The 4-16X 44mm Signature Select riflescope from Burris is a good-looking scope intended for use at longer distances. Mounted atop this Savage varmint rifle it makes an excellent coyote rig.

The Short Mag line currently consists of two fixed-power models (1X 20mm XER and 4X 20mm) and three variables (2-7X 26mm, 3-9X 32mm, and 4-12X 32mm). I selected the 2-7X model because I wanted to find out how well it would work in the heavy cover here in New England.

Examining it I was impressed by how light it is, only 11 ounces. Not only is it light, but at just 9.5 inches it's also very compact. Field of view runs from 32 to 14 feet at 100 yards, and the 26mm objective generates an exit pupil running from 10.4 to 3.8mm. Capped finger-adjustable knobs provide 60 minutes of angle (MOA) of adjustment in 1/4-MOA clicks. Eye relief runs from 3.75 to 5 inches. Finish is matte black with white markings.

I mounted the 2-7X 26mm Short Mag on a CZ Model 527 in 7.62x39mm for testing. Due to the very short nature of this model's micro 98 action it can be difficult finding a scope that looks right on it. The Burris Short Mag was a perfect fit, adding little weight or bulk to the small carbine. Performance was quite good with fine resolution and a fairly bright image. It zeroed easily, and the Ballistic Plex reticle provided useful holdovers for the sluggish 7.62x39mm. I really like the size and weight of this scope, the reticle, the magnification range, and its general optical performance. My only complaint is the field of view is somewhat narrow. The suggested retail price is $463.

A significant change from the Short Mag is Burris's 4-16X 44mm from the Signature Select line. A full-size model built on a one-inch tube, it is 15.5 inches long and weighs a respectable 24 ounces. Field of view on this model runs from 26 to 8 feet at 100 yards. The mid-size 44mm objective generates an exit pupil running from 10 to 2.8mm.

A nice touch is the European-style adjustable diopter eyepiece with 3.5 to 4 inches of eye relief. Due to the one-inch tube, total adjustment is just 32 MOA in 1/4-MOA clicks. Ballistic adjustments are made via short capped knobs that are finger adjustable and resettable to zero. My review sample featured both an adjustable objective and an illuminated Ballistic Plex reticle. Finish is matte black with white markings.

I installed the 4-16X 44mm Signature Select on a heavy-barreled Savage .223 varmint rifle for testing. Befitting Savage's reputation, this particular rifle is superbly accurate, and it allowed me to evaluate the scope's capabilities at a variety of distances. My initial impressions were that it was a nice looking scope but with a limited adjustment range. Once I zeroed it and started shooting, however, I didn't bother with cranking the knobs. Instead I just used the reticle's holdover marks. This proved to be very fast and gave precise hits under field conditions once I knew how the bullet path coincided with the holdover marks.

I like this model quite a bit. It performed well, and optical performance was quite good with only a slight degradation of resolution past 14X. Low-light performance was quite good, as long as I kept the exit pupil around 5mm or 6mm. Side focus knobs are currently in vogue, but it should be understood that an adjustable objective is not only more precise but also more robust. The illuminated reticle is a nice feature, but the rheostat lacks clicks or detents. Because of this I think this design would be easier to accidentally rotate to the "On" position. Despite any drawbacks, though, this model would work quite well on a varmint rifle. The Ballistic Plex reticle is very fast and is perfect for field use, such as coyote hunting. This is a rugged and good-looking scope well suited to its intended task. It has a suggested retail price of $976.