I was out at the SHOT show at Vegas over the week end, and the high light of the show to me was to see that the Unertl company is going to start making 1 1/2", 1 1/4" target scopes and small game scopes. 
I asked lots of questions and drooled over the scopes they had at the show. They felt the new manufactured scopes will be of a improved quality over the old originals. The best part is the material I picked up for retail price is less than one pays currently for a old scope in very good shape. It will be some time before they get into production, but it is something we can look forward to. The retail price sheet for the following scopes they will be producing: 1 1/2" target $753; 1 1/4" target $715; small game $550; 
Bob

I respectfully suggest that the prices quoted for used Unertls are waaaaayyy out of line. I recently saw a like-new 1.5" target with caps & spring go for $450 at a gun show, sold by a gun show shark. I will cheerfully sell my own excellent-condition 1.5" target with smallest dot, both caps & spring plus I'll throw in a pair of bases for $550 & laugh all the way to the bank. I just sold one of my like-new 2" Ultra Varmints with dual range-finder reticle, both caps, spring, original wooden box and factory papers for $650 & was a little embarrassed at the high price. Also sold one of my 1" targets in average condition with spring but no caps for $275. This scope was eminently usable as-was (I used it with perfect satisfaction for 10 yrs) but needed a lens replacement to be perfect.

I also respectfully suggest that today's Unertl lenses aren't the quality of the old ones. John Unertl realized the importance of using only the purest & highest-quality sand in his glass, and was able to locate a source of excellent sand in the PA area. This PA sand, and in fact all the known sand in the USA, is now of a lower quality than in the past due to the supplies of the good stuff being already used up. Now the best optical sand in the world comes from central Europe or the Orient. Wonder where the new Unertl sand comes from?

My statement about lens quality comes from experience with several makers over the years. For instance, I'll bet if you look through five Unertls of 1950s/60s vintage along with five Lyman STS's of 1950s/60s vintage, you'll instantly see what I'm speaking about. The clarity is simply not as good with any other make as it is with Unertl, especially once the scope gets some age on it. Sad but true.

I still own several old Unertls and consider myself very fortunate, but would cheerfully buy two Leupolds instead of one of the new Unertls for the same price. The new Leupolds maybe aren't quite as good as the old Unertls but are better than anything else made in this country IMO.

BTW I just picked up one of the new 6x MVAs for $400, IMO a good scope that's perhaps a little more usable than its counterparts, the Unertl 1" target & Small Game scopes. Those multiple dots sure make a difference. Time will tell about the lenses.

Speaking personally, if I had the better part of $1000 to spend on optics, I'd save up another $1000 & then buy an older Unertl Team spotting scope. "Ne plus ultra" (than which there is no better)
JMOFWIW, good luck, Joe

(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)

Schuetzen
Unertl has been purchased by a business man from Las Vegas, their new address is Unertl Optical Co., 2900 S. Highland Drive Bldg 18C, Las Vegas 89109. Phone 702-369-4092
Bob

Joe

You did OK on that MVA. I hardly ever use the Weaver T's anymore but have 3 of them.

I have used the QR set up. I have a little T/C Contender carbine with it that I switch barrels between .22 LR and .22 K Hornet and use one Leopold compact 3x9 A/O. I had target knobs installed and the rifle zeros repeat perfectly.  Now I am trying to figure out a way to put the same rib on a Oregon Kimber K82 that I use for Small Bore Sillouette in the Hunter class. It carries a Leopold 6.5x20 which is fine for matches but not so go for hunting. It would be qood to be able to switch off the 3x9 & 6.5x20  Now the rifle has tip off groves in the reciever. The newer Kimbers are drilled for the Warne set up I think.

My 2 Schuetzens are traditional and I switch beteen a Unertl 12 x Target and a Parsons STS 20x and two sets of Soule tang sights. One MVA and one Mike Stevens, I generaly use the 20x for rimfire and like the 12 x for the 32/40 or 38/55 barrels. The 20x is probably going to be the one I use for Bench rest now that I have a dedicated bench barrel.

It's a little complicated with all this switching scopes and barrels but I have a whole lot fewer rifles than I used to. I guess thats progress.

Boats