Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Scopes for deer hunting in low light conditions

I have two rifles (6.5 CM and 300 WM) in need of optics for low light hunting. My best hunting spot is in the middle of mature plantation pines, with lots of chinese privet on the periphery. My setup covers a couple of thinned rows with the ability to shoot 400 yards. I also have a spot under a transmission line where I can stretch out to 700.


The rut generally occurs the first week of January and the weather is typically cloudy. The short days, generally lower solar levels, and vegetation all make hunting the first and last 20 minutes of legal shooting hours a challenge.


I have lurked here and over at snipershide enough to know that I don't even know enough to be dangerous when it comes to optics selection. From what I have begun to piece together is that glass quality trumps objective and tube size when it come to brightness. However, I'm not sure what that really means and looking through scopes at the store is likely not a good predictor of real world performance.


I'm looking for a pair of scopes to outfit these guns before deer season. My budget is $2k in total for both scopes. I'd like to have an illuminated reticle, and adjustable elevation for an eventual hunt out west.


I appreciate all the wisdom shared here, and hope that you folks can assist me in making the right decision. Many Thanks!

You have learned something very beneficial, buy quality and you don't have to keep being in a cycle of unsatisfied buying and replacing.

If you use your watch and the solar tables for your hunt area, you will realize legal light 30 minutes prior to and after by the tables is bright enough for almost any quality scope if you stay away from extremely thin cross hairs.
Happy Hunting

You do not want illuminated reticles. I have tried them and when it gets black dark, you can't see for the light. We can LEGALLY hunt here for an hour after legal sundown. It is dark then... a Swarovski 3-12x56 with a duplex or post reticle is all I use. I have them on all my rifles and they excel in DARK conditions.

About ANY scope will suffice in marginal light or better conditions. Find some USED Swarovski/Kahles scopes in 30mm tubes and you will have the power to shoot as long as you can stand it.

And by the way... welcome aboard.

Then your using the wrong illuminated reticle scope...

I agree with the crosshairs, I prefer a german #4 for low light. If you research some of bobbytomek 's post on this forum he has a wealth of knowledge on low light hunting. FWIW I prefer a 6x42 Swarovski for most of my low light hunting in the open, for woods I have a 4x36 S&B that I have had a hard time improving on

Have you considered the Burris Four X 3-12x56mm Long Range - 4 Illuminated?

I have a Leica Visus on the way from Doug, for the same intended use. Starting to need a little more low light performance myself

I'd check with Doug @CameraLand and see if he has any Steiner NightHunter Xtreme scopes left.

https://www.steiner-optics.com/legacy-products/nighthunter-xtreme-2-10x50

This scope is pretty much designed for your purpose and will be very popular in Europe for driven hunts in native pine forest.

https://cameralandny.com/shop/brand...0136-00fc-00163e90e196?variation=1899322



This slightly cheaper scope has a great reputation amongst those who hunt the twilight but cannot / will not use electronic optics such as NV or Thermal.

https://cameralandny.com/shop/brand...0133-419a-00163e9110c0?variation=1248257

Are you comfortable taking 400 and 700 yard shots?

Meopta R2. It takes a back seat to nobody.

Wing it and buy two top of the line Tracts. Thats what I may do.

PM Bobby Tomek. He's done more research on low-light scopes than anyone.

I am very comfortable with both guns to 400 and have harvested our native whitetails at home as well as pronhorn and muleys out west at that range.

I am looking to work up to 700 for the future, hence the 300 WM. I'd like to be able to see that far, but not necessarily shoot that far until I'm more comfortable at that distance - the trees and hollers give me adequate cover to get more into my comfort zone!

I went on a no budget optimum low light rifle scope last season. Ended up with the Schmidt & Bender 8x56 and could not be happier. I have other high end scopes for comparison it too and it wins hands down giving me at least 5 more minutes and an uncanny clarity. I don't shoot at 700 yards and my experience with an illuminated scope on a Swaro Z6 was disappointing.

For what it is worth in my experience with low light quality of he glass comes first and second is the need for higher power for the distance I would normally use during daylight hours.

With this 8x56 I can hunt fields for hogs on a moonlit night for as long as I want. It is my solution for low light hunting as well many others.

I’ve really liked my meopta meopro 3-9 in low light.

+1 million. Zeiss 60, S&B and a scant few others have a good lowlight dot.

At Bobby Tomek’s recommendation I purchased a Zeiss V4 4x12x56 with lit reticle. Very pleased with the glass and the lowlight dot.
Got mine from DougCLNY.
As one who hunts in SC where the legal hours are 1 hour before sunrise and after sunset I would caution you against making any long shots in waning light regardless of your optic.

Leupold VX-6 3-18X56. It lasted six minutes longer than my Swarovski z5 5-25X52 when set on the same magnification.

This