Mueller Optics is a small specialty firm founded by Rich Schlampp. Rich and his buyers have spent months traveling the world searching for the right components and the right factory in which to assemble their scopes. This multi-national approach to scope production allows Mueller Optics to sell riflescopes of a quality equal to higher priced brands, but at a lower price.

Another strategy to reduce costs is through limited advertising. Mueller Optics prefers targeted (rather than mass-market) advertising, reviews in journals such as Guns and Shooting Online, and word of mouth endorsements from satisfied customers.

Mueller Optics Eraticator scopes feature a glass etched reticle. The 25mm outer tube is made from strong aluminum alloy. All lens elements are fully multi-coated. A heavy-duty spring clip assembly insures accurate and repeatable adjustments.

The 8.5-25x50mm Eraticator scope reviewed here features a fast focus (European style) eyepiece, an adjustable objective for parallax correction, finger adjustable target-type windage and elevation knobs that click in 1/8 MOA increments, and a high torque power change ring. The calibrated scales concentric with the windage and elevation adjustment knobs can be repositioned to "zero" after the scope is sighted-in. Threaded metal caps and rubber seals protect the adjustment turrets.

At 8.5x the Eraticator's field of view is 18.8' at 100 yards, and at 25x it is 6.3'. The optimum eye relief is 3". The finish is matte black. All Mueller scopes come with a transferable limited lifetime warranty.

Physically, the Eraticator is 15 7/8" long by my measurement and the outside diameter of the objective bell is 2 3/8". Catalog weight is 20.8 ounces.

The reticle is a super-fine crosshair with 1/16 MOA center dot. The center dot can be illuminated for use in dim light, turning it from black to red, and there are 11 brightness settings.

Two of us found that the reticle achieved best focus only when the eyepiece focus ring was backed all the way out. This may be a product of middle-aged eyes. The third (and youngest) shooter achieved correct focus for his eye when the ring was somewhere in the center of its travel. Perhaps an extended focusing range would be a worthwhile improvement.

This is clearly a varmint hunting scope, so I mounted it on a single shot NEF Stainless Handi-Rifle in .223 Remington caliber. The first impression one gets looking through the Mueller Optics Eraticator scope is of surprisingly sharp, clear optics for so a powerful scope . . . The adjustable objective is a handy feature, particularly since I started shooting at 25 yards and finished at 100 yards. The overall performance of the Eraticator at the range was very good.

The Mueller 8.5-25x50 Eraticator is packaged with lens caps, a lens cloth, instructions, and a threaded lens hood (sun shade). It's a lot of scope for only $269.95. Order from a Mueller dealer or direct from Mueller Optics by telephone or on their WebSite (www.muelleroptics.com).

Note: A complete Mueller Eraticator scope review can be found on the Product Reviews page.