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Campfire Tracker
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OK, guys. What's your choice of reticle in a Leupold VX3 1.5-5x20 for low-light conditions (I know the arguments about objective size so am not concerned with that): Leupy's "German 4" or "Heavy Duplex"? Of course, I could save a hundred bucks and get a VX2 1-4 in standard duplex, which works fine on my VX3 2.5-8, so I might as well throw it into the mix as well.
But mostly I'm asking about reticle choice for low-light conditions. What's your preference?
"An archer sees how far he can be from a target and still hit it, a bowhunter sees how close he can get before he shoots." It is certainly easy to use that same line of thinking with firearms. -- Unknown
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
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I've got a VXR 1.25x4 #4 and the VX6 2-12 #4, both illuminated. I like the reticles and both have a decent amount of mass to see when it's very dark. I haven't really tested either illuminated yet as the plain old #4 is pretty good. Not quite as good as the real German #4's but still decent.
Leupolds Heavy Duplex is a great reticle as well, I've got that in a 1.5x5 and it's works excellent for the tight and fast shooting in the SE. It's claimed many deer on the move, picks up fast and seems well suited for hunting.
Semper Fi
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
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I've got 1 scope with the heavy duplex and 2 scopes with the post & duplex reticles. When I lose the reticles in dim light it's too late for me to shoot. I like the P&D a bit more than the HD. If I buy another fixed 4X I may try the #1 reticle.
The Karma bus always has an empty seat when it comes around.- High Brass
There's battle lines being drawn Nobody's right if everybody's wrong
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Campfire Tracker
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I've got a VXR 1.25x4 #4 and the VX6 2-12 #4, both illuminated. I like the reticles and both have a decent amount of mass to see when it's very dark. I haven't really tested either illuminated yet as the plain old #4 is pretty good. Not quite as good as the real German #4's but still decent.
Leupolds Heavy Duplex is a great reticle as well, I've got that in a 1.5x5 and it's works excellent for the tight and fast shooting in the SE. It's claimed many deer on the move, picks up fast and seems well suited for hunting. Thanks for the note. As you pointed out, for some reason Leupold's German 4 doesn't look quite like other German 4s I've seen. I love illuminated reticles and use a VXR Firedot 4, 3-9, on a MRC ASR, but I don't want to put a 30mm tube on a Ruger No 1a. I want to stay with a 1 inch...at least until an illuminated reticle comes in a 1 inch.
"An archer sees how far he can be from a target and still hit it, a bowhunter sees how close he can get before he shoots." It is certainly easy to use that same line of thinking with firearms. -- Unknown
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Campfire Tracker
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I've got 1 scope with the heavy duplex and 2 scopes with the post & duplex reticles. When I lose the reticles in dim light it's too late for me to shoot. I like the P&D a bit more than the HD. If I buy another fixed 4X I may try the #1 reticle. I was seriously looking at P&D. That will have to be something out of Leupy's custom shop. I might try either the G4 or HD for a bit, and if it doesn't work out it's off to Leupold for a P&D. What is it that you like better about the P&D?
"An archer sees how far he can be from a target and still hit it, a bowhunter sees how close he can get before he shoots." It is certainly easy to use that same line of thinking with firearms. -- Unknown
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Campfire Oracle
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Campfire Oracle
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I have had stellar luck with the VX2 in a 1-4 with basic duplex.
"...the left considers you vermin, and they'll kill you given the chance..." Bristoe
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Campfire Tracker
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I have had stellar luck with the VX2 in a 1-4 with basic duplex. Is that what's on the Ingwe Express (your Fwt)?
"An archer sees how far he can be from a target and still hit it, a bowhunter sees how close he can get before he shoots." It is certainly easy to use that same line of thinking with firearms. -- Unknown
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
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I have had stellar luck with the VX2 in a 1-4 with basic duplex. That's a popular combo down here in our deer hunting area. Deer are usually moving quickly due to be pushed by hounds so you either have to learn to shoot them moving or let them pass. The 1.25x4, 1.5x5 and 1x4 Leupolds are the most popular around our place on slug guns. Plus they are fairly low profile and don't catch on every vine in the woods. I'd love to have the #4 in my 1.5x5 on my slug gun, but the Heavy Duplex works fine and hopefully upon retirement I won't have to hunt deer with a shotgun anymore!
Semper Fi
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Campfire Tracker
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I'd love to have the #4 in my 1.5x5 on my slug gun, but the Heavy Duplex works fine and hopefully upon retirement I won't have to hunt deer with a shotgun anymore! Moving west or farther south? I have some variation of the No 4 on two of my 7x57s, just not the standard Leupold No. 4. For some reason the P&D design catches my eye a bit better, but I'm not entirely sure at 0'Dark-Thirty as I haven't tried it.
"An archer sees how far he can be from a target and still hit it, a bowhunter sees how close he can get before he shoots." It is certainly easy to use that same line of thinking with firearms. -- Unknown
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Joined: Apr 2011
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
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I'd love to have the #4 in my 1.5x5 on my slug gun, but the Heavy Duplex works fine and hopefully upon retirement I won't have to hunt deer with a shotgun anymore! Moving west or farther south? I have some variation of the No 4 on two of my 7x57s, just not the standard Leupold No. 4. For some reason the P&D design catches my eye a bit better, but I'm not entirely sure at 0'Dark-Thirty as I haven't tried it. West is the plan. So far, from what I've seen is Meopta has the tightest #4 and Leupolds have the most space. I like the Leupolds but just wish they were a little tighter. I like the #4 reticle a bunch. But then again, I've done fine with regular Duplex or similar on my hunting rifles as well.
Semper Fi
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Campfire Oracle
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Campfire Oracle
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I have had stellar luck with the VX2 in a 1-4 with basic duplex. Is that what's on the Ingwe Express (your Fwt)? Nope, that was a 1.5-5 but I have since put a larger scope on it for older eyes�. However a VX2 1-4 served me well on a 7x57 mountain rifle years ago� Then the scope moved to my .375 for a couple years� Then it moved to Ingwewifes .30-06, where it still resides, 10 years later.. Its a real toss up whether or not the 1.5-5 is worth the extra $$$$
"...the left considers you vermin, and they'll kill you given the chance..." Bristoe
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Campfire Tracker
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So far, from what I've seen is Meopta has the tightest #4 and Leupolds have the most space. I like the Leupolds but just wish they were a little tighter. I like the #4 reticle a bunch. But then again, I've done fine with regular Duplex or similar on my hunting rifles as well.
Have you taken a look at the P&D on Leupold's website? They'll change it out on an existing scope, but I'm not sure for how much. I have a note in to Leupold and will find out for sure.
"An archer sees how far he can be from a target and still hit it, a bowhunter sees how close he can get before he shoots." It is certainly easy to use that same line of thinking with firearms. -- Unknown
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Joined: Apr 2011
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
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So far, from what I've seen is Meopta has the tightest #4 and Leupolds have the most space. I like the Leupolds but just wish they were a little tighter. I like the #4 reticle a bunch. But then again, I've done fine with regular Duplex or similar on my hunting rifles as well.
Have you taken a look at the P&D on Leupold's website? They'll change it out on an existing scope, but I'm not sure for how much. I have a note in to Leupold and will find out for sure. Nope, sure haven't seen that. I've got a 3.5x10 on its way to Leupold now for a # 4 retrofit. I'll take a look at the P and D though.
Semper Fi
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
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I just looked at the Post and Duplex. Seems to be a #4 with pointed bars? Same same to me. Looks like a nice reticle though. I'd run one.
Semper Fi
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Campfire Tracker
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Its a real toss up whether or not the 1.5-5 is worth the extra $$$$ Nice pictures, Ingwe, as always. You realize you married up, right? Your question is a good one.
"An archer sees how far he can be from a target and still hit it, a bowhunter sees how close he can get before he shoots." It is certainly easy to use that same line of thinking with firearms. -- Unknown
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Campfire Tracker
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I just looked at the Post and Duplex. Seems to be a #4 with pointed bars? Same same to me. Looks like a nice reticle though. I'd run one. Pretty much except the opening of the crosshairs (I'm sure there's a name for it) isn't as wide as between the G4.
"An archer sees how far he can be from a target and still hit it, a bowhunter sees how close he can get before he shoots." It is certainly easy to use that same line of thinking with firearms. -- Unknown
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Campfire Tracker
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I'm thinking of having a VX3 1.75-6 converted to post and duplex, and a 1-4 with that or #1, if they'll do it on a VX1?
I think the post/duplex is basically a #4 done 'right'.
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Campfire Tracker
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I think the post/duplex is basically a #4 done 'right'. I agree with that, at least in Leupold's case. I expect I'll eventually have a VX3 changed to that reticle. But until then, I'm just wondering which of the two - the current G4 or HD - will be better in low light conditions.
"An archer sees how far he can be from a target and still hit it, a bowhunter sees how close he can get before he shoots." It is certainly easy to use that same line of thinking with firearms. -- Unknown
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Campfire Tracker
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I like the HD better, if the other choice is G4, from Leupold, anyway. Other makes have tighter G4s, like Zeiss or Meopta. Minox's G4 is even wider, to me. For a hunting scope, especially of reasonable magnification (1-8x), having that smaller focal point in low light seems more practical, to me.
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I like the HD better, if the other choice is G4, from Leupold, anyway. Other makes have tighter G4s, like Zeiss or Meopta. Minox's G4 is even wider, to me. For a hunting scope, especially of reasonable magnification (1-8x), having that smaller focal point in low light seems more practical, to me. The HD has heavier posts too, which make them stand out more in low light conditions. At least that's the way I'm leaning.
"An archer sees how far he can be from a target and still hit it, a bowhunter sees how close he can get before he shoots." It is certainly easy to use that same line of thinking with firearms. -- Unknown
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