MTC Mamba Ultra Lite 3-10x40

MTC Optics continues to evolve. The company offers a comprehensive line-up of scopes, all aimed at the more knowledgeable enthusiast. Cutting-edge, properly-researched features are the name of the game, in a package that is normally competitively priced, so shouldn’t overstretch the budget.

On test here is the MTC Mamba Ultra Lite 3-10x40, and on the face of it, it certainly ticks quite a few boxes. Supplied by Daystate, who are part of the group that owns MTC Optics, this scope was the perfect fit for the new Daystate Huntsman Revere Safari, also sent along for testing. With the Safari tipping the scales at just 6.4lbs and proving such a manageable goto hunting model, it would have been crazy to bolt on a heavy piece of glassware, undermining the ‘lightweight sporter’ credentials at a stroke, so this MTC was seemingly the perfect fit.

Raison d’etre

At 1lb 3.5oz, the MTC Mamba Ultra Lite 3-10x40 is as the name suggests, a well-proportioned scope that won’t unbalance a rifle combination. With a traditional 1” main body tube and low profile capped turrets, the spec may look to be playing it safe. However, I’ve said it before, unless we are talking mega high mag scopes for field target or a more specialist spec for bench rest disciplines for example (where adjusting the turrets is a constant operation between targets), huge bulbous ‘tactical’ turrets simply aren’t necessary and can prove an irritant. Low-profile capped turrets, as we have here, all help to shed weight, so it just depends on the demands we place on the scope.

Hunting/HFT

This Mamba Ultra Lite is equally at home against live quarry as it is on an HFT target course, and most of the requirements for either pursuit are the same. For a start, and as we have come to expect, all the lenses have been treated to a multi-coating process for improved light transmission. There’s a highly practical antiglare finish, a one-piece main body tube, a useful magnification range of 3-10x, parallax correction, an illuminated reticle, dioptre fast focus and also some screw fit, flip-up lens covers.

Flipping clever

Let’s start with those lens caps, and for those who haven’t encountered them before, MTC has come up with the patented idea of magnetic flip-up covers that incorporate a rather clever trump card, as the cap fitted to the rear ocular lens incorporates a 2x magnifying lens. Both caps can be sprung open and set in three positions other than closed, so horizontal (creating partial shade), straight up or lying flat backwards. That’s neat in itself, but flip the rear cap to the upwards position, and with the elevation turret exposed, the turret markings can then be easily read off as they are magnified. Shooters of a certain age (I now have to include myself here), will find changing and failing eyesight needs a helping hand occasionally. This feature will therefore find fans along the way. I tend to prefer push-fit lens caps to screw-on types. If you opt to use the fast focus to get the reticle in crisp focus here, the rear cap will need re-setting/positioning, and locking via the collar afterwards. Once set correctly though, all should be fine.

Easy zero

Turret click values are 1/4”@100 yards, so pretty conventional, and movement is fairly positive. I soon had the scope zeroed and movement tracking all came in true. As for the parallax correction, range distances are marked up on the left side parallax dial as 10 yards minimum, then 15, 25, 30, 40, 75, 100, 150, 200, 300, 500, 1000 and infinity.

The reticle is MTC’s SCB2 design and despite the accompanying graphic of the reticle here, showing the four outer points are solid black, on the actual reticle, these are hollow. Take the time to use the fast focus and get the reticle to full, bold sharpness, and it’s a very precise tool. That said, the downside is that the fully floating design can be a little too fine in dark foliage. Here, personal eyesight will play a part, as it does with any scope in my opinion, so I would ideally recommend trying before you buy. For the record, this reticle is specified as having true MIL Dot values when the magnification is set and viewed on 10x.

7-step illumination of the reticle is possible via the push-button rheostat control on the left side. The 2032 coinstyle lithium battery is stored inside this left cap in the usual way. I love the precision of the centre floating cross, and having half Mil Dot values to play with, means this reticle is perfect for HFT use, where small kill zones need framing.

One neat feature is the ‘easy reference’ indent on the magnification ring. This can be felt as the collar is twisted. Basically, when the mag dial hits 5x mag, you get an audible click, which can be a useful reference in the field, for pre-determined aim points, all importantly, without having to take your eyes off the target.

Verdict

Attention to detail then, and a level of build and finish that is well up to the mark. In addition, one of the best instruction booklets that I have seen in a long while is also included in the box and this covers specification, initial set-up, mounting, parallax correction, reticle values, zeroing and even shimming the mounts if necessary. Satisfyingly comprehensive, and a nerve settler I’m sure, for anyone totally new to the game.

Fogproof, shockproof and waterproof, this model is unlikely to disappoint. Plus, with a 5-year guarantee all part of the deal, for added confidence and peace of mind, this MTC looks like a fairly safe bet.