Few months prior to the 2013 SHOT Show, Hi-Lux Leatherwood launched the new CMR-AK762 model in their popular Close Medium Range (CMR) 1-4x24mm series of tactical scope with a ballistic reticle made for the 7.62x39mm and 300 Blackout calibers. I had the opportunity to used the CMR-AK762 for my 16-inch barrel 300 Blackout AR-15 uppers from Noveske Rifleworks and Faxon Firearms. Since I don’t own an AK rifle in 7.62x39mm, this review will be focus on using the CMR-AK762 as a 300 Blackout/300 Whisper optic for the AR-15 platform. (Click here for my review of the standard Hi-Lux Leatherwood CMR model for the .223 and .308 calibers).

The CMR-AK762 has the 2^nd generation of Hi-Lux’s fast aiming double-horseshoe reticle with a number of caliber specific changes. The most obvious of those is replacing the BDC (bullet drop compensation) to ones that are calibrated for the 124gr 7.62×39 projectile. According to the company, the CMR-AK’s BDC is good to 550 meters for my favorite 300 Blackout/Whisper supersonic loads: the 110 gr Hornady V-Max, Barnes VOR-TX black-tip 110 gr and the Black Hills 125 gr w/ Sierra Match King OTM projectile. I actually have shot those supersonic 300 Blackout loads way passed 550 meters.

The reticle’s interior horseshoe has a small inverted chevron or small “V” at the 12 O’clock position for use in 100 meters or closer distance. The strata lines extended to the edges on three sides with small 1 MIL hash marks. The right side of the reticle included a cleverly designed stadiametric range-finder that’s calibrated for use with multiple measuring methods: the height (5’10” height), shoulder-width (19-inch width), torso height and head size.

The CMR-AK762’s zeroing procedure is a bit different than the standard CMR’s because of the ballistic difference. The center 1 MOA dot inside of the double-horseshoes needs to be zero at 200 meters or yards for the rest of the BDCs to work. If a 200m range is not available, use the small “V” on top the smaller horseshoe for a 100m zero. For subsonic 300 Blackout ammo, I used the MIL hash marks in the CMR-AK762’s reticle. In general, the subsonic 300 Blackout rounds drop 3-5 MILs (10.8 in to 18 in) at 100 meters range depended on the velocity, ballistic co-efficiency and the bullet weight. I found the vertical strata line has enough holdovers to use out to 500 meters with good subsonic loads like the Hornady 208 gr A-Max, American Eagle 220 gr and the PNW Arms subsonic with the excellent Sierra 220 gr Match King OTM projectile.

The reticle illumination covers the double-horseshoes, the center dot, a small section of the vertical strata line and the stadiametric range-finder on the right. A common CR2032 lithium battery powers the illumination system for estimated over 100 hours. The reticle illumination is not daylight visible, but it offers night-vision compatibility and the battery life is great. There are specific red or green illumination models of the CMR-AK-762. Most buyers of the Hi-Lux Leatherwood CMR series seem to prefer the green color illumination models.

The CMR-AK762 uses the same ½ MOA adjustment turrets as the standard CMR models. Each turret included the easy to use patented Zero-Lok return to zero feature. Also available is a higher-end CMR4-AK762 model that offers capped turrets with 1/10 MILs adjustment, superior grade of lens and scratch resistant hard-coat on the tube body. The CMR-AK762 retails for $450 and the CMR4-AK762’s MSRP is $550.

Specifications:
Model: Hi-Lux Leatherwood CMR-AK762 1-4x24mm
Magnification: 1x to 4x variable
Objective Lens Size: 24mm
Ocular Lens Size: 33mm
Lens Coating: Diamond Tuff14 multi-coat
Field of View at 100 yards: 1x: 94.8 ft. and 4x: 26.6 ft.
Eye Relief: constant 3 inches
Exit Pupil size: 11.1mm at 1x and 6mm at 4x
Tube Size: 30mm
Adjustment: 0.5 MOA per click
Length: 10.2 inches
Weight: 16.5 ounces
Reticle: Double-horseshoes with 1 MOA center dot, stadia lines with BDC and MIL hashmarks.
Reticle Illumination: Green or Red color, 11 levels with Night Vision setting.
Power Source: 3-volt Lithium CR2032
Warranty: Limited Lifetime
MSRP: $450