Zeiss Victory V8 Riflescopes
Jan/Feb 2016 Issue of MuleyCrazy Magazine
by Steve Monk
Offering a huge zoom range and a simple-to-use long-range turret system, the new Victory V8 riflescope from Zeiss is the perfect scope for hunters demanding the very best in optical excellence in all hunting situations.
There’s no doubt in my mind that better equipment makes for better hunters. A better pair of boots allows a guy to stay more comfortable and keep pushing through the hunt. Performance clothing keeps you warm and dry, or cool and comfortable, keeping your mind on the hunt, not on the weather. A quality, accurate weapon ensures that when all that work pays off, you can make it happen. Great equipment is a huge plus, but in the end it all means nothing if you can’t find a buck worth hunting. Worse yet, you find your dream buck, but can’t seal the deal.
No piece of hunting equipment will benefit you more than high quality optics. It’s amazing what’s right in front of you, if you can just see clearly. I’ve been amazed at how my effectiveness in the field has increased as the quality of my optics has increased. I can’t tell you how many MuleyCrazy customers I’ve spoken with who have said something to the effect of, “I sure wish I would have had this glass when I was younger…” I would encourage everyone to buy the best optics you can afford. You’ll never know what you’re missing if you never experience hunting with top-quality glass; it will change your entire hunting experience. Take a look at Ryan’s article on page XX, as he explains why a small portion of hunters are consistently killing the best bucks year in and year out.
I’m excited to see so many manufacturers pushing the envelope with better and better optics. One of the areas where there are plenty of options is riflescopes. There are so many brands, models, sub-models, sizes, power variations, reticles - I could go on and on. I’ve shot riflescopes from the bottom to the top as far as quality goes, and I will reiterate what I just said; buy the best you can afford – it DOES make a difference when the moment of truth comes. Buy a riflescope that fits your specific needs, not what everybody else seems to be shooting. If you’re not sure what you need, don’t hesitate to call the MuleyCrazy office; we would be more than happy to answer your questions.
While optics and quality of most top-of-the-line long-range riflescopes are to die for, very few of them are actually designed to be a piece of hunting equipment; so if you’re trying to keep your rifle’s weight down, finding a top-end riflescope can be tough. A number of the “Big Dogs” make smaller, more compact scopes, but they fall far below their flagship models in optical performance.
One of the products I’ve been most excited about is the new Victory V8 riflescope from Zeiss. I was fortunate to try out what I’m told is the first V8 riflescope in the United States, and from the first glance I was blown away. It is obvious that the riflescope was designed with excellence, quality, performance, and functionality in mind.
First off, these V8 scopes have HUGE zoom range. They come in the following models: 1-8x30, 1.8-14x50, 2.8-20x56 and 4.8-35x60. The scope I tried out was the 1.8-14x50. Zoomed all the way out on 1.8x it offers a gigantic field of view, allowing for quick target acquisition. This would be ideal for up-close encounters in a tracking situation, perfect for a quick, off-hand shot. The ability to zoom all the way in to 14-power allows you to take some serious long-range shots. Talk about versatility! The scope never loses clarity, even at the top end of the zoom range. It’s crystal clear all the way out.
The scope has a whopping 36mm tube, which allows for maximum resolution and adjustment of the reticle. With one revolution of the turret, there’s more than 33 MOA of elevation adjustment (100 clicks of 1/3 MOA per click). That’s more than almost any long-range riflescope on the market, but in a much more compact package. Both the scope and turret are much smaller than anything with comparable adjustment. The scope is capable of some serious long-range shooting, without ever having to go past one revolution of the turret; and the zero-stop is rock solid, leaving no chance for error and a heartbreaking miss.
Equipped with Zeiss’ unique ASV system, the turret itself is one of the most impressive features of this scope. In addition to the incredible adjustment range, the turret has an extremely high quality locking system. It pulls up then clicks down into place after the adjustment is made, so you will never have to worry about your turret being somewhere you don’t want it to be. The ASV system comes with 9 interchangeable rings, engraved for different rifles’ ballistics. Pick the one that best fits yours, and you’re good to go. All of that is explained in the user manual. Like the rest of the scope, the turret system is beyond impressive.
In addition to the ultimate sharpness and clarity of fluoride lens elements and Schott HT glass, another outstanding feature of this scope is its reticle. I’ve never been a fan of a busy reticle with a lot of hash marks and numbers. I know they’ve got their place in the sun, but not in my world. As a hunter, not a target shooter, I want something that’s clean and simple. The Victory V8 has what I like; a very simple, fine reticle with tiny center dot illumination.
Zeiss boasts this as “the finest illuminated dot in the world” with the dot covering only about ¼-inch at 100 yards at full magnification. It is tiny, and it is awesome! It allows you to really focus and visualize exactly where the bullet is going to hit. Also, there is a very well designed brightness adjustment knob, allowing you to change the brightness of the illuminated center to best fit your hunting conditions. The illuminated dot can be easily turned on and off with a button on top of the brightness adjustment.
Like I said in the beginning, the better your equipment is, the more likely you will be to be successful when the moment of truth comes. As with all top-end optics, these riflescopes carry a large price tag, with retail prices from $2,599 - $3,699. I fully understand that not everyone can afford one of these top-of-the-line riflescopes, but if you can, don’t let the, “It’s just a riflescope… my Old Faithful is good enough” train of thought keep you from experiencing the hunting world in a whole new light.
I don’t say this lightly, but I can confidently say that I’ve never looked through a riflescope as clear and bright as the new Victory V8. Boasting an incredible light transmission rate of 92%, these scopes are designed to be the ultimate riflescope solution for hunters who want the best quality riflescope the market has to offer, while being compact and versatile enough to handle every hunting situation.
