I know technology isn’t to the point yet where we can have a 12oz, FFP 2-20x50 scope with perfect turrets and flawless tracking and all the features of a top tier PRS scope. Having said that, keeping it somewhat realistic, what’s on your wish list for your ultimate hunting scope? Here’s mine...
5-6x erector
3x max on the low end
15x min on the high end
30mm tube max
42mm objective max
FFP
Daylight bright illumination on center cross or dot only
Simple mil reticle with 0.2mil hashes — like Mil-C or MR2 but without clutter
Perfect tracking
Locking 10mil/turn elevation w/zero stop
Locking or capped windage-whichever is lighter
~4” eye relief
Big/forgiving eyebox
Yuge FOV
24oz max
Tough construction (haha I know)
>$2000 MSRP (haha I know)
Stray thoughts:
If the turrets are stiff enough, they won’t need locks or a cap = weight savings.
A hunting scope doesn’t need 30 mils of elevation travel. A 30mm or maybe even 1” tube should provide travel = weight savings. How much total elevation travel are you willing to accept? I’m thinking 12-15 mils would be ample. Combined with the right mount, that’s plenty to practice out to 1000 and for shots on game out to my reasonable limit. What’s that? How the hell would I know? I haven’t practiced with this scope yet!
I’d prefer to have 15x mag or more, but limiting it to say a 2-10x would eliminate the need for parallax adjustment = weight savings. Personally, this is an area where I’ll accept a little more weight to get more magnification. Just a thought.
To me, daylight bright illumination is mandatory on FFP hunting scopes. I spend a lot of time in thick brush in brown bear country when I hunt, so my scope is always dialed to minimum power and I don’t want the reticle disappearing on me against a dark target. On that note, battery life needs to be long.
I’d welcome everyone’s input on this. I know there are options out there that check a lot of these boxes, but not all of them. I’m not looking for recommendations for existing scopes, just trying to spec out a semi-realistic dream scope.
5-6x erector
3x max on the low end
15x min on the high end
30mm tube max
42mm objective max
FFP
Daylight bright illumination on center cross or dot only
Simple mil reticle with 0.2mil hashes — like Mil-C or MR2 but without clutter
Perfect tracking
Locking 10mil/turn elevation w/zero stop
Locking or capped windage-whichever is lighter
~4” eye relief
Big/forgiving eyebox
Yuge FOV
24oz max
Tough construction (haha I know)
>$2000 MSRP (haha I know)
Stray thoughts:
If the turrets are stiff enough, they won’t need locks or a cap = weight savings.
A hunting scope doesn’t need 30 mils of elevation travel. A 30mm or maybe even 1” tube should provide travel = weight savings. How much total elevation travel are you willing to accept? I’m thinking 12-15 mils would be ample. Combined with the right mount, that’s plenty to practice out to 1000 and for shots on game out to my reasonable limit. What’s that? How the hell would I know? I haven’t practiced with this scope yet!
I’d prefer to have 15x mag or more, but limiting it to say a 2-10x would eliminate the need for parallax adjustment = weight savings. Personally, this is an area where I’ll accept a little more weight to get more magnification. Just a thought.
To me, daylight bright illumination is mandatory on FFP hunting scopes. I spend a lot of time in thick brush in brown bear country when I hunt, so my scope is always dialed to minimum power and I don’t want the reticle disappearing on me against a dark target. On that note, battery life needs to be long.
I’d welcome everyone’s input on this. I know there are options out there that check a lot of these boxes, but not all of them. I’m not looking for recommendations for existing scopes, just trying to spec out a semi-realistic dream scope.