Rifle Scopes First day at the range with IOR Valdada 3.5-18X50

Cbmax

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Jan 1, 2010
113
1
57
New Jersey
Hi All,

I just mounted this cope on my rifle. This is my first FFP scope. I am getting prepared to take a longe range rifle course in May.

Here are some pics.


Sighted in at 100 yards. This is NOT a group shot. It is simply meant to shows results after sighting in process.

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Right side of scope.

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Another right side pic.


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The 300 yard range.

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Left side of scope.

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Going prone.


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Looking back from the target pits.


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Re: First day at the range with IOR Valdada 3.5-18X50

The only other high quality glass I have is a NF 12-42x56 Benchrest model. This scope seems to be a little brighter.

The parallex adjustement and magnification ring seem a little stiff, but I guess that is better than too mushy.

I tried to take some reticle shots, but didn't have any luck with my cell phone camera.

I will know better how this scope performs after my class in May.

CB
 
Re: First day at the range with IOR Valdada 3.5-18X50

sexy stick you got there. I've been toying with the idea of getting one of these and sell the Sightron S3. The more I see these posts, the more I want to call Scott @ Liberty.
 
Re: First day at the range with IOR Valdada 3.5-18X50

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: dlxcupid</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> The more I see these posts, the more I want to call Scott @ Liberty. </div></div>

Sounds good to me! We are ready to serve.

Scott
 
Re: First day at the range with IOR Valdada 3.5-18X50

I had a IOR once upon a time and found the optic to be very clear. But, I sold it because, I don't know, I sell lots of things then regret it later.
 
Re: First day at the range with IOR Valdada 3.5-18X50

I've got the 2-12x32 35mm on my GAP 308 and a 3-18x42 35mm on a FN 300 WSM. I'm extremely impressed with the clarity of the glass and accuracy/consistency of the adjustments. IOR makes great products for the price compared to other companies. I've purchased both of mine through Scott at Liberty and he supplies great support if you ever have any problems. Good luck with it
 
Re: First day at the range with IOR Valdada 3.5-18X50

FYI, fellas, the FFP 3.5-18x50 and 3-18x42 are out of stock until further notice. Hopefully back in 3 weeks. The 3.5-18x50 has proven to be a very satisfactory scope for a wide range of users. I think it's the crown jewel of the IOR lineup right now

Scott
 
Re: First day at the range with IOR Valdada 3.5-18X50

I'm looking forward to slapping a 3-18x50 on my Remmy. I'll probably order when I'm home, since that should be around the same time Scott has them back in stock. To the OP, get any more range time with it? How are you liking it so far?
 
Re: First day at the range with IOR Valdada 3.5-18X50

I've just got (after a long story with 3-18x42
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) new IOR 3.5-18x50 and while the glass is as it should be and as Ilya described it i have quite a bit of gripe with it. First local dealer calls me they've received the scope i thought great finally i can replace my Hawke with something better. I go get it and shock and awe a frigging speck on an ocular. GDAMN i'm unlucky dealer sends it back and month later scope is back (me being an idiot forgot to write down the serial of the first one) and at first glance everything A OK, i take the scope get home and lo and behold a biatch of a speck is staring right back at me "#$"//&%"#. I tap gently on the ocular and it goes into hiding so all is well however at this point i'm rather pissed so i go in thorough examination mode and spot another speck (right where the first returned scope had one) all so tiny but luckily its on the spot which gets covered by crosshairs bars when diopter is set for my eyes, windage knob has a tiny ding which is hand painted!!!! as in attempt to fixit.

As i'm rather fed up with waiting i've decided to let it be for now and if specs start to pop up again i'll have it replaced. Glass is great and i like warmer color tone (Benders look cold to me) and resolutions seems to be right there with Bender. DTA one piece mount is great and rock solid keeps scope 15mm above barrel. Eyebox is good (though not as great as Zeiss or Bender - 3-12 and 6-24 or even IORs 6-24) eye relief proper except i have maybe 2-3mm left of a scope and rail so if i'll be shooting with heavy clothes i'll have to take a way a buttspacer on Tikka.

Butlers are specified 17EYE but while it fits ocular and allows for diopter settings i installed 19EXE and attached it over ocular rubber directly to body of a scope for a tighter fit (cap on 17 doesn't have enough tension and it keeps opening) and no shade effect (17EYE is also a bit over the ocular and i don't like it though it doesnt affect sight picture).


I'm having rather mixed feelings atm and unpleasant after taste especially since some friends who bought various IORs didn't have this kind of problems...
 
Re: First day at the range with IOR Valdada 3.5-18X50

I almost went ior rather than Nightforce, but reports of problems like these had me concerned. Warranty turn around time seems to be excessive if your dealer doesn't have another one in stock they will swap out for you.
 
Re: First day at the range with IOR Valdada 3.5-18X50

Hey,

I have been away from the hide for a little while. I too bought this scope from Scott at Liberty Optics. The range in the picture is Cherry Ridge located in Highland Lakes, NJ.

I have had a little more time to play with this scope. About the only issues I have thus far has to do with the lack of space on the scope tube. As you can see, the IOR rings are pretty chunky. I also have a bubble level mounted on the scope tube. Since taking these pictures, I decided I needed to adjust the scope in the rings for a more comfortable eye relief. I felt I has to lerch forward too much originally. Problem is that after adjustment, the rear ring is right up against the elevation knob and covers the hash mark showing zero. I did remove the small spacer from the AIC stock too when trying to achieve a more comfortable set up.

Too solve the problem (I hope), I had my gunsmith scribe a line down the top of the rear scope ring and than paint it white. I hope to use this line as my new reference mark for elevation changes. I pick up the remounted scope tomorrow.

I will keep ya posted.

CB
 
Re: First day at the range with IOR Valdada 3.5-18X50

Sweet setup! Looking to put a scope on my new .338lm I have been reading good things about this scope! Do you still have it and is it still working out for you well?
 
Re: First day at the range with IOR Valdada 3.5-18X50

Mine does no new dirt and it serves well...

Did some offhand shooting for fun and some seating and kneeling and i really like the illumination on it and with 3.5x makes things quite good.

I guess its worth its money... Would be interesting to get info how many died or were serviced this past year.
 
Re: First day at the range with IOR Valdada 3.5-18X50

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: HK4545</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Sweet setup! Looking to put a scope on my new .338lm I have been reading good things about this scope! Do you still have it and is it still working out for you well? </div></div>

I think you'll find a lot fewer malfunctions with these Gen 4 scopes. I had a Gen 1-2....and experienced issues with the internals. Just received my Gen 4.... 6-24x by 56mm FFP from Liberty Optics this afternoon. For the money......IOR, as far as I'm concerned, is at the very top. The glass compares very favorably to my two Premier 5-25X's and is definitely a step up to that of the two NightForces that I've owned. I'm not saying NF glass is bad....just not to the level of Schott glass.

In any event....I think the scope you're looking into would serve you very well. It is in the "Premium" line of scopes....but yet has one of the lowest prices ( Lower than NightForce. ) IOR has beefed up its internals....so it should hold up to your .338 LM.

These are all IMHO.....but I just put my $$$$ where my mouth is by purchasing a new IOR from Scott ( Liberty Optics.) You won't find a better, more educated person, to buy a scope from....when buying from Scott.

Wayne
 
Re: First day at the range with IOR Valdada 3.5-18X50

I sold my NF 5.5-22 and put a IOR 3.5-18 on my 308 and couldn't be happier. I'm no expert but the glass seems far superior to the NF. I have no regrets and the MP-8 reticule is the best I have ever used.