Hawke rifle scopes

Does anybody have any experience with these scopes?  I know some are made in Japan, but not sure if they all are.  Apparently the company is based out of England.  Also, has anybody had any experience with the Counter Sniper scopes?

Edited by Dolphin - June/15/2008 at 08:14

I have heard some very mixed opinions on the countersniper, even to the point of wondering just where they actually come from. They resemble the Barska somewhat, and also the eagle eye, and there's also the A.I.M. brand these all look alot alike. Dark Ops Holdings are the people that sell these scopes and I have talked with Mr. Miller who is the owner. I'm not real sure he was on the square with me. He says that the scopes are Government excess and have the property of U.S. on them and some pictures bear this out, however that can be faked easily, also I have not seen them in use by any of our troops. There is always the possibility that they were part of the scope contract wars and did not win this contract. I can't say either way. 

I have two of the 4-16x50 "Contractor Overrun" scopes which I purchased from competitor .   I have them on two rifles in .308/7.62 NATO.  One of those rifles sells for about $2200 and other rifle is $1200, so I should have spent far more on optics.  I generally mate rifles with comparably priced optics but these scopes stuck and the drops with the TDRM recticle worked great with my various hand loads.

I have many more expensive scopes and numerous "cheap" scopes I've purchased through the years.

Pros:

These scopes have far more features than any scopes I own.  To obtain all these features a scope would typically cost far more.  The scopes are extremely solid and well made.  The first focal plane mil dot ranging system works great, allowing you to range and figure hold over at any power range.  It reminds me of the Leupold Tactical Milling Reticle.  The scope holds zero throughout the power range.  Clicks are distinctive and completely repeatable.  30mm tubes.  Reviews on competitor are positive with a couple exceptions.  Locking, adjustable turrets.  The illuminated reticle works well and is far superior to the illumination you'd find in a cheap optic. 4x erector.  10 year warranty.

Cons:
I don't think they are as bright as some of the best scopes on the market.  I'd guess they are in the 90% light transmission range.  The eye relief is tricky too.  Lots of people dislike Dark Ops and rag on these scopes in forums.  Lots of second hand stories about problems. Too "tacticool" looking for me but people seem to like the appearance.  Allegedly not really contractor overruns.    Some claim they are repackaged scopes either Barska, AIM or Vector, depending on the person.  I'd give that more weight if they could pick one.

In short, I would not pay $1000+ for one, but for the price I'm very happy.  I personally don't think these are repackaged AIM or Vector optics scopes but it's possible some OEM parts are shared.  Most people don't realize that many scope companies get parts from Chinese companies, even companies who "make" the scope in the U.S.A, including some scopes in the Leupold lines. 

I am a competitive shooter and have been shooting a long time.  These are not Barska, Brunton or NCStar crap optics.  These are solid, high quality optics.  Some of the very negative forum reviews, from people who've never shot the scope, are really unfair.  The company is coming out with 8x erector models and that puts them ahead of many big name companies, if the reviews are good I'll probably pick one up.   I'd take a Nightforce, Illuminated Mk4 Leupold, etc over a Counter Sniper but they cost 3-5x as much.  I prefer the new Monarch X 30mm 2.5-10x Illuminated over the CS as well but that's 1K to $1200 dollars.  I have brighter scopes that cost as much, like the new 4x erector Monarchs but they lack the illuminated reticle, locking knobs, etc.

Also, they have a web site:

http://www.countersniperoptics.com/

And lots of reviews on competitor .  Note the people who actually shot the scope liked them.  I've shot 10,000+ rounds of .308/7.62 NATO through my two with zero problems and took one of them on many hunts in the mountains also without any problems including no fogging, breakage, etc.

ShootTheM14, welcome, from me, good review, and I agree...shoot the M14. One of the best dang rifles we have ever produced. Love it.

Duce, I paid < $400 which is about around the same as Vector optics scope charges.

Next scope I'll buy will be another Nikon Monarch X.

Originally posted by Dolphin Does anybody have any experience with these scopes?  I know some are made in Japan, but not sure if they all are.  Apparently the company is based out of England.  Also, has anybody had any experience with the Counter Sniper scopes?

They HAVE had experience with Government contracts so at least part of their story is true.