Although Cabela's has long carried all the major makes of telescopic sights, since 1976 the company has also offered optics under its own name. Currently, Cabela's catalogs a variety of tactical and specialty riflescopes, as well as two lines intended primarily for hunters: the value-priced Pine Ridge scopes, which retail from $49.99 to $149.99, and the Alaskan Guide models, consisting of the Premium, XT and Rangefinding lines, with prices of $299.99 to $429.99. The offerings in the Rangefinding line include 3.5-10x42 mm and 4.5-14x42 mm models; the latter is evaluated here.

Like all the Alaskan Guide scopes, the 4.5-14x42 mm Rangefinding Riflescope is made to Cabela's specifications in Japan. Alaskan Guide scopes have 1-inch-diameter main tubes and all the features that one would expect from quality hunting optics: one-piece aluminum main tubes, multicoated lenses for superior light transmission, nitrogen filling to eliminate fogging, etched glass reticles, and waterproof and shockproof construction. Additional features include windage and elevation turrets with 1/4-minute clicks, a fast-focus eyepiece, and, on both rangefinding models, a saddle-mounted side-focus parallax adjustment turret. Both the windage and elevation turrets offer a generous 60 minutes of angle (m.o.a.) of adjustment (15 m.o.a. per revolution).

The most distinctive feature of our Alaskan Guide scope was its rangefinding reticle, which allows estimation of both target range and bullet drop. In addition to a standard crosshair, the reticle contains a series of four circles of descending diameter, representing an 18-inch target width at 200, 300, 400 and 500 yards, respectively. Etched numbers indicate the distance associated with each circle. A short horizontal line extends from each circle to the vertical crosshair, establishing the proper aiming point for that particular distance (except for the 200-yard circle, which is centered on the primary crosshair). The rangefinding reticle is in the scope's first focal plane, which maintains the proper apparent size of each circle regardless of scope magnification, and allows the rangefinding feature to be used at any magnification.

In use, the shooter simply brackets an 18-inch portion of the target (the nominal size of the chest cavity of deer, antelope, bear and the like) in one of the circles in the reticle. The circle giving the best fit indicates the approximate range to the target. The shooter then aims at the target utilizing the proper horizontal line, which should produce the proper drop compensation for that range.
Of course, in the field, the back-to-belly measurement of game animals won't always be exactly 18 inches, and even when it is, game won't always be conveniently located so that it fits neatly into one of the rangefinding circles.

Also affecting the performance of such a rangefinding reticle is extent to which the drop compensation of the reticle matches the actual drop of the cartridge and bullet. In the case of the Alaskan Guide Rangefinding scope, drop compensation was based on the trajectories of high-velocity cartridges such as the .243 Win., .270 Win, 7 mm Rem. Mag. and .300 Win Mag. Despite the differences among these cartridges, their drop figures at 300 to 500 yards are remarkably similar.

We tested the 4.5-14X 42 mm Rangefinding Riflescope using two different, highly accurate rifles: a custom 6.5-.284 Win. rifle with H-S Precision action and stock and a 27-inch Douglas Premium heavy barrel, and a DPMS LR-260 rifle with a 24-inch target-weight barrel, chambered in .260 Rem. The 6.5-.284 Win. rifle had a trajectory that, in theory, was a good fit to the drop compensation markings in the reticle, while the .260 Rem. gun gave us an opportunity to test the unit with a standard, non-magnum cartridge.

As per the manufacturer’s instructions, we first zeroed the rifle at 100 yards using the central crosshair. We then fired three-shot groups at Bianchi D-1 “tombstone” targets at 200 to 500 yards. These targets have the advantage of being exactly 18-inches wide, and allowed us to gauge the accuracy of the reticle markings.

At all distances, the 18-inch-wide target fit the appropriate range estimating circles precisely. As expected, the drop of the 6.5- .284 Win. load—using a Hornady 140-grain A-MAX at 2900 fps—corresponded well with the various range-specific markings in the reticle. Also as expected, the .260 Rem. in the DPMS gun (2,725 fps muzzle velocity with the same 140- grain A-MAX bullet) exhibited more drop than the reticle compensated for. At shorter distances, the differences were not great: about 2 inches at 200 yards, and 4 inches at 300 yards—within the hypothetical 5-inch radius circle representing the vitals of medium-size game. At longer distances, however, the drop disparity fell well outside this circle.

During our range session we also performed our usual tests of scope clarity, adjustment accuracy and parallax. Our test scope was bright and sharp, with no discernible distortion, and its adjustments were precise and repeatable.

We found the Cabela’s Alaskan Guide Rangefinding Riflescope to be a good value in a medium-priced hunting optic, and its rangefinding reticle both simple and fast to use. As with any such system, the wise shooter will verify the reticle markings with actual shooting tests, and will also spend time with ballistic tables, to better interpolate range and drop values when the target does not fit neatly into the rangefinding circles. Also, those using lower-velocity cartridges, such as the .260 Rem., 7 mm-08 Rem., and .308 Win., may choose to limit their use of this rangefinding system to 300 yards and less. That may not be much of a sacrifice, as many hunting authorities would frown on 400- to 500-yards on game with such rounds. In sum, we consider that this scope can be an effective tool for making first-shot hits on targets at unknown, extended ranges.

Importer: Cabela’s; (800) 237-4444; Cabelas.com
Model: 4.5-14X 42 mm Range AG
Magnification and Objective: 4.5-14X 42 mm
Finish: matte black anod izing
Field of View (Ft. at 100 Yds.): 23.6 ft. (4.5X), 7.5 ft. (14X)
Eye Relief: 3.3"
Click Value: 1/4" at 100 yds.
Windage and Elevation Adjustment Range: 60-m.o.a. (windage and elevation)
Reticle: rangefinding cro sshair
Length: 13.4"
Weight: 18.0 ozs.
Features: Side-foc us knob for parallax correction fro m 20 yds. to infinity; fast-foc us eyepiece
Accessories: anti-fog cloth
Suggested Retail Price: $399