Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics What do you want in a hunting scope?

A compact 1x10x40 high end glass with a quick detach European integral base that allows the scope to site very low and return to zero when installing it. This is not to weigh more than 12 ounces total. #9 reticle with thick German #4 posts, no illumination. Quick focus, screw in high quality glass lens covers, and simple set it once and forget it sealed dials. A sleeve to place a small ballistics card for the cartridge on the scope bell would be nice also.

What's a #9 reticle?

Interesting, and appreciate the feedback. Curious why you say it is a good AR scope but not for hunting? I'm not sure what an AR scope is supposed to do that a hunting scope won't, or vice versa?

What I like about it - Light, compact, power range that makes sense for hunting, durability and repeat ability. If I could change anything it would be to FFP and a slightly changed reticle.

Is the scope more difficult to "get behind'?

It was offered as a SPR scope originally and still is a good one. It's just not a good low light performer unless you can clip some NV in front of it, which its compact size makes easy.

The NX8 1-8 looks to be a good one.

Gotcha. I’d like to try one, or something very similar.

If it were up to me I'd have the NF 4-16 atacr with the footprint of the NF nxs 42mm compact. As well as a non rotating ocular.

Call me “ old school” on scopes.

Fixed 4x scope, high quality glass ( excellent resolution with edge to edge sharpness ), finger tip adjustable wind age/elevation low height capped torrents, plex reticle but hash marks or tiny dots @ 3, 6 min spacing ( then the plex tip at 9 min start point ( essentially a non-mil mildot). 4” eye relief.

Also wish for TK Lee option of a big fat 4-6 moa dot reticle on a straight tubed 3x scope, long ( for long action mounting). 30 mm tube would be ok. 4.0+ to 4.5” eye relief, high quality glass, click adjustment.

A 6 moa dot would be an incredible tool. For most deer cartridges with a MV in the 2600-2900 FPS area, point blank hitting would be within the dot to 300 yards. For 200 yard zero, the 100 yard group would be on the top of the 6 moa dot. 200 yards is dead middle of the dot. 300 yards would have the impact at the bottom of the dot. It’s also a range finder. The 6 moa dot covers 18” at 300 yards ( the height of a whitetail’s torso - top above spine hair, to bottom of chest). If the dot doesn’t “fit inside or fill the deer” , it’s past 300 yards- don’t shoot ( get closer, or hold the bottom of the dot on the shoulder /spine level and take a 350 yarder. A no brainer sighting/ hunting system for 99% of big game hunting.

Price it at under $400, make it in the USA, make it tough as nails, with reliable w/e adjustment.

FYI, I have a mint, Weaver steel-tubed microtrac K2.5x scope ( plex reticle) on the way. It’s going on a JC Higgins model 50 FN 98 Mauser-auctioned 30-06. Should be just fine for my Maine deer hunting, from 30 feet to 300 yards with that set up. Most shots are less than 75 yards where I hunt. Close enough to perfect for me. If I miss, it won’t be the scope’s fault.

If there was just an accounting department that would listen to the 'fire.....

grin

The accounting department might lend a closer ear if this thread was titled "what hunting scope are you willing to put down $ for" rather than "what do you want in a hunting scope"....and those replying were willing to follow through.

"FYI, I have a mint, Weaver steel-tubed microtrac K2.5x scope ( plex reticle) on the way. It’s going on a JC Higgins model 50 FN 98 Mauser-auctioned 30-06. Should be just fine for my Maine deer hunting, from 30 feet to 300 yards with that set up. Most shots are less than 75 yards where I hunt. Close enough to perfect for me. If I miss, it won’t be the scope’s fault."


Just got my K2.5 back in December. Bought it new in the late 60's. Still have the original scope covers for it. Sent it in to Frank Ruiz a few years before he closed shop for a "tune up" and to install a duplex reticle. It had a fine crosshair one. Really wanted a post and crosshair but he didn't offer it. Since I got it back from Frank it's sat on my son's .22 Marlin hardly used. Now I got it mounted on my 20"bbl M98 9.3x62.

3-15x42, small(ish) turret, repeatable, accurate, reliable, <20oz, $1k

This is the Schmidt & Bender #9 reticle:


https://tse3.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP....&c=7&o=5&dpr=1.1&pid=1.7

Thanks.

What do I want. I want all the wonderful qualities of a Leupold VX5-HD 2-10x42mm with a fine German #4 Fire Dot Reticle and bullet proof reliable time after time erector's for the scopes CDS capabilities.

Woe is me............

Was about to blow up your PM box as soon as I saw your pic.........thought all the compromises were over!!

Is there any reason to reinvent the wheel on this schit? I have a HARD time believing that the guts of a Leupold or whatever couldn't be reworked and track/hold 100%.

Is there such thing as a "scope smith"? Seems to me the lack of proper tracking and "pukes" boils down to $20-$30 worth of parts.


Dunno, maybe it's not that easy. Then again, maybe it is....

Pretty sure $30 bucks ain't going to cover what is needed to make a Leupold behave like a NF .......but am willing to pay more if they did!

Isn't it just weak springs?