Best reticle for night hunting with a spotlight?

cornstalker

cornstalker

Active member
I have tried the Firefly. It was pretty cool, but I can't bring myself to use a Bushnell scope. (Especially one the size of a baseball bat, like I had.)

What other reticles work good at night, but are not so thick they are worthless for everything else?

Has anyone tried the Coyote Special when spotlighting?

 
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The reticle that I have used the most at night is the Z-Plex on the Zeiss scopes. Its the perfect size not too thick not too thin. I have the Coyote scope and have actually taken it out at night but so far when I have had it no shots fired.
cry.gif
It does work well in the daytime though. I will say just looking through it at night it seems like it will work OK.
 
Why won,t you use the Bushnell's ???? I was thinking the 3-9 Fire fly would be pretty good on my 223 . I really don,t think I will get an over 300 yard shot , and 9x should work for that .. I need at least 25 ft fov [beeep] and 3x is a good starting point .. Can the firefly be slightly charged and there by not be too bright ???
 
Leupold's illuminated German #4 Dot, followed closely by the Leupold Heavy Duplex. I also have a Bushnell Firefly in 1.5x6x36 that I picked up on a "Close Out " Sale that is short enough to not be in your baseball bat catergory, cornstalker. It works well too. Just not a Leupold.

The Illuminated German #4 dot is my all time favorite because the dot only covers 9/10ths of an inch at 100 yards. Fine enough for precision shooting by day, and when illuminateed at night, it is centered within heavier than normal vertical and horizontal posts that really aid in centering up the target.
 
Originally Posted By: gumboot458 Why won,t you use the Bushnell's ???? I was thinking the 3-9 Fire fly would be pretty good on my 223 . I really don,t think I will get an over 300 yard shot , and 9x should work for that .. I need at least 25 ft fov [beeep] and 3x is a good starting point .. Can the firefly be slightly charged and there by not be too bright ???

Personal preference. I swore them off because of their cheaper products years ago. Tried again with an Elite series and didn't like it. It was a 3-9x50mm Elite 3200 w/Firefly. Due to the 50mm objective the scope was just slightly larger than a Louisville Slugger.

The Firefly reticle seemed to have to be charged brightly to last a while. I believe it was intended for the first and last few minutes of LST, not to stay lit on stand for 15 to 30 minutes.

The Firefly is so thick that it required special targets for sight-in (for my eyes anyways). I normally shoot the corners of 2" squares, but I had great difficulty with this scope. I hated it.

The glass was very bright, but not 100% clear for my eyes.

It may work great for you, but if you can, try before you buy.

Quote:The Illuminated German #4 dot is my all time favorite because the dot only covers 9/10ths of an inch at 100 yards. Fine enough for precision shooting by day, and when illuminateed at night, it is centered within heavier than normal vertical and horizontal posts that really aid in centering up the target.

That sounds pretty good. What can you see in the scope if the battery takes a crap?

Edit: I looked on the Leupy site and figured it out. Looks pretty good.
 
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I have hunted for a half a year with this one in a lit reticle scope and love
it. I think I would have liked shooters moa even better but I usually use a
rangefinder anyway. Just in cold weather they don't always work.

http://www.usoptics.com/upgradesD.php?recordID=RET-065

If the battery dies you have a plain non lit reticle. I have only used mine a
dozen times or so in the field. But when you need it it's a must.
 
I have 3-9x40 a Mark 4 PR with a Premier Reticles German #4 in it that has spoiled me. I also have a Leupy VX2 4-12x40 AO with a Leupy German #4 in it. I just can't like the latter as much as the former. The Leupold #4's posts are too thick. Definitely thicker than need be IMO. Still a decent low light scope and all.....
 
Just started playing with a Burris LRS and it seems pretty nifty. Reticle is just like their Ballistic-plex, but the center portion, including lower stadia, light up red. My initial impressions are positive, though I've only played with in the yard at night. No hunting action yet.

For what it's worth, I replaced a Bushnell 3-9X40 Firefly with it and would sell the Bushnell. I'll probably put that up on the classifieds here in the next few days. Just don't need it now.
 
I am surprised that no one has mentioned Nightforce. I have been told that their illuminated reticule and light gathering is nearly unmatched. I have never used one, but have been saving for one out of reputation. Any actual users wanna comment. . . .please?
 
I like the firefly retical. I have the 1.5x4x40 we can't use lights in wisconsin so it works well under no light. I have never had a problem with it not glowing long enough for a stand. the retical is thick and covers one square inch on 4 power at 100 yrds so it is no bench rest scope but for under 100 yrd ( you cant see farther then that with just the moon any who) the coyotes do not like it one bit
Sportingly
Cracker
 
Originally Posted By: 2muchgunHad one. Reticle was too thick for me.......

That's why I'm selling mine. Great scope otherwise.
 
I have the newer Burris LR 3-9x40 ballistic reticle. It kinda sucks as it turns the reticle off on it's own? Switch on this one is on the turret saddle, push button. So when ya need it it's off?

I'm smart enough to know optics and this is a $320.00 turd!

Stay away from this one. get a scope with an illuminated dot that YOU control!

actually this was the BIGGEST P.O.S. i'VE BEEN TAKEN ON IN A LONG TIME!

I kinda think Burris optical engineers are a bunch of young fella's that hunt by computer games! GROW UP BOY'S.!

let's face it Burris optical engineers! a sinple illuminated dot on the crosshair is fine with the ballistic retical as no decent hunter in his mind is shooting past 100yds. at night, and the FFII glass is'nt even good for a 100yds. in low light!

ya know when I retire in a few short years I'm going to apply for a job at these scope manufactures as there heads up there duff's! really it's a sad state of affairs. I guess a bunch of 20 year olds that have never actually used a product will be holding our outcome!
 
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