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Looking for recommendation for 1-4x hunting scope |
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lackskill
Optics GrassHopper Joined: December/22/2012 Status: Offline Points: 33 |
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Posted: November/04/2018 at 10:53 |
I'm looking for a recommendation for a 1-4x hunting scope. This is a woods gun, almost no chance of shooting further than 200 yards.
I'm contemplating sticking to open sights, and the selection of low magnification scopes I've found during my own searching hasn't exactly dissuaded me. My priorities for this riflescope: Speed of target acquisition Optical quality Simplicity Weight Cost I prefer a #4 reticle, but I could be talked into another style of simple reticle. I don't particularly want an illuminated reticle. I'd like to stay under $800 and have a propensity for seeking best value rather than best overall. Rifle will be a 7lb or less lever gun. Exact model and caliber still tbd. 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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I suggest you expand your search a little and get one of these:
ILya
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lackskill
Optics GrassHopper Joined: December/22/2012 Status: Offline Points: 33 |
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Thanks koshkin. Last time I was looking at scopes (about 5 years ago) 5x erectors were still exhibiting some nasty traits at the ends of their ranges. I'm assuming, based on your recommendation, that these problems have mostly been overcome.
I don't remember the details, but I do recall specifically choosing a ZA-3 over a ZA-5 based on your reviews and recommendations. Glad to see you're still contributing around here. Thanks again, I'll check out that vortex. |
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CDoes
Optics GrassHopper Joined: November/10/2018 Location: NY Status: Offline Points: 1 |
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Hey, Might I make the recommendation for the Steiner P4Xi. The reticle is fairly close to a #4, and it offers Excellent glass and day time bright illumination. You can watch my video review of it here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mGr17gDZ0A&t
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urbaneruralite
Optics Journeyman Joined: January/03/2008 Status: Offline Points: 479 |
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True 2x is usually wide enough on the low end. Less is only really useful on very close running shots. Instead of regarding magnification as the criteria, we would be better off considering field of view and image size within the ocular.
1.5-6x40 is the classic answer, but 40mm can get a little high on a gun with a stock made for iron sights. I think the above Vortex is the modern version. A VX-R 2-7x with FireDot is another good match. I agree there isn't much value over $500 on a point and shoot deer scope; especially since you'll want to refresh after several years.
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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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5x erectors are pretty mature now and the little Vortex is exceedingly well optimized. ILya
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SageRatSafaris
Optics GrassHopper Joined: June/21/2018 Location: Oregon Status: Offline Points: 30 |
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There's lots of choices. I'm just finishing up a master list of all illuminated variable 1X scopes. So far, 35+ brands, 125+ scopes, 200+ reticles.
Just a sample of what's available under $750: * Minox ZX5i 1-5×24 SFP German #4 * SIG Whiskey 1-5×20 SFP Triplex * SIG Tango4 1-4×24 FFP * Steiner P4Xi 1-4×24 SFP PT3R * Trijicon AccuPower 1-4×24 SFP * Vortex Viper PST Gen II 1-6×24 SFP Or for $900, you can get: * Vortex Razor HD Gen2 1-6×24 SFP In terms of your priorities: Speed of target acquisition Optical quality Simplicity Weight Cost You might consider a prismatic red dot sight for your lever gun. Dead simple, long battery life, best both-eyes-open experience.
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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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What do you mean by a prismatic red dot sight? ILya
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SageRatSafaris
Optics GrassHopper Joined: June/21/2018 Location: Oregon Status: Offline Points: 30 |
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I guess I just mean a tube-style red dot sight, with an illuminated reticle, instead of a simple dot, to help with the hold for 200 yards. I'm a bit fuzzy on red dot sight terminology.
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Rancid Coolaid
MODERATOR Joined: January/19/2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 9318 |
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I will go a very different direction: red dot at true 1X or a fixed 4X.
For moving targets inside 200, nothing beats a relex red dot. If you want a bit of precision inside 200, a good fixed 4X is great. |
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Freedom is something you take.
Respect is something you earn. Equality is something you whine about not being given. |
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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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Typically, there is no prism in a red dot sight. The couple of exceptions are the compact models where the prism is between the illumination source and the reflector (Docter's Quicksight is like that as is one of the DI models). Tube-style reflex sights are not among them. For weapon sights, a prism sight is usually something like the ACOG or Elcan Specter, etc. There are some with 1x magnification, so they work quite well with both eyes open, but they are not reflex sights. ILya
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