GPO - German Precision Optics

[Bob Reed]

Hello,

Around Christmas time we decided to add a couple more Bolt-Actions to the group, and of course, they'd need scopes. No problem, because awhile back I had already decided that our next rifle scopes would be GPO - German Precision Optics; gpo-usa.com/ and for our European Friends; gp-optics.com/

Being a huge fan of Fixed Power Scopes, I had admired the GPO Spectra 7.5x50i since its introduction and after receiving one, I could NOT resist quickly adding a second one 'just because' they're that Nice! gpo-usa.com/shop/tactical/scopes-tactical/spectra-scopes-tactical/spectra-fixed-power-7-5x50i/

All is well, except; we still need a bit more magnification for a new long-range rifle and the GPO Spectra 4-16x50i fit the bill perfectly. This scope is also so nice, that we actually wound-up buying an extra one 'just because' they're that Nice! gpo-usa.com/shop/tactical/scopes-tactical/spectra-scopes-tactical/spectra-4x-4-16x50i/

All four of our Scopes were ordered with the G4i Reticle (German Nr. 4, Illuminated Dot Reticle) and the build-quality & glass quality in these scopes is amazing, way above price point, literally way above in every way and the low-light & after-dark performance is simply outstanding as well. And this is coming from someone that's mounted/looked through/sighted-in/etc. all the high-end European scopes.

Alright, got the scopes sorted, things are looking good (no pun intended) why stop now(?) heck no, keep rollin' because we have been needing to replace our old, worn-out binoculars for a while and I had already decided that we'd get GPO Binoculars when the time came (I've been quietly following GPO for some time now, an interesting company that is owned by interesting men, i.e. Mike Jensen/Owner & CEO of GPO-USA and Richard Schmidt/Owner & CEO of GPO-Germany and these men have years of experience and were the high-up bosses for some of the major optics companies - so believe me, they're NOT pimping cheap glass).

For an all-around use 8x power binocular the choice was easy, we bought the Passion ED 8x42 in Deep Green (nice, dark, classy shade of green - very tasteful, much darker than how it appears on the website). gpo-usa.com/shop/nature/binoculars-nature/passion-ed-binoculars-nature/passion-ed-8x42-binocular/

Now, for the other pair the choice wasn't as easy because, I was pretty sure I wanted to stay with an 8x power (even though I often wish for a bit more magnification) but I wanted an 8x with larger objectives mainly for low-light & after-dark use. No problem, GPO has that covered and at first, I thought about going with their Passion HD Series 8.5x50 - but these beautiful binoculars put me even further over budget (remember, I initially set out to just get two new scopes) and I had also been admiring the GPO Passion 8x56 binocular but wasn't sure mainly because of the added weight & size of the 56s... So, I called GPO and left message for Mr. Mike Jensen to please call me back (and he quickly did) because I needed to know how much low-light/after-dark performance is lost when going from the 8x56 to the 10x56 and Mike explained it well, and this is where the Exit Pupil Diameter comes into play. As many of you may already know, the size of the exit pupil determines how much light passes through to your eyes and since I'm well pass the age of where our pupils no longer fully dilate to ~7mm or larger like a young person, Mike explained that the 8x56 wouldn't appear any brighter than the 10x56 and they're very well suited for daytime use as well. Now, I must decide between my favored magnification of 8x, or do I go for a bit more and get the 10x56s - so back over to the lake I go with my 8x42s and after a couple of hours of serious glassing I came home and ordered the 10x56s. gpo-usa.com/shop/hunting/binoculars-hunting/passion/passion-10x56-binocular-copy/

Note: Do NOT be fooled by the size & weight of the GPO 8x56 & 10x56 binoculars - these binoculars are so well balanced & contoured that they handle and seem much lighter than they actually are, and they're easier on my Carpal Tunnel ridden hands when glassing for longer periods than the smaller framed 8x42s are.

For those who may be considering a new scope or binocular, I firmly believe you'll have a hard time finding any that comes close to GPO's price vs. performance ratio.

Good Luck in your endeavors,

Bob Reed

[ToddSig]

Bob, thanks for posting on GPO - German Precision Optics. Very interesting and informative, especially for a non rifle, non optics guy. I have a pre war Winchester Model 70 with a vintage Fecker optic which I need to shoot. I bought it because it was an excellent deal. Perhaps after shooting that this spring, it will get me more involved and interested in rifles and optics.

[Bob Reed]

Hello, Todd,

Being the Pre-64 Winchester fan that I am, I'd love to see your Pre-War example - the Model 70 is truly a Rifleman's Rifle. Back before we moved from my hometown area, I did all the gunsmithing for an upscale Hunting Outfitter & Guide that specializes in Pre-64 Winchesters. Man, the beautiful rifles that comes through that shop - I miss and think about that place daily! And that's where I started really getting 'spoiled' with Quality Glass and Fine Hunting Rifles (hand checkered wood stocks, beautiful bluing with a touch of engraving - oh yes!) - and I'm not even a hunter per-se - but for Bolt-Actions, I always did prefer more traditional, wood stocked rifles over all the plastic stocked ones. And since working there, my love for traditional style hunting rifles has literally turned into an Obsession!

My GPO Optics still impress me every time I use them. The image quality is absolutely outstanding and the low-light/after-dark performance is second to none - the 8x42s overall performance is great (including the 3D effect and after-dark performance), and the 10x56s at nite are flat-out amazing and they're still great for daytime use as well, with good 3D effect and natural color detail. But the 8x56s still nag at me (a lot) and I'll more than likely buy a pair before the year is over simply because an 8x is just so enjoyable to use (and my son wants the 10x56s). As the magnification increases, obviously the details of what you're viewing will increase - but extra magnification also magnifies any & all of your movements, like when your heart beats for example, it will show-up. This is why boat captains & mariners prefer a lower, 7x power binocular - try holding a 10x steady on a rockin' boat and you'll see what I mean.

To determine an Exit Pupils Size, Divide the Size of the Objective Lens by the Power Factor. The larger exit pupils not only let more light pass through, but they also reduce eye strain and help relax/steady the view a bit as well - personally, I stay with 5mm and larger exit pupils. That's why when it comes to selecting a 10x power binocular, I highly recommend going with at least a 50mm Objective, especially if you plan on using them in low-light or after-dark - because a 10x42 for example, gets dark pretty quickly when compared to an optically equal 8x42. FWIW: If the binocular won't be worn/carried around your neck for extended periods, I'd skip the 42s & 50s all together and just get an 8x56 or 10x56, especially if buying a binocular to keep by a window for example, or on a table on deck, etc.

[ToddSig]

Hi Bob, thanks for the additional and detailed information on optics. Always good to get a basic understanding of them.

Glad to hear you are a fan of the Winchester Model 70. The pre 64 models are beautifully made rifles. As I mentioned, I know little about rifles, but I do like vintage weapons, especially if I am getting a good deal. My FFL had gotten this Winchester Model 70 and I originally passed. Then did a little research and jumped on it.

Some interesting observations on it

• Serial Number 4444
• 1937 (considered second year production, although 19 were build in 1935 according to some charts)
• Bolt serial number etched, 4444
• One of the more rare calibers in .22 Hornet (I never heard of it). From what I have learned, the rare calibers are highly sought after by Model 70 collectors.
• Flag Safety
• Clover Leaf Tang
• Fecker Optic
• Slipper Clip
• Fore-End Screw
• Wonderful checkering to the walnut stock
• Original buttplate

When purchased it was missing the sling swivels and front sight shroud. Those added are repros. Beyond that, I believe all original.

Anything you can tell me about it would be greatly appreciated. I have gotten a few books (Roger Rules The Rifleman's Rifle) and know a little about them, but still learning. As I said, I need to shoot it, and hope to get to do so in the next month with spring coming to VA.

A few images

[Bob Reed]

Todd, that rifle is simply Beautiful, what amazing condition - and naturally, you have The Rifleman's Rifle book. The SN is neater than all get-out - man what a find.

Other than the commonly known facts, my Model 70 history is lacking - I dearly love the rifle, but like always, I wind-up studying the designs' themselves more than their historical facts.