Kahles 1050FT 10-50 x 56

It is a bold manufacturer who starts with an idea and a clean sheet of paper. It is braver still when the results offer something different from the norm; the Kahles 1050FT does just that. Introduced back in 2013, it was only last year that the production models appeared and I was keen to test one!

Understated!

The finish is a quality matt black with all detailing neatly etched and finished in white. I was told that there is a silver finished model and I believe these will also be available in the UK by the time you read this. There’s a dioptre adjuster ring on the ocular lens, but for me the reticle was bright and clear, so I left it alone! The magnification ring runs from 10 – 50x; Kahles state these are actual figures, so 50x = 50x! Operation is silky smooth and requires little effort; other manufacturers please take note! The innovative part of the 1050FT is the saddle. On the left, where the parallax adjustment usually is, is the rheostat, turrets are in the usual places but surrounding the elevation unit is the parallax adjuster.

Turrets are 35mm in diameter and offer 1/8 MOA clicks. I am not a fan, as elevation usually requires either some additional diameter or careful discipline to avoid over rotating. The 1050FT design pretty much removes that risk. In addition both have an indicator pin in the centre, so you can quickly see just how far in or out the turret is.

The big wheel

Detents are very good, with nice firm clicks but are not so fine as to be in danger of accidental operation, nor so coarse that they are difficult to use. They are numbered 1 to 17 and the ‘clicks’ are all very neatly engraved in white.

The parallax ring in standard form is knurled, located at the base of the elevation turret and marked from 8 to 60 meters (9 to 65 yds). It is stiff to operate and not in the least bit practical for FT, Kahles also supply a 125mm diameter ‘top wheel’. This is secured by four tiny screws (tool supplied). The wheel lines up perfectly with the pointer fitted to the scope, allowing it to be marked up with different ranges in the normal FT manner! Even at this early stage, it is quite apparent that this scope is a precision piece of high quality optical equipment, as the build quality, fit and finish is superb and I was very impressed!

Range time.

The sight picture is bright and clear and contains a lot of detail, without getting cluttered and confused. The MHR reticle is crisp and just floats in the picture with enough hashes to be useful but not intrusive.

The top parallax is not really that different, it is well damped and a lighter action would be nice but you really don’t have to think too hard about using it, as it is quite natural. Spacings between range marks are good and not compressed. Personally, I think it would work perfectly with a slightly smaller diameter wheel. True to specification, it will focus down to 9 yards and beyond 55 yards, so all is good!

The repeatability of rangefinding is excellent and going back and forth from short to long distances had the pointer back at the same spot or very close. The depth of field is around a yard at medium distance, growing a little as I ranged to full distance.

The focus also gets a little softer as the range gets longer, with close targets snapping in and out of focus, while those at longer ranges needing a little more concentration! All resolved to a pin sharp image and details like screw heads, frayed reset strings and even cobwebs all came into sharp focus.

The turrets work extremely well, and due to their 35mm diameter, there are no issues with closer targets needing the elevation to be rotated past zero. If there is a weakness, then it is rangefinding into a strong light. This tends to cause some flare, which I’m pretty certain a sunshade would cure, and is certainly reduced by backing the magnification off a little. This characteristic is by no means unique! With dark and well-hidden targets, the Kahles digs out a lot of detail; something not all scopes can do!

Conclusion

I would be more than happy with a 1050FT on my FT rifle, as it’s an accurate and competent design with fine optics. Plus, a good reticle and turrets that other manufacturers should aspire to. Build quality is excellent, with a really solid feel that make others appear flimsy by comparison. This is apparent in the weight of 1040g, which is a touch heavier than most of the competition, but lighter than the Nikko Sterling and look how many people use them.

Do I like the top wheel? I don’t dislike it, nor feel it’s a disadvantage to use. The focus at longer ranges has to be worked at a little, but the sight picture at all times is clear and bright. I would have preferred it to have a magnetic attachment, as transportation of the rifle to and from shoots has to be considered. Overall, this is a quality scope, which as far as I can see fits the brief perfectly, nice one Kahles!