Name of Manufacturer and Product
Manufacturer: US Optics
Product Name: B-10
MSRP: $1,999.00 – $2,299.00
Material & Finish: 6061-T6 Aluminum with Hardcoat Anodized Finish
Weight: 29.3 oz
Length: 12.98”
Background of US Optics and the B-10:
US Optics is a North-Carolina based manufacturer known for their ability to produce premium optics using glass featuring remarkable clarity and brightness. A few years back I was peer pressured into picking up one of their scopes (a co-worker and I were in a bit of an arms race at the time and he had recently purchased a shiny new B-25), and have fallen in love with it ever since. That optic was their B-10 1.8-10×42 with an H.425 reticle.
Weighing in at a somewhat hefty 29.3 oz (1.83 lbs), the B-10 measures in at just a hair under 13” long. Its 34mm objective offers an excellent field of view, a generous eye box, and a 42mm objective lens that allows builders to mount the optic fairly close to the handguard with most standard scope mount designs (shown in this article mounted to a 34mm ADM-RECON-S scope mount.
The B-10 is one of four models in US Optics’ B-Series. The BFX-10 features a fixed 10x magnification, the B-17 offers a magnification range of 3.2-17x, while the B-25 provides a magnification range of 5-25x. As with all US Optics scopes, each one features a lifetime warranty for function, quality, workmanship, or material.
I had considered purchasing a B-17 or a B-25 for the additional magnification, but my intention for this build was to create a general purpose AR-15 that allowed me to effectively engage targets from 0-800 yards. The B-10 offered the magnification range I required, in a slightly more compact package (as a point of reference, my coworker’s B-25 measured in at nearly 18”, which is rapidly approaching “wiffle ball bat” territory in overall size). A scope of that size may have proven to be a bit unwieldy on a small frame gas gun. In retrospect I’m extremely happy with my decision, for reasons to be described below:
The Reticle: Horus H.425
While low powered variable optics (LVPO’s) may be slightly quicker to pick up targets with a true 1x magnification for applications like 3-Gun or room clearing, the B-10 is no slouch in the close-quarters department as well. The H.425 reticle allows shooters to easily acquire their target by centering on the two thick horizontal posts, which are still readily visible at even the lowest magnification levels. If you have cleared rooms with a fixed powered ACOG in the past, you know it’s a pretty straightforward process once you get used to using the two-eyed Bindon Aiming Concept technique.
There may be better options for close quarters work, but there isn’t much out there that competes with the B-10 in versatility. For a “One Gun” rifleman, this optic can do it all. Once this optic is cranked up to its maximum 10x magnification, the benefits of the H.425 reticle becoming immediately clear. The classic “Christmas Tree” reticle format is familiar with PRS and Long Range competitors who will often holdover on both windage and elevation when acquiring targets in the field. While the other Horus reticles (The H.59 and TreMor 3 reticle designs are some of my personal favorites) offer their own set of range estimation tools, the H.425 is unique in how it estimates target range in practical shooting conditions.
By selecting a target point of a known size (for the sake of this article and the provided graphic we’ll reference a 24” target), you can easily calculate your distance to a target by referencing the range finder on the left side of the reticle.
Simply divide the target’s real-world image height (in inches) by the image height (in Shooters Minute of Angle (1” at 100 yards, 2” at 200 yards, etc.) and multiply that number by 100, and you’ll have your range to target.
It takes a few trial runs to get this equation dialed into the back of your mind, but with a little practice, those mental calculations can become second nature.
If Christmas tree style reticles aren’t your cup of tea, there are other options available for the B-10 including a fairly standard .mil and MOA hashmarked crosshairs (B-10 GAP and B-10 MOA), and crosshairs with a thick outside circle for easier target acquisition at low power (B-10 JNG).
My host for this rifle wound up being my general purpose precision AR-15 build. Bridging the gap between an SPR and a RECCE build (I typically reference this particular build on Instagram and Facebook under the hashtags #projectsprecce and #sprecce if you care to track down additional details on it), this rifle is capable of effectively engaging targets inside of 10 yards, or pushing the limits of my mild .223 handloads just past 800 yards. With some hot factory loads, I’ve seen some shooters push their 77gr. SMK’s out to 1,000 yards in fairly calm conditions, but I have not yet stretched the legs out on this build to ring steel at those distances.
Additional Features
The reticle and magnification range of the B-10 are only two of its many features. The benefits of a first focal plane reticle are fairly clear for practical shooting conditions, but the turret and illumination designs also lend themselves well to a field shooting environment.
The B-Series turrets are fairly low profile and offer an audible click with each .1 mil adjustment. While the adjustments are not as distinct and crisp as some of my other high-end optics, they can hardly be considered “mushy” or indecipherable. The elevation turret features a locking ring that allows for you to keep your zero held in place, a nice feature when you’re making your way through brush or maneuvering the rifle through fairly unconventional environments.
This locking ring also proves extremely convenient when setting your zero or zero stop, which can be actuated toollessly in a pinch, but is made very easy with a small plastic device that comes included with the optic. I would argue that US Optics’ zero set and zero stop system is second to none in ease of use and simplicity.
To readjust your zero on the elevation turret, simply lock the turret with the aforementioned locking ring, engage the knurled top ring with your palm or the included plastic tool, spin the knurled top ring until it releases tension on the turret, reset your zero (the turret will continue to click as you adjust, but it will not be adjusting your point of aim), retighten the knurled top ring, and release the turret lock. Viola! Your zero/zero stop has been reset!
Illumination is also fairly straightforward. Repeatedly press the button on the parallax turret until you reach your desired illumination level (it increases in intensity with each click). To deactivate illumination, continue to click the button until the illumination goes black. Unlike some optics manufacturers who will only illuminate key stadia points or lines, US Optics illuminates the entire H.425 reticle, which comes in handy for low light or night vision applications.
A Multipurpose Optic Design:
If you only have one rifle that you plan on using for a variety of different applications, the US Optics B-10 is a solid contender for the “Jack of all Trades” title. Other optics may have it beat in speed on target, while others may offer a higher level of magnification, but the 1.8-10x magnification range is remarkably versatile for competing in just about any practical scenario you may find yourself in.
As LVPO designs continue to improve by expanding their magnification range to include scopes with a true 1-10x magnification range, this design may eventually play second fiddle to future product offerings. That said, in the present day it’s going to be fairly difficult to beat the SPR/DMR design and function offered by the US Optics B-10!
Share Your Feedback
Do you have a preferred SPR/RECCE/DMR optic that you run on your “Jack of All Trades” builds or personal experience with the US Optics B-Series scope line? Share your feedback and reviews below!
I always recommend reading user reviews for truly unbiased feedback regarding a product’s design and function. Feel free to check out a number of user reviews through the below retailers: