Illuminated reticles?

[InGobwetrust]

How necessary or beneficial do you find illuminated reticles for big game hunting? I realize the answer can vary wildly depending on location, terrain, hunting style, etc. I am trying to decide on glass for a 22” .308 that will be used in New England and North-West Utah. I would be interested in hearing thoughts on whether it is a nice to have or a must in your minds?

 

[Bubblehide]

It can very much depend on the reticle being used.

 

[Tremain4414]

I’ve personally never run into a must have situation but have had a couple instances when I was glad to have an illuminated reticle

 

[Macintosh]

definitely a “nice to have” for me. Very much depends on scope and reticle and your particular situation, but assuming a typical hunting reticle (as opposed to a thin prs-type reticle) in typical deer hunting I dont think you will find many people who consider it critical.

 

[cedarcreekjerky]

Leupolds firedot reticle is nice when shooting in low light.

 

[Dented]

It's a low light must have for me. That first/ last 15 of shooting light seems to be when I get most of my shots. I use a thin reticle and the black just doesn't show up.

I use the same scope night hunting with a green light and it's a must have.

For small game hunt hunting it's optional for me.

 

[InGobwetrust]

Leupolds firedot reticle is nice when shooting in low light.

One of the modelsI am considering has this feature.

 

[keystone112]

If you have the Leupold Fire dot duplex, you can turn it off if you don’t want it.

I have been in situations where I wish I had it. That’s why I now do.

 

[Vedauvoo]

Another vote for an illuminated reticle. Really helpful at dawn-dusk. I have 2 rifles with Leupold Fire Dot reticles.

Where and what are you hunting in NW Utah? That is where I grew up. I currently live in the mountains of central Utah.

 

[207-12A]

If you ever plan to hunt black bears, just get the illuminated reticle. I guided for them and 90% (fake gut feeling stat) of our clients took them within the first or last hour of daylight. Unilluminated black crosshairs disappear on black bears in low light. Sidenote I shot a bison at extremely lowlight this fall and couldn't have pulled the trigger without that dot lit up.

 

[InGobwetrust]

Another vote for an illuminated reticle. Really helpful at dawn-dusk. I have 2 rifles with Leupold Fire Dot reticles.

Where and what are you hunting in NW Utah? That is where I grew up. I currently live in the mountains of central Utah.

I don’t want to be too specific yet but north of Etna. Mule deer.

 

[TMKSHOOTER]

Must have for shooting hogs in bad lighting. Prefer single point illumination instead of the whole reticle lighting up.

 

[croben]

Definitely nice to have in low light situations.

 

[Vedauvoo]

I don’t want to be too specific yet but north of Etna. Mule deer.

Got it. Good luck with your hunt!

 

[madcalfe]

FFP scope I wouldn't buy one without it. SFP its a nice to have in lowlight but not a huge deal.

 

[Honyock]

If you ever plan to hunt black bears, just get the illuminated reticle. I guided for them and 90% (fake gut feeling stat) of our clients took them within the first or last hour of daylight. Unilluminated black crosshairs disappear on black bears in low light. Sidenote I shot a bison at extremely lowlight this fall and couldn't have pulled the trigger without that dot lit up.

What he said ^^^! Black bear in the timber in low light, you will be glad you had the illumination. I don't think I would have been able to kill the bear in my picture without an illuminated reticle.

 

[Deerfield]

I never thought they were that necessary… until I got one. Now I really like it. Particularly for big woods deer hunting when it can get pretty dark at last shooting light.

 

[RockAndSage]

The dimmer the light and the darker the target, the more important it is. All it takes is one experience where not having it costs you, and you'll never buy a non-illuminated scope again. If nothing else, consider it like having a fire extinguisher - most people only realize the value of it when they need it, and never make the same mistake twice.

 

[Qholum37]

I feel illumination is definitely a must have on any FFP scope but you could get by without on a SFP

 

[Montucky]

Agreed on FFP