Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics What is a Heavy Duplex good for?

I've got a Lyman All American 2.5X with a post and crosshair reticle on one of my 99's. I like it for the dense woods that I hunt in.

Which is my favorite hunting reticle.

seems like everyone likes them for dark timer and low light situations, wouldn't a lit dot be way better for said situation?

I opted for the HD reticle on my 2.5x scout scope.on a Savage model 10 scout rifle. It is a nice setup and I shoot with both eyes open. Only one person that has shot the rifle has did not car for the set up. It is fast and instinctive to shoot. It is paper plate accurate at 300 yards. The lower part of the reticle being the hold at 300 yards. I have not hunted with the rifle. Shotgun only in my county of Maryland but I would love to hunt with it.

That lit dot is a pretty good solution. I use a Leupold VX-R 4X12 and that little dot on the lowest setting is the ticket at dark + 30 minutes.

The original post & duplex is like a #1 to where the duplex crosses horizontally and stays thin to the top and the side bars are like a duplex. Best of both styles for my hunting.

It’s certainly a solution, and I have them on several hunting scopes. They do require batteries, weigh more, and ensuring your setting isn’t so bright you can’t see the target in low light.....so, not sure they’re ‘better’ than a really heavy reticle, but they can be nice for having a thin reticle AND being able to use it in low light.

Sometimes speed matters more than precision.

Sometimes being able to see the reticle at all trumps that.

Heavy Duplex, #4’s

And I’m starting to get the hang of the trijicon triangle also.

I'm sure the lit dots are fine, but haven't been interested in a scope that relies on a battery. That's just me, so I prefer to get a scope with heavier reticles when that's an option.

It's one of the all-time great reticle designs.

I have them on both my 375s (leupolds 1.75X6X32). Not only do they enhance acquisition in low light, but it really helps me focus. But yes they make it tougher to sight in..

The VX-R Firedot Duplex is pretty darn good. Just a bit more bold than a Duplex (iirc) and etched goodness, plus you have the dot when desired. With Leupold's excellent execution of the automatic on/off, the battery life is fantastic. I think I would choose it over the HD now, although I mostly use other things.

Back in the day, I hunted brush exclusively and a HD 1.5-5x20 was pretty handy. Currently only have one Heavy Duplex, a shotgun 1-4x20 on an AR carbine. I think about moving it, but, it's near perfect for it.

Pretty much given up on the company looking ahead.

I agree, we don't have prairie dogs in our part of the country. We hunt in a lot of timber and pine thickets where 100 yards is a long shot.

Using a target made to fit the reticle makes this a non issue.

I have a couple of the Leupold Freedom 1 1/2 -4 with the PigPlex .I really like them.

I use 3" orange or green stick on dots on Thompson Target 19"x25" sight in targets. I get five targets on one sheet. This works great for my thick reticles. I use small stick on dots for my varmint rifle scopes.

https://www.thompsontarget.com/scope-3-paper-alignment-sight-in-shooting-targets-19x25/

I use them. Like with MOA lines on the target.

Shot with a Heavy Duplex..

Buddy inherited a rifle from an Uncle with a heavy duplex early 2000's vintage Leupold on it. It isnt much for target shooting but In my opinion it shows up way way better in low light that a fine duplex. Its perfectly fine for hunting and he's taken several good whitetails with it in a thick swamp. His secret guaranteed public land buck spot for rifle season. In 20 years hes never went in there and not come out with a buck. Even in late season. But its a place that you have to WANT IT to trudge back into.

They sure worked good in Northern Minnesota Swamps, as the sun is dropping like a brick.....

If got several Leupolds, with Heavy Duplex, # 4 and # 1 German reticles also....

The German # 1 is actually an alternative for shooting ground squirrels, over say a target dot..

Upper half makes a good thing for field of view, when you have running squirrels, who stop on a dime...to stand and look around.
That's when you pull the trigger... take longer to describe it than it does to happen...

Quick target acquisition....