Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics One scope to rule them all?

Edited this original post it was way too long. If you could only have one scope for all of your hunting needs what would you go with? I’m not trying to buy a new scope just curious.

I think I would have to go with my Trijicon Credo HX in 2.5-10 even over several more expensive scopes in the safe. I love the light gathering as well as the durability and the simplicity of the illuminated duplex style reticle that I have on mine.

Hoping this will be fun to read and enjoyable to share with one another

I'd probably go with the Bushie LRHS/LRTS 3-12, depending on which reticle fit my overall use better.

Most importantly, they've proven to be tough. Secondly, I like the reticles, overall size, X range and feature set. Lastly, the view is very good.

But I hope to never experience a time in which I am constrained to own one scope. I enjoy the process of trying new and different scopes far too much.

Many years ago this is what Leupold recommended...for the "one scope rifleman".

Amen to this!! ^^^

Nightforce 2.5-10x42mm Compact. For al my big game needs.

It would depend upon the focus of shooting to be weighted more toward big game hunting or shooting varmints.

If attention is to big game, it would be a Swarovski Z3 3-10 with BRX reticle.

If varmints it would be the Swarovski Z5 3.5-18X44 BT with 4W crosshair. It still only tips the scales at 15.9 OZ

A scope no longer made. Leupold 2.5X8X36...

For me, it would be the S&B PMII 6x42. There are a lot I could get by with but it's my favorite. I like simple things, no illumination, no parallax, no power adjustment, fewer lenses. Simple things have fewer points of failure. The P3/Mildot is a measured reticle that matches the adjustments, bold enough to be visible in low light/broken backgrounds, fine enough for accuracy work, not so cluttered as to hinder the view of branches/twigs, 4 outer posts to reference and subtend from in low light. I don't feel over scoped at 6x in woods or under scoped to 500...though I do appreciate more x's there. The scope has proven reliable in zero retention and adjustments for me. The glass is very good and the resolution, along with depth of focus, is great. It's not extremely heavy or oversized while still having a 30mm tube and enough tube length to work for mounting on most actions. Again, lots I could use and be happy with, but for the hunting I do, I prefer the 6x42 PMII to all others I've used.

What kind of hunting? Big game or varmint? If just big game hunting, I could easily get by with a Burris FFII 3-9x40 with ballistic plex reticle. Plenty good enough for shots out to 500 yards. Most of my "hunting" rifles wear them. I've tested them quite a bit and trust them. That is why they are on said rifles. For varmints, I like a little more magnification and something that dials more precisely.

Am close to shrapnel, but would be for all game, Swaro Z5i 3.5-18x44, BRX-i. Just have not taken the time to get used to turrets, the 'Christmas trees' work good for me!

If I could wish, it would be alpha glass in 1x10x42 with a #4 reticle, 1" tube, and in a compact format. That would cover every base.

x2

Still a great option, but wait for Ringman to come along and suggest a Bushnell because he looks through them at grids…

x13.....

Then we have the screwball old curmudgeons like me who insist on classics with a half century trouble free track record...Bausch & Lomb Balsix B for my money. If forced to go with a 'new' scope...a Meopta straight 6x is working well. Never been a huge fan of buying and packing 'features' that I don't use or need shooting dinks at 150 yds max. I have modern scopes to ring steel at a half mile, fun, handy but necessary? Nope. Apparently there are others that feel this way as well...there is a plethora of Hubble 50mm objective scopes for sale in the classifieds here every week.

They still make them.

I’ll take the Trijicon 2-10x36mm

x a bunch more

IMHO
Offer this with a #4 reticle SFP

OR mil/mil in a FFP they would have something

Just one? That is tough.

For 90% of my hunting uses, something like the NF SHV Illuminated Forceplex is tough to beat.