a little help from you Optics gurus

[MSP Ret]

After a disappointing deer hunting trip I have decided to get a good scope (a compact) for a lightweight deer rifle I have and am lately carrying more and more. I would like a 2x7 compact scope with a illuminated dot on the crosshairs or a lighted reticle. I have several scopes but only a couple of good ones. I would like to get Leupold and would also want an objective lens of 32mm minimum for good light gathering capibilities. I do not believe Leupold makes a scope like this. Do any good quaility manufacturers with a lifetime warranty make something similar to what I want?...Thanks....<><....

[charles p]

You won't find too many gimmicks in the Leupold line of products.

[Empty Quiver]

Leupold has a 1.5X5X20 IR VX3 $600. I have this scope, and really like it, it is the previous VXIII though. Trijicon has IR type scopes 3X9X40 close as you can get is about $640. First takes batteries second is tritium power. Good for ten or twelve years the it's back for a tune up out of your pocket.

[Graybeard]

Personally I'd suggest you forget the lighted crosshair route and just get a good bold plex type reticle but then I'm not sure I've ever been called a guru so what do I know.

If you insist on a lighted cross hair tho take a look at the Mueller line up they seem to specialize in those lighted scopes and they use only a small dot in the center so it doesn't blind you in low light situations and they do have and honor their life time warranty.

[Dave in WV]

The Burris 1.75-5x32 Signature Safari Rifle scope is highly regarded by some. Enough eye relief and holds up on heavy rifles.

[diggler1833]

Nightforce 2.5-10x32.  A bit heavy, but the reticle choices, optical clarity, and especially the reliability make up for that IMO.  If an extra 10oz. is too heavy, spend some money on a gym membership.

[MSP Ret]

Thanks for the good input guys. I really don't like gimmicks but thought I would spend some good money on a good new scope for once.
GB, I will look into the Mueller scopes, and I don't really want a fully illuminated reticle, but a small red dot in the center might be nice for these old eyes. Also just 10 oz's for a scope would be something I would think would be very acceptable and light enough to carry all day....<><....

[Siskiyou]

I mounted a Burris FullField II 2-7x35mm scope on my Marlin 30-30 for this season.  Out of a two week hunt I carried it for a week.  Went from warm temperatures, to rain and snow.  Changed elevation from 3000 feet to 7000 feet.  The scope had no fogging issues and gave a clear picture in early morning light in a timber stand.  Hunting within the legal hours of ½ before and after sundown I found it to be adequate.  I am sure there are large $1200 scopes that will do better, but I was happy with my $169.00 scope.

Model:    
 2-7-35
 

Field of View (Feet@100 Yards) Low-High:    
 45-17
 

Exit Pupil (mm) Low -High:    
 16-4.6
 

Click Value (Inch@100yards):    
 .5
 

Max Adj. (Inch@100yards):    
 60
 

Weight (Ounces):    
 12
 


Features of Burris FullField II 2-7 x 35mm Riflescopes:
•   Steel-On Steel Clickers - precision accuracy and depend-ability
•   One Piece Main Tube - for added strength and waterprofing
•   All Lenses Multicoated - for enhanced light transmission (Light Transmission Calculation - 95%)
•   One Piece Power Ring / Eyepiece - for quick adjust and fewer potential leak paths
•   Double Internal Springs
•   Quard Seal - double insurance against leakage
•   European-style Eyepiece Focus
•   Soft Rubber Eyeguard
•   Purged and nitrogen filled 24 times
•   100% Waterproof Tested
•   Lens Covers Supplied

Whether  I had the scope set at 2x or 7x when I brought the rifle up I had a full field of view.  This was the first season I carried the rifle with the new scope on it during the season. 

[Wolfgang]

MSP,

If you take a look at the Muellers, I think you'll be impressed.  If you don't want the reticle lighted up then don't turn it on.  I have three of them right now and will probably end up with more.  The first one I looked at was one that I asked my friend who owns a small gun shop to check into.  He called Mueller and is now a stocking dealer.  I have the Mil-Dot Tactical on my 308 that I use at work and I ended up with two of the 3x9's with the German Post type reticles which I have come to reallllllllly like.  They are super fast on target and have held up really well.  I one of them now resides on my 357 Max Handi taken off of my 44 mag Handi and the other I really put to the test on a hard kicker.  It's mounted on my Savage 10ML which really lets you know when you touch it off!  That is the hardest kicking gun I own to include the 45-70's and the scope has held up for several years with no issues.

Best,

Wolfgang