Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Scope recommendations for Black Bear hunting in dense woods

I am looking for another scope for one of my bear guns (9.3x63 on an FN Mauser) I hunt dense forest in Manitoba. I have a 1.5-6x42 Meopta that I like, running at 1.5 power as the shots are close and magnification is not needed given the distances that the bear are visible. One key performance factor is low light capability.
Options I am considering:
- Another 1.5-6x42 Meopta as the price is great now $299.99
- Aimpoint 9000L
- One of the many 1-6 power scopes primarily designed for AR's running at its lowest power, prefarably FFP as all of hunting scopes are FFP.

Question, low good is the low light performance of the Aimpoint 9000L, and is there a scope in the 1-6 power for the AR that has excellent low light performance.

Thanks
wade

The crosshair disappears on standard Leupold Duplex scopes before the light fades. I have used a lot of the 1.5-5x20 Leupold Vari-X lll scopes, but the last one I ordered with the heavy Duplex and that is a great scope, or should I say great crosshair into really dark conditions. I've never liked a lighted reticle, but you are aiming at a black animal at last light in a dark woods, so that could be the place for one. My first choice for low light is a 30 mm tube 1.5-6x42 Zeiss Euro scope, but honestly given the price difference, that heavy Duplex Leupold isn't way far behind that Zeiss looking through them both into full darkness.

How about the Burris Four X 1.5-6x42mm - 3P#4 E Dot Illuminated?

I have used the Leupold 1.5-5 with heavy duplex reticle and am happy with it in dense MN woods for black bear hunting with shots under 100 yards.That is what is going on my new to me .358 I get next week.

Trijicon accupoint on my primary BB gun.

None of mine are FFP and maybe never will be. I don't see the reason to go FFP at close range.

Doug's recommendation is a good one I believe, thinking about one myself.

I mount an Eotech red dot on my Marlin 1895 guide gun. I zeroed it at 50 yds. Works awesome. Especially when you are hunting bait at 20 yards.

I have used a Leupold 1.5 x 5 for almost 40 years

All red dots, even the very best, reduce light transmission a bit because you're looking through a semi-silvered mirror, hence the bue tint. A scope is better I think, and one with an illuminated aiming point, provided it goes low enough not to blind you, would be great. I've used one Leupold with a green dot and liked it a lot, except for the open turrets which were too easy to turn. My Hawkes have good lights, but the reticles are too fine for use in dense woods if the battery fails.

Your Meopta sounds like the beans, especially if one comes with a good light. The Leupold illumination system works great, and has auto shut-off and on, if you can find one you trust (sorry, has to be mentioned). Except for the knobs, I'd still be running that Leupold AR Mod 1.

BobbyTomek uses illuminated scopes a lot. I'd get his opinion if I could.

Bought one of these earlier this summer on sale from Doug. Going to be mounting it on a BLR in 358 this weekend. So far I like the scope a lot and think it’s exactly what you are looking for.

I thought Real Hunters didn't use bait.

I agree that holographic "red dots" do seem to be darker...same as range finders...


Your Meopta is probably a good choice...as is the recommended Burris. I REALLY wanted one of the 2 on my Montana. But on a rifle I bought for the weight factor, adding a heavy piece of glass didn't make sense...I have several Leupold 2.5-8x36 scopes and decided to stick with it.


I gotta ask....if you're running scopes at nearly no magnification, have you considered a ghost ring??

The other rifle I setup this summer, I went with a ghost ring on. I usually run my Leupolds at 3-4x...this rifle I wanted for thick dark timber and when it's raining/snowing and keeping a scope clean is nearly impossible...I spend my days still hunting or tracking... keeping a scope covered doesn't work for me and action is usually close and fast. I'm confident I could shoot my ghost ring well beyond quitting time.

Just a thought...I don't know your style of hunting or if you've considered it or tried it ..for a tight quarters gun, they make sense.

On the ghost ring option, IMO they work best in bright daylight. As soon as the sun sets they become much harder to see through. I believe the OP is looking for something for low light situations. Therefore I would not recommend a ghost ring in this application.

I’d think the Leupold 1-4 w/ a German #1 is made for that, if you want light and simple. A Trijicon 1-4 works well for me, too. The Leupold VX-R LPV might have good low light performance. Their 2-7/3-9 do well. If the Meopta has a heavy duplex (Zeiss #20-ish), and you like it already, why not?