Need Advice on a Scope with an Illuminated Recticle

[Hawk]

I want (I'd like to say need, but we all know better) to buy a good scope with an illuminated reticle for hog hunting with an AR, but don't know where to start.
Shots could be out to 250 yards, using .223, 7.62x40WT or 300BO. Most shoots will be 100 to 200 yards.
I don't mind spending the extra money for qualitiy and features, if it's worth it, but I also am not buying a scope to "one up" the other guys on the lease or try to impress anybody.
Most of my scopes and Leupold, variables power scopes, but I have a Burris and a few old Weavers. Happy with all of them.
I'm in unfamiliar territory with the illumination and need advice.
Any comments or advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[fiver]

bushnell makes their fire fly which requires a flash light to charge.
they give you the flash light but just about any illumination will do the job.
other than just the 'lighted' reticles, the scopes themselves are pretty good, I used one in the field for about 3 years before the wife seen it and had to have it on her rifle.

I have looked at a couple of others and I'm not a big fan of the lighted reticles, we only have one other one here and it's also on one of the wife's rifles.
I'd maybe start by looking at them and the Vortex line, they have a number of battery operated scopes.

 

[Ian]

+1 on Vortex illuminated stuff. I don't care for illuminated reticles either but I've seen one of their 4x12s and it came with a good recommendation.

 

[Spindrift]

Well, I am no expert, but I use some scopes with illuminated reticles. An important aspect is how low the illumination can go; in some scopes, even the lowest setting gets to intense in low light. My favourite scope with illuminated reticle is this

http://www.nikkostirling.com/content/Products/Ultimax/UL31256.html

The optics are very good for the prize, honestly I find it difficult to spot the difference when looking through my friends zeiss V8 ( x3 prize). Very flexible illumination, you can find an appropriate intensity for both darkness and daylight in the snow. It is large, though.
I also have a Docter 3-12x56. Field of vision on the lowest power is not so good, illumination only good for low light but the optics otherwise are great.
Zeiss conquest HD has very good optical quality but the fiberoptics has come loose twice- not sure if I trust it.
Finally, I have a leupold V6 2-12x42 that came with a used rifle. Haven’t hunted with it yet. My first impression is the fire dot system seems very good.
The Ultimax is actually the cheapest of these 4 scopes, but in my opinion the best for low light hunting (among my scopes).

 

[Ian]

An important aspect is how low the illumination can go; in some scopes, even the lowest setting gets to intense in low light.

Excellent point. Same is true of some red dots.

 

[freebullet]

Only illuminated optics I've liked/kept said aimpoint or trijicon on them. Maybe better out there but, don't want anything worse again. I would buy those used before lesser quality new simply because of the proven track record I've had with them.
I like to have a back up sights of some kind if it takes batteries.

If your wanting to hunt hogs at night & don't mind the investment a thermal scope is IT.

 

[Ian]

If your wanting to hunt hogs at night & don't mind the investment a thermal scope is IT.

You got that right. Don't even waste your money on night vision. The only thing better than thermal is a helicopter with an ace pilot.

 

[Winelover]

Most of my dedicated hunting firearms, with illuminated reticles or dots, are Trijicon. I do have a 1.25-5X Leupold with a German post illuminated reticle. Was sent back to Leupold, three times before, they got it right. It does adjust to a very low setting, so as not to ruin your night vision. However, for my money, I'll purchase Trijicons...............less hassle.

 

[Hawk]

If I understand correctly, don't Trijicons have to be sent back to the factory every ten years to be reworked, because of the half life of the isotope?
Do they charge for that?
What price range are we looking at for a thermal scope?

 

[Winelover]

Recently, sent a couple of their reflexes, back for relamping. Charge was $160.................that's once every 15 years. My Accupoints, haven't need relamping...............and they are a bit more expensive. Relamping isn't always necessary, if you don't need to shoot in total darkness. Most will work during normal shooting hours. Mine would work up in treestands but when I went inside a tent blind, there were issues.

 

[35 Whelen]

My tired old eyes are having a hard time seeing the reticles now. I switched over to the Leupold VXR 1.25x4 30mm tubes and could not be happier. The red dot reticle can be turned on or off when needed and has 10 brightness settings. Glass is super clear and bright too. 250 yds is a chip shot with the scope. I have two of them now and won't go back to standard reticles....

 

[Will]

I personally haven’t found a need to buy a illuminated reticle scope but if I did I would definitely be looking at leupold or vortex.

With either of those company’s you have made a lifetime purchase due to their great no hassle warranties.

 

[Ian]

$3-4,000 for entry-level thermal rifle scopes. There are a couple for under $2,000, but they are a little limited in what they can do.

 

[Hawk]

Outta my budget

 

[Pistolero]

Nikkosterling used to make the Colt brand 3X handle-top scopes, and they were quality
optics, not like the Chinese cheezy ones available today. I found a Nikkosterling branded one
a number of years ago and even without the Colt logo it is a fine scope. I would trust their
quality, as a general rule, but have no experience with other models.

ACOG is definitely excellent, but not cheap. Top quality, though, no doubt about it.

Bill

 

[waco]

My Vortex Viper PST has an illuminated reticle. I never use it, but it looks cool!
Oregon has very insane hunting laws. These are illegal to hunt with...…..

 

[freebullet]

If you already have a scope that works well, I'd say add a pressure switch controlled scope mounted/sighted spotlight. Try the red, green, or blue tint, all provide a different experience.

 

[Eagle Eye]

I would suggest looking into a Athlon BTR ares. There scopes are fairly priced for optics that match Vortex and better tracking. They fixed the mushy turrets. Toured there shop a few months back in Lenexa. Its a great scope with thin FFP lines and suddel illumination at dusk and night

 

[waco]

I would suggest looking into a Athlon BTR ares. There scopes are fairly priced for optics that match Vortex and better tracking. They fixed the mushy turrets. Toured there shop a few months back in Lenexa. Its a great scope with thin FFP lines and suddel illumination at dusk and night

Good to know Kenny. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[Pistolero]

Athelon shop in Lenexa???? Since I live there, I wonder exactly where this is. Never heard
of the scopes.

Bill