I fitted the scope to the CZ without any grief – I was pleased to find the body long enough to accept the bracket for my Lightforce lamp, in between the mount and the elevation and windage turrets. I always shoulder the rifle with my eyes closed after first fitting a scope, so that there’s no moving my head into position to obtain a clear sight picture, I found the positive reticle and crisp image waiting for me as I did.
Within a couple of shots, everything was zeroed and ready to go. This really is a fast action scope. It’s unfussy on eye relief and the centre dot and thick outer stadia, really does help the shooter to lock into place quickly. The low magnification helps fool the shooter into thinking he’s not wobbling as much and the low profile action of this all helps in keeping a uncluttered rifle.
Having had enough of ponsing around on the range, I took it away to kill stuff.
Under the lamp, this scope performs tremendously. I adjusted my lightforce to highlight around 50-60 yards away and it’s stayed that way since. Even the easier - to – shoot, hmr, has taken a dip in outings ( saving me a few quid on bullets too after the recent price hike ). I just like the simplicity of this little set up, it really does boost confidence to drop targets in quick time at varying ranges.
The depth of view from that 42mm objective is stunning and the contrast is even better. I know this is beginning to sound like a, ‘this is the last scope you’ll ever need to buy’, kind of review – but I think real field time experience of a product that is aimed directly at that application, is vital.
I’m not sure I should give a direct comparison to another product, as I don’t want to get sued – but I had a scope in the cabinet which is intended for the same purpose but costs a fair bit more. I’d loaned this to a mate to use whilst he’s waiting to save a few quid for his own scope ( this won’t be a Mamba, even though I’ve pretty much tattooed this recommendation on his forehead, as he’s one of those who’ve got to go one better – even if this is ‘proven’, by simply spending more cash ). But the ‘similar purpose scope’ was show up several times in a side by side comparison, including one instance of losing the reticle against a dark wooded background. Suffice to say, the extra £84 ( there’s a clue ) that I originally paid for that scope, isn’t justified very well at all - and my mate who’s soon going to be parting with well over twice the price of a Mamba for a similar scope, certainly won’t be twice as pleased…
I’ve accompanied a local shooter on one of his lamping trips a few times over the last month or so – and being old school, there’s no room for rifle pampering with him. All kit is chucked into the back of an open 4x4 and left to deal with it, or sat on, knocked over and generally shoved around whilst being used form inside the cab.
The worst affected areas have been the metal scope covers, which is to be expected and are easily replaced, should you be bothered. The body has shrugged off anything that’s been thrown at it. More importantly though, Mamba hasn’t lost it’s zero or been bothered by any of the rough handling I’ve given it. It’s remained clear and consistent through heavy downpours, the lenses have cleared and remained un-fogged when condensation has had a bash at it when I’ve come in from the cold at 3am and the mounts have remained tightly locked up around everything.
I’ve even used the little illuminator a couple of times – not through necessity but it performed perfectly and didn’t hinder anything, like I though it might do in all honesty.
And still it’s ticking over nicely on my .22lr and won’t be getting replaced by anything – even if money wasn’t as tight as what it is now, I couldn’t ask for a better ‘general all rounder’, for knocking out rabbits at rimfire ranges. I was tempted to fit it to my .223 as I imagined it would make a perfect foxing scope with it’s unfussy reticle and amazingly clear picture – but since I’m using my .223 for a bit of target work, I wanted a higher mag ( I fitted the Viper from my hmr in the end ), plus I really don’t want to split this low maintenance combination up.
I understand this isn’t going to answer the needs of someone looking for a FT/HFT or ultra long range varminting scope – but for a .22lr rabbiting at night, or walkabout, rough rifle, I don’t think you’re going to get a better scope without spending a hell of a lot more than the 125 which MTC ask for this.
I began this review by saying there’s a load of MTC reviews on here – perhaps people being as happy as I am, is the answer why…
Anyway, hopes this helps anyone looking for a scope to fit a certain role.
All the best - Craig
( Apologies for this not containing any pics, the camera I have is knackered and that contains all of them from the past 2 months – I’ll upload a few as soon as I can fund a new camera ).