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Rifle Scopes Differences between AI Military and SuB scopes

csnell

Private
Minuteman
Aug 10, 2012
5
0
50
Colorado
What are the differences between the Accuracy International military scopes (made by Schmidt und Bender) and the regular PM II Schmidt und Bender scopes? The AI website indicates that there's a laser-filtering coating on the mil scopes but I've also heard that there are some differences in the reticle and possibly in the construction of the scope as well.

Specifically, I'm interested in the 3-12x50 scopes.

Can anybody answer this definitively?

Chris
 
Re: Differences between AI Military and SuB scopes

The AI scopes do have the laser filter coating on the objective lens but the construction and internal components are the same as in standard S&Bs with the exception of a different spec'd reticle of their choice.
 
Re: Differences between AI Military and SuB scopes

The AI reticle typically looks like this:

AWP008%20009.JPG


The fineplex portion of the reticle is slightly thinner than the usual S&B P3. Obviously, there's a ranging staircase 10 mils down. Here's a pic of some old Accuracy International instructions that came with one of my rifles:

6117330512_7a255dd4af_z.jpg


Some of the reticles on the older Accuracy International scopes look gold-like in low light while newer reticles look black in all light conditions.
 
Re: Differences between AI Military and SuB scopes

Most of the Accuracy International scopes have BDC numbers above the click counters and hash marks. Like this:

SuB003%20005.JPG


There are different knobs for different loads. This particular knob is for the Cooper HPS load:

SuB003%20004.JPG


The Cooper HPS load was a 170-grain FMJBT that was supposed to stay supersonic beyond 1,000 meters:

6117332172_c66e311756_z.jpg


The 4-16x50 on the left is an Accuracy International scope, but lacks the BDC numbers above the mil numbers:

SuB001%20010.JPG