I bought my Savage Axis as a package with a Bushnell "Sharpshooter" 3x9x40 scope. Works pretty well, however, I noticed during the hog hunt I went on, that as the light faded, it was hard to see where I had the cross hairs lined up, in ref to where I was looking on the hogs. I've heard there are scoped that have illuminated cross hairs, and was wondering if anyone has any info or recommendations about them??
THinking about updating my scope..
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hamp sandwich
Member
Some of them illuminate a little too much. I'm not big on them, but I haven't gained a real need for them. That one little item is all I have to offer.
In my experience the illuminated crosshairs or dots are easy to see, but you can't see the target as well so it is about a wash.
In low light a better quality scope will help give you a few more minutes of usable shooting time. At night a light attached to the rifle is the answer. There are lots of 200-500 lumen lights that will illuminate things for a 50 yard shot, probably a lot more.
In low light a better quality scope will help give you a few more minutes of usable shooting time. At night a light attached to the rifle is the answer. There are lots of 200-500 lumen lights that will illuminate things for a 50 yard shot, probably a lot more.
redneck2
Member
You didn't give a price point. I am a scope snob and have quite a few rather expensive scopes. I can tell you that my Leupold VX-R with the Firefly reticule is exceptionally clear even at dusk. I can see details thru the scope that you cannot see just looking. But, it's not cheap. I use it on my deer rifle. Awesome.
The Firefly is just a dot in the middle. At lowest setting it's barely visible. You have ten choices to crank it up. If you don't move the gun for five minutes it shuts off, then automatically turns on again when it senses movement
I've used illuminated crosshairs. Washed out the target.
The Firefly is just a dot in the middle. At lowest setting it's barely visible. You have ten choices to crank it up. If you don't move the gun for five minutes it shuts off, then automatically turns on again when it senses movement
I've used illuminated crosshairs. Washed out the target.
Mike C2
Member
Firedot reticle. Firefly is the Bushnell you shine your flashlight on.
I was also going to recommend the Firedot. I have a Mark AR Mod 1 with that reticle and love it. The stadia lines are wider on the Firedot than the non-illuminated Mark Ar (origninal 3-9x40 I have) which may hurt you on paper, but for hunting, it rules.
I have an Eotech XPS-2 as well and am equally fond of it for Hogs FWIW, but nice having the magnification and the option of non-illuminated usage if wanted.
I was also going to recommend the Firedot. I have a Mark AR Mod 1 with that reticle and love it. The stadia lines are wider on the Firedot than the non-illuminated Mark Ar (origninal 3-9x40 I have) which may hurt you on paper, but for hunting, it rules.
I have an Eotech XPS-2 as well and am equally fond of it for Hogs FWIW, but nice having the magnification and the option of non-illuminated usage if wanted.
Mike C2
Member
I have a Bushnell Trophy 1-4x24 (not the new XLT) that I got from natchez for $119 plus shipping. It is surprising good for the money and has an illuminated duplex reticle. Quite a bit of barrel distortion at 1x, but it shoots well, looks good, and cost cheap.
I couldn't find it on the site but they might still have some. It's a discontinued model.
I couldn't find it on the site but they might still have some. It's a discontinued model.
Gtscotty
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You know, unless you're hunting hogs at night, you might be able to get what you need in terms of clarity and light gathering ability for evening shots by just going to a little better scope. I've always found that unless I'm in really thick woods, with a decent non-illuminated scope I can usually see well enough for a shot until after legal shooting light. I don't know what the stock scope is like, but if you're trying to keep cost down, you might look at something like the Redfield Revolution, Nikon Prostaff 3-9's or Leupold VX-2s if you can swing a bit more. I've seen all three advertised at pretty good discounts recently.
gamestalker
member
LEUPOLD
My son just bought one about a week ago. I don't remember what model it is, but I did give it a look through, and it's pretty darn slick. And from what I understand, some Leupold's can be up graded for a few bucks, $50 I think?
GS
Lloyd Smale
Member
I wont give you a brand recommendation because that mostly causes fights on forums like this but I will tell you to take the extra money that lighted cross hair version costs and instead upgrade to a regular non illuminated scope that has a bit better glass in it.
Driftertank
Member
Have Vortex Viper PST's on both of my nice semiautos, an AR and a PTR-91. Also have a Fenix TK-15 on my AR. The PSTs have 10 brightness settings, with the lower ones being quite dim, so they won't wash out the image in the dark. Pretty good glass too, good light transmission for the price point. Not real cheap, but comparable to a decent Leupold.
The light I picked because it has 4 different brightness settings from about 10 or 15 lumens (good for not blinding yourself if you switch it on indoors at night) to around 400 lumens with a fairly tight hotspot that I can use to spot clear out past 100yds at night. And the memory circuit keeps it on whatever setting you had it on when you switched it off, so you don't have to cycle through when you switch it on.
"Cost effective" is a major theme I look for when researching my gear.
The light I picked because it has 4 different brightness settings from about 10 or 15 lumens (good for not blinding yourself if you switch it on indoors at night) to around 400 lumens with a fairly tight hotspot that I can use to spot clear out past 100yds at night. And the memory circuit keeps it on whatever setting you had it on when you switched it off, so you don't have to cycle through when you switch it on.
"Cost effective" is a major theme I look for when researching my gear.
Wolfgang james
Member
I have a vx2 3-9x40 on my 270 and I can still see the crosshairs on the side of a barn 200yrs out even when I couldn't see the barn with my naked eye
OpticsPlanet
Member
I would second the Vortex Viper PST. The illumination settings offer a wide range of brightness options, the scope has good glass, and it comes with a lifetime warranty.
Mike C.
Mike C.
I don't agree with anyone advising against illuminated reticles. I sorely wish that my four Zeiss Conquests had that feature although it's not as critical for second focal plane scopes. Most advice against illuminated reticles seems to come from those with very little experience with them based on the comments. If you have a front focal plane optic you REALLY want an illuminated reticle since when the magnification is dialed down the reticle is very hard to see. Many of us hunt with the magnification on the lowest setting. Even with second focal plane scopes an illuminated reticle helps in low light regardless of the quality of the glass. I don't have any "cheap" glass and have nine illuminated reticle optics including Premier (2), Nightforce (1), Leupold (2), Vortex (3) and Aimpoint(1) and find them to be a very useful feature. I also have seven optics without illuminated reticles including Zeiss (4) and Leupold (3) .... illuminated is better, and illuminated with great glass is better yet!!
I also recommend the PST line from Vortex. I have three Vortex scopes and a pair of RAZOR binoculars and so far have very few complaints. I did start a thread about their odd markings on the turrets but that's a relatively small issue. Overall I consider the PST to be one of the best values available considering the price, features and warranty.
I also recommend the PST line from Vortex. I have three Vortex scopes and a pair of RAZOR binoculars and so far have very few complaints. I did start a thread about their odd markings on the turrets but that's a relatively small issue. Overall I consider the PST to be one of the best values available considering the price, features and warranty.
Sheepdog1968
Member
I know Leupold has a custom shop and you could likely get any scope you want with a heavy reticle in it (probably in addition to a red dot).
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