Best scope for low light hunting?

Str8Shooter

Str8Shooter

Member
I do a lot of coyote hunting during the last hour of visible light and over snow on full moon nights. I'm currently running a 3-9x40 Burris Fullfield II LRS on my R-15, but would like to pick up a new scope w/ less magnification. I currently have my eye on the Leupold VX-III (1.5 - 5) with the german #4 illuminated reticle but have couple of questions about it.

1) Will it gather enough light for my applications?

2) How much of the German #4 is illuminated on the Leupold, just the dot or the whole inner crosshair?

3) Are there any other low magnification scopes that I should consider like the Millet DMS?

Any suggestions or input would be appreciated.

 
I hunted with a VXIII 1.5-5x20 HD last week. It is on my 35 Whelen. One of my favorite Leupold models.

If the HD model is not enough for you in low light, here are the illuminated models below. I personally find Leupolds German #4 posts too thick for my liking. I still have a scope with them in it, but it is not nearly as nice as the one I have with a Premier German #4 in it. Go to VX3 1.5-5x20 illuminated.....

http://www.leupold.com/hunting-and-shooting/products/scopes/
 
Forgot to add, the Millett is Made in China. I've held and looked through 'em. Glass was unimpressive, and scope was a log. I'd pass.....
 
thanks for the input, 2much... I was concerned that the scope wouldn't bring in enough light with the smaller objective. I thought I read somewhere that because of the lower magnification the smaller objective isn't an issue? I'll have to take a closer look at the HD reticle.
 
If you go illuminated, the burris xtr is 30mm with the battery on the turret. Gobs of light gathering with the 30mm. Batt/switch is the knob on the left side...

IMG_1942.jpg



Not at all like the wart on the bell of the leupy.....


Here is the reticle.. Shows up well even with the lights off.

IMG_1954.jpg


You can trick it out with a ring mounted fastfire reddot, too......
 
I like the reticle choices on the illuminated Leupolds better. That thing looks like it would serve well in covering up more detail in low light to me........
 
Thanks for the heads-up on the Trijicon, guys. I'll have to take a closer look at them... maybe I'm better off sticking with a 3-9x40 in the Trijicon? Sounds like I need to get out and look through some glass
 
Any body use an ACOG 4x scope ? Looked through one yesterday very clear but would have to save up alittle, just over 1k
 
http://www.samplelist.com/
There is a TA50R4 red crosshair 3x compact acog on here they advertise 1.4 inches of eye relief but you can see a bit further back still it is ideal in a La Rue RCO mount an on AR. I have a TA50 R4 red crosshair 3x and a TA442 amber triangle 1.5x and I love them I'm sub moa at 300 yds with an M4 style whiteoak armory upper with 18 in barrel.
For $599.95 for the display model it's a smoking good deal. The 4x models have hold over marks for long range that the compact models dont. Only thing to watch out for with ACOG's is some of them do not have the fiber optic only the tritium and you want one that uses both fiber optic and tritium. This is the mount you want. La Rue RCO
http://stores.homestead.com/Laruetactical/Detail.bok?no=244
 
http://www.samplelist.com/ there are a couple of the 3-9 models for $499. used with light ring marks. I really like the 2.5-10x56 much better than the 3-9 because there is a significant difference in field of view between 2.5x and 3x one wouldnt think it would be obvious but try to look at both to decide what you like.
 
Originally Posted By: 2muchgunI'm starting to think you work for SWFA. We do have an Optics sponsor here that helps support this site. It is http://www.theopticzone.com/. NOT SWFA........


No I dont make a cent based on where you buy a scope, but I am interested in learning more about hunting preditors I started getting more serious about coyotes about a year ago and want to improve my skills at that. I am a moderator on Optics Talk so I do know optics and Ive done lots of business with SWFA and am interested in tactical optics. I work for the State of Iowa in a Law Enforcement capacity, so buy your scopes where ever you want to but when I post a link to something to show someone what to look for its a lot easier for me to find it on a site I know.

I thought I was being helpful.

So exactly what do you do for a living, sell scopes at opticszone?
 
The lowest single power, with the largest objective and a lit reticle is going
to pass the most light and be the most visible. Single power scopes have fewer
lens so they pass more available light. A 60mm objective is a must for a night
scope in my opinion. The lit reticle is a must for my old eyes. My money has
been on USO for 14 years now.
 
The Leupold VX3 3.5x10x50 Illuminated German #4 Dot is a great scope. I have them on two of my rifles. The Dot itself is all that is illuminated. Their substension table says that on 10X the dot only covers 9/10ths of an inch at 100 yards. I have found that to be true. It is fine enough for precision shooting at smaller targets such as groundhogs out past 300yds and then again with it illuminated for low light conditions, it suits me perfectly, am planning on buying another one---soon.

To each their own!
 


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