Looking for scope advice to replace Kahles 3-9x42 American Hunter

[ShawnieP]

I hunt a lot of fields out of strategically placed elevated box blinds and am regularly presented with 350-550 yard shots on deer and thus want to go to a higher magnification level to account for these shots a little better. My problem is that I over the years, I've found that I often find myself shooting at the very tail end of shooting seconds and thus take advantage of the alpha level glass that the Kahles provides. Any specific direction on where to look for something in the over 14x of magnification that is still clear in low light? I'm not as particular about being able to dial for dope etc.

 

[mi650]

Without knowing your budget, Swarovski Z6.

There are others that would suit your needs, +/- $$, but the Z6 leaves nothing to be desired.

 

[ShawnieP]

I'm an idiot and forgot to include the most important part of the question...
I'd like to keep it under $1,000 so I know some sacrifice will be required. Just trying to figure out where to look for that. Doesn't have to be a scope known for being lightweight, or many extras, just want somewhere around 15x magnification and clarity in low light.

 

[lundellhunting7]

These would be my choice for below $1000

I switched to Tract Rifle scopes in 2018 from NF and have never looked back! I have loved them.

TORIC 30mm Hunt Series Rifle Scopes

The TORIC 30mm Hunts Series Rifle Scopes provide perfect magnification and objective size to maximize low light performance and long range shots in a lighter weight package.

tractoptics.com

 

[Swamp Fox]

Any specific direction on where to look for something in the over 14x of magnification that is still clear in low light? I'm not as particular about being able to dial for dope etc.

This is what you get when Western U.S. and European hunting kanoodle ...

Nothing good ever happens after midnight ....


LOL

 

[Macintosh]

I have personally had problems with scopes holding zero that get much field use, so I tend to look to brands like schmidt & bender ($$$$) or trijicon ($$$) where Ive had better luck with reliability and have pretty good glass. Inside 250-300 yards the error Ive seen in other scopes probably doesnt matter, but past 350 it definitely does. I havent used this particular model, but a trijicon credo 2.5-15 x 56 could be worth checking out, europtic seems to have best pricing on them thats puts them below $1k.

 

[cowdisciple]

You should probably take a look at the Maven RS1. 2 thread. Or not - it's likely to cost you some money.

 

[ShawnieP]

These would be my choice for below $1000

I switched to Tract Rifle scopes in 2018 from NF and have never looked back! I have loved them.

TORIC 30mm Hunt Series Rifle Scopes

The TORIC 30mm Hunts Series Rifle Scopes provide perfect magnification and objective size to maximize low light performance and long range shots in a lighter weight package.

tractoptics.com

It looks like these guys might have something here.

 

[ShawnieP]

This is what you get when Western U.S. and European hunting kanoodle ...

Nothing good ever happens after midnight ....


LOL

Cheap scopes work fine for using on predators under a spotlight!

 

[SDHNTR]

Why do you want so much magnification if you aren’t going to dial?

 

[ShawnieP]

I have personally had problems with scopes holding zero that get much field use, so I tend to look to brands like schmidt & bender ($$$$) or trijicon ($$$) where Ive had better luck with reliability and have pretty good glass. Inside 250-300 yards the error Ive seen in other scopes probably doesnt matter, but past 350 it definitely does. I havent used this particular model, but a trijicon credo 2.5-15 x 56 could be worth checking out, europtic seems to have best pricing on them thats puts them below $1k.

I hadn't thought of that issue, I'll have to keep that in mind.

Why do you want so much magnification if you aren’t going to dial?

Hold over the old fashioned way?

 

[SDHNTR]

I hadn't thought of that issue, I'll have to keep that in mind.

Hold over the old fashioned way?

Kentucky holdover, or reticle holdover?

 

[KenLee]

Under a grand, a Leica Amplus 6 56mm from Eurooptic.com

 

[ShawnieP]

Kentucky holdover, or reticle holdover?

Kentucky Holdover when using my 25-06. Reticle holdover when using the Kahles tds.

 

[SDHNTR]

Kentucky Holdover when using my 25-06. Reticle holdover when using the Kahles tds

You don’t need 14x.

 

[ShawnieP]

You don’t need 14x.

You’re right, I don’t. I used the scope to shoot an aoudad at 530 yards earlier this month, but my eyes are getting older and I want to get more magnification

 

[Rich M]

You’re right, I don’t. I used the scope to shoot an aoudad at 530 yards earlier this month, but my eyes are getting older and I want to get more magnification

I can relate to this a bunch. Not as much when shooting game but for shooting targets, give me more magnification and let me see the target rings.

 

[SDHNTR]

If you want more mag at the range knock yourself out. Just realize that, at a point, high mag creates scope construction issues and certainly causes unnecessary problems in the field. Excess mag undoubtedly hinders hunting performance. No one shooting under 1000 yards needs anything more than maybe 14-16x in the field. It has nothing to do with vision or old eyes and everything to do with usability.

 

[ShawnieP]

If you want more mag at the range knock yourself out. Just realize that, at a point, high mag creates scope construction issues and certainly causes unnecessary problems in the field. Excess mag undoubtedly hinders hunting performance. No one shooting under 1000 yards needs anything more than maybe 14-16x in the field. It has nothing to do with vision or old eyes and everything to do with usability.

No one has any need for laser rangefinders or ballistic calculators either, but they’re nice to have. I have ZERO NEED for a new scope, but I’d like to get higher magnification, particularly to take even longer shots in the field on white tail does and eventually on Aoudad or Antelope. I literally killed an aoudad at over 500 yards (single shot) in the last month so I know that it’s not necessary, but it doesn’t make me want one any less. At those distances, 9x just isn’t enough for me anymore as I struggle to distinguish colors at distance anyway depending more on movement and glare to spot animals. A 6.5 prc to replace my 25-06 isn’t necessary either, but I want one to make things easier, fun, and just to try something different…

 

[SDHNTR]

Do you understand the downsides?

Btw, I shot an aoudad last week too.