Deer Rifle Scope Recommendations

[HTSmith]

I haven't bought a hunting scope in a very long time and wanted to get some suggestions. Here are the requirements:

1. Low light performance is a big deal. We can hunt until 30 minutes after sunset and on a cloudy day it is downright dark.
2. As I've aged I like more magnification. 14x would probably be the minimum. 20x would not be too much on the top end.
3. Needs to hold zero, but I won't be cranking the knobs much once its sighted in.
4. Weight is not that big a deal--it will be on a stand rifle in 260 Rem.
5. Price matters. I could scare up maybe $1000 but I'd rather spend less.

The one scope I have that fills this bill now is an old (and long discontinued) Zeiss Conquest 6.5-20x50. I've heard that the newer Zeiss's in this line are not as good and they sure cost a lot more. That said I'm open to pretty much any brand.

I would appreciated any thoughts you would share.

 

[fantastic]

Athlon Midas TAC 4-16. Much better glass than the SWFA 3-15, 10 mil turrets, zero stop, close focus - down to 10Y, and capped windage knob. .2 mil holds in part of the reticle. The turrets on it are excellent as well!

 

[sawcarver]

On my hunting rigs I have vortex PSTs 4-16x they are great for that last bit of light.

Burris Veracity is also a good option, they make a 3-15x and a 4-20x with capped or uncapped turrets what ever you prefer.

Burris XTRII is also an excellent scope however the reticle is pretty fine and I find in low light I have to turn on the lit reticle to see it in the last 15min of legal shooting.

 

[fe1]

Leupold 4.5x14x50 or 3.5x10

 

[284winner]

Sightron STAC 4-20x50. Very reasonably priced and very good scope as well. You won't regret the purchase. 4 X in the low end, perfect for woods scenarios and 20X at upper end for LR if needed or just eyes that need the help.

 

[HTSmith]

Cabelas (or is it BassPro) has Nikon m5 5-20x50 and Nikon Black x1000 6-24x50 on sale. Anyone have any experience with these or other Nikon's?

Thanks to all who have responded so far.

 

[Hondo64d]

I haven't bought a hunting scope in a very long time and wanted to get some suggestions. Here are the requirements:

1. Low light performance is a big deal. We can hunt until 30 minutes after sunset and on a cloudy day it is downright dark.
2. As I've aged I like more magnification. 14x would probably be the minimum. 20x would not be too much on the top end.
3. Needs to hold zero, but I won't be cranking the knobs much once its sighted in.
4. Weight is not that big a deal--it will be on a stand rifle in 260 Rem.
5. Price matters. I could scare up maybe $1000 but I'd rather spend less.

The one scope I have that fills this bill now is an old (and long discontinued) Zeiss Conquest 6.5-20x50. I've heard that the newer Zeiss's in this line are not as good and they sure cost a lot more. That said I'm open to pretty much any brand.

I would appreciated any thoughts you would share.

A couple of Xs short of your desire, but an absolutely fantastic scope at a stupid low price. They also make a 4.5-18x version, which may be more to your liking.

My Bushnell LRHS and LRTS scopes have all tracked perfectly, held zero perfectly, and return to zero correctly. Their glass is way above their price point. I recommend the illuminated reticle for low light hunting.

https://cameralandny.com/shop/tags/...7b7f-0137-0fa6-00163e90e196?variation=1971935

John

 

[284winner]

Cabelas (or is it BassPro) has Nikon m5 5-20x50 and Nikon Black x1000 6-24x50 on sale. Anyone have any experience with these or other Nikon's?

Thanks to all who have responded so far.

I've not heard any bad things about that series of Nikon scopes. Save 100.00+ and look into the Sightron STAC. At least look thru both before buying

 

[garandman]

At least look thru both before buying

Good advice. There really isn't a substitute for looking through A-scope.. And Cabelas is a good place to find a good selection, If your LG S doesn't.


I would not buy there but I would browse there.

Pretty much all the scopes named here are good recommendations. The difference for me would be determined by looking through them.

 

[284winner]

Good advice. There really isn't a substitute for looking through A-scope.. And Cabelas is a good place to find a good selection, If your LG S doesn't.


I would not buy there but I would browse there.

Pretty much all the scopes named here are good recommendations. The difference for me would be determined by looking through them.

Problem is, at least around my area, Sightron scopes are hard to find. Just about every other scope is available to put hands on but Sightron is not. Of course living in Michigan where Trijicon is made, I cannot find a Accupower 5-50 before buying. That's pretty hard to believe but nobody has one or carries one in stock. Not even the factory in Wixom has one for me to view.

 

[HTSmith]

Sightron STAC 4-20x50. Very reasonably priced and very good scope as well. You won't regret the purchase. 4 X in the low end, perfect for woods scenarios and 20X at upper end for LR if needed or just eyes that need the help.

How is it in very low light?

 

[Racebannon3855]

I haven't bought a hunting scope in a very long time and wanted to get some suggestions. Here are the requirements:

1. Low light performance is a big deal. We can hunt until 30 minutes after sunset and on a cloudy day it is downright dark.
2. As I've aged I like more magnification. 14x would probably be the minimum. 20x would not be too much on the top end.
3. Needs to hold zero, but I won't be cranking the knobs much once its sighted in.
4. Weight is not that big a deal--it will be on a stand rifle in 260 Rem.
5. Price matters. I could scare up maybe $1000 but I'd rather spend less.

The one scope I have that fills this bill now is an old (and long discontinued) Zeiss Conquest 6.5-20x50. I've heard that the newer Zeiss's in this line are not as good and they sure cost a lot more. That said I'm open to pretty much any brand.

I would appreciated any thoughts you would share.

For the past few years I have been using a Six Rem Ackley shooting 115 Bergers with a 6.5-20 Leupold 50 mm with side focus and varmint hunters reticle. I hunt from an elevated blind during deer season and have harvested a half dozen deer and a few coyotes between 250 and 450 yards. Since I settled on a load and 300 yard zero three years ago I have not adjusted the scope. The VHR works for my projectile and velocity. Between 500 & 600 yards the bullet drops become substantial and I am not comfortable interpolating the reticle. At 300, 400, 500 and 600 it is right on. I have shot over the top of 100 yard coyotes with the 300 yard zero, my fault not the scopes. Side focus makes a 6.5-20 usable during deer season.
We have a couple 4.5-14 Leupolds and they have held zero great, one is a traditional reticle and one has custom turrets. I am currently teaching myself to use a milling reticle in a 3.5-10 so we have not had the custom turrets cut for the newer 4.5-14. The 3.5-10 with TMR is an early VX-III. After over a decade on a 300 Win Mag the internals on the scope went goofy. Leupold fixed it no questions asked and I had them put a TMR reticle in it.
I have owned other scopes and sighted in a ton of rifles for friends and family. If we are spending less than a grand it is tough to beat Leupold and their customer service.
Good Luck and enjoy shopping!

 

[284winner]

How is it in very low light?

As good as any I've used.

 

[LonewolfMcquade]

Hard to beat the light transmission and eye relief of a Leupold! Especially in low light.

 

[284winner]

Leupold's are excellent scopes and personally some of my favorite. I shoot mostly the Mark 4 models. They have excellent clarity and are very bright. Low light conditions are where they also Excel. Since I've been buying Sightron scopes at around 50% less cost, I find that they are as good or better in most areas. I'm speaking of the SIII primarily. Pretty much most of the come in well under 1000.00. The STAC is one of their lower priced scopes but not low quality scopes. I'd put my 4-20 STAC up against any VXIII Leupold scope for clarity, low light and repeatablilty. Mine is used strictly for hunting and is as good as any hunting scope I've ever used on a deer rifle. At 1000 yards it's clear and tracking returns to zero Everytime regardless of range. Just amazes me the quality for price in that model scope. Have to say it's my new favorite hunting scope.

 

[Ares]

Take a hard look at meopta if low light performance is high on your list. swaro, zeiss, s&b etc is pretty much too expensive with the price given.
Your old conquest is likely to outperfrom most of the mentioned scopes for low light performance already.
My old meopta artemis easily beats my razor hd gen 2, for low light performance, and that is a 15 year old, beaten 400$ scope, vs a new 2500$ "tacticool japanese one.

 

[stacy]

Leupold's are excellent scopes and personally some of my favorite. I shoot mostly the Mark 4 models. They have excellent clarity and are very bright. Low light conditions are where they also Excel. Since I've been buying Sightron scopes at around 50% less cost, I find that they are as good or better in most areas. I'm speaking of the SIII primarily. Pretty much most of the come in well under 1000.00. The STAC is one of their lower priced scopes but not low quality scopes. I'd put my 4-20 STAC up against any VXIII Leupold scope for clarity, low light and repeatablilty. Mine is used strictly for hunting and is as good as any hunting scope I've ever used on a deer rifle. At 1000 yards it's clear and tracking returns to zero Everytime regardless of range. Just amazes me the quality for price in that model scope. Have to say it's my new favorite hunting scope.

I HAVE SWITCHED 4 HUNTING RIFLES SCOPES OUT TO THE 4X20 STAC AND ONE TO THE 3X16 STAC AND THEY HAVE SERVED ME WELL IN ALL AREAS THERE HARD TO BEAT FOR THE PRICE I PREFER THE DUPLEX MODEL BUT THAT JUST ME

 

[284winner]

I've recommended the STACs too many as a hunting scope. Everyone that replaced there previous scope with the STAC has since purchased additional models. They may not be in the same league with some of the bigger named scopes out there but dollar for dollar, they are the best bang for the buck. In a hunting scope, they are hard to beat. The 3-16x42 sits on top of a .308 and I use it out to 600 yards regularly. It does great at 600 and is fairly compact for a hunting scope with it's magnification.

 

[Rsadams]

+1 on just a plain old Leupold....

 

[Sniper338]

I got sightrons on mine