{"id":1082,"date":"2023-05-18T19:07:59","date_gmt":"2023-05-18T19:07:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/?p=1082"},"modified":"2023-05-18T19:07:59","modified_gmt":"2023-05-18T19:07:59","slug":"blackhound-2-12x-emerge-review-the-armory-life","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/?p=1082","title":{"rendered":"Blackhound 2-12X Emerge Review – The Armory Life"},"content":{"rendered":"


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By Wayne van Zwoll<\/a><\/p>\n

In this Blackhound Emerge 2-12\u00d744 review, Wayne van Zwoll examines the scope\u2019s features, including its versatile power range, 34mm main tubes with illuminated reticles, and reasonable price point. Initially skeptical, van Zwoll delves into the Emerge\u2019s details with a hands-on evaluation informed by a lifetime of experience.<\/em><\/p>\n

Sometimes I\u2019m wrong. Less often, I\u2019m surprised I\u2019m wrong.<\/p>\n

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For testing, the author mounted the Blackhound 2-12\u00d744 Emerge scope on a Springfield Armory Waypoint in 6mm\u00a0Creedmoor.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cYes, I\u2019d like to see that scope. But honestly, it may not be my type.\u201d The Blackhound label was new to me. It had a, well,\u00a0tactical<\/em>\u00a0ring. I\u2019ve tired of the word. Webster\u2019s pairs it with short-range military objectives or \u201ccleverness or skill\u201d applied to such ends. As riflescopes have no will, they neither plan nor execute military action.<\/p>\n

To explore this riflescope with clarity and charity, I put name aside and assumed its purpose was simply to help me send bullets accurately.<\/p>\n

First: The Details<\/h2>\n

The 2-12\u00d744 Blackhound Emerge is one of a series of three. The other two? A 3-24\u00d756 and a 4-32\u00d756. All feature 34mm main tubes with illuminated reticles in the front or first focal plane (FFP)<\/a>. You can choose MIL or MOA (milliradian or minute of angle) graduations on the W\/E (windage\/elevation) dials and the reticle. The 3-24\u00d756 and 4-32\u00d756, you\u2019ve surely noticed, have \u201ceight-times\u201d power ranges. That is, top magnification on the power ring is eight times bottom magnification. The 2-12\u00d744 not only has a tidier 44mm objective but a more limited \u201csix-times\u201d power range.<\/p>\n

\"blackhound\n<\/picture>
The Blackhound Emerge series has a fast-focus, helical eyepiece to focus the reticle. This scope offers a variable magnification range of 2x to\u00a012x.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Now, describing a six-times power range as limited can mislead. Until recently, six times was an impossibly broad span! For decades, the three-times range of 3-9X scopes was adequate. Then, threatened by marketing teams and accountants, optics engineers managed to cram a four-times spread into scopes. Hence the 4-16x and 6-24x.<\/p>\n

\"included\n<\/picture>
Blackhound includes just about everything you need to mount the scope including a battery, battery cap tool, scope rings, a bubble level and the above\u00a0tools.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cMore! More!\u201d clamored sales departments, noting shooters couldn\u2019t wait to empty wallets for wider ranges and necessarily bigger tubes. Five-times and six-times scopes followed. The 1\u201d tube that had wowed shooters raised on 7\/8\u201d Lymans and Noskes was all but relegated to second-tier sights. Recent 34mm, 35mm, 36mm and 40mm scope tubes beg the question: Why? The law of diminishing returns and economy of scale whistle for a halt to this bigger-is-better scrum. Scopes now dwarf rifle actions, add pounds, not ounces to rifle weight, and are priced higher than many hunting rifles. Scope\u00a0rings<\/em><\/a> for these giants fetch more than I once paid for new scopes!<\/p>\n

\"replacing\n<\/picture>
Blackhound supplies a non-marring tool for removing the battery compartment cap. No more damaging the scope\u2019s finish with coins or\u00a0screwdrivers.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Enough venting. A big tube does have advantages. All else equal, bigger internal lenses improve resolution. If bigger lenses\u00a0don\u2019t\u00a0<\/em>follow a boost in tube size, the erector assembly has more room to move, so you get a wider range of adjustment from W\/E dials. Either way, people who put the innards in scopes get additional space for tools and fingers. That makes them smile. And long-range shooters fret little over thicker, heavier hardware.<\/p>\n

Upsizing the 30mm tube to 34mm is a logical step, equivalent to the jump from 1\u201d (25.4mm) to 30mm. Blackhound has committed to it \u2014 not just for the Emerge series, but for FFP Evolve variables (3-18\u00d750 and 5-25\u00d756, MIL or MOA) with adjustable objectives, and for a Genesis 1-8\u00d728 hunting scope with fixed parallax zero and half-minute W\/E clicks. These retail at $450 to $900.<\/p>\n

\"mounted\n<\/picture>
The Waypoint\u2019s rail, a well-placed turret and 4.7\u2033 of free tube made this 2-12x scope easy to\u00a0mount.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Such prices surprised me. Most 34mm scopes with similar features cost more, some\u00a0much<\/em>\u00a0more.
List prices for the top-tier Emerge trio brought another surprise: At $1,300 to $1,800, could these scopes match the quality of sights tagged above two grand?<\/p>\n

Hands-On<\/h2>\n

A 2-12\u00d744 Blackhound soon arrived. I preferred it to its more powerful siblings for three reasons. Except in rimfire prone competition or long-range events, I\u2019ve seldom used more than 12x magnification in riflescopes. Even for pestering prairie dogs, it\u2019s enough. As high power makes targets grow, it boosts the bump of pulse and distortion caused by mirage. In dim light, it reduces brightness. The 2-12\u2019s modest 44mm objective lens permits use of lower rings than needed under 56mm glass. At 29 ounces, this scope weighs 6 less than its brethren. Finally, only the 2-12\u2019s W\/E dials wear caps, a must on a hunt.<\/p>\n

\"scope\n<\/picture>
The 2-12x\u2019s capped dials are big for easy grip. Numbers are neat, sharp, visible from behind the\u00a0rifle.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This scope quickly found the rail of my Springfield Armory Waypoint rifle in 6mm Creedmoor. Well-balanced and lighter than it looks, the Waypoint has a slick, reliable action and a good trigger. The 6mm Cm is one of my favorite new cartridges, efficient and easy in recoil. Like the Waypoint, it seems to favor snug groups. I scrounged a few match loads from Berger, Hornady and Federal, with bullets of 95, 103, 105 and 109 grains.<\/p>\n

After scope-mounting<\/a>, bore-sighting and a 35-yard shot for rough zero, I began firing \u201caround the square\u201d at 100 yards to check the repeatability of the Blackhound\u2019s W\/E adjustments. Dials clicked at .1 MIL intervals as I moved the sight 24 right, then fired again with my original hold. Next, it was 24 down, then 24 left and finally 24 up, firing at each setting. After 96 clicks in all four directions, my final shots formed a half-inch knot with one of the first two. Scolding myself for nudging its mate 3\/4 inch out, I was mighty pleased with the essentially perfect return to zero.<\/p>\n

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My limited supply of each load denied me three-shot groups in this exercise. But rifle and loads shot tightly enough to show W\/E adjustments were consistent as well as repeatable. I pay little mind to how closely point-of-impact shift in MOA or MILs matches specs. If POI moves 8.9\u201d instead of an expected 8.6, I note it \u2014 also if vertical and horizontal displacements differ, one from another. But unless a sight is destined for competition and handfuls of clicks to nail targets at widely varying distances, I care only that it moves POI predictably and returns to zero. The Blackhound Emerge has a resettable zero, so after zeroing, the \u201c0\u201d on the elevation dial can be set at the turret\u2019s witness mark. There it\u2019s easy to check at a glance. Changes are easy to make and reverse in the field.<\/p>\n

Impressions<\/h2>\n

Unarguably a big scope, the Blackhound 2-12\u00d744 is also handsome, with a clean profile and crisp but unobtrusive lettering on tube and dials. The black finish is neither dull matte nor glossy. A steep angle to the objective bell and relatively short eyepiece yield ample free tube \u2014 1.6\u201d in front of the turret, 3.1 behind. The turret\u2019s location and the Waypoint\u2019s generous rail also ensured I could place the sight for my stock-crawling shooting style without limiting shooters of other build and habits.<\/p>\n

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The author stated the scope is lighter than it looks. Further, he believes the Blackhound complements the Waypoint\u2019s profile, balance and accuracy\u00a0well.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A scope with 2-12X magnification range suits just about any hunt I\u2019ll take, and suffices for most long-range competition. At 7X, the Blackhound\u2019s 44mm front lens delivers an exit pupil of over 6mm \u2014 as big as the human eye can use in the dimmest shooting light. Field at 100 yards: 55 to 9 \u00bd feet. Eye relief is generous (3\u00bd\u201d) and non-critical (a little head movement doesn\u2019t suddenly pull the shades).<\/p>\n

ER commonly shrinks at high power settings, in some scopes to an alarming degree. I noticed very, very little change in ER across the Blackhound\u2019s magnification range. Also, the field remained flat, sharp and color-true to the rim from 2X to 12X, unlike fields of many scopes, which show curvature at low magnification.<\/p>\n

\"sighting\n<\/picture>
The author felt that 6mm Creedmoor Match loads delivered excellent accuracy from a Springfield Waypoint with the 2-12\u00d744 Blackhound scope\u00a0mounted.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Numbers on these W\/E dials are easy to read and thoughtfully placed to be visible with the rifle cheeked. Big enough to grip easily, the dials move with snappy precision. There are 30 MILs of elevation, 30 of windage, 10 MILs per dial rotation. The caps spin smoothly on and off, but snug up securely.<\/p>\n

Useful reticle graduations on this Blackhound help with off-center holds. First-focal-plane design eliminates the possibility of reticle shift along the power scale and enables the reticle as a rangefinder at any magnification. Six illumination settings bracket \u201coff\u201d detents on the brightness dial, so any setting is a click from \u201coff\u201d or a return to the last position. Like the focus\/parallax dial, the brightness dial is deeply knurled. The two are adequately separated for no-look adjustment. Both turn smoothly, but with enough resistance that neither will yield to an accidental nudge.<\/p>\n

\"field\n<\/picture>
The author chose the 2-12\u00d744 over more powerful Emerge models because its size, weight, power range and capped dials best suited it to his field\u00a0use.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Each Blackhound Emerge is boxed with fitted, hinged lens caps, a sunshade, a CR2032 battery, a lens cloth and accessories you might not expect. Bubble levels help with scope mounting<\/a>, so the reticle is truly square with the world. There\u2019s a tool to remove the battery housing\u2019s slotted cap without marring it, also allen wrenches for zero reset and to snug Torx screws on the supplied 34mm scope rings. Yes, those big split rings are included! They fit any Pic rail and are tall enough to ensure the objective bell clears the barrel on any rifle.<\/p>\n

Blackhound Emerge Specifications<\/h2>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Magnification<\/td>\n2-12x<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Objective Lens<\/td>\n44mm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Eye Relief<\/td>\n3.54\u2033<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Focal Plane<\/td>\nFirst Focal Plane (FFP)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tube Size<\/td>\n34mm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Click Value<\/td>\n1\/10 mil<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Travel per Rotation<\/td>\n10 mil<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Elevation Adjustments<\/td>\n30 mil<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Windage Adjustments<\/td>\n30 mil<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Length<\/td>\n12.72\u2033<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Weight<\/td>\n1.82 lbs<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Power Source<\/td>\nCR2032 lithium battery<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Country of Origin<\/td>\nMade in Japan<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
MSRP<\/td>\n$1,299.99<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n

In sum, the Blackhound Emerge 2-12\u00d744 is indeed a big scope. But I erred in thinking its size and heft would outshine its practical design, its optical and mechanical excellence, and a package of included features that, to my knowledge, is unmatched industry-wide! In profile and performance, it\u2019s a perfect fit for rifles like Springfield\u2019s Waypoint. I can\u2019t imagine a shot, long or short, that it wouldn\u2019t make handily!<\/p>\n

Editor\u2019s Note: Please be sure to check out The Armory Life Forum, where you can comment about our daily articles, as well as just talk guns and gear. Click the \u201cGo To Forum Thread\u201d link below to jump in!<\/em><\/p>\n

Join the Discussion<\/span><\/h5>\n

Go to forum thread<\/a><\/p>\n

Featured in this article<\/span><\/h5>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span> \n\t\t\t\t\t\"Blackhound\n<\/picture>\n <\/p>\n

Blackhound Optics Emerge 2-12\u00d744 FFP MIL<\/span><\/h3>\n


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\n\t\t\t\t\t\"Model <\/p>\n

Model 2020 Waypoint Series<\/span><\/h3>\n


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Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Wayne van Zwoll In this Blackhound Emerge 2-12\u00d744 review, Wayne van Zwoll examines the scope\u2019s features, including its versatile power range, 34mm main tubes with illuminated reticles, and reasonable price point. Initially skeptical, van Zwoll delves into the Emerge\u2019s details with a hands-on evaluation informed by a lifetime of experience. Sometimes I\u2019m wrong. Less […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1083,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1082","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1082","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1082"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1082\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/1083"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1082"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1082"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunowner-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1082"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}