Kahles 6x42 Helia C L

Imagine my surprise when I received a call from Phil Unwin (MD) of RUAG Ammotec UK Ltd telling me that they are now the UK importer of Kahles optics. Keen to re-establish themselves with the brand they sent me a scope with promise of more to follow. Unusually they seem to be starting at the bottom and working up as what they supplied was perhaps their most basic model - the 6x42 Helia C L.

Old School

Fixed six and eight power scopes are not that popular in the UK with the exception of what I would term as the old school hunters. Don’t get me wrong, for hill stalking where distances are generally known and don’t change much shot to shot they work well. I use an 8x56 Schmidt on my 17HMR for the simple reason I don’t generally engage under 100-yards and the power and large objective is ideal for night work. However, in a world of variables they do not seem to have a lot to offer.

Kahles are the oldest scope manufacturer in Europe, so they know a thing or two about the business. I own and use two of their models and have no complaints on quality and ability. The build goes for a one-piece/1” body tube with semi-matt finish and a fast-focus eyepiece. Perhaps its biggest strength is its sheer simplicity. There’s no magnification ring with associated internals to worry about, just a usable mag of x6, a 100% solid build and a quality lens system inside.

Generous

Turrets are hunter-types under removable caps, again simple as you just zero then forget and use eyeball holdover. They dial by a raised bar in the middle and offer 1cm @ 100m clicks (.36” @ 100 yards). With 46-clicks per turn (18.1”) and 4 ¼ rotations (76.96”) they are pretty generous.

There are a number of reticule choices that cover most of the normal options – #1 (German Post), #4, #4A, Plex and #7A (DUAL-X). Mine was the 4A, which I reckon to be the best of the non-technical patterns. For the test I fitted the scope to my Ruger M77/22 rimfire, as X6 is not a bad spec for this sort of work in terms of range. No complaints in terms of ability and clarity, with excellent low light performance thrown in. In terms of longer distances and centrefires the 6x42 is more than capable out to 300-yards (providing you are) and as I said for open terrain hunting it’s not a bad choice.

However, this sort of quality costs and at well over £600 many will see it as just too expensive, given the plethora of well priced variables on the market. Undeniably true, however, if you are looking for this specification or even an x8 then quality will out. Kahles offer a number of fixed mag models that includes an 8x50, 8x56 and 10x50, all in one inch bodies too.

We Reckon:
• Old school spec
• Top quality all round
• Good choice for a fixed six

PRICE:
£699.91 inc vat