Deer Rifle Scope Recommendations

[HTSmith]

To the folks that have recommended Sightron STAC and have legal shooting until 30 minutes after sunset, can you see to make a good shot on a cloudy day during the last minute? I am liking what I'm hearing and already have two SIII's on target rifles. Having 63 year old eyes kinda sucks sometimes.

Edit--to say thank you for all your suggestions.

 

[284winner]

To the folks that have recommended Sightron STAC and have legal shooting until 30 minutes after sunset, can you see to make a good shot on a cloudy day during the last minute? I am liking what I'm hearing and already have two SIII's on target rifles. Having 63 year old eyes kinda sucks sometimes.

Edit--to say thank you for all your suggestions.

I'll say this about my 4-20 STAC scope. I wish it had an IR reticle. Last November I had a deer step into my lane right about last legal shooting minutes ( I think, wasn't watching my time ). I typically climb out of my stand before that time but we had a foot of snow so stayed later. That deer was 155 yards in the woods and I couldn't see the cross hairs on the deers body. I could see the deer fine and could count antler points but could not see the black cross hairs on his body. Couldn't take the shot. That's my only regret in that scope. Now they make a FFP 4-20x50 IR MD reticle and it's on my grocery list.

 

[Nature Boy]

I picked up a Swarovski Z6i 3-18X50 and love it. I hunted with it last year and hardly touched my binos. Fantastic low light performance

 

[longtrapshootn]

Id go with a Leupold VX3i in whatever power you desire. Sounds like your price range is in the mid-range and these are hard to beat for the money. The Terra line has so many negative reviews that I would steer clear of them. Vortex makes a decent scope, with a great warranty, that you will probably end up using in the first few years. Call Doug @ cameralandNY and he will usually cut a deal or match an online price.

 

[Roy999]

Obviously, Leopold and Vortex would be a good pick
but if you can find a Sightron for $1000 - it's the best deal.

 

[fyrewall]

I have a 4.5-14X40 30mm, CDS VX3i, with a "wind plex" reticle (deal $550) and a 4.5-14X50 LRP, RFP, TMOA (deal $720). I like the LRP, nice & bright, zero stop, but bulky. The other scope is much more compact. Hard choice. Both good in poor light but as expected the 50mm objective scope is somewhat superior.

 

[KY_Windage]

To the folks that have recommended Sightron STAC and have legal shooting until 30 minutes after sunset, can you see to make a good shot on a cloudy day during the last minute? I am liking what I'm hearing and already have two SIII's on target rifles. Having 63 year old eyes kinda sucks sometimes.

Edit--to say thank you for all your suggestions.

You can see through most scopes okay at very low light but the reticles tend to disappear unless they are illuminated. I like the Trijicon Accupoint, as they are always illuminated but never need a battery. No matter how dark it is, I have a little glowing dot to aim with.

 

[wkdickinson]

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 Nikon "Monarch" series in whatever power you feel is needed. Very good scope for the price and now with Nikon going out of the scope business, there are some great deals out there.

 

[BW]

It's at the top of your price range but take a look through the Leupold VX-5hd if you get a chance. I put the 3x15x44 on my 25 06 a couple years ago and it really is a great scope. It's as good of a low light hunting scope as I've owned.

 

[Knotwild]

Think reticule first. One mistake I have made personally is not getting reticules heavy enough to see clearly for late shooting. For the money, the 3.5x10x50 VXII with the heavy duplex has been a great performer for me. I made the mistake of buying one with the regular duplex and it greatly handicaps me. If I had it to do again, I would buy one with a lighted dot in the center.

 

[SEGARE]

I wonder what @HTSmith bought in this year old thread?

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

I have Sightron stac 4-20's, both dulpex and moa2 reticles. The moa2 is tough to see in low light, last winter shooting at night with a red light, stac (duplex)was better than my Nikon's and Leupold. However it is a large, heavy scope which is a consideration on a lighter sporter type rifle, I do not have a stac(did use them for load development) on either of the rifles I'm taking on an elk hunt this year. Leupold v3 3.5-10 on my suppressed rifle and a Nikon Monarch 4-16 on my Sendero. Both are much lighter than with my Burris or Sightrons. It is tough to beat a Leupold on hunting rifles and a 3-9x40 or 50 with a firedot duplex would work very well. The 3-16 Sightron with a duplex or an s111 3.5-10 would be great scopes also. All of these can be purchased below 500 if watching sales.

 

[HTSmith]

I wonder what @HTSmith bought in this year old thread?

Fair question after getting all this good feedback. The fact of the matter is that I blew my budget on a target rifle that I bought from a fellow on this site, and I still have my old Zeiss. I do think one of the firedot types would help me, but it probably won't be this season. Thanks to all and shoot straight!