Today’s optics designed for precision tactical use offer outstanding quality and seemingly endless options, but few can be described as value-priced. Weaver’s Kaspa Tactical Series 2.5-10X 44 mm Mil-Dot is an exception, offering numerous features usually found on pricier scopes at a cost that many shooters will find attractive.
The Kaspa’s 2.5-10X magnification puts this optic in a very useful power range for general target use as well as most hunting situations and even moderately long-range target work. Though many shooters feel that they need copious amounts of magnification for long-range shooting, 10X is plenty of power for targets out to 800-1000 yards. One criticism of many “tactical” scopes on the market is their enormous size and weight. With an overall length of just under 13 inches and a weight of 1 pound, 9 ounces, the Kaspa isn’t a huge scope nor is it unreasonably heavy. More than 3-inches of eye relief means that this optic can be used on rifles with noticeable recoil without undue risk of the scope making contact with the shooter’s face. Size- and capability-wise, this optic would be right at home on a .308 Win. bolt-action or on a modern sporting rifle set up for precision shooting. For testing, we mounted the Kaspa to an AR-10 style carbine chambered in .308 Win., and the scope’s size was a perfect balance for the overall package.
All scopes in the Kaspa Tactical Series are constructed using one-piece aluminum main tubes that are nitrogen-purged. The 2.5-10X 44 mm features a 30 mm tube that allows for 80 minutes of elevation and windage adjustment. Kaspas are marketed as being waterproof and fogproof, claims that we positively confirmed using hot-water-submersion and freezing tests.
One of the unique aspects of this particular Kaspa optic is the illuminated mil-dot reticle in which 16 dots are imposed on thin crosshairs. The distance between the centers of each dot measure 1 mil or 3.438 minutes of angle. Mil-dot reticles are widely used in military and law enforcement circles to estimate range and provide accurate hold overs and reference points. Since the dots are of a known diameter and spaced at a consistent distance, they can be used as reference points to measure the distance to a target of a known size.
A mil subtends approximately one yard at 1,000 yards and one meter at 1,000 meters; a simple formula translates that into a practical yardstick. For example: a target that is 5 feet (1.67 yards) tall and covers 3 mils in the reticle is 556 yards from the shooter (1.67 yards/3 mils x 1000= 556). It is important to note that, since this is a second-focal-plane reticle that maintains a consistent size throughout the adjustment range, the reticle is only calibrated for mil-dot use at the highest magnification of 10X. Though this may seem complicated at first glance, shooters experienced with the system can estimate ranges incredibly fast, and numerous charts, phone Apps and online aids are available in addition to a helpful guide included with the scope. The illuminated reticle turns the entire center of the reticle from black to red and has 11 brightness settings for varying lighting conditions. Even at its brightest setting, the illumination is not visible in bright sunlight but it can be an effective aiming tool in diminished lighting conditions.
The Kaspa adjusts for both windage and elevation using target-style turrets. The turrets are adjusted by pulling the dials away from the scope body, which unlocks them. The adjustments are designated by numbered hash marks on the turret dial and by audible clicks-each representing 1/4 m.o.a. Pressing the dials back inward locks the adjustments in place, and the turrets can be reset at the “0” position using an included hex wrench. The clicks were audible as well as tactile, though they could be more positive as they were a bit “mushy” at times when making adjustments-this can be an issue when making adjustments while wearing hearing protection. We measured the precision of the adjustments by “shooting the box” at 100 yards. The “box” target was not perfect, but it was within the accuracy margin of the rifle/load we were using for the test. To test the adjustments under more practical conditions, we used the dials to adjust for elevation to engage a 10-inch steel target at a measured 400 yards using a chronographed load and a trusted iPhone ballistics app. The data called for 39 clicks of elevation to account for the range which we dialed-up from the established 100-yard zero. With no measurable wind, five shots were fired from a steady bench rest with zero hits. It was determined that the rounds were striking below the target and it took several more inches of adjustment to put the rounds on the steel plate.
Optically, the Kaspa’s image is clear and bright with no apparent distortion or dimming at the edges. The fully multicoated lenses and 44 mm objective transmit light well and the scope compares well at its price point when it comes to brightness and image quality. The side-focus knob adjusts parallax and allows the shooter to bring objects into focus at varying ranges-an option not usually found on scopes with less than 12X of magnification. The adjustment was easy to use, however, we did find that the yardage designations on the knob did not precisely match the real world focus distances. Using a collimator, we also tested the power adjustment to detect any drift during the range of magnification; we could determine no shift in the reticle whatsoever, which is critical.
The 2.5-10X 44 mm Kaspa Tactical is a versatile optic with good glass and some excellent features. An adjustable illuminated reticle, locking target-style turrets, and a side-focus parallax adjustment are three options not generally found on a scope that retails for around $300. All Weaver scopes include a limited lifetime warranty that protects the original owner from product defects.
Importer: Weaver Optics, 1 ATK Way, Anoka, MN 55303; (800) 635-7656
Model: Kaspa Tactical Series Mil-Dot
Magnification and Objective: 2.5-10X 44 mm
Finish: matte black
Field of View (Ft. @ 100 Yds.): 37.7 ft. (2.5X), 10.4 ft. (10X)
Eye Relief: 3.74" (2.5X), 3.15" (10X)
Click Value: 1/4" @ 100 YDS.Windage and Elevation
Adjustment Range: 80 m.o.a. (windage and elevation)
Reticle: illuminated mil-dot
Length: 12.79"
Weight: 25 ozs.
Features: side-focus knob for parallax correction from 10 yds. to infinity; click-adjustable
locking turrets
Accessories: flip-up scope caps, manual
Suggested Retail Price: $315
