Huskemaw 5-20 LR Scope Review
When it comes to long range hunting, we assume it is at distance that you are capable of shooting accurately under those field conditions. The Huskemaw turret is called a Rapid Field Ballistic Compensator or simply the RFBC.
The Huskemaw turrets are custom built for your own gun based on the actual trajectory and the atmospheric conditions where you will be hunting or shooting. The turret cap will list your cartridge, MV, bullet, BC, elevation, and temperature, etc. When you get the scope, the instruction manual and DVD will walk you through everything you need to do to get the correct information so the RFBC will be perfectly set-up for your rifle and ammunition. If needed, give the folks at Best of the West a call or email for further information.
You can buy a Huskemaw scope at the LRH Store
An important feature of the Huskemaw scope is it allows you to adjust 20 MOA with one revolution (1/3 MOA clicks) of the turret. As a standard feature, all Huskemaw scopes come with an adjustable Zero Index Ring (zero stop). When shooting at long range, it is easy to get confused on which revolution you are on. The less MOA per revolution, the easier it is to get confused. Nightforce has 10 MOA per revolution while Leupold has 15 MOA per revolution. If you use 20 MOA of vertical adjustment from a 200 yard zero, with typical LR cartridges, it will take most long range hunters to their self-imposed maximum distance on big game.
For example, a typical LR hunting load would be a 180 grain Berger VLD with a muzzle velocity of 2850 fps, elevation 4,500 feet, 200 yard zero, with the temperature being 40 degrees, and 30% humidity. These conditions are typical for the area around Gillette, Wyoming. In this instance, one full revolution (20 MOA) with the Huskemaw scope turret will be dead on at 920 yards. Some of you use cartridges that will be under or over this example. I know we have hunters that can ethically take animals past the distance listed in my example, but I would guess that the majority of hunters, who are members, make most of their shots under 900 yards on big game. Since the Huskemaw scope has approximately 67 MOA of vertical adjustment, it is not an issue for this optic to shoot beyond 1,000 yards. Many long range hunters use a sloped base, inserts in their rings or both to maximize the useable internal adjustment of their scope, and the same can be done for the Huskemaw scope. One complaint I have heard about the Huskemaw scope is that 1/3 MOA adjustments are too coarse to be accurate for long range hunting.
Let's consider two different ranges: 500 and 1,000 yards. Many scopes used for long range hunting have 1/4 MOA turret adjustments.
One MOA at 500 yards is approximately 5.2 inches, so ¼ MOA is 1.3 inches.
One third MOA at 500 yards is 1.7 inches.
The difference is .4 of an inch at 500 yards.
One MOA at 1,000 yards is 10.47 inches.
One quarter MOA at 1,000 yards is 2.6 inches, while 1/3 MOA at 1,000 yards is 3.49 inches (say 3.5").
The difference between the two is .9 of an inch or 9/10 of an inch.
Which one of you can truly discern 9/10" point of impact change, when shooting one cold bore shot at 1,000 yards in field conditions? If you can, that is outstanding, but I know I am not that good.
Terrain and wind conditions are much more of an issue for me in the field or on the bench at 1,000 yards.
With the load I listed earlier, I changed the "sight adjustment specifications" in Exbal:
1/10 MOA adjustment and at 1,000 yards it would be 22.80 MOA
1/8 MOA adjustment it would be 22.88 MOA
¼ MOA it would be 22.75 MOA
1/3 MOA and the adjustment would be 23 MOA
The 1/3 MOA scope in this instance would be .12 MOA different than the 1/8 MOA scope or .20 MOA from the 1/10 MOA scope.
The ¼ MOA is .05 from the 1/10 MOA scope and .13 MOA from the 1/8 MOA scope.
So, when does the 1/3 MOA scope or the ¼ MOA scope become to coarse for long range hunting?
I don't claim to have all the answers, but I am convinced that the Huskemaw 5-20 LR rifle scope is sufficient for 1,000 yard kills, given the cartridge/bullet combo is capable and the one running it is skilled, under good conditions.
A legitimate concern for customized turret caps is what do you do when you get a turret cap for one set of conditions and then hunt under different ones. As an example, the original Huskemaw RFBC is customized for a 200 yard zero, 1,000 feet elevation and 75 degrees, 50% humidity. It will take 16.25 MOA for "Joe Hunter" to connect at 800 yards. Joe has been practicing at home and has become very proficient. He is preparing to travel to the Big Horns in Wyoming for an elk hunt in the fall. He will be hunting in an area where a local who used to be his neighbor has told him some big bulls hang out. Don't you wish you had friends like this? He has determined the conditions where the elk hang out are 9,000 feet above sea level, 27 degrees, and 20% humidity. He knows bullet flight is going to change, but how much?
Joe has several options. He can order another RFBC turret for the conditions he will hunt in. Joe could also order a 1/3 MOA turret cap from Best of the West that is a typical MOA turret cap, listed in MOA from 0-20 MOA. On a side note, if you are constantly switching loads or you continually move your Huskemaw scope from gun to gun, the traditional turret listed in MOA is something you will want for sure. A third option is for Joe to use his existing Huskemaw RFBC if he so chooses. In the new conditions at 800 yards, it only takes 15 MOA. Joe's maximum range under ideal conditions is 800 yards. The difference in vertical drop is 1.25 MOA or approximately 10 inches. Joe can determine the amount of adjustment that is needed at, say, 3/4 of his max expected range, which we will say is 600 yards. The difference at 600 yards between the two different conditions is .62 MOA. Joe can re-zero at 600 yards; this is simple to do even in the field. Just use a coin or cartridge case to turn and remove the flat silver screw on the top of the turret cap. Then move the turret cap 2 clicks (2/3 MOA or .66 MOA) and replace the cap. Total time spent…15 seconds. Joe's scope/gun/load combo now will be in the kill zone of his elk out to his maximum distance in good conditions. Of course, Joe will confirm his zeros once he gets to his neighbor's house in the Big Horns.
The rest will be determined by Joe's skill as a long range hunter, luck of the day, and his mental and physical conditioning. What would I do? For one thing, having one RFBC does not hamstring "Joe Hunter" as some would suppose. For the amount of money spent for an out of state elk hunt, I would order a new Huskemaw RFBC turret or use my 1/3 MOA turret. You get one custom RFBC turret free from Huskemaw with the purchase of the scope, and a spare one costs $99.99. I would go with the Huskemaw RFBC set-up for the conditions, so I would have one less thing to think about when the moment of truth comes. That is just the way I am wired. Maybe this scope is not as limited as some would have us think.
The Huskemaw turrets are custom built for your own gun based on the actual trajectory and the atmospheric conditions where you will be hunting or shooting. The turret cap will list your cartridge, MV, bullet, BC, elevation, and temperature, etc. When you get the scope, the instruction manual and DVD will walk you through everything you need to do to get the correct information so the RFBC will be perfectly set-up for your rifle and ammunition. If needed, give the folks at Best of the West a call or email for further information.
You can buy a Huskemaw scope at the LRH Store
An important feature of the Huskemaw scope is it allows you to adjust 20 MOA with one revolution (1/3 MOA clicks) of the turret. As a standard feature, all Huskemaw scopes come with an adjustable Zero Index Ring (zero stop). When shooting at long range, it is easy to get confused on which revolution you are on. The less MOA per revolution, the easier it is to get confused. Nightforce has 10 MOA per revolution while Leupold has 15 MOA per revolution. If you use 20 MOA of vertical adjustment from a 200 yard zero, with typical LR cartridges, it will take most long range hunters to their self-imposed maximum distance on big game.
For example, a typical LR hunting load would be a 180 grain Berger VLD with a muzzle velocity of 2850 fps, elevation 4,500 feet, 200 yard zero, with the temperature being 40 degrees, and 30% humidity. These conditions are typical for the area around Gillette, Wyoming. In this instance, one full revolution (20 MOA) with the Huskemaw scope turret will be dead on at 920 yards. Some of you use cartridges that will be under or over this example. I know we have hunters that can ethically take animals past the distance listed in my example, but I would guess that the majority of hunters, who are members, make most of their shots under 900 yards on big game. Since the Huskemaw scope has approximately 67 MOA of vertical adjustment, it is not an issue for this optic to shoot beyond 1,000 yards. Many long range hunters use a sloped base, inserts in their rings or both to maximize the useable internal adjustment of their scope, and the same can be done for the Huskemaw scope. One complaint I have heard about the Huskemaw scope is that 1/3 MOA adjustments are too coarse to be accurate for long range hunting.
Let's consider two different ranges: 500 and 1,000 yards. Many scopes used for long range hunting have 1/4 MOA turret adjustments.
One MOA at 500 yards is approximately 5.2 inches, so ¼ MOA is 1.3 inches.
One third MOA at 500 yards is 1.7 inches.
The difference is .4 of an inch at 500 yards.
One MOA at 1,000 yards is 10.47 inches.
One quarter MOA at 1,000 yards is 2.6 inches, while 1/3 MOA at 1,000 yards is 3.49 inches (say 3.5").
The difference between the two is .9 of an inch or 9/10 of an inch.
Which one of you can truly discern 9/10" point of impact change, when shooting one cold bore shot at 1,000 yards in field conditions? If you can, that is outstanding, but I know I am not that good.
Terrain and wind conditions are much more of an issue for me in the field or on the bench at 1,000 yards.
With the load I listed earlier, I changed the "sight adjustment specifications" in Exbal:
1/10 MOA adjustment and at 1,000 yards it would be 22.80 MOA
1/8 MOA adjustment it would be 22.88 MOA
¼ MOA it would be 22.75 MOA
1/3 MOA and the adjustment would be 23 MOA
The 1/3 MOA scope in this instance would be .12 MOA different than the 1/8 MOA scope or .20 MOA from the 1/10 MOA scope.
The ¼ MOA is .05 from the 1/10 MOA scope and .13 MOA from the 1/8 MOA scope.
So, when does the 1/3 MOA scope or the ¼ MOA scope become to coarse for long range hunting?
I don't claim to have all the answers, but I am convinced that the Huskemaw 5-20 LR rifle scope is sufficient for 1,000 yard kills, given the cartridge/bullet combo is capable and the one running it is skilled, under good conditions.
A legitimate concern for customized turret caps is what do you do when you get a turret cap for one set of conditions and then hunt under different ones. As an example, the original Huskemaw RFBC is customized for a 200 yard zero, 1,000 feet elevation and 75 degrees, 50% humidity. It will take 16.25 MOA for "Joe Hunter" to connect at 800 yards. Joe has been practicing at home and has become very proficient. He is preparing to travel to the Big Horns in Wyoming for an elk hunt in the fall. He will be hunting in an area where a local who used to be his neighbor has told him some big bulls hang out. Don't you wish you had friends like this? He has determined the conditions where the elk hang out are 9,000 feet above sea level, 27 degrees, and 20% humidity. He knows bullet flight is going to change, but how much?
Joe has several options. He can order another RFBC turret for the conditions he will hunt in. Joe could also order a 1/3 MOA turret cap from Best of the West that is a typical MOA turret cap, listed in MOA from 0-20 MOA. On a side note, if you are constantly switching loads or you continually move your Huskemaw scope from gun to gun, the traditional turret listed in MOA is something you will want for sure. A third option is for Joe to use his existing Huskemaw RFBC if he so chooses. In the new conditions at 800 yards, it only takes 15 MOA. Joe's maximum range under ideal conditions is 800 yards. The difference in vertical drop is 1.25 MOA or approximately 10 inches. Joe can determine the amount of adjustment that is needed at, say, 3/4 of his max expected range, which we will say is 600 yards. The difference at 600 yards between the two different conditions is .62 MOA. Joe can re-zero at 600 yards; this is simple to do even in the field. Just use a coin or cartridge case to turn and remove the flat silver screw on the top of the turret cap. Then move the turret cap 2 clicks (2/3 MOA or .66 MOA) and replace the cap. Total time spent…15 seconds. Joe's scope/gun/load combo now will be in the kill zone of his elk out to his maximum distance in good conditions. Of course, Joe will confirm his zeros once he gets to his neighbor's house in the Big Horns.
The rest will be determined by Joe's skill as a long range hunter, luck of the day, and his mental and physical conditioning. What would I do? For one thing, having one RFBC does not hamstring "Joe Hunter" as some would suppose. For the amount of money spent for an out of state elk hunt, I would order a new Huskemaw RFBC turret or use my 1/3 MOA turret. You get one custom RFBC turret free from Huskemaw with the purchase of the scope, and a spare one costs $99.99. I would go with the Huskemaw RFBC set-up for the conditions, so I would have one less thing to think about when the moment of truth comes. That is just the way I am wired. Maybe this scope is not as limited as some would have us think.
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