Konus Pro M30 1-4x24 & 1.5-6x44

As a hunter as well as a practical-type rifleman I have always liked lower power optics. OK you don’t get the high end mag that allows you to reach out to extreme distance, but what you get do get is a scope that can be used from close to medium ranges. I used to have a Schmidt & Bender 1-4x24 on my Remy 700 and have made good kills out to 250/300 yards.

Be it for driven game, woodland hunting or action-orientated shooting, the wide field of view and ease of unsupported use really pays dividends. These days manufacturers are cramming more magnification range into their smaller optics with specs of x1-8 or 1.7 – 10, but the rule of thumb still seems to rest on two specifications x1-4 and x1.5-6 with objectives of between 24 and 44mm.

MATCHED PAIR

What I have here are two compacts from Konus; the M30 1-4x24 and 1.5-6x44, in essence they are the same build with the exceptions of the larger objective and higher magnification range on the 1.5-6 and click values. Common features include a glassetched, 2nd focal plane, Dual-X/30-30 reticule, water, fog and shock-proof and fully multi-coated optics.

The build shows a 30mm, one-piece body tube in matt black finish with a lock ring focus and a large slotted magnification ring with gold numbers. Turrets are mediumheight hunter types under screw off caps. To the left of the large saddle is a drum-type rheostat split in blue and red illumination with five increments in each colour, a coin-type battery (included) sits under the cover cap. Flip-up lens caps come as standard along with a cleaning cloth and Allan key for zeroing the turrets.

 

SPEC

The reticule though using the common Dual-X or 30/30 pattern – four, thick outer bars at 12, 3, 6 and 9 o’clock with a fine inner cross hair shows an open centre with a free-floating dot. I’m not usually a fan of this feature as at longer ranges and when zeroing it can cover too much of the target. But on shorter range optics like these two it’s not such an issue. When illuminated however only the dot lights up so making an ideal aim point for close range fast reaction shooting.

Click values differ with the 1-4x24 having ½” @ 100 yards. The drum is well marked on top with a double-ended arrow with R and L at either end. You get 15 divisions sub-divided into four so for every major division you shift the point of impact 2” @ 100 yards. This translates into 30” per turn and five full rotations top to bottom - 150” full spread. The turrets shows two small Allan screws in the rim so you can re-set them to zero if required, for ‘set & forget’ drums the feel is positive and they are easy to dial without being too easy to turn, so counting the clicks is easy! For some unknown reason the windage turret offers six full turns, which would be better in elevation! It however splits its markings with 0 in the middle going out to 7 on either side, making dialling into wind just that bit easier!

 

TOO MUCH WINDAGE

The 1.5-6x44 follows the same turret build though offers ¼” clicks and the same 15-divisons sub-divided into fours. Meaning 15” per turn though with eight full rotations in elevation (120”) and again a confusing 10 in windage, in this plane the drum is split with seven divisions in either direction. Despite the windage drums being higher in correction there’s a good bit of movement in both planes and I somehow doubt you’ll run out of movement on either model!

I am not a fan of multiple colour illuminated reticules and feel that red is the best and prefer a larger adjustment range over less with a choice of colours. As with many scopes in this class the illumination on these Konus scopes is slightly off to one side. In both cases the colour loses its intensity between 9 and 12 ‘clock. But for what I would use a lit reticule for, which is close range it’s well up to the job!

 

YOU CHOOSE

Image quality is good and the glass-etched reticule crisp and sharp, plus the arms are not too thick though you still get a good contrast between the inner and outer elements. Of the two the 1-4x24 is perhaps just that bit more specialised but is super short and compact. However, the 1.5-6x42 is perhaps the more all-round design, with the extra x2 top end magnification allowing you to push the range a little more. Plus the bottom end of x1.5 is still very useful at shorter ranges and is not that bigger or heavier than the 1-4. Equally the 42mm objective will let in a bit more light over the 24, which is never a bad thing. As always with Konus products prices are keen and quality good.

PRICES: £170 £219.95
CONTACTS: LGA Supplies, 01904 608365 www.lgasupplies.com