Rifle Scopes USO 1.8-10x44 lowlight usage?

58blackflag

58blackflag

Sergeant of the Hide
Full Member
Minuteman
May 30, 2012
394
14
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#1
Hi all,
I am looking to top my "little" .308 bolt action with a quality scope that will be both compact but also capable.

The gun will be primarily used from 100-300 yards in wooded areas to deer hunt but I'd like to be able to shoot it out to 800 yards easily if needed. I have a couple of stands on power lines where long shots are likely.

There are a couple of the USO models I mentioned for sale in the classifieds here and I was curious if anyone here used one in a similar function? Im mostly concerned with their lowlight capability since they are only 44mm objective size...my default size for hunting scopes have been 50 or 56mm in the past but they've been lesser quality scopes.
I'm curious if the higher price and hopefully quality of such a premium optic makes up for the smaller objective size?
Any info would be welcomed! Thanks!
 
#2
Re: USO 1.8-10x44 lowlight usage?

I'm running the same scope on my 16 inch 308, it works great in heavy timber and I've run it out past 900 on several occasions.
 
#3
Re: USO 1.8-10x44 lowlight usage?

Thanks Winny! If you are hunting around Savannah I'm sure its pretty similar conditions to me up here in Chas. Just what I wanted to hear. My .308 is a 20" but I'm thinking of going a little shorter when/if I re-barrel. Seems to be a perfect sized scope for the usage.
 
#4
Re: USO 1.8-10x44 lowlight usage?

I had a 1.8-10X44 that worked okay in low light and for inside of 1000 yards. I've switched to a 1.8-10X37. I can't crank the magnification as high in low light due to the smaller exit pupil, but it still works well and within 1000 yards. The big benefit was the weight reduction, 2.55 pounds with rings down to 1.8 pounds with rings. Basically a 3/4 pound drop which is pretty significant for a scope. For hunting I'd really look at the 37mm over the 44mm even with the low light consideration... Last time I checked, lens quality and coatings had more to do with light transmission and brightness than lens size did. Lens size seemed to translate to exit pupil and usable magnification.
 
#5
Re: USO 1.8-10x44 lowlight usage?

if u devide the magnafacation setting by the objective lense size you wil get a relitive brightness # the human eye can only take in so much light appx 7.0 so anything higher is not usefull for example if u use a 3.5 x 10 x44 at 3.5 yhe rel brite fig is 12.57 on 10 its 4.4 so for max bright on this scope u use 6x = relitive brightness of 7.33 this fomula works on all scopes just plug in numbers for your situation :}
 
#7
Re: USO 1.8-10x44 lowlight usage?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mark forducey</div><div class="ubbcode-body">if u devide the magnafacation setting by the objective lense size you wil get a relitive brightness # the human eye can only take in so much light appx 7.0 so anything higher is not usefull for example if u use a 3.5 x 10 x44 at 3.5 yhe rel brite fig is 12.57 on 10 its 4.4 so for max bright on this scope u use 6x = relitive brightness of 7.33 this fomula works on all scopes just plug in numbers for your situation :}</div></div>

Hi mark, yup I understand the relative brightness/exit pupil idea.
Objective diameter/magnification=exit pupil
Thanks! Thats more or less what I was talking about as far as objective lens sizing goes. Like NoExpert said, the quality of glass and coatings can go along way to help with light transmission. Thats more of what I was hoping to hear about is the glass specifics with these scopes.

NoExpert, I'm OK with a little extra weight the 44mm will have over the 37mm. Even though its a hunting rifle, its not a hiking rifle. Most of my hunting is done from a tree stand so really just having a smaller overall package to carry up and down is more important than the weight if that makes sense. I've used 2 scopes on this gun already, one Zeiss with a 56mm and a Minox with a 50mm. The Zeiss felt to big and the Minox OK but both lacked mil reticles and proper target style turrets. I'm just trying to find the right size/features/capability formula! I think 44mm might be perfect!
Thanks a lot for the info though! I'm glad to hear even the 37mm works well light wise.
Thanks again everyone!
 
#8
Re: USO 1.8-10x44 lowlight usage?

some times i think im a dummy because i hunt with a little over a 12lb gun scope and all 5.5x22 nxs 56mm i just man up and carry it but what i know to be true is the more gun i carry the less ammo i need one shot one kill plus i hunt slower and most of the time slow is good
 
#11
Re: USO 1.8-10x44 lowlight usage?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: serater</div><div class="ubbcode-body">some times i think im a dummy because i hunt with a little over a 12lb gun scope and all 5.5x22 nxs 56mm i just man up and carry it but what i know to be true is the more gun i carry the less ammo i need one shot one kill plus i hunt slower and most of the time slow is good
</div></div>
Not dumb at all, I've got a big heavy gun too, this scope is just for my little gun when I'm feeling like a sissy! Haha
 
#12
Re: USO 1.8-10x44 lowlight usage?

I sold a 44 and picked up a 1.8-10x37. The 44mm is a big heavy scope and for me it made no sense to not run another 3.2-17 if I was going to with a scope that big and heavy. Never had a low light issue with the 37mm. I turn down power as light goes down anyway.
 
#13
Re: USO 1.8-10x44 lowlight usage?

Many things affect light transmission. A couple of years ago we where playing around with a bunch of scopes, one thing really stood out. New coatings really help new scopes pick up ambient light.

The SN-3s is a great scope, slim, lighter than the 44mm SN-3, would be perfect on a light bolt rifle.

Check out how low I can mount one of mine. I like a cheek weld, not an open mouth breather CHIN weld.

You're talking about a bolt rifle, probably not going to run buis, LOL.


DO get an illuminated reticle. The SN-3s has a really robust build, EREK is def. worth the bucks.

DSC_0385.jpg


DSC_0370.jpg


DSC_0371.jpg


Good luck.
 
#14
Re: USO 1.8-10x44 lowlight usage?

Just FYI, the 44mm objective is about 56mm OD, close to most 50mm objectives. So if you're trying to get more compact, it's something to consider. The 37mm has a 47mm OD, same as the eyepiece OD.

M25.jpg


IMG_0228.jpg
 
#15
Re: USO 1.8-10x44 lowlight usage?

More great info!
For a bit more background I've had two scopes on this rifle. The first was a Zeiss Conquest 3-12x56mm with 30mm tube. With a 0 MOA base I had enough adjustment to get out to 700 yards. The scope tracked and returned to zero PERFECTLY. So what did I do? Got rid of it....stupid, huh? I traded it to SWFA to get a Premier to go on a .260 build that is in progress.
So, I took a Minox ZA3 3-9x50mm I had and I've been using that for the last month or so. I much prefer the size of the Minox to the bigger Zeiss but Im just not shooting nearly as well with the scope. The Minox glass is pretty decent but I'm not sure it tracks as well as the Zeiss did.
So, now I'm looking for something somewhere in between the two size wise but better than both quality and feature wise. I submitted a trade in form to SWFA yesterday to see what they will give me for the Minox so hopefully Monday I'll hear back. They have both the 37mm and 44mm version SN-3 in stock so both are available.
Is there any other scope I may be overlooking? I know Nightforce makes a compact 2-10x but it is only a 32mm objective.
 
#16
Re: USO 1.8-10x44 lowlight usage?

I second the point on the illum reticle, I've got one on mine. I'm also running a JNG MOA reticle. It is a little thicker crosshair but it makes it alot easier to pick it up in heavy brush. Good luck with your decision.
 
#18
Re: USO 1.8-10x44 lowlight usage?

The new Zeiss Victory HT is in the same price range as the USO. As a hunting scope for lowlight hunting the new Zeiss is unbeatable. It is easily better than the Swaro Z6 in a side by side test in low light. The Zeiss can be ordered with a zero stop lockable target turret, 0.1 mil clicks.

Zeiss HT
 
#19
Re: USO 1.8-10x44 lowlight usage?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: TorF</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The new Zeiss Victory HT is in the same price range as the USO. As a hunting scope for lowlight hunting the new Zeiss is unbeatable. It is easily better than the Swaro Z6 in a side by side test in low light. The Zeiss can be ordered with a zero stop lockable target turret, 0.1 mil clicks.

Zeiss HT </div></div>

Thanks TorF! That seems like a good choice for sure! I'll give it a look!
 
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