Suggestions for a low powered, large objective rifle scope?

[E.Shell]

I'm putting together my last custom rifle, intended to be a lightweight, close/mid range hunting rifle.

A lot of my hunting these days is for Sika Deer and they often come out right at the end of legal shooting hours.

Because of this, I would like a decent quality, relatively compact low-power scope with a large objective.

This configuration is popular in Europe, where much shooting is in low light. The nearly ideal scope is listed over at ArfCom, a Schmidt-Bender 1.5-6x42mm. What makes it only nearly ideal and not perfect is the $1,300 + S&I price tag and something about half that price would be more in my ballpark. Maybe someone will buy this damn thing and reduce my angst and temptation... https://www.ar15.com/exchange/topicEE.html?t=2439612&f=163&type=1

Just need a heavy duplex reticle or similar, no cluttered BDC/ranging stuff.

There are a slew of 1-6x +/- scopes out there, but they almost invariably have a straight tube with a 22-23mm objective, which doesn't provide the light transmission I would like to have.

FWIW:
23mm objective lens / 6x = exit pupil diameter of less than 4mm (when the human eye can use 7mm for best brightness).
One would have to dial down to <3x to provide a 7mm exit pupil diameter.
Conversely, 42mm / 6x = 7mm and would give me some flexibility in magnification.

I am about to settle for a Leupold 2-7x33, but still looking.

Any suggestions?

Thank you!

 

[Boats]

Why not a fixed power prism scope?

 

[E.Shell]

Thank you Boats.

Like what?

Not really a fan of fixed magnification for a hunting scope. Sometimes need to pick out detail not visible at low power (a spike in a herd of does), sometimes need to see better and have as wide a field of view as possible at close range (moving deer close to dark).

 

[outrider58]

VX-3HD 3.5-10x40 CDS-ZL Illum. FireDot Twilight Hunter

The VX®-3HD 3.5-10x40mm delivers legendary performance and extreme clarity in an incredibly tough, lightweight package. Its versatile magnification can get the job done in almost any scenario.

www.leupold.com

 

[Blackstar65]

I am not sure what low end magnification you are looking for but the Vortex Razor HD Gen II 1x10 is pretty awesome. I'd check out the EOTech Vudu 1-10 as well.

 

[4g64loser]

I'm putting together my last custom rifle, intended to be a lightweight, close/mid range hunting rifle.

A lot of my hunting these days is for Sika Deer and they often come out right at the end of legal shooting hours.

Because of this, I would like a decent quality, relatively compact low-power scope with a large objective.

This configuration is popular in Europe, where much shooting is in low light. The nearly ideal scope is listed over at ArfCom, a Schmidt-Bender 1.5-6x42mm. What makes it only nearly ideal and not perfect is the $1,300 + S&I price tag and something about half that price would be more in my ballpark. Maybe someone will buy this damn thing and reduce my angst and temptation... https://www.ar15.com/exchange/topicEE.html?t=2439612&f=163&type=1

Just need a heavy duplex reticle or similar, no cluttered BDC/ranging stuff.

There are a slew of 1-6x +/- scopes out there, but they almost invariably have a straight tube with a 22-23mm objective, which doesn't provide the light transmission I would like to have.

FWIW:
23mm objective lens / 6x = exit pupil diameter of less than 4mm (when the human eye can use 7mm for best brightness).
One would have to dial down to <3x to provide a 7mm exit pupil diameter.
Conversely, 42mm / 6x = 7mm and would give me some flexibility in magnification.

I am about to settle for a Leupold 2-7x33, but still looking.

Any suggestions?

Thank you!

Sir,

I have a trijicon accupower 1-8 (discontinued but almost directly replaced by the Credo) that serves me well on an 18in gasgun.

The objective lens is *slightly* larger than those of comparable straight tubes. It compared favorably side by side with my friends 1-6 kahles (straight tube) for both color fidelity and brightness into failing light. It blew my razor 1-6 away in both categories.

If you look around, you may find a used accupower in the 7-800 range. If you want to try it out in specific light conditions, shoot me a PM.

 

[Boats]

Thank you Boats.

Like what?

Not really a fan of fixed magnification for a hunting scope. Sometimes need to pick out detail not visible at low power (a spike in a herd of does), sometimes need to see better and have as wide a field of view as possible at close range (moving deer close to dark).

Primary arms 1x prism with a 6x flip to side magnifier? Or a 5x prism scope with a micro red dot mounted?

For the price point you want Primary arms is probably your best best for cheap quality optics.

 

[alucard0822]

This is the kind of stuff we always ask you

The closest thing I have any knowledge of is Hog scopes, same idea, low light performance is critical, low magnification, large exit pupil. Not sure about any at 1X, but the Steiner GS3 3-15x56 and Trijicon AP 2.5-10x56 seem well regarded around $1k or a little less. I have scopes in both brands, and they are excellent, but no experience with these particular models.

 

[Doco Overboard]

Might as well just ask about illegal game taking.
I been hunting Sika my whole life and never looked at one that couldn’t be found in a scope during legal shooting hours.

 

[Brickman301]

I am about to settle for a Leupold 2-7x33, but still looking.

Any suggestions?

Thank you!

I have this scope on one of my rifles, and I am very happy with it. I’ve never had any problems seeing Deer in low light conditions.
I also have a Nikon 2-7x32 on my slug gun. I know Nikon no longer makes scopes, but maybe you can find one that’s NOS?
I honestly like my Nikon better than the Leupold.

 

[Brickman301]

Why not a fixed power prism scope?

Not a prism scope, but I’m a fan of a fixed 4 power scope for close range deer hunting.
I’ve taken many deer with a “fixed 4” from 20yards to about 125 yards, which covers most ranges deer are taken at in this area.

 

[E.Shell]

VX-3HD 3.5-10x40 CDS-ZL Illum. FireDot Twilight Hunter

The VX®-3HD 3.5-10x40mm delivers legendary performance and extreme clarity in an incredibly tough, lightweight package. Its versatile magnification can get the job done in almost any scenario.

www.leupold.com

Thanks Outrider58, I'll take a look.

I am not sure what low end magnification you are looking for but the Vortex Razor HD Gen II 1x10 is pretty awesome. I'd check out the EOTech Vudu 1-10 as well.

Thank you. Pricing is pretty awesome too, LOL. I'm trying to keep it down under about $600-700, but see I might need to bump that.

Sir,

I have a trijicon accupower 1-8 (discontinued but almost directly replaced by the Credo) that serves me well on an 18in gasgun.

The objective lens is *slightly* larger than those of comparable straight tubes. It compared favorably side by side with my friends 1-6 kahles (straight tube) for both color fidelity and brightness into failing light. It blew my razor 1-6 away in both categories.

If you look around, you may find a used accupower in the 7-800 range. If you want to try it out in specific light conditions, shoot me a PM.

Thank you for you kind offer! That Trijicon is pretty pricey too, but I may end up in a place like that.

Primary arms 1x prism with a 6x flip to side magnifier? Or a 5x prism scope with a micro red dot mounted?

For the price point you want Primary arms is probably your best best for cheap quality optics.

I'll look closer at that, thank you. I had been kinda stuck on a conventional scope, but something like that might be workable.

This is the kind of stuff we always ask you

LOL, outside my wheelhouse. I've always been focused on the long range stuff.

The closest thing I have any knowledge of is Hog scopes, same idea, low light performance is critical, low magnification, large exit pupil. Not sure about any at 1X, but the Steiner GS3 3-15x56 and Trijicon AP 2.5-10x56 seem well regarded around $1k or a little less. I have scopes in both brands, and they are excellent, but no experience with these particular models.

Thank you, I'll look at those two.

Might as well just ask about illegal game taking.

You came in here to post that drivel? I thought better of you.

I been hunting Sika my whole life and never looked at one that couldn’t be found in a scope during legal shooting hours.

No one is shooting outside legal hours. You must have missed my posts on thermal devices.

I have this scope on one of my rifles, and I am very happy with it. I’ve never had any problems seeing Deer in low light conditions.
I also have a Nikon 2-7x32 on my slug gun. I know Nikon no longer makes scopes, but maybe you can find one that’s NOS?
I honestly like my Nikon better than the Leupold.

Thank you. I have a 2-7x on my slug gun as well and it too has always worked well.

 

[pre64hunter]

The Leupold VX-Freedoms are nice bright scopes. I have a few and mounted a few for friends last season. Everybody 100% happy. If you want the best for the money then move up to the Leupold VX3 HD 2.5-8. My kids and I have more than a dozen Leupold 2.5-8 on our deer guns, slug guns, rifles and muzzleloaders. Our #1 choice for deer since I bought my first one in 1978 for $105 new.

 

[4g64loser]

The trijicon is pricey but used accupowers can sometimes be had for.deals. I'm not on the Hide anymore but a friend scored one off the exchange there for 7.

 

[Doco Overboard]

You came in here to post that drivel? I thought better of you.

No one is shooting outside legal hours. You must have missed my posts on thermal devices.

I’m not the one worried about it evidently.
What I said is the truth, not drivel.
Maybe you should think about quitting early if you can’t see.
That’s the responsible thing to do.
Quit while your ahead if your smart.
Someone else alerted me to your post but if you know so much stay late and see what that gets you.
Have a nice day Ed.
Don’t say you weren’t warned.

 

[rossiski]

I would suggest anything with a larger objective. I have a few scope with 50mm objectives and have no issues with low light views. It makes a big difference IMO.

 

[gwchem]

I like your way of thinking, Ed.

I used to hunt with both a 3x9x40 and 3x9x50 vortex. The bigger glass was much easier over the last ten minutes of the night.

 

[Biggfoot44]

It's old school , but never had any problems with Steel Tube Weaver K 2.5 .

Usable well past legal shooting hours . If hypothetically Bambi was in deep shadows within shooting range , a cheap Wally World monocular

 

[Boats]

If you any a more traditional scope, a sightron s-tac 2-10x may fit your need.

 

[Uncle Duke]

I'm putting together my last custom rifle, intended to be a lightweight, close/mid range hunting rifle.

A lot of my hunting these days is for Sika Deer and they often come out right at the end of legal shooting hours.

Because of this, I would like a decent quality, relatively compact low-power scope with a large objective.

This configuration is popular in Europe, where much shooting is in low light. The nearly ideal scope is listed over at ArfCom, a Schmidt-Bender 1.5-6x42mm. What makes it only nearly ideal and not perfect is the $1,300 + S&I price tag and something about half that price would be more in my ballpark. Maybe someone will buy this damn thing and reduce my angst and temptation... https://www.ar15.com/exchange/topicEE.html?t=2439612&f=163&type=1

Just need a heavy duplex reticle or similar, no cluttered BDC/ranging stuff.

There are a slew of 1-6x +/- scopes out there, but they almost invariably have a straight tube with a 22-23mm objective, which doesn't provide the light transmission I would like to have.

FWIW:
23mm objective lens / 6x = exit pupil diameter of less than 4mm (when the human eye can use 7mm for best brightness).
One would have to dial down to <3x to provide a 7mm exit pupil diameter.
Conversely, 42mm / 6x = 7mm and would give me some flexibility in magnification.

I am about to settle for a Leupold 2-7x33, but still looking.

Any suggestions?

Thank you!

Leupold makes a 2.5x8x36 also in the VX-3HD series. Weight runs around 12 ounces, length 11.42". Decent hunting scope. They run 500 bucks.