Short range optic for heavy woods whitetail

[nighthawkf-117]

No experience with that S&B, but I wouldn't turn my nose up at it. I'd seriously consider a Z6i 1.7-10 too.

Another thought, if you're otherwise happy with that Credo, maybe get the 56mm version?

I actually am heavily considering the 56mm objective Credo. The more I think about it I would like the excellent light gathering of a large objective vs the ability to shoot at 1x magnification.

 

[JCMCUBIC]

Thanks. My bad. I thought you'd mentioned having the 1.5-6x42. But all good.
My next stop is trying to figure out which rings to run on mine - installing on a Model 70 winchester LA

You were correct, I use 2 of the 1.5-6x42's, but they are the Klassic version which is no longer produced, not the current Zenith. I'm not sure the tube length difference between the two.

 

[Stinky Coyote]

Holosun EPS Green.

Throw a Burris steel base on the rear and the eps and run the 2 moa dot reticle.

Had one on my mini Grendel for a season and punched fist size groups at 300 in center of gong holding bottom of dot top of gong with a 200 zero and both kids whacked whitetails at 100 lickity split. Shot moa groups at 200 while zeroing as well (routinely does 3 shots at half moa scoped)

Solar primary, battery back up, will run without a battery. Enclosed. Low mount for cheeking like shotgun, super lightweight and compact.

If dedicated short range bush that’s a top tier choice for red dots. Go rear base for closer to face for bigger fov as in mossberg 940 pro which I have running slugs for special seasons etc and use the circle reticle on it.

I find the dot more like 3.75 moa but you can have the bullet run inside the dot through most of Mpbr and just snap shoot to ~240 with a 308 and most loads. Bottom of dot more like 250, Bottom of dot on top of back for 300 will get it done with a 200 zero.

Can’t beat a 360 degree view around the aim point. Forget irons.

You will love the handling of that basically naked rifle. And it will be two eye open shotgun quick.

 

[StupidLightweight]

Holosun EPS Green.

Can’t beat a 360 degree view around the aim point. Forget irons.

You will love the handling of that basically naked rifle. And it will be two eye open shotgun quick.

You're correct on everything. Size, weight, and handling make red dots temping. They're also the fastest sighting option. Their biggest downfall isn't a lack of magnification but performance in low-light, as they don't help you see the target. Compared to a red dot, a good scope will easily buy you 10 minutes in the morning and 10 minutes in the evening.

 

[Stinky Coyote]

I can agree with that some dim view a lot more than others. I don’t think 10 min applies to the eps but haven’t verified but definite some aim point and cheaper tube style red dots I’ve used.

If truly not likely to go beyond 100 though look at and try a good holosun 507c or the pinnacle imo is the enclosed full size eps. Both eyes open could handle those few extreme low light moments while benefiting majority of day. Getting em close to face is good deal better than not. The 940 pro showed me that. Would run this on any lever gun or slugger etc. I have lpvo and fixed 2.5x and do like to see better from 100 onward but really did shoot that red dot well to Mpbr and a bit beyond. Shot it to 400 well with a 2’ hold over the gong as well. I run Nx8 1-8 dmx on my 308 but plan to go much further than 100 with it. Or else I’d have recommended it too.

 

[jbwright]

You were correct, I use 2 of the 1.5-6x42's, but they are the Klassic version which is no longer produced, not the current Zenith. I'm not sure the tube length difference between the two.

I gotcha. Thanks for the follow up! I think I'll be good to go to mount the Zenith on my LA with the Talley rings. Worst case I'll flip to a Pic rail and call it good.
I wonder if the Klassic is the higher end model? I think the Zenith uses a thinner aluminum, but not sure where I read that

 

[plebe]

Vortex Razor 1-6, NF NXS 1-8 or ATACR 1-8 should fit the bill if you want 1x on the low end. The 8x image quality isn’t too that great though.

I used to use Leupold 1.5-5 Vari-X3 for a long time. The quality is not in the same league as the above, but it worked well for SE AK rainforest hunting, with quick shots as close as 20’.

8x on the ATACR isn’t that great?

 

[Hoopleheader]

Any variable with a 2x or lower min magnification set at 2x. Unless you are hunting black bear illumination ain’t worth the squeeze. Most of the drop test failures are within minute of vitals within your range.

 

[Kevin in NH]

I have gun hunted NH and Maine and this NH buck was shot at 40 yards with a Contender in 44 mag. The scope is a Leupold VX3 HD 1.5-5X20 illuminated 30mm tube. I have two Trijicon 1-4x24 and these LPVO scopes are all thats needed. the field of view allows for quick up close shots.

 

[TheWhitetailNut]

Hi all!
I recently built a full custom 6.5 PRC that is amazing and is now the only rifle I want to shoot long range. I have a Weatherby Vanguard in 308 that I am thinking will become a short range deer rifle. I hunt a lot of thick swamps, tamarack woods, cattails in northern WI and MN. This style of hunting I've only had one shot opportunity over 100 yards which was because I set up in a sole tree in a large area that had just been logged.

Currently I have a Vortex Diamondback tactical 3-9 on that rifle and I'm not a fan. Along with putting this rifle in a new stock I want to switch up the optic. I am thinking of something like a 1x red dot, LVPO or even a red dot with a magnifier. Quick target acquisition is very important to me and the ability to have 1x magnification would be very helpful. Anyone have any ideas or do something similar?

I've spent a lot of time behind an Aimpoint PRO lately, thinking of putting one on my Savage Model 99

 

[Davyalabama]

I went Meopta Optika 6 1-6x24, I can use the reticles just fine without the dot, or dial it up incrementally if needed. It is very bright for low light in the morning or evening. I use it on a 6.5 grendel for hog hunting.

 

[PAcondor]

I hunt with a vortex crossfire on an old 30-30 for days we chase for bear in thick laurel brush in PA. I love it, quick target acquisition and love the fact I can just point that red dot and pull the trigger and it will impact where that dot is. Because most times you will not be in perfect conditions or your gun may not be shouldered as perfect as you want it to be. I’ll continue to use this method as long as I feel comfortable with it.

 

[PaulB84]

I'm a huge fan of red dots. A 2moa aim point or RMR would certainly be fast, lightweight, and illuminated is so nice since you're almost always shooting at dawn/dusk.

For a little (lot) more, an illuminated 1-4/1-6 basically lets you have the same thing plus magnification.

I'm running a Leupold multigun 1-6x which is essentially a VX6 1-6 on a 350 legend for the same idea. Works awesome. Basically a red dot at 1x with the ability to use magnification as needed

 

[sdupontjr]

This is exactly how I hunt 90% of the time on my property. Don't cut yourself short on a 1-6x32 or something like that. Because you can use the rifle / optic for other things as well. I have bought and sold lots of optics looking for the best one and finally picked up a Schmidt Bender Polar T96 4-16x56 which is the best legal low light optic out there. On 4x, it still has plenty of field of view for shots at 50 yards.

Now that optic is probably more than you're wanting to spend. I also have a Trijicon Accupoint 2.5-10x56 on my sons 308. This too is a very good low light optic, light weight and very good eye relief and field of view. These can be had on sale for about $700 - $750 if your patient. You mentioned the Credo, I also had one of those but depending on the reticle, the illumination is battery powered rather than fiber optic like the accupoint. Some credo reticles illuminate the entire reticle which sucks because it will over power the pupil and basically blind you.

Another optic that I like alot is the Meopta R1 3-15x50 and its on my CVA Scout 350 legend for primitive hunting. It too has an illuminated dot reticle, very clear glass and can be had for about $400.

The reason I mention all of these with higher end magnification is it does not hinder you from using that setup in open field settings, at the range playing around or longer hunting situations. Sure you will have folks tell you that "I can hunt out to 400 yards with a 1-6x scope". OK, but why, not everyone can do that and I sure would love to have the extra magnification to do so.

 

[PaulB84]

I tend to agree with the contention that most folks are probably UNDER glassed, at least as often as they're OVER. Until you get into ridiculous numbers, I'm generally going to shoot better glass with more magnification than less at almost any range. Minimum magnification, FOV, edge distortion etc are all good things to be aware of, but the old "I can hunt at 400 with a 3-9x" has never worked well for me.

I have yet to do the "offset combo red dot mounted on traditional scope thing" but one of these days I will

 

[plebe]

Why are ya’ll talking about 400yds?

 

[KenLee]

This is exactly how I hunt 90% of the time on my property. Don't cut yourself short on a 1-6x32 or something like that. Because you can use the rifle / optic for other things as well. I have bought and sold lots of optics looking for the best one and finally picked up a Schmidt Bender Polar T96 4-16x56 which is the best legal low light optic out there. On 4x, it still has plenty of field of view for shots at 50 yards.

Now that optic is probably more than you're wanting to spend. I also have a Trijicon Accupoint 2.5-10x56 on my sons 308. This too is a very good low light optic, light weight and very good eye relief and field of view. These can be had on sale for about $700 - $750 if your patient. You mentioned the Credo, I also had one of those but depending on the reticle, the illumination is battery powered rather than fiber optic like the accupoint. Some credo reticles illuminate the entire reticle which sucks because it will over power the pupil and basically blind you.

Another optic that I like alot is the Meopta R1 3-15x50 and its on my CVA Scout 350 legend for primitive hunting. It too has an illuminated dot reticle, very clear glass and can be had for about $400.

The reason I mention all of these with higher end magnification is it does not hinder you from using that setup in open field settings, at the range playing around or longer hunting situations. Sure you will have folks tell you that "I can hunt out to 400 yards with a 1-6x scope". OK, but why, not everyone can do that and I sure would love to have the extra magnification to do so.

Trijicon TR22 is always the answer if your budget runs out below $1k and shots are under 400 yards.

 

[plebe]

100yds people. 100yds. Look at OP’s requirements.

 

[KenLee]

100yds people. 100yds. Look at OP’s requirements.

I saw...my answer is the same for 50 to 400 yards.