Illuminated vs Not and 2.5x vs 3x

D

-Doug-

CGN Regular
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Looking to purchase a quality scope for a Savage 16/116 FCSS in .308
Rifle will be used for deer/moose in hunting conditions where shots will be 25-200yards.
Currently looking at $500-$800 price range.

Three questions for the experts:

1. How big of a deal is illuminated reticles? Good, bad, needed? I'm finding that if I want one my options are limited.

2. How much of a difference is there between 2.5-10 vs 3-9 scopes?
I was originally looking at 2.5 since I will have some close up shots under 50 yards and want a wide site picture and not too much zoom. However there are many more scope in 3x9.

3. Scope suggestions?

Thanks
 
Illumination isn't a deal breaker for me, I have scopes with and without it and I've never needed it while hunting.
Magnification range is what I look for, my newest scope is a Sightron S-Tac 3-16x42 and it is an awesome scope for around $800. It's lightweight (23oz) and has enough magnification and optical clarity for mid-long range target shooting and at 3 power it's useful as close as 20yards.
There are plenty of choices for you with an $800 budget, I would go to a couple shops and actually look through a few before you decide. Try to get them to let you take them outside so you can see them under natural light and look at things that are 500+ yards away so you can get a good idea as to what the clarity is really like (everything looks good at 50 yards in a well lit store).
 
When I first started out I bought into the illumination hype and have never actually used it on any of my scopes. Like CR5 said, illumination range is more important. I hunted with a 3.5-10x scope last fall and while watching wolves trot in front of me at 40 yards realized how hard it is to actually track something moving at close range. 2.5-10 would be great and 2-10 would be even better but I can't think of anything off the top of my head that would meet your price limit.
 
Illumination on a hunting scope is pointless IMO. If you are shooting at dusk or dawn, clarity and good light gathering trumps any artificial illumination.
I've used 2x, 4x and 3-9x. I like the convenience of 3-9. As you said, they are most commonly available. When walking to my spot, I usually set my scope to 3-4x depending on the foliage and terrain. I'll dial up or down as needed when I reach my desired location.
 
The Vortex Strike Eagle may be what you want. The power runs from 1X to 8X, costs about $650, but has a goofy reticle for hunting. It also has the illuminated reticle.
 
I don't like the weight/bulk of illuminated vs non in the same magnification. Nice for quick reactive shooting but hunting with a scope is all about shot placement.
 
I'm not a fan of the illuminated scopes, just another thing to go wrong & unnecessary for hunting. (I do like EOTech on a CQB setup though... FAST)

Here's how I have my rifles set up...

Cooper Model 54 in 308 wearing a Win Zeiss 3-9x40
Marlin 336 in 35 Rem wearing a Leupold Vari-X III 1.5-5x20
Nosler M48 Outfitter in 35 Whelen wearing a Bushnell Elite 6500 1.25-8x32

You don't need lots of magnification for hunting inside of 200m. And I don't think you would notice the difference between 2.5 or 3 x at the lower end of the spectrum, nor the difference between 9 or 10 x at the upper end...

In fact, there are very few situations while hunting where I have had the time or need to turn up the magnification on the scope to make the shot...

Cheers
Jay
 
big fan of low power illuminated scope, turn the brightness as low as you can and still see it. if your in a tree stand in a forest for example sometimes its hard to pick the cross hairs up between shadows, ground color and animal coloration.

highly recommend leupold as they have the lightest illuminated variables around... my 1-6 mark6 only weighs 17oz.

this scope only weighs 11.7 ozs, note it has capped adjustments (the "patrol" model has target turrets, which i dont like on hunting rifles) the technology for the illumination is awesome and is daylight bright. (ie:sunny conditions), retail in canada is around $859-$900.
https://www.leupold.com/hunting-shooting/scopes/vx-r-riflescopes/vx-r-1-25-4x20mm/
 
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