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Deer Hunting Scope |
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scoper
Optics GrassHopper Joined: June/03/2018 Status: Offline Points: 20 |
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Posted: June/03/2018 at 15:33 |
Gentlemen,
I'm hoping to get some specific advice for my situation from some optic connoisseurs. Searching on the internet for a few weeks and asking a few people that I know who are knowledgeable, I'm finding way too many options. The rifle that I'm purchasing is the Ruger Hawkeye FTW in 6.5 Creedmore: https://ruger.com/products/HawkeyeFTWHunter/specSheets/47170.html The primary purpose will be deer hunting in the midwest. From what I've gathered I probably don't want magnification higher than 12, and I'm not sure which dimensions will mount best on the M77. I've arbitrarily set a budget equal to the msrp on the rifle, which is $1279. I'm trying to balance what I really need vs what my budget will allow. I would like something that is rugged enough for hunting but also high quality, without getting a bunch of bells and whistles that won't serve any practical purpose. I've looked through the options for Leupold, Nightforce, and a few others, but am having trouble finding the practical differences between the different offerings that would be specific to my situation. If any of you can offer specific scope options that would be ideal I would appreciate it greatly. Thanks in advance
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koshkin
MODERATOR Dark Lord of Optics Joined: June/15/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 13182 |
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Vortex Razor HD LH in either 2-10x40 or 3-15x42 configurations.
ILya |
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Sakoshooter
Optics Apprentice Joined: May/07/2018 Location: Alberta, Canada Status: Offline Points: 87 |
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I have the same rifle, also in 6.5 creedmoor and it wears a Leica ERi 2.5-10×42 with BDC turret.
The scope is mounted in Leupold ringmounts (medium if I recall correctly) and the bolt handle just clears the ocular piece of the scope, though not exactly with a comfortable ammount of room to spare. It's the price you pay for a 90° bolt lift I suppose, the ocular is 46mm in diameter I think. This is the second Leica ERi I own, which speaks to how much I like these scopes, the eye relief and eyebox size are very nice compared to competitive scopes that I've looked through or used. The image is of course very good, and i would describe it as higher contrast than competitors, which I like, though not neccesarily better at resolving fine detail. It is a hunting scope, and the exposed elevation turret in mrads was something I wanted, and not a ballistic reticle, or a turret with pre-sets like the Swarovski models. I strongly considered a Leupold VX-5hd, which would have saved me several hundred dollars and also offers a fairly high contrast image in my opinion, and certainly gives up nothing in detail resolution. I tried bith scopes side by side at sundown, and the Leica does pop more at dusk. The VX-5 has perhaps the best exposed elevation turret I've personally laid hands on though, two turns with a lock button that functions as an indicator when you are in the second rotation. I think the Leupold has 40 moa in two turns, while the Leica has 9.5 mil (roughly 32 moa). Of course, these are scopes that met my criteria, and there are a lot of options depending on your use for the rifle and preffered method of compensating for range. |
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Peddler
Optics God Joined: July/04/2012 Location: Oswego,NY Status: Offline Points: 13526 |
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Leica ERi 2.5-10 X 42 #4 reticle, Talley Lightweights 👍🦌. On my Creedmoor.
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When you are dead, you don't know you are dead.It is difficult only for others.
It is the same when you are stupid. |
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scoper
Optics GrassHopper Joined: June/03/2018 Status: Offline Points: 20 |
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Thanks for the replies. I had the Vortex Razor HD and the Leupold VX-5HD on my list. Will take a hard look at the Leica ERi.
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Sakoshooter
Optics Apprentice Joined: May/07/2018 Location: Alberta, Canada Status: Offline Points: 87 |
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As far as I know, the Razor hd does not come with an exposed turret option, but instead uses holdover reticle for drop compensation.
Fyi, the Leica ERi is recently discontinued and has been replaced by the Leica Visus lw. You can still find the ERi, and at good prices too I think. Leupold VX-5 isn't a bad scope, but if you have it side by side with the Leica, the build quality alone will differntiate those two scopes in a big way. The Vortex Razor HD LH (light hunter?) also seems to be discontinued as it's on blowout pricing around here....35% off at Cabela's. I have not owned the Vortex, but did consider buying one as the price was so good, didn't care for the image as to me it's a lot "whiter" (for lack of a better term) than competitors. Also, it doesn't have a turret, and the same three models have been sitting at that price for weeks now. |
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scoper
Optics GrassHopper Joined: June/03/2018 Status: Offline Points: 20 |
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Thanks for the clarification. I was wondering if the Visus was a replacement since I couldn't find the ERi on Leica's website.
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Sakoshooter
Optics Apprentice Joined: May/07/2018 Location: Alberta, Canada Status: Offline Points: 87 |
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I'm fairly certain they're identical as there's no mention of optical upgrades, just a brighter illumination range and better looking cosmetics. The external dimensions are identical.
I haven't seen a Visus in person, but the price is a bit lower (matte version at least) than the equivalent ERi model, and there are no reticle options, just the 4a with, or without the BDC turret. |
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Sakoshooter
Optics Apprentice Joined: May/07/2018 Location: Alberta, Canada Status: Offline Points: 87 |
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After taking a look online, it seems the BDC turret option isn't imported to North America.
I suppose an ERi is what you need to look for if you want that feature, or buy from Europe (no idea what the added cost and risk are, probably not worth it). |
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mike650
Optics God Joined: May/14/2006 Location: West of Rockies Status: Offline Points: 14569 |
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I believe the Visus is basically a rebranded ERi.
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“A hunt based only on trophies taken falls far short of what the ultimate goal should be.” – Fred Bear
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Scrumbag
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: October/22/2013 Location: London, UK Status: Offline Points: 4205 |
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Seriously consider the Leica ;)
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Was sure I had a point when I started this post...
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scoper
Optics GrassHopper Joined: June/03/2018 Status: Offline Points: 20 |
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Definitely seriously considering the Leica. It looks like the Visus is pretty consistently $1549 online. Sound about right?
Is it worth trying the included Ruger ring mounts? Thanks
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Tip69
Optics Master Extraordinaire Tip Stick Joined: September/27/2005 Location: Nebraska Status: Offline Points: 4155 |
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for deer hunting in the midwest.... your best times of seeing a mature buck is during low-light. if you are comfortable shooting past 200 yards or want higher magnification then 3-4x, I would suggest you get a scope with a 50mm objective.. as this will allow you to zoom up the power and still get good light. You have the budget to get some very nice glass... post pics after you get it set up.
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take em!
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scoper
Optics GrassHopper Joined: June/03/2018 Status: Offline Points: 20 |
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Thanks for your input Tip69. Is there a specific scope that you would recommend?
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mike650
Optics God Joined: May/14/2006 Location: West of Rockies Status: Offline Points: 14569 |
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Leica makes a 3-12x50 Visus.
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“A hunt based only on trophies taken falls far short of what the ultimate goal should be.” – Fred Bear
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scoper
Optics GrassHopper Joined: June/03/2018 Status: Offline Points: 20 |
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I looked at the 3-12x50 but it seems like it's been discontinued...
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mike650
Optics God Joined: May/14/2006 Location: West of Rockies Status: Offline Points: 14569 |
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Check again, I believe they just updated it.. the price too. :P The reticle is now referred to as L-4a
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“A hunt based only on trophies taken falls far short of what the ultimate goal should be.” – Fred Bear
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scoper
Optics GrassHopper Joined: June/03/2018 Status: Offline Points: 20 |
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i see it now. my budget will have doubled by the time you guys are done with me.
for those that have hawkeyes, or the ftw in particular, would there be any obvious concerns with mounting the 3-12x50?
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Peddler
Optics God Joined: July/04/2012 Location: Oswego,NY Status: Offline Points: 13526 |
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There are still ERi 2.5-10 X 42’s around at very good prices.
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When you are dead, you don't know you are dead.It is difficult only for others.
It is the same when you are stupid. |
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scoper
Optics GrassHopper Joined: June/03/2018 Status: Offline Points: 20 |
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also, are there any "quality" fixed magnification scopes that would be realistically just as good for my purposes? the only options i've really seen are the leupold 4x33 and 6x42. seems these options, at the same magnification, would likely be a huge step down from the visus?
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