This new first focal plane, 30mm tube riflescope from the Burris Veracity family is one of the best ever hunting scopes from Burris, perhaps the singular best. It is one of the most satisfying optics I have used in many years. It is billed as a combination big game and varmint scope and it would be ideal for use on a combination caliber rifle, such as a .243 Winchester, 6mm Remington, or .257 Roberts.

Specifications

• Item Number: 200621
• Magnification: 2-10x
• Reticle: Ballistic Plex E1 FFP
• Knob Style: MAD System, MOA (200621)
• Objective Lens Diameter: 49.5 mm
• Clear Aperture: 42 mm
• Focal Plane: FFP
• Main Tube Size: 30mm
• FOV: 52 low, 10.5 high (ft. @ 100 yds.)
• Exit Pupil: 21mm low, 4.2mm high
• Click Value: 1/4 MOA
• Elevation Adjustment range: 70 MOA
• Windage Adjustment range: 40 MOA
• Adjustable Parallax: 50 yds. to infinity
• Length:13.5 in.
• Weight: 22.7 oz.
• 2017 MSRP: $719

By far, the most common riflescope design in use is the variable second focal plane reticle type, where the reticle never changes in size as the magnification is adjusted. It has its advantages, as you can start with an extremely thick reticle, like the heavy post styles, and it does not get any thicker as the magnification increases.

Second focal plane reticles work great, in general, as most shooters find a reticle that changes size as the magnification is adjusted annoying. The complication comes when using drop-compensating reticles in the second focal plane, as they only work well on one magnification setting. Using a 12x scope after sunset on deer is often unrealistic, for exit pupil diameter diminishes as you crank up the magnification and your scope appears darker as the exit pupil shrinks below the pupil diameter of your eye.

If using a 10x riflescope with drop hash marks for range was such a grand idea, there would be a market for fixed power 10x big hunting scopes. After all, the eye relief is always constant, neither the reticle nor the target changes sizes, what could be easier?

Unfortunately, the dinky field of view at 10 times magnification makes the scope nearly worthless at close and moderate ranges, so a 10x fixed power scope can be close to unusable, or completely unusable in some situations. You'd be better off with iron sights.

It can get tricky, in a hurry, when designing a riflescope. Reticles are always a matter of personal preference. As long as the reticle never changes its appearance it is fairly straightforward to decide what reticle you like. When the reticle changes in concert with the magnification, things can get messy and confusing in a hurry.

Burris did a good job with the reticle on this scope, as the tapered crosshairs make it easy to use at the low end, even at 2x. The Progressively Thick Crosshairs (PTC) are very fine in the center and progressively thicker away from the center, for fast target engagement at close ranges and in low-light conditions.

Once you get to about 5x, the drop-compensating lines of the Burris Ballistic Plex E1 FFP reticle are easy to see and use, up to 10x. Whether you use them at 5x, 7x, or 10x, the hold markers do the same thing. Wind dots representing a 10 m.p.h. wind adjustment are located at every hash mark out to 500 yards.

It is not just the reticle that makes this an outstanding scope, but it is an important component. The one-piece, 30mm main tube, while no brighter than a one inch tube, is stronger (how many scope tubes have you actually broken?) and potentially offers more internal adjustment range, which is odd, as this Burris has a restricted windage adjustment range of only 40 MOA.

The eye relief of the Veracity is generous and reasonably consistent. The image quality is extremely good without apparent distortion at the edge of the field of view. Index-matched, Hi-Lume multi-coatings provide good low-light performance and suppress lens flare.

The Veracity has side parallax focus. Parallax focus is unnecessary on a big game hunting scope, but convenient on a varmint scope.

The 1/4 MOA, finger tip adjustable windage and elevation adjustment knobs are resettable to zero once the rifle is sighted-in. The windage and elevation adjustments worked as they should on the test scope, simplifying sighting-in the rifle. A double internal spring-tension system allows the scope to hold zero through shock, recoil and vibrations. The windage and elevation caps, parallax adjustment knob and zoom ring are heavily knurled for a secure grip.

A nitrogen-filled body tube prevents internal fogging. Burris claims the scope is waterproof, fog proof and shock proof.

The external finish is matte black. Gloss black or silver finishes are not available. Veracity riflescopes come with both lens caps and a sun shade, as all scopes should, but few do.

The Veracity is not a flyweight scope, the 30mm tube and the big objective lens prohibit that. However, at roughly 22 ounces it is no two-pounder, either.

On the other hand, the scopes internal design vignettes the view; notice that the diameter of the objective lens is 49.5mm, but the clear aperture is only 42mm. The mounting latitude (the space between the adjustment turret and bells), is restricted, a flaw inherent in most Burris riflescope designs that makes positioning the scope on the rifle critical, particularly on standard (.30-06) length and magnum length actions.

I have $3000 European optics, $200 Chinese made optics and most increments in-between. At a discount retail price of about $580 dollars, the Burris Veracity compares well with many $1500 riflescopes. The Burris Veracity is eminently well-balanced, versatile and usable. It is covered by the Burris Forever Warranty.