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Zeiss V8 2.8-20x56

Zeiss V8 2.8-20x56

A few years ago no one had even heard of increasing the effective zoom range on a scope, with the default being 4x typified by a 3 – 9 x 40 spec. However you can and this optical principle was first exploited by Swarovski with their Z6 series, which offered a 6x range giving the potential of combining very low and high end magnifications. My Swarovski Z6i 1.7-10x42 is a good example, at x1.7 it means easy standing/unsupported shooting and a good field of view for driven. Wind it up to x10, and shots up to 400 yards are possible.

BEAT THAT

Zeiss have now introduced an 8x zoom range with their new V8 Victory models. Using Schott’s high transmission (HT) and fl(fluoride) glass from their Victory HT range. This ‘super zoom’ takes this a stage further as it combines all the aspects of the original Victory HT in a bigger 36mm body tube with a Long Range ASV turret and new illumination system. There are two specifications 1.8-14x50 and the top end 2.8-20x56 (on test).

It’s hard not to be impressed with the V8 as the spec is awesome! However, the 36mm body does add weight and the 2.8-20x56 (less mount) tips the scale at a healthy 29oz, by comparison the Victory HT 3-12x56 ASV is 20 oz. This is a lot to hang off your hunting rifle! But what it does do as well shall see is give some serious elevation and windage adjustment. It also offers 92% light transmission, which is a bit down from the Victory HT’s 95% but then again the V8 has a lot more glass inside!

MOUNT UP

The build offers either a round body (36mm rings) or a European rail mounting, which adds a couple of ounces. I got the latter and put it on a Blaser R8 Professional Success with fluted Match barrel in Norma 6xc. Zeiss says and like any extended zoom range it could be used for any task and even provide a suitability chart. Personally I see it primarily as a long range hunting/varmint scope as it’s big and heavy and to their credit Zeiss note that it’s less suitable for driven hunts. But they do recommend it for mountain hunting, OK as that x20 mag gives you the reach but would you want to hump it all day long?

The build inspires confidence; with HT and flglass with Zeiss’s special T-coatings for improved light transmission inside, all external glass surfaces have a LotuTec, hydrophobic coating that shrugs off water and dirt. Most noticeable is the rheostat which takes the form of a flat, rotary drum at 12 o’clock on the eyebell. Press the centre to turn it ON and rotate the rubber ring clockwise ( + ) and anti-clockwise ( - ). Operation is seamless and the tiny dot we first saw on the Victory HT series is as ever superb, not stepping outside the centre cross even on high. At 100m it subtends just 4mm! It also features an automatic shut off if the scope is vertical (muzzle up/down) or rolled right or left 90°, which automatically comes back on when not outside of these limits.

On the left of the saddle is the parallax drum that also houses the rheostat’s battery. Markings are simple 50, 100 (with click stop) and ∞ with a series of widening rectangles indicating range increase.

BIG DROP

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Of most interest is the new Long Range ASV elevation turret. ASV is a versatile and flexible BDC system and scopes come with ten, slip-on range rings all numbered. LR00 is in 1cm clicks notated in 1 and 10cm graduations for general use. All the others LR02 to LR09 are marked as to actual distances and by logging in to Zeiss’s ballistic resource you can factor in your bullet weight, BC, MV and set a zero range and it will tell you what ring to use with the drops offered. All are marked up to 600m in various ranges/sub-divisions then after 600 with lines up to the end of the ring. With an impressive 100-clicks in a single turn, given individual ballistics you should be able to get out to a minimum of 1000m.

Click values are 1cm @ 100m or 1/3MOA @ 100 yards. With 100 per turn and a range of 210-clicks the movement is generous. Windage is 135 cms! ASV features a ZERO-STOP pin and to zero the turret is disassembled, the top plate unscrews and is removed along with the spring, screw and outer turret/range ring, which is retained by a screw collar. This leaves an inner/removable drum with a protruding pin that is blocked by a vertical (limiter) pin in the base at 3 o’clock. Once zeroed the inner drum is positioned in front of the limiter to give the ZERO-STOP position and allow the full 100-clicks of elevation movement.

SMALLER = BIGGER

Being sprung the outer turret has to be lifted to turn, meaning it will drop back into its lower/locked position when released. Looking at the spec shows the 1.8-14x50 offers more elevation and windage correction at 310 and 200 cms accordingly. This is due to the internal lens system.

Zeiss also offers options on turret functions with standard capped drums, ASV elevation-only and standard windage or full ASV elevation and windage (windage does not use the ballistic rings). These of course have an effect on price. Both models are illuminated and use Zeiss’s #60 reticule only, which is a #4-type cross, with ASV nothing else is required.

In use the V8 is brilliant, with a clear, crisp view and excellent resolution, the 3% less light transmission is barely noticeable compared to my Victory HT and only at first/ last light! ASV is simple to use and cock on regardless if you do it in 1cm clicks or use an individual ring for your load and dial it in as to range. Calculations were based using the 105-grain Norma Diamond Line load which was producing 2707 fps from the R8’s 22.5” tube. Zeroed at 200 yards the turret can take you out to 1000 with 99.63-clicks; not bad. Windage using a 10 mph blow at 3 o’clock was 23.6-clicks @ 1000, with plenty of movement to zero and plenty left for full adjustment in both planes. In real time I was shooting out to 500 yards on reactive plates without any problems. Brilliant!

On reflection I would go for the 1.8-14 x 50 with ASV elevation turret as it will do everything I want and more and it’s lighter at 23oz so more practical for my needs. It occurred to me that the 2.8-20 is really a bit too big for anything but longer range shooting so negating its low bottom end. Maybe Zeiss would have been smarter by starting at 6 and pushing the top end out to x23/24? Rings; as few Brits are going to want a rail mount, Craig Coote (Tier One) currently offers a 2-piece TAC ring set with a standard set coming on line soon. I have quoted RRP from Zeiss UK, but investigation shows that and depending on features prices could be less at retail.

PRICES: (RRP) £2395 elevation ASV only rail mount £2350 round body tube £2600 full ASV
CONTACT: Carl Zeiss Ltd, +44 (0)1223 401525 www.zeiss.com Tier One rings; www.thirdeyetactical.com £195 2-piece TAC £125 standard set

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gun
features

  • Name: Zeiss VICTORY V8 2.8–20x56
  • Body tube: 36mm (round or railed)
  • Exit pupil: 9.9-2.8mm
  • Twilight factor: 7.9-33
  • FOV @ 100m: 15.5-2.1m
  • Dioptre adjustment: +/- 3.5 2 dpt
  • Click values: 1cm @ 100m/1/3 MOA @ 100 yards
  • Elevation: 210 cms
  • Windage: 135 cms
  • Length: 350mm
  • Weight: 830g (round body) 850g (rail)
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