel]

I ordered one from Lazy21 back in January. Eagerly awaiting its arrival. Hopefully the fact you got yours means these will start shipping.

 

[Bedlam]

What happened to IPHY and MOA reticles? I feel like those were formerly available in the custom configurator and now they are gone.

 

[Black-X]

What happened to IPHY and MOA reticles? I feel like those were formerly available in the custom configurator and now they are gone.

Not sure on those for the SR-8. I know the CD MIL is on hold for right now though. I'd like to check out the CD MIL if it becomes available again but I'm not too worried as the C2 red dot in my SR-8 rocks.

Meant to add, I took the SR-8 out today on a JP PSC-11 and zeroed it in at 100yds. Was able to hold less than MOA at 8x with Prvi (older green box) 75gr. I'm sure it didn't hurt that I was using a top shelf rifle.

 

[Gasgun]

Mine is sitting in my mailbox back home. I'm stuck at work out of state until Wednesday. I feel like a little kid waiting for Christmas.

Thanks for the review and the great pics. A little SR-8 porn to tide me over 'til I can get my hands on her!

 

[slyfox]

I ordered mine with the dual illumination through Lazy21. I can't wait for that bad boy to ship! Seeing these pictures has got me even more excited. I have been following this optic since it got announced at shot show last year.

 

[pmclaine]

I ordered mine with the dual illumination through Lazy21. I can't wait for that bad boy to ship! Seeing these pictures has got me even more excited. I have been following this optic since it got announced at shot show last year.

Whats the wait for? Im in the same boat as you - waiting for a dual illum! Lazy has been very responsive to my "is it in yet?" emails. He must feel like a paid lady in an Irish whore house.

I mean whats the difficulty you just have to get a little dot to stay centered in a precision reticle as it changes size over a range of magnification than illuminate some etchings on a piece of precision ground glass and do this with as little weight as possible inside a small aluminum tube. Oh yeah I ordered mine in FDE and they better not scratch the paint.

WTF? dont they have some pixie dust and small nomes hired to do this?

 

[One-Eyed Jack]

If you want a daylight bright dot, green may be the way to go. Your eyes have the greatest sensitivity to light in the green area of the spectrum. Yep, USO has done a great job with this scope.

 

[TestnDoc]

I have a red dot with blue illuminated reticle ordered through lazy21 too, $200 deposit. Anybody heard when try will ship? Does lazy know?

 

[Gasgun]

Got her mounted up. Of to the range tomorrow to get her zeroed. Sorry about the crappy cell phone pic.

 

[Edsel]

Similar post from another (just as old) thread - but what are the odds that USO would upgrade their LED circuitry?

The advertised 100 hours from a CR2032 seems a little measly.

 

[pmclaine]

Similar post from another (just as old) thread - but what are the odds that USO would upgrade their LED circuitry?

The advertised 100 hours from a CR2032 seems a little measly.

They are doing something with the circuit boards as we speak. I'm told they are testing a new one. Not sure what the reason for doing so is but they are doing something.

 

[Edsel]

They are doing something with the circuit boards as we speak. I'm told they are testing a new one. Not sure what the reason for doing so is but they are doing something.

Thanks for the helpful reply (as opposed to this one).

I'll be on the lookout for the revised model.

 

[pmclaine]

Thanks for the helpful reply (as opposed to this one).

I'll be on the lookout for the revised model.

Again, I have no idea what the circuit board testing they are doing is about, perhaps just new vendor, but I. Have an M on order and I'm understanding part of the wait is to do with a circuit board they are testing. Perhaps the issue of which I speak is only relevant to the. SR8M.

I'm sure they will squeeze out more battery life if they can. I'd assume they already have their hands full considering all the variables this scope already has.

On another note there is. Beautiful SR8 listed in the wanted to sell forum for anyone looking to mount on a rifle set up for shooting 77 SMK with a custom BDC reticle. Not mine but interesting as I do intend to load up a bunch of 77s.

 

[Ronald]

I got one with my reticle design. The Sr8c is the best true 1-8 scope today

I took some pictures of the reticle. They are not the best pics. But it was the best i could do with my Iphone.









Scope at 8x with red dot on



Scope at 1x with red dot on at brightest setting



Scope at 8x Dot off

 

[pmclaine]

I got one with my reticle design. The Sr8c is the best true 1-8 scope today

Saw your original post. I cleaned myself up and smoked a cigarette after the first view.

Felt guilty realizing I have wife, kids and my own 1-8X on order.

 

[af1232]

I got one with my reticle design. The Sr8c is the best true 1-8 scope today

I took some pictures of the reticle. They are not the best pics. But it was the best i could do with my Iphone.









Scope at 8x with red dot on



Scope at 1x with red dot on at brightest setting



Scope at 8x Dot off

Hi Ronald,

I see that you are selling the scope on the for sale section. Were you unhappy with the scope? Thanks!

 

[Ronald]

Not at all. I love this scope. This is the best scope for a carbine. I had this reticle made for me so i had to buy 10 scopes to get it done. I own 2 for my personal ARs, a few friends of mine got one also and i have a few scopes left for sale. They are all brand new in box.

 

[bluto77]

That's one helluva cash outlay to get your own reticle! I was going back and forth on getting a different set up or keeping my SR-8s. After getting behind it again a few times, I'm starting to fall in love with the glass. My first US Optics experience wasn't as good as I thought it would be. I tried out one of the 5-25 models, and just wasn't completely floored by the glass like I thought I would be, but I gave it a 2nd chance and picked up one of the 1.5-6x after selling the 5-25. Still wasn't completely sold on the glass (not saying it was bad, just not what I expected). I went into the SR-8s with a biased attitude, but the glass on this one is winning me over. I don't know if it's just me or if they're actually using better glass in these, but it looks better every time I look through it. Earlier this week I was playing around with it close to dark, right after the sun had gone down. That's when I really noticed how good it was. It was already a little overcast, but after the sun was gone the images were still bright. I was looking at 1" dots on a 100 yard target with relative ease. My C2 reticle lights up. The circle and the middle crosshairs light up which I prefer to just the dot at the lower mag levels. I've never kept any of the 1-4/6/8's I've had in the past because I'm more of a magnification whore, but this one has won me over.

 

[Dustoff82]

What's the difference between the 8s and 8c and 8m?

 

[zeke013]

Not at all. I love this scope. This is the best scope for a carbine. I had this reticle made for me so i had to buy 10 scopes to get it done. I own 2 for my personal ARs, a few friends of mine got one also and i have a few scopes left for sale. They are all brand new in box.

Ron - Just sent you an IM.

 

[zeke013]

I got one with my reticle design. The Sr8c is the best true 1-8 scope today

What round is that BDC calibrated for?

 

[scudzuki]

That's one helluva cash outlay to get your own reticle! I was going back and forth on getting a different set up or keeping my SR-8s. After getting behind it again a few times, I'm starting to fall in love with the glass. My first US Optics experience wasn't as good as I thought it would be. I tried out one of the 5-25 models, and just wasn't completely floored by the glass like I thought I would be, but I gave it a 2nd chance and picked up one of the 1.5-6x after selling the 5-25. Still wasn't completely sold on the glass (not saying it was bad, just not what I expected). I went into the SR-8s with a biased attitude, but the glass on this one is winning me over. I don't know if it's just me or if they're actually using better glass in these, but it looks better every time I look through it. Earlier this week I was playing around with it close to dark, right after the sun had gone down. That's when I really noticed how good it was. It was already a little overcast, but after the sun was gone the images were still bright. I was looking at 1" dots on a 100 yard target with relative ease. My C2 reticle lights up. The circle and the middle crosshairs light up which I prefer to just the dot at the lower mag levels. I've never kept any of the 1-4/6/8's I've had in the past because I'm more of a magnification whore, but this one has won me over.

The glass in a scope that tops out at 8x magnification has a much easier job then the glass in a 25x optic.
I had an SR-8s and the resolution was pretty good.
USO is not known for having glass at the same level as S&B or Premier; they are known for bullet proof construction and (in the past) being able to order your scope the way you wanted it optioned out.

Joe

 

[Papa Zero Three]

USO is not known for having glass at the same level as S&B or Premier;

That opinion has changed as of late. The new stuff coming out of USO has been compared by others here on the forum, to include Frank, of being very close to S&B, et all. In fact at the last SHOT, the reps from S&B made it a point to go over and check out the USO 1-8 people were speaking so highly of it. I know glass is a touchy and highly subjective topic but USO and other companies have narrowed down the gap typically seen between optics from S&B and others makers.

 

[pmclaine]

Im not a shill for Ronald but I cant believe his scope has stayed on the for sale section as long as it has.

The reticle is specd out for 77grn SMKs which just happen to be the only bullet I intend in loading for my carbine.

I have an SR8M on order from Lazy 21 and as with all good things I have had to wait and wait.

Mine is being gayed up with a cerakote job and a couple other doo dads. If I wasnt queer eye for the scope guy I would be all over Rolands glass and saving myself a buck or two in the process which could be easily applied to buy one small can of Krylon.

Thing is Lazy is such a good guy I cant see cancelling my order. He could use the money toward his new boat.

 

[Ronald]

Zeke013 my reticle for the Sr8c has a mil reticle and a BDC for the 77gr SMK going at 2720fps. I use a 18" spr upper and get this velocity easily. All other heavy .224 bullets (68,69,75) going about the same speed is going to be very close to the bdc marks.
And yes i still have a couple of brand new scopes for sale.

 

[scudzuki]

That opinion has changed as of late. The new stuff coming out of USO has been compared by others here on the forum, to include Frank, of being very close to S&B, et all. In fact at the last SHOT, the reps from S&B made it a point to go over and check out the USO 1-8 people were speaking so highly of it. I know glass is a touchy and highly subjective topic but USO and other companies have narrowed down the gap typically seen between optics from S&B and others makers.

I certainly had no complaint with the SR-8 I had.
I may take a gamble on the 5-25 since they've upped their game with the glass, I've always wanted to try one.

Joe

 

[gose]

Im not a shill for Ronald but I cant believe his scope has stayed on the for sale section as long as it has.
The reticle is specd out for 77grn SMKs which just happen to be the only bullet I intend in loading for my carbine.
I have an SR8M on order from Lazy 21 and as with all good things I have had to wait and wait.
Mine is being gayed up with a cerakote job and a couple other doo dads. If I wasnt queer eye for the scope guy I would be all over Rolands glass and saving myself a buck or two in the process which could be easily applied to buy one small can of Krylon.
Thing is Lazy is such a good guy I cant see cancelling my order. He could use the money toward his new boat.

Had the reticle had a mil stadia tree OR a BDC, I would have bought one in a heart beat. With both I'm not so sure.

 

[jdblackwell]

scopes with this custom reticle left?

Zeke013 my reticle for the Sr8c has a mil reticle and a BDC for the 77gr SMK going at 2720fps. I use a 18" spr upper and get this velocity easily. All other heavy .224 bullets (68,69,75) going about the same speed is going to be very close to the bdc marks.
And yes i still have a couple of brand new scopes for sale.

I do not really use this site. Not sure how to contact you but do you still have any of the scopes with this custom reticle left? If so how do I contact you/