A Rifleman's Optics

I have run a few German Precision Optics, aka GPO USA, riflescopes through the paces at this point, experiences that have spawned a great deal of respect for the brand. GPO is an American company whose optics are designed, engineered and quality inspected in Germany to its strictest standards, but they are assembled in some of the largest overseas production facilities around the world, which I assume means Asia. This results in high-quality products, including top-tier features, but they are sold at very reasonable prices. The three GPO scopes I have tested, for instance, have retailed for less than a grand, but provided exceptional long-range and varmint-shooting function and stood up to hard use.

In this column, I will have a look at GPO’s latest GPOTAC Spectra 6x FFP (first focal plane) 4.5-27x 50i, a premium, tactical-style riflescope obviously designed with precision long-range shooting in mind for the retail price of just $1,578.94. GPO stated that they utilized superior materials and meticulous manufacturing processes and tolerances to build a scope to compete with the industry’s finest brands.

The scope is certainly sharp and clear, as have been past GPO optics I’ve handled. The company uses a Double HD objective lens system for enhanced resolution, coupled with proprietary GPO bright high transmission lens coatings that promote 92 percent light transmission. Double HD optical lens includes multiple extra-low dispersion lenses that are chemically laminated to create a single, multilayer, high-performance optical lens that minimizes light reflection on the surface, creates enhanced resolution and color contrast, minimizes aberrations and maintains sharp images even in low light. Finally, PASSIONdrop hydrophobic lens coatings fill in microscopic pores and grooves to create smoother lens surfaces that allow water, dust and oil to be more easily whipped away.   

A one-piece 34mm main tube accentuates optical performance while supporting increased elevation correction capabilities. It is, of course, dust and waterproof, nitrogen purging ensuring the optic will not fog in wet or freezing weather. The field of view ranges from 23 feet at 4.5x to 4 feet on 27x at 100 yards. The scope provides a generous 4 inches of eye relief, eliminating the worry of scope cuts with aggressive recoiling rifles.

The scope includes an illuminated mil-spec LRi Pro magnifying reticle powered by GPO’s iCONTROL illumination system, providing confident aiming in the dimmest lighting conditions. The exposed elevation and windage turrets are mil-based (0.1 MRAD/.36-inch at 100 meters per click) and include an easy-setup ZERO-STOP system for fast returns to zero after major corrections.

The GPOTAC Spectra 6x is a solid scope weighing 31.8 ounces, or nearly 2 pounds. This kind of added weight likely wouldn’t bother a PRS or varmint shooter but might prove a bit too much for the average big-game hunter – aside from the high-end magnification. The scope is a little more than 14 inches long, the top of the elevation turret stands about 2 inches above the centerline, and the span between the right-side windage turret and right-side illumination/parallax knobs is about 4¼ inches.  

The control layout is pretty straightforward and all sport thorough knurling for good finger traction without creating sharp edges. All were fairly stiff on the brand-new scope, but not so much so as to be troublesome. The knurled diopter ring brings the crosshairs into sharp focus. The magnification ring includes both knurling and a raised bar at the 12x position, which also accepts a removable throw lever. Laser-etched numbers appear at the 4.5, 6, 8, 12, 15, 18, 22 and 27 power positions, with adjustments again stiff but not overly so. The side parallax adjustment is marked 25 meters to infinity against a static dot, and is sandwiched inside the eight position illumination system. The parallax and illumination knobs include no click stops.

The exposed turrets include PASSIONtrac locking turrets, pulled up briskly until they click before corrections can be made. Turrets will not inadvertently move when clicked down and into the locked position. The turrets are simple to re-zero, a knurled top cap unscrewed, the turret pulled off without losing sight-in zero, the turret moved to the “0” position and the top cap screwed back into place. No tools or tiny set screws are required. While the turret is off, the zero stop ring is visible and can bet set by simply loosening the three set screws on the brass zero stop ring, press it down to the base plate and rotate this ring counterclockwise until the notch on the ring connects with the notch on the base plate. Tighten the three set screws and the zero stop is set. Replace turret and scope elevation adjustment will only move upwards. The markings on the elevation turret is easy to see and read without breaking your cheek weld with the stock. The turrets allow for 115 inches of total windage and elevation adjustment.

The reticle is GPO’s LRi Pro. Due to the FFP optical arrangement, the crosshairs at the lowest power were just barely usable to my eye – one reason I prefer second focal plane systems – the situation improving drastically at just 6x. The reticle includes a solid center crosshair fine enough for precise aiming even at 27x, though I’d like to see the .2- MOA illuminated center dot as a stand-alone floater for even more precision. The lower sub tension included 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 numbers with four hash marks between each. Every other elevation and windage hash mark is .5-MOA and 1-MOA wide, respectively, set at MOA gaps, for precise holdoffs. Ten-MOA of windage marks are provided to each side of the illuminated center dot. Crosshairs are .064-MOA thick.

All GPO optics carry a spectacular Lifetime Warranty against defects or failure, the GPOTAC Spectra is delivered with a cleaning cloth, see-through flip-up ocular and objective lens scope covers, and an extra CR2032 battery. This is an optic that would make a fine addition to any long-range varmint or PRS-style rifle, as it provides both the top-end magnification and precision to ideally serve those demanding disciplines. The GPOTAC Spectra 6x 4.5-27x 50i FFP riflescope cements GPO’s position as a top-tier company providing affordable products. Learn more by visiting gpo-usa.com.