Cabela’s Intensity LR is a white labelled scope from Cabela’s that comes in 4-16×44. I’ve previously owned the Covenant 4, 5, and 7, is this one any good?
Cabela’s Intensity LR Specifications & Features
- 4-16×44
- Sold in SFP (second focal plane, as pictured) or FFP (first focal plane)
- Illuminated reticle or not (this one’s not)
- Side parallax adjustment
- 30mm tube
- Zero-stop elevation turret
- 25 MOA per rotation elevation turret
- 3.6″ eye relief
- Fairly simple reticle with some wind holds (max 6 moa windage holds)
So, this thing’s claim to fame is the elevation turret: it does a lot per rotation so you are going to be less likely to forget how many rotations you’ve done. It also has a zero stop buuuut.
The zero stop is fiddly as fuck
You need a TINY little allen key that comes with the scope, and there’s a bit of a process to doing this. It’s fiddly. The zero stop mechanism is also used in the Meopta Optika 6. Maybe this scope manufacturer ripped off Meopta’s zero stop design.
Intensity LR scope pros:
- Cabela’s puts them on sale ($240 was what this one cost)
- Loads of elevation per dial makes it easy to dial in for long ranges without turning a full rotation
- Clicks are very clicky and positive
- The quite long eye relief (for a regular scope) is going to be good for some rifle setups
- Glass is ok for the price
Intensity LR scope cons:
- Fiddly zero stop
- Cabela’s only warrantees these things for 60 days
- The screw holding the scope cap on just uses a rubber o-ring for friction. I don’t like it
- Most guys doing long range are transitioning away from MOA to MIL. I think this scope would have more appeal in MIL.
- Would have been nice to have elevation holds in the reticle
- Bit claustrophobic in the eyebox. There’s a pronounced “donut” of black between the scope edge and the viewable area
- The long eye relief may make it harder to mount on some rifles because you’ll have to put it allll the way forward
Who’s this scope for?
The odd collection of features only has 2 ideal use cases that I can easily see:
- A hunter who wants an inexpensive scope but is experienced in making long range shots and wants something that can dial in MOA. Though in my mind, this is better done with a scope that has hold overs in the reticle. Who wants to dial-in for elevation when you’re hunting?
- A new rimfire PRS shooter who is used to MOA and wants to stay with it for now
- Someone who plinks at a variety of distances for fun and doesn’t want to spend a fortune on a precision rifle rig+scope.
