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Hensoldt (Zeiss Military) ZF 6-24 x 72

  • Review
Hensoldt (Zeiss Military) ZF 6-24 x 72

This is really specialist kit, supplied through the Sportsman Gun Centre from Unique Alpine this is the ultimate military sniper scope. Optically the fact it hails from the Hensoldt-Zeiss stable means that stonking optical quality is guaranteed, this scope did nothing to dispel that reputation. For sharpness, contrast, colour reproduction all superb and as to light gathering it sucked in light like one of Mr Dyson’s finest!

But what a beast, there’s no getting around it the 72mm objective is enormous! lifting the weight past the 1 kilo mark. Although the overall package is still relatively compact. I managed to read the writing on a burglar alarm box on a house 467 yards away, the only other time I have been able to do this is with a 40 power spotting scope. Maximum magnification cannot focus sharply below 50m as per the IOR. Externally a tactical matte black finish with white graphics, machined knurling on the fast focus eyebell and zoom ring. The zoom ring also has a “speed bump” at the 12x setting, this enables magnification to be set on 12x in the dark by feeling that the bump is at 12 o’clock. (12x is the calibration setting for the mil-dot reticle on this scope). External type turrets i.e. no dust covers with the standard European metric click arrangement of 1 click = 1cm at 100m. The parallax wheel on the left hand side of the saddle also incorporates the illuminated reticle rheostat, set up like a two tier wedding cake, with the smaller reticle light control sat on the outside. The parallax wheel is graduated in 100m steps and in use this held pretty true, although after setting the eyebell reticle focus for my eyes this put in a small difference between known range and that displayed on the wheel. The illumination switch has no steps it is an infinitely variable type. Press in the switch it turns on, rotate to achieve the desired level of illumination, press again to switch off.

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As I have already said, this scope has a mil-dot reticle, set to be accurate at 12x this is a real boon as it can still be used at 6x and 24x without complicated corrections doubling and halving ranges respectively. The reticle is a skeletonised version of the traditional mil-dot, it is very fine and allows a very precise point of aim. Set in the second focal plane target obscuration by the reticle is not an issue. The reticle also has a “staircase” set of lines in the bottom of the sight picture to range find a 1.0m target swiftly.

As far as I can determine only Apel make special mounts for this scope the double non standard features of 34mm tube and the 72mm objective requires bespoke mounts these are going to set you back a minimum of £200 . The height above bore on most rifles is going to be 2 inches or even more, enough to put any cheek piece height adjustment to a serious test!

PRICE: £1995

  • Hensoldt (Zeiss Military) ZF 6-24 x 72 - image {image:count}

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  • Hensoldt (Zeiss Military) ZF 6-24 x 72 - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

  • Hensoldt (Zeiss Military) ZF 6-24 x 72 - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

  • Hensoldt (Zeiss Military) ZF 6-24 x 72 - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

gun
features

  • Made in: Germany
  • Magnification: 6-24x
  • Objective lens diameter: 72mm
  • Tube diameter: 34mm
  • Elevation adjustment: 55 MOA
  • Windage adjustment: 27 MOA
  • 0.36 MOA: Click value
  • Weight: 1060g
  • Length: 378mm
  • Warranty: 30yrs
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