AO Review: Maven RS.5 4-24x50mm Second Focal Plane SHR-MIL

The game of precision and long-range shooting has become tremendously popular over the last 10 years. Manufacturers from firearms to optics have made it easier and easier to get into the sport with affordable and quality products. This also extends to long-range hunting as well. One company who has indelibly made their mark in this arena is Maven Outdoor Equipment (Maven Optics). With their “Direct to Consumer/No Retail Markup” business model, they get supremely high-quality glass into the hands of hunters and shooters alike at much better prices. For all of those reasons, we are taking a look at the Maven RS.5 4-24x50mm Second Focal Plane (SHR-MIL Reticle) riflescope here today. Let’s dive in!

Maven Coverage on AllOutdoor

Specifications – Maven RS.5 4-24x50mm Second Focal Plane SHR-MIL

The Maven RS.5 4-24x50mm Second Focal Plane (SHR-MIL Reticle) riflescope is larger in its tube diameter (30mm), heftier on weight (25.5 Oz), and is equally rich in features. As a part of Maven’s Direct-to-Consumer business model, they can give shooters more bang for their buck by cutting out the middle man. All of the specifications for the RS.5 4-24x50mm Second Focal Plane (SHR-MIL Reticle) riflescope can be read below as presented by Maven:

Second Focal Plane (SFP)
No-Shim Reset-able Zero Stop with 0.1 MRAD/click Turret Adjustment
Etched Glass SHR-W (MIL) Reticle
10 Level Red Reticle Illuminations
30mm Tube
Extra-Low Dispersion (ED) Glass
Exceptionally Clear, Bright, High Contrast Image
Excellent Color Fidelity
Waterproof and Fog Proof
Overall Length: 14.4″
Overall Weight: 25.5 Oz
Made in Japan

The Maven RS.5 4-24x50mm SFP riflescope carries Maven’s Lifetime Warranty and punches in at an affordable MSRP of $1,400 for the features and quality that it offers. With Maven’s “Direct to Consumer/No Retail Markup” business model, you get a better optic at a much better price. Maven elaborates on all of this in their Press Release statement below:

“The Maven RS.5 is the latest addition to the company’s line of premium, precision rifle scopes. It’s specifically designed to offer the versatility needed to serve both eastern and western hunters who desire a second focal plane with substantial zoom capabilities. Constructed with Maven’s award-winning glass, it offers a 4-24x zoom range with a 50mm objective lens, side parallax adjustment, lockable zero-stop, customizable turrets, two reticle options, illuminated reticles, and the ability to customize it with Maven’s Custom Optics Builder. Like all scopes in the company’s RS Series, additional features include crystal clear ED glass for tack-sharp clarity, a silky-smooth focus mechanism, precision-milled adjustments, solid click detents, multi-coated lenses, and durable anodizing to resist heavy use.”

First Impressions – Maven RS.5 4-24x50mm Second Focal Plane SHR-MIL

When you unbox the Maven RS.5 4-24x50mm riflescope for the 1st time you know you are holding something substantial. The scope has a decent amount of heft to it in order to achieve its 4-24x magnification, but the optic still has a lean profile or footprint; standard medium height rings worked perfectly. With the set of medium height rings deployed, the optic was able to hug the action and barrel tightly yet still allowed for the bolt to clear with plenty of room.

The diopter on the eyepiece was firm yet could be easily manipulated with one hand. The windage and elevation adjustment turrets were crisp and tactile in their use; you always had a positive response to adjustments you made. The side parallax adjustment coupled with an illuminated reticle feature was a pleasant surprise as well because that simply added more clarity and visual confirmation in all weather environments while aiming. Overall – without having used the optic in the field yet – all signs pointed to this being a quality riflescope.

Reticle Subtensions – Maven RS.5 4-24x50mm Second Focal Plane SHR-MIL

Once my chosen rifle of a Savage Model 110 Timberline and the optic were properly married together, the first thing that is typically tested out at the range are the reticle subtensions. When we look at optics and their reticles in a retail store we make the assumption that if a manufacturer states their subtensions – or the little hashes on a reticle – equal a specific increment like 1 MIL, that they do. It would be wonderful if that were true, but unfortunately, it is not true for all scope manufacturers.

With the Maven RS.5 4-24x50mm Second Focal Plane SHR-MIL scope we are testing, the Maven SHR-MIL reticle does have subtensions that need to be accounted for. As a result, subtension testing was required. The thickness of the varying subtension lines in the SHR-MIL reticle were confirmed to be true to their advertised size and are listed below though for those who are interested.

Tracking – Maven RS.5 4-24x50mm Second Focal Plane SHR-MIL

The next test to ensure this optic is up to par is to verify it “tracks” correctly. What is meant by this is if you make an adjustment – either windage or elevation – by clicking a fixed amount on your turrets, that should actually pan out on paper. You never want to adjust your elevation say 10 MIL and then an optic does respond accordingly.

So, to test the tracking I shot a confirmation 3-shot group at 100 yards. Then, I adjusted 1 MIL of elevation up and to the right. Next, I shot a second 3-shot group. Finally, I adjusted 1 MIL of elevation down and to the left. A 3rd and final 3-shot group was sent down range. After wandering down to my target to verify, the scope gave me all of the correct adjustment because I ended up exactly where I had started. It passed the test. I can also state that over a period of several months whenever I shot with the RS.5 4-24x50mm, the scope always responded accordingly.

Parallax – Maven RS.5 4-24x50mm Second Focal Plane SHR-MIL

The next test I put the Maven RS.5 4-24x50mm through was to verify its parallax. The parallax of any scope is a very misunderstood property. Most people tend to believe your parallax knob (if any scope offers one) is there to make your image clear. This is an extremely rudimentary way of expressing what your parallax actually accomplishes.

The parallax of any scope is meant to get your reticle and the object you are looking at on the same focal plane. When this is achieved, yes, your image will look more clear, but once again that is an overly simplistic explanation for what is going on. Most parallax knobs will have yardage markers to indicate at what revolution point on the knob you should hopefully hit that “sweet spot” of your reticle and target being on the same focal plane. While the numbers are not always perfect, its a good baseline.

When testing the left-hand parallax turret on the Maven RS.5 4-24x50mm all of the depicted yardage markings corresponded with the most true and clear picture possible for the distance the scope was being aimed at. So, it passed the parallax test.

Final Thoughts – Maven RS.5 4-24x50mm Second Focal Plane SHR-MIL

So, what are my final thoughts on the Maven RS.5 4-24x50mm Second Focal Plane SHR-MIL riflescope?… In all of the testing I accomplished, it passed every metric with flying colors. As simple as all of the testing we do is for optics, you would be surprised how many scopes “fail” because they simply are not what they are advertised to be. With the Maven RS.5 4-24x50mm Second Focal Plane SHR-MIL, everything is spot on and the glass has incredible clarity while looking through it at all power levels. For anyone who is looking for a higher quality, higher magnification riflescope that has $2K of value, but not a $2K price-tag, then the Maven RS.5 4-24x50mm Second Focal Plane SHR-MIL is for you.

In closing, I want to say thank you to Maven for allowing AllOutdoor and myself the opportunity to try out their RS.5 4-24x50mm Second Focal Plane SHR-MIL riflescope. That is greatly appreciated. Also, we would like to know what all of you guys and gals think? Do you believe that the Maven RS.5 4-24x50mm Second Focal Plane SHR-MIL riflescope is something worth spending your money on? As always, let us know all of your thoughts in the Comments below! We always appreciate your feedback.

Adam Scepaniak