What do you like for a hunting optic with an illuminated reticle these days?

Faast Andy said:
Vortex HD crossfire 2, illuminated 2-7x around $300

vortex crossfire hd 2, 2-7x31 illuminated $299
Click to expand...
I have a very nice Burris Eliminator IV, 4-16x50 laserscope that would be nicer for those distances than what I have available at our camp here. Capable of ranging out to 2500yds on a hard target and 2000yds on a deer. The glass is very clear as you’d expect from a scope in the $3000 retail range with parallax settings and an on board ballistic calculator that factors your ammunition, angle of the shot and elevation to put that dot where it needs to really reach out and touch something at extreme ranges while taking a lot of the guesswork out of the shot.
The bush is so thick at our camp that 50-60yds is considered a long shot! 30-40yds and fast moving deer through heavy bush is the norm when the dogs get them pushed out!
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Terp312 said:
I am considering building myself a new lightweight folding hunting rifle, most likely on the base of a MDT HNT 26 stock, a medium 16" profile barrel (if I can source a tikka t3x roughtech ranch) or a light 18.5-20" barrel, tikka t3x action. I am debating what I should put on it for glass.

I tried regular reticles and illuminated ones, and have a very strong preference for illumination. I don't want the optic to break the bank. Ounces do become pounds, but I don't care much about the optics being super light.This rifle is not expected to shoot much past 200 yards, but I do like magnification on the higher end of things. Strong preference for a 40 or a 44 objective lens.

If I had to just drop everything and get one tomorrow I'd probably pick up a vortex viper HD 3-15x44 either with illuminated BDC reticle or the VMR 3 reticle, but I don't really want to spend that kind of money if I don't have to.

What is out there these days?

Any pointers (including comments on why my leanings are misguided) are welcome.
Click to expand...
https://telsonoptics.com/shop/arc-2-5-15x44-ir-sfp/
 
ScottB said:
No love for Athlon scopes for a lower price point scope? I have an illuminated Talos 4-16 on a .243 that impresses me for a $300 scope. I quite like it. FYI, I have never bought a $1k+ optic.

https://athlonoptics.com/product/rifle-scopes-talos-4-16x40-mildot-sfp-2/
Click to expand...
Thanks for the lead! How does it hold up to outdoor use? That's always a consideration for me. My power end Vortex offerings have been just fine ruggedness wise, because I don't go out of my way to abuse my gear, but I'm sure like most, I did knock my rifle once or twice at camp with it falling over on hard ground. Something to worry about with Athlon?
 
Terp312 said:
Thanks for the lead! How does it hold up to outdoor use? That's always a consideration for me. My power end Vortex offerings have been just fine ruggedness wise, because I don't go out of my way to abuse my gear, but I'm sure like most, I did knock my rifle once or twice at camp with it falling over on hard ground. Something to worry about with Athlon?
Click to expand...
I can't really give a useful answer to the ruggedness. I haven't been caught out in the heavy rain or sleet with it. It has gotten wet and been fine but not drenched. And I have not dropped it....yet. So...not much help there I guess.
Wolverine supplies is where I got mine. In Virden MB.
 
ScottB said:
I can't really give a useful answer to the ruggedness. I haven't been caught out in the heavy rain or sleet with it. It has gotten wet and been fine but not drenched. And I have not dropped it....yet. So...not much help there I guess.
Wolverine supplies is where I got mine. In Virden MB.
Click to expand...
Thanks, if they sell them they should be able to answer some of those based questions for me, appreciate the lead!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom