Make use of new rules

[troy fairweather]

One of the new rule changes in New York's hunting regulations is new we can shoot 30 minutes before and 30 minutes after legal sun rise/set. This is a pretty big deal to me, I've had to pass and watch animals walk by waiting for legal light. Even older scopes were usually fine at legal light unless in some very thick woods or low areas.

So now I'd like to get a scope for a rifle in not sure on yet that will be better in low light. Trying to hold a $400-$500 budget, nothing to heavy or much bigger then a 50mm objective. 30mm tube would maybe help to.

I normally like leupold since there pretty light, have good eye relief and I normally like there eye box. Don't know if anything they have is in my budget tho. So give me some ideas what would you get.

 

[hq]

Most of my value/BFTB scopes for low light have been Meoptas for quite a while now. They're a long-time subcontractor for Zeiss and glass technology, coatings etc. seem to trickle down to them on a regular basis.

If you don't want to spend a grand on a full blown Meostar R1r 3-12x56, Meopro 4-12x50 is a very decent alternative at or close to your price range. Very bright in low light, I've killed dozens of deer with mine, quite a few of them in low light conditions. Solid 4" eye relief, bulletproof QC and 30 year warranty even though it's not the lightest scope at 18oz.

There are quite a few fantastic low light scopes on the market but I can't think of anything that could match the Meopro for $500-ish.

 

[LoonWulf]

Most of my value/BFTB scopes for low light have been Meoptas for quite a while now. They're a long-time subcontractor for Zeiss and glass technology, coatings etc. seem to trickle down to them on a regular basis.

If you don't want to spend a grand on a full blown Meostar R1r 3-12x56, Meopro 4-12x50 is a very decent alternative at or close to your price range. Very bright in low light, I've killed dozens of deer with mine, quite a few of them in low light conditions. Solid 4" eye relief, bulletproof QC and 30 year warranty even though it's not the lightest scope at 18oz.

There are quite a few fantastic low light scopes on the market but I can't think of anything that could match the Meopro for $500-ish.

+1
Very happy with my meopro htr on the Ridgeline.

Quite happy with the leupold vx-3hd ive got also.


Everything else ive got is on the heavier side. Tho another one that might be worth a look are the Athlon Midas HMR and the Argos HMRs

 

[troy fairweather]

+1
Very happy with my meopro htr on the Ridgeline.

Quite happy with the leupold vx-3hd ive got also.


Everything else ive got is on the heavier side. Tho another one that might be worth a look are the Athlon Midas HMR and the Argos HMRs

I'd have to look what the new leupolds are selling at. Keeping it lower power will probably help the most, I don't need more the 10 power really no more then 6-7 for hunting.The meopro are nice to.

 

[troy fairweather]

Anyone else have any scopes to add.

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

Is illuminated recticles allowed? In Pa were allowed night scopes for yotes finally. Not sure about coon hunting though.

 

[troy fairweather]

Is illuminated recticles allowed? In Pa were allowed night scopes for yotes finally. Not sure about coon hunting though.

Yeah illuminated is fine, just not scopes that project light. No night vision for deer and bear.

 

[cdb1]

Most of my value/BFTB scopes for low light have been Meoptas for quite a while now. They're a long-time subcontractor for Zeiss and glass technology, coatings etc. seem to trickle down to them on a regular basis.

If you don't want to spend a grand on a full blown Meostar R1r 3-12x56, Meopro 4-12x50 is a very decent alternative at or close to your price range. Very bright in low light, I've killed dozens of deer with mine, quite a few of them in low light conditions. Solid 4" eye relief, bulletproof QC and 30 year warranty even though it's not the lightest scope at 18oz.

There are quite a few fantastic low light scopes on the market but I can't think of anything that could match the Meopro for $500-ish.

I could be wrong but it seems to me scopes of European origin tend to be better in low light than Pacific Rim origin scopes.

Leupold seems to have upgraded the low light capability of their scopes in the last ten years-at least to my eyes. My two best low light scopes are a MeoPro and a Zeiss Conquest(made by Meopta). Vortex scopes are the worst in low light to my eyes-Crossfire, Diamondback and Viper. At the lower end I’ve found Burris scopes to be good comparably in low light. I attribute it to the fact that even though they are made in Asia Burris is owned by a European company, Beretta.

 

[jmr40]

There is enough light 30 minutes prior to sunrise and 30 minutes after sunset to make shots without any special optics A couple of years ago I shot a small buck 25 minutes prior to sunrise (5 minutes after legal shooting time) using a 1-4X20 scope. I had enough light that I could have taken that shot at least 15 minutes sooner.

I'd avoid most of the budget scopes, but most any of the name brands starting at about $200 MSRP will be good enough. I do think you do a little better once you get to the $300+ price range, but there are some $200 scopes I' not be afraid to use. Specifically, Burris FF-II or the new Burris FF-IV. I think you can still find Leupold VX-Freedom close to $200.

Pay attention to the Exit Pupil rating. You want something rated 5 or more. This tells you how large the beam of light is in millimeters that exits the rear of the scope and enters your eye. It is calculated by dividing the scopes front objective size by the magnification. For example, my 1-4X20 scope has a rating or 5 when set on 4X. Exactly the same amount of light that you'd get with a 40mm scope set on 8X or a 50mm scope set on 10X.

The only advantage a 50mm objective has over a 40mm objective is if you NEED 9X or 10X magnification. You can use either scope equally well in low light as long as you keep magnification 8X or less with the 40mm scope. And if you go over 10X magnification with 50mm scopes you start to lose low light capability.

For most people there is no advantage with an Exit Pupil rating over 5. Our eyes won't dilate enough to let any more light enter. For younger hunters with perfect vision something with a rating of 6 might prove useful. But if you're over 30 or wear glasses 5 is all you can use.

Just remember the Exit Pupil rating only determines the size of the light beam exiting the scope, not the brightness. That is why a 3-9X40 budget scope selling of $99 won't be as good as a $400 Leupold 3-9X40. But a $400 3-9X40 Leupold will be just as good as a $500 4-12X50 Leupold as long as you don't go over 8X magnification in low light.