Rifle Scopes New hunting scope

[Spool1094]

Hey yall, looking for other input on a new optic going on a woods deer rifle. This will be going on a straight wall cartridge so max range out to 250y. I'm looking at lower magnification ranges 2-10 or 3-9 SFP. I've looked at many different options but seems like the "dedicated" hunting scopes are mostly 1in tubes. It's not mandatory but ideally I'd like to have a 30mm tube for better lighting. Statistically, most of my shots will be at first/last light. Illumination is not mandatory but would be nice, I feel that reticle selection is more important.

I've kind of narrowed it down to:
Trijicon Huron 2.5-10x40
Leupold VX Freedom 3-9x40
Leupold VX5-HD 2-10x42

What else should I look at?

 

[Langford]

A lot of hunting scopes have 1” tubes because they typically don’t need the extra room for extreme amounts of elevation adjustment, along with keeping them as light as possible.

It’s commonly stated that the larger the tube diameter, the brighter the scope…but that’s not the case. Lens quality, coatings, objective size/exit pupil diameter all play a role in that. Swarovski used to have a good article on their website about this, but it’s no longer there from what I can see.


From the looks of it, you’re ok with SFP? There are a lot of very good dedicated hunting scopes on the market, budget will help narrow down the suggestions. Out of the ones you’ve mentioned, the vx5 will have the best glass.

 

[Spool1094]

A lot of hunting scopes have 1” tubes because they typically don’t need the extra room for extreme amounts of elevation adjustment, along with keeping them as light as possible.

It’s commonly stated that the larger the tube diameter, the brighter the scope…but that’s not the case. Lens quality, coatings, objective size/exit pupil diameter all play a role in that. Swarovski used to have a good article on their website about this, but it’s no longer there from what I can see.


From the looks of it, you’re ok with SFP? There are a lot of very good dedicated hunting scopes on the market, budget will help narrow down the suggestions. Out of the ones you’ve mentioned, the vx5 will have the best glass.

Yes, I think that’s the way to go. I have a few FFP scopes and they’re really hard to see at low magnification which is likely where I’ll spend 90% of the time.

I’m not dead set on SFP though. I definitely see the benefit in having accurate subtensions regardless of magnification.

Maybe it’s just my eyes but I looked at the VX freedom and vx5hd at a retailer yesterday and I couldn’t notice a discernible difference between the two in glass quality. Mind you it with just for a minute, inside a store.

 

[Jmccracken1214]

I ordered a steiner h6xi yesterday. Excited to see how it does on my sig cross.

 

[powdahound76]

I was really happy with my vx5 last year.

Running the 3-15 htmr

No shots very far out and in practice time at the range, it was excellent at 600 yds.

I would also consider the mk4hd if looking at the 2-10 range.

 

[gr8fuldoug]

We've got some great deals on a variety of open box Leupold Riflescopes.
Zeiss V4 Riflescopes are on sale now and start at only $699.99.

 

[paulrem308]

Check out the entry level Swarovski or zeis. Make really good glass and geared more towards the hunting aspect.