Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Brightest Low light scope

Finally some great advice here ! I use the exact same scope on my 25-06 and I also have a S&B Zenith 2.5-10x56 which is even better in low light on my 30-06.....one of the best scopes money can buy !

Good pictures Terry. They help illustrate the point.That reticle doesn't block anythingbecause the target is magnified as well.

I am not a scope maven and mostly hunt with pretty pedestrian stuff But,when it comes to serious low light glass I have yet to see any 1" scopes seriously challenge those 30mm FFP's from Swaro,Zeiss,S&B etc...the only one's that have come close that I have looked through are the S&B Summit,and the Kahles 3.5-10x50.A 1" Swaro isn't in the money. The 3-9 Conquest got close but the reticle quits while that of a 2.5-10x42 Swaro PH just kept trucking.....I'm talking 250 yards up into trees where resolution was still sharp enough in bad light to really see.Both are good but a real solid notch below a top end 30mm FFP for brightness, resolution and plain old "seeing".

Terry, no doubt - hard not to admire beautiful wood while in the field. Remember my Dakota Predator 6BR, sure was nice holding warm Walnut on the cold mornings I launched some 95 BTs thru deer vitals

I have used both as well, and no doubt, synthetics are great tools. What not to like about that hunting tool of yours, and in a 264 bore!

So Bobin, the 30mm PH was distinctly better than the 1" models, nice to get feedback. What reticle on the Conquest quit?

Good info.

65: Their version of the Duplex.To be fair, I should add that it was likely after legal shooting light at that point.Up to then the Conquest did very well;but the Swaro PH outclassed it after that.

I hear ya, well if I ever go night hunting... No doubt the PH ups the ante...

Look at it this way, maybe the Conquest will keep you outta jail...

Sounds like that PH Swaro may tempt you to take a shot way too late...

Just saying...

DF

DF: Not likely It was an exercise while testing scopes over the winter,or at the range on local deer off season;not something I'm really hung up over. I spend only a little bit of time stand hunting,and mostly walk.

Very few of my better deer have been killed at last light.

I did some "testing" outside recently after getting a Conquest 3-9, and I definitely could go "to jail" shooting a deer out to a few hundred yards at least 7-8 minutes past legal here in MN with it.

I do like the Conquest. My latest was a Cabela's special, $299 for the 3-9x40. I had to pay state sales tax but no postage; final cost, $311. IMHO, that's about the most glass for the buck, anywhere.

DF

Conquest is a lotta bang for the buck....I don't know of anything better in that price range.

Put a German #4 in that 3-9X40 Conquest and it becomes a serious contender also.



Terry

What does Zeiss charge to retrofit a #4 reticle?

DF

Konnari
Thanks for posting that.
You dont see many of those around.
Very nice.

dave

I love the S&B Zeniths, but they do not have much travel in them. You are limited to what you mount them on if you want to use a 100 yd zero.

Great scopes though - VERY clear!!!

For what Bobs talking about.
Its a non issue.
Ill take the fat FFP reticle and the bomb proofness.
Everytime.

dave

FWIW...have done some shooting under same conditions--though not from a tree.

If you are sizing the game up, my experience with all the top name Euro & US scopes has been that a really good bino trumps the best rifle scope--always. Provided you have the luxury of the critter staying in view long enough to get the bino on him, or you do what I do in those last minutes--keep the bino plastered to your face.

Once the light recedes enough you can't judge horns or age with the scope, there will still be enough light left for the bino to make the ID and then make the shot. That doesn't represent much time at all, but it still is a little time and anything prior to that ain't a issue with a decent scope & reticle.

A 42mm objective and heavy reticle like the #4 in the Conquest or the #1 in a Leupold will get the job done. If you want to spend the bucks you can do the Euro 1st plane FFP at 6x--no flies there, just cash, but the end result will be the same.

Having used both I respectfully disagree.

Back equally respectably disagreeing with you, Terry...:)

but I do agree with your 98 selections....

I can see mo with the S&B than I can with my Leupolds. IMO, mo is better.

Merry Christmas my friend. ;^)

Merry Christmas Terry.

I certainly would not argue that particular point...