POTD: Schmeisser Pro Hunter & Schmidt & Bender META
Winter conditions and a steady wind set the stage for today’s Photo of the Day, featuring the Schmeisser Pro Hunter with its 18-inch barrel, chambered in .223 Remington and finished in FDE. Topped with the brand-new Schmidt & Bender 3–18×42 META riflescope, this setup represents a modern, precision-focused hunting and crossover rifle configuration. The META optic, equipped with the new SBX reticle in the first focal plane, was put straight to work under less-than-forgiving conditions.
To my surprise, the tube was 30mm, but there’s still plenty of “optics” to play with, and the focus here will be for DMR. My Spuhr QDP-3016 was perfect for the mission, so I can easily switch optics should I need to go thermal or LPVO.
The turret is DT23, a lockable double turn providing 23 MRAD of adjustment. Those who know their Schmidt & Benders will note the new design below.
Zeroing began at 100 meters (109 yards), where the rifle and optic combination quickly settled in despite gusting winds and cold temperatures. From there, the work moved to distance, confirming ballistic data at 300 meters, roughly 328 yards, to validate both the rifle’s consistency and the optic’s tracking.
Ammunition came from GGG and Hornady, both loaded with relatively heavy match bullets well-suited for stretching the legs of a .223 Rem platform (68 and 69 grs.).
Here’s what the new SBX reticle looks like, at about 140 meters (guesstimated) and around 10-12x power. Note the distinct center cross, which aids precise aiming and maintains clarity whether the scope is dialed down or zoomed in. The winter sun is about to set, so don’t judge the optics too hard just yet.
Is this the best from Germany in terms of rifles and optics at the moment?
For more information on the Schmeisser rifle: https://schmeisser-germany.com/en/ar15-pro-hunter/
and the Schmidt & Bender 3–18×42 META riflescope: https://www.schmidtundbender.de/en/NEW-META/
Ex-Arctic Ranger. Competitive practical shooter and hunter with a European focus. Always ready to increase my collection of modern semi-automatics, optics, thermals and suppressors. TCCC Certified. Occasionaly seen in a 6x6 Bug Out Vehicle, always with a big smile.
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