By staff writer: Charles Coker

If you have been following TGR for some time you will know I am a big fan of Kahles optics.  I have ran numerous scopes from Kahles over the years and have always been extremely impressed with them.

Today I am going to cover the K16i 1-6 tactical scope.

Overview

Let’s get this out of the way, this is a high end, state of the art, zero compromise scope.

As such, it is expensive.  Very.

If you are looking for a great bang for the buck scope, this scope isn’t for you.

However, if you are in the market for the very best and are willing pay for it, read on.

If you are looking at Swarovksi, Schmidt&Bender, etc.. and know why they cost what they do, read on.

As with any ultra high end product you reach a point of diminishing returns, and as such, it is up to the individual to determine when “good enough” doesn’t cut it anymore and you simply must have the best.  If this sounds like you, read on.

This scope is for the competitor or tactical guy looking for an amazing 1-6.

Specifications:

Field of View:  138.8 – 26.2′ (ft./100 yd.)
Scope Finish:  matte black
Reticle Position:  Second focal plane
Eye Relief:  3.74″
Illuminated Reticle:  yes
Scope Turret Adjustment:  .15 Mil
Scope Weight:  16.9 oz.
Magnification Range:  1-6
Scope Objective Diameter:  24 mm
Scope Tube Size / Mount:  30 mm
Scope Length:  10.5″

Features:

“Is it a true 1x?‘ is one of the first things educated guys will ask anytime a new 1-x is introduced.

The answer is a resounding “yes!”

It has a tremendous field of view. The only other 1-x I had on hand to do a direct compare against is my Meopta 1-4ZD (gen 2) which I really like and it too is a true 1x scope with a big field of view.  However, the Kahles IS bigger, at 15ft for example you simply see more of the target area, it’s wider and puts more targets in view allowing you to transition between targets quicker.

“Is the reticle day time bright? Is it Aimpoint bright?” is another common question..

Again, the answer is “yes!”

It is VERY bright and easily visible in bright Texas summer sun even against light colored targets.

There are several reticles available and they illuminate differently. The scope we used for our testing had the Si-1 reticle.

• It features a familiar circle-dot reticle with a 20 MOA outer circle with a 1MOA center dot.
• Both the center dot and 20 MOA circle illuminate.
• Beneath the center dot is a smaller dot 5 MOA down.
• The bottom of the outer circle has a small gap with the tip of a chevron10 MOA below the center dot.
• There are additional chevrons below at 5 MOA increments.

Running the scope:

This reticle is very fast up close and getting on target as well as transitioning between targets.  The horizontal line  is tapered towards the center and helps when sweeping between targets.  The holdover points are easy to work with your ballistic data and the chevrons help with wind hold offs.

This scope’s reticle is in the 2nd focal plane and as such holdover points are calculated at max power. Personal preference will dictate if you want a 1st or 2nd focal plane scope.  Each has pros and cons of course.  Personally, I like 1st focal plane on higher power “tactical” scopes and my favorite is indeed a FFP, it is also a Kahles.  I absolutely dig my K312 II.  However with lower power scopes I am not sold on FFP and am quite content with SFP.

The glass is stunning, as good as it gets.  Edge to edge clarity is outstanding and the image appears to float beyond the scope body which disappears from your field of view in use.  The clarity and resolution are incredible, it is easy to watch your hits at long range.  On freshly painted steel you can see the paint hits even at 500 yards!  The image just has lots of pop and with the contrast and color rendition it is easy to pick out your targets.

Eye relief is not the least bit sensitive and it is very easy to get behind with a tremendous eye box.  It is quite easy to have the gun at  low ready and when the buzzer goes off to be able to get on target fast and engage,

One seemingly minor detail is the built in cat tail which enables the user to be to quickly change magnification settings even with gloves on.  I say seemingly minor because it really would be a minor thing for all scopes to have this feature.

Conclusion:

In short, the Kahles K16i is a fantastic scope and worth your consideration if you are looking for the ultimate 1-6.

Feedback from Aaron Hayes of Hayes Custom Guns:

“I really like the scope. The reticle is EOTech-ish to my eye, which makes fast shooting very easy on 1x. The illumination is BRIGHT! I had no problems seeing the illumination in bright sunlight. The built-in throw lever is a great touch, some of the aftermarket levers on other scopes look kinda weird, but this one melded very well and was very effective. I mounted in in a Larue quick-detach mount, so of course there were no problems there. Zeroing was easy. Using the ballistics of my ammo, it was easy to know what ranges the various markings on the reticle corresponded to, and hits on steel gongs at 400+ yards were routine. The glass is clear and the scope does not take up much of the shooters field of view when shooting with both eyes open. Eye relief was excellent and very forgiving with regard to head position.

Overall, I liked it a lot. I would definitely use it in 3-gun competition if I owned one. I’d highly recommend it to anyone who is shopping for a 3-gun type optic.”

Reticle Pictures with Subtension Data:

Reticle Pictures provided by Ken at Kahles USA

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ccoker

Founding staff member, avid shooter, hunter, reloader and all around gun geek with an obsession for perfection

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