Kahles K624i MOA rifle scope 1

Kahles K624i MOA rifle scope

(The new Kahles K624i MOA rifle scope mounted on custom .308 Winchester with Kinetic Research Group W3 Chassis )

If this is the first time you have heard of Kahles, you may be amazed at what you read here. For all others that

at least have some knowledge of the Kahles brand, you will likely learn a lot within this article. Kahles is the world’s

oldest rifle scope manufacturer, having been in business since 1898 and they have been making huge strides in the

American market in recent years. The year of 2012 was an extremely busy year as Kahles introduced their competition

oriented optics, which are given the “K” designation, and also completed construction of a brand new state of the art

optics manufacturing facility, located in Guntramsdorf Austria. This facility is where they manufacture all of their

products in house under this single roof, and is the most up to date and comprehensive optical manufacturing and

testing facility in the industry. When the world’s oldest rifle scope manufacturer builds a brand new state of the art

facility from the ground up and simultaneously sets its sights (no pun intended) on competing heavily in the competition

scope market in the United States with a completely new line of optics, exceptional results materialize. New for 2015 is

the K624i with Minute of angle (MOA) reticle and MOA click turrets to complement the already highly popular mils

based version, which is receiving new reticles designed by a top level precision rifle competitor and instructor, Shannon

Kay.

Kahles K624i MOA rifle scope 2

(MOAK Reticle at 24X looking at a barn about 1500 yards distant, image view not representative of optical quality)

For all other reticle options, please visit the product page on www.kahlesusa.com for details.

The K624i is Kahles’ flagship optic, and also the best-selling Kahles product in the United States. The appearance

is sleek and seductive while still exuding a rugged presence. This scope has quickly established a colossal following

throughout the long range hunting/shooting industry as well as the tactical/military markets due to its numerous highly

desirable attributes. Given a high magnification scope that boasts light transmission of 95.2% and resolution numbers

that smash the competition, people that rely on their optics rapidly hear about it and ask for more information. What

they find out is that this scope also has the most refined, repeatable, reliable, and consistent internal mechanisms in the

world and is a scope that can be counted on when the shot matters the most. This article will detail the engineering

superiority built into the K624i and explain why these are important to the end user.

Kahles K624i MOA rifle scope 3

The Kahles K624i is built on a single, solid, one piece scope body. In fact, the scope bodies of every Kahles

scope, including their hunting style scopes, are machined from a single solid piece of bar stock aluminum billet. While

nearly every other scope manufacturer starts with a forged or extruded scope body, Kahles goes to the extra mile to

ensure a higher quality product through their method of scope body machining from a solid piece of bar stock. The

competitors’ forged or extruded method has the possibility to induce metallurgical flaws which are eliminated with the

machining processes utilized by Kahles.

During the scope body machining, the ever forming Kahles scope is stress relieved three separate times

throughout the entire process, start to finish. This results in an exceedingly high thermal stability of every Kahles scope

body. This is an important aspect of engineering, and one that shouldn’t be overlooked. Take for instance a rifle barrel

which is also a tube of metal. As the barrel is heated from repeated firing, if the barrel hasn’t been properly stress

relieved or has “memory” in the steel, an impact shift will result. Scope bodies can react in a similar fashion from direct

sunlight temperatures causing the scope body to react to the uneven heat, and will produce an apparent shift in the

reticle, thereby causing an impact shift on target. Kahles has recognized this aspect and therefore ensures that every

scope body be as thermally stable as possible, which is accomplished by multiple and proper stress relieving. The Kahles

process of using an inherently superior method of scope body formation (machining from solid bar stock aluminum

billet) and multiple stress relieving is the beginning of product excellence!

A 56mm objective lens is utilized up front and the scope body gracefully tapers down to a 34mm main tube.

Ample mounting surface is available in front of the adjustment housing for optimal positioning of the front scope ring.

The adjustment housing is where Kahles has set another industry first, with a top mounted parallax adjustment instead

of a turret on the side of the scope. Kahles is the first company to place the parallax adjustment in this position,

immediately below the elevation turret, and Kahles holds the patent on this method. Ergonomically speaking, this is the

ideal position for the parallax and the location that makes the most sense as it is in view from either side of the rifle

while in shooting position. Kahles is known as the “Rifle Scope Pioneer” for their industry leading inventions such as this.

(Parallax adjustment is fingertip adjustable with just enough pressure)

Kahles K624i MOA rifle scope 4

Fine adjustments to the parallax are able to be made with just fingertips. The adjustment has the perfect

amount of tension to hold the setting, but is just light enough to be able to use fingertip pressure due to the updated

knurling Kahles has introduced for 2015. Kahles now has the capability to produce an extremely ergonomic scope by

locating the windage turret on the left side of the scope, as with their new K312i rifle scope which debuted in the United

States at SHOT Show 2015.

Elevation and windage corrections are ¼ MOA or 0.1 mil clicks, which are stringently inspected to deliver precise

zeroing and adjustment value. The elevation turret provides 2.5 revolutions for a total of 88 MOA or 25 Mils of internal

adjustment and it utilizes a revolution indicator to display which turn the elevation is on.

(Elevation on “zero” and parallax adjustment set to 600 meters)

Kahles K624i MOA rifle scope 5

(Elevation on 2nd revolution as indicated by red anodized button on top of turret, 35 MOA in one turn)

(Elevation on 3rd revolution as indicated by white band around button on top of turret)

Kahles K624i MOA rifle scope 6

The revolution indicator is a red anodized button that automatically pops up from the top of the turret when the

turret goes around to the second turn, and higher for the third on the MOA version of this scope. This feature is a visual

as well as tactile indication for the user to determine the revolution and thereby eliminate confusion. The numbering

around the elevation turret is easy to see in low light conditions and are a direct read of the elevation setting after

confirming the rotation with the indicator button. Math is not required to add up the total amount of travel based on a

revolution hash mark beneath the turret. Kahles has made their turret extremely simple to read, without having to do a

math problem, and provided an easy to see and feel indication for the revolution.

Elevation dial reset is easily accomplished after a zero is established by loosening two set screws in the outer

perimeter of the turret, turning the turret back to “zero,” and retightening the set screws. The zero set mechanism is

built into the turret and allows 1 MOA or 0.3 Mils below “zero” of adjustment. This provides sufficient travel below zero

should the user have the need or desire. The Kahles dial reset is the easiest to accomplish in the rifle scope industry as

the user has no need to remove the turret and risk dirt or debris contaminating the inner portion.

For the windage, a rotation stop is built in to the windage turret as well which limits travel at 18 MOA or 6.5 Mils

in either direction. The windage stop feature is very handy to have as it eliminates the possibility of misperception to

which rotation the windage is actually on. Gone are the days of rotation indication marks beneath the turrets.

(Windage zeroed, ¼ MOA adjustments)

Kahles K624i MOA rifle scope 7

(Windage at ½ turn around with rotation limiter stop built in)

Internally, the click mechanisms are manufactured from hardened steel, which is the preferred material to

ensure consistent click feel, wear resistance, and longevity which ensures product reliability and consistency. Utilizing

hardened steel components in key areas instead of an inferior material, such as brass, that is softer and cheaper to

machine is only one aspect of their unrelenting dedication to excellence. In fact, no inferior material is present in any

Kahles scope, only the absolute highest quality material is used throughout their products for the given component.

Kahles adjustments are favored for feel, amount of tension to make an input, precision of adjustments, reliability,

repeatability, and return to zero. Kahles spares no expense to ensure the end user is purchasing a superior product, on

every product!

Reticle illumination is handled through a variable rate rheostat. Turning the illumination on begins at the lowest

intensity level and increases until full intensity is reached. Battery life is the same as would be expected from a CR 2032

battery, which would cover several days of constant use at the highest intensity level. The illumination has an auto off

feature however, that activates after four hours and turns the illumination off. Different reticles have either the entire

usable portion of the reticle illuminated, or just the very center portion, like the MSRK reticle in the mils based version of

this optic. The reticle contained in the MOA version is called the MOAK, and is fully illuminated as are the new SKMR

and SKMR2 reticles in the Mils based scope. Having the entire reticle illuminated is beneficial especially for those

shooters that use holdovers and windage holds for the majority of their shooting and that have the potential for target

engagement in less than ideal lighting conditions. All K624i rifle scopes have the reticle in the First Focal Plane which

guarantees the reticle subtensions remain exact no matter what magnification setting the scope is on.

Kahles K624i MOA rifle scope 8

(Reticle illumination in the “OFF” position)

(Reticle illumination at maximum intensity)

Kahles K624i MOA rifle scope 9

From the adjustment housing going rearward, the main tube provides ample length for the rear scope ring.

Given the availability of scope ring real estate on the main tube fore and aft, the K624i can be situated to suite any

individual to achieve proper eye relief no matter the action type of the firearm. A magnification range of 6 to 24 delivers

a generous bottom end with plentiful magnification for everything up to and including extreme long range shooting.

The magnification ring is particularly smooth throughout the entire range with a perfect amount of resistance. Once a

magnification is set, it will not move without deliberate input, but is also easy to turn when desired. A fast focus eye

piece is integrated with the eye piece for reticle focus and has an indication arrow so a user knows where their preferred

setting is at, should it get inadvertently moved, and is also smooth throughout the complete range of adjustment. It’s

no surprise the world’s oldest rifle scope company has the best feeling adjustments in the industry, they have been

working on perfecting their designs for 116 years!

(Magnification ring and fast focus eye-piece for reticle focus)

Kahles K624i MOA rifle scope 10

Kahles uses Nitrogen gas along with top of the line waterproofing techniques and materials to seal up the K624i

which meet or exceed military specification requirements. This scope, as well as all Kahles products, exceed all military

specifications for being water proof and shock proof, and is yet another reason these optics are trusted by the most

demanding hunters, shooters, and military personnel in the world.

A flat black anodize, which produces a faint shine in bright sunlight and is exceptionally durable, covers the

scope body. Kahles uses an extremely hard anodize that resists significant amounts of abrasion and independent testing

has shown the Kahles anodizing to exceed other competitors anodizing formula with scratch resistance. Scope ring

marks aren’t a concern unless poor quality or misaligned rings are used. The anodize resists normal usage with ease and

hard use with little concern. Again, nothing but the best.

(Very little shine in bright sunlight)

Optically, the K624i has no equal! This scope boasts light transmission of 95.2% which is accomplished by the

best optical design engineers in the world. The Kahles optical engineers have perfected the design by using fewer

internal lens elements, which leads to higher light transmission, and also reduced weight of the scope. It is no secret

that light transmission is lost for every air to glass lens surface, so using fewer lenses results in higher light transmission,

with all else being equal. The Kahles proprietary lens coatings are their own secret recipe that ensures ultimate optical

performance and color rendition. Resolution has been tested against the top rifle scopes in the business and the K624i

has no equal in its class. Color correction is kept natural and is pleasing to the eye with a balanced amount of contrast.

The entire optical prescription is absolutely phenomenal and provides the utmost comfort in extended viewing. Total

weight of the scope is kept to a minimum as well with only 33.5 ounces, making it an extremely light weight optic within

this magnification range.

Optical performance is further enhanced not by light transmission or resolution, but with an expansive field of

view. This scope provides yet another industry leading feature, the largest FOV at any magnification. Even fixed power

rifle scopes don’t match the FOV that Kahles is able to achieve in a high magnification, variable power optic while

maintaining a comfortable 3.5 inches of eye relief. All rifle shooters appreciate a large field of view for target location

and target reacquisition immediately after taking a shot, and this scope delivers that vital aspect. In a world where

numbers mean things, Kahles can back up performance with meaningful numbers.

Kahles K624i MOA rifle scope 11

Every Kahles scope goes through a multitude of testing and quality control procedures throughout the entire

build process. From scope body machining, erector assembly, lens inspection and installation, to final quality control

which also tests every aspect of the complete scope, Kahles goes to the ultimate length to ensure the highest quality

product is packaged up for the customer. If you are looking for the best rifle scope on the market, Kahles is the

definitive choice in the quest for rifle scope excellence and the K624i is the leader of the pack.

(Testing the new K624i MOA rifle scope)

HPS Optic is your point of contact for Kahles Optics in the United States and may be reached at 866-606-8779,

info@hpsoptic.com, or visit www.kahlesusa.com.