Weaver Kaspa 3-12x 50

Included with the Savage Axis rifle I tested a few months ago was a new scope from the Weaver stable. The Kaspa unlike its higher priced brethren, is built using Chinese rather than Japanese glassware to keep the costs down, so how did it compare?

GOOD LOOKS
3-12x50 is an ideal specification for a deer or foxing rifle and the scopes initial appearance did not have the economy look of some far eastern brands. A well finished and anodised 1” aluminium main tube flowed cleanly back from the 50mm objective through a neat saddle towards the well-marked magnification ring. Knurling around the circumference allowed easy adjustment with a raised bar at the ‘5x’ marking to both aid grip and adjustment in the dark. The 32mm ocular lens featured a rubberised, fast-focus dioptre adjustment ring to allow pin sharp reticle picture. Here a simple Dual-X crosshair gave an uncluttered image environment.

On the central saddle, simple, finger-adjustable turrets were neatly concealed under sealed caps. Offering nearly seven complete turns of the dials, click values were marked as ¼” at 100 yards giving 15” of adjustment with each rotation. 100” in total for both elevation and windage should allow worry free zeroing with even poorly set mounts but rather unusually, the turrets rotated clockwise for up which is more akin with the European convention that that of most US originated designs. Both turrets were marked ‘up’ which although no problem for me, is rather confusing for the end user and I’m hoping a one off error. Small grub screws allow the zero point to be reset.

WEAVER NAME, WEAVER QUALITY
I mounted the scope on its accompanying .243 rifle and went shooting. In daylight I was pleased to find a constantly crisp reticle image and clear optics with only the smallest detectable fringing at the extremities. Zeroing was easily completed along with a few deliberate turret twists and turns to check for tracking errors. After the addition and removal of 80 clicks (20”), a 19” group shift was well within my expectations from this scope/rifle combo.

No zero shift or eye relief changes were noticeable as the magnifi cation was varied but as the exit pupil reduced in size as x12 was engaged, head position did need to be more carefully maintained. As dusk descended, the available image started to diminish as expected but I felt the scope showed a little more ability than its price tag suggested would be present. Fully multi-coated optics and nitrogen-purged construction are often mentioned but here colour definition was reasonable as light faded and deliberate rapid temperature changes were unable to produce any fogging and added reassurance to Weaver’s Lifetime Guarantee promise.

FOR: Ability in excess of price Constantly crisp reticle presentation Refined build and appearance
AGAINST: Incorrect click direction markings Clicks were a little ‘soft’ and vague
VERDICT: A notch above the competition from the Far East in this price bracket with no unnecessary embellishments and a constantly crisp reticle.