close range scope thoughts?

Last week I was in the the thicker stuff with my .223 with vx2 3-9 on top. Even on lowest 3X setting the magnification just seemed too much, I actually felt I would have been better off with irons. The field of view was not great on the vx-2 either. Makes me think a change of optics might be in order.

How many of you hunters use true 1x variable scopes? I don't do long shots, mostly pest control in the bush and the occaisonal rabbit or hare out to maybe 250m max. Any suggestions for something small and light in the 1-4/5/6 etc magnification range with wide FOV suitable for pest control at affordable prices?

if you can find one...the older nikko stirling goldcrown 3x9x40mm made in japan..... has fantastic field of view.... my personal favourite scope for bush work/up close is older M8 4x leupold...BUT there is three different types Ive owned...and only the one I kept is really good...it has larger eye box than front end.....
big bro swears by his 1-5 pig plex leupold and having looked through it on lowest power...seeing the barrel in bottom of scope makes it ALMOST like using shotgun...I purchased a tasco 1.5-6 to try and achieve the same and nope it was crap in low light....
have considered one of the $50 ish holographic sights...looks like interesting concept...how good in practise Im not sure but would like to try one out as seems very effective,sort of best of both worlds.

I use a Leupold VX-3i 1.5-5x20mm. I briefly considered a red dot sight, but wanted the option of a bit of magnification for longer shots.

I haven't looked through any of the Delta optics that Sarvo is offering but the 1.5-9x45 sounds on paper like a really good all round option. I use the Swarovski Z6i 1-6 and Z8i 1-8 and love them. For the close bush stalking I haven't used anything better yet. Once I started using a true 1x scope I find I almost never dial up the magnification except for when shooting out a lot further.
Regards, Joel

FOV is key.x is what you choose.Some 2x have better FOV than 1x.Find something that has 30ft fov or close at 50yds would be pretty good.

Unity red dot is excellent for both eyes open snap shooting and good to much further out, but my pick would be a 1-6 or 1-8 something like a vortex strike eagle illuminated reticle. I ran one on my ar for goat shooting, swapped it to a ruger ranch, now it's on a howa mini in. 762x39.
For what you want I think it would take all the boxes.

I like my Vortex 1-6 as it covers all the close range out too 100m or so with the 22 or 22mag but on a 223 if I was vaporising rabbits at 200+m some more magnification would be good.

I started with a 1-4x20 Nikon monarch #4 but as a number of shots were pushing out past 200mtr I up graded to a burris euro diamond 1.5-6x40 again #4 but illumination dose not work. 6x would be OK for rabbits at 200 but I think more magnification would be better if small game was on the menu. I do shoot both eyes open at close range and low power and do appreciate the low magnification. This is on a medium bore lever for goats and deer from 0-300mtr.

Key difference between these 2 scopes apart from weight and size is the 40mm lens on the burris makes looking into shadow and low light much easier.
Have kept the Nikon as I have not yet been able to bring myself to sell it as they have stopped making them. Would suit a small light Bush lever gun.
I did sell my 2-8x32 Nikon but it was neither fish nor fowl and I did not find myself loving it once the 22mag it was on got sold. Did fit it on to a 223 but for long range rabbits it just was not enough scope.
Z

I'd be all over a dot at that range but astigmatism kinda makes that shit. (If you have it you know).

Have been thinking seriously about something like 1-6/2-8 x 24/32 for the sort of bushwork I do mostly.

But as others have said there isn't a lot of light coming through the front of them.

@Marty Henry can I ask which reticle you have been running?

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Originally Posted by joelhenton

I haven't looked through any of the Delta optics that Sarvo is offering but the 1.5-9x45 sounds on paper like a really good all round option. I use the Swarovski Z6i 1-6 and Z8i 1-8 and love them. For the close bush stalking I haven't used anything better yet. Once I started using a true 1x scope I find I almost never dial up the magnification except for when shooting out a lot further.
Regards, Joel

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You are right about the Delta, just been testing / comparing them with a Swaro Z5 and Kahles 4-12 x56 and Leupolds. The Leupolds are great in good light - can see bullet holes on paper at 200mtrs but when it comes to actually hunting in poor light they are rubbish bin material against the Deltas. My friend John ordered a 1.5 - 9 x45 Delta yesterday for his 223 after testing them here on Saturday night. The optics are so clear and the 2D reticle so good that the x9 on the Delta is like x12 on a Leupold but with a much bigger FOV and light transmission. Plus no Leupold lens flare

We have the Athlon helos 1-10 landing soon.

I'm a big fan of the vortex strike eagles, they are a great scope for the money but they are a bit heavy.

I also like Intermediate Eye Relief scopes like the leupold freedom scout. They combine the advantages of scout and conventional scopes. Better than a scout scope in low light but quicker snap shots than a conventional scope. The problem is they can be awkward to mount as the end of the scope is just forward of the bolt so they need more rail space. On the plus side the scope bell is out of the way of the bolt so you wont hit it during rapid fire (probably not a problem for most).

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Originally Posted by Moa Hunter

You are right about the Delta, just been testing / comparing them with a Swaro Z5 and Kahles 4-12 x56 and Leupolds. The Leupolds are great in good light - can see bullet holes on paper at 200mtrs but when it comes to actually hunting in poor light they are rubbish bin material against the Deltas. My friend John ordered a 1.5 - 9 x45 Delta yesterday for his 223 after testing them here on Saturday night. The optics are so clear and the 2D reticle so good that the x9 on the Delta is like x12 on a Leupold but with a much bigger FOV and light transmission. Plus no Leupold lens flare

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Just looked up the delta stats,24.4mtrs/100.
Woow thats a good FOV =80FT/100 how much are they$$

@Preacher the ar bdc reticle of theirs. Even though the front objective is only 24 mm I never found it to be a limiting factor in low light.
The centre donut is really effective
The drops are practical and it was easy to shoot to 300 yards accurately and consistently on goats and the like.

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Originally Posted by Trout

Just looked up the delta stats,24.4mtrs/100.
Woow thats a good FOV =80FT/100 how much are they$$

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Best contact Sarvo, he may still have one 'demonstrator' 1.5 - 9 left at a good price, but I am not sure.

Greetings All,
Isn't scope choice a can of worms. Do everything scopes generally do most things well but aren't excellent at any of them. One of my early scopes was a 2.5 x 32 Tasco from the days when they were made in Japan. Huge field of view and fat reticle but a little limited for longer range. Recently when desire had triumphed over actual need and reason yet another .308 found its way into my rifle cupboard it was fitted to the little Bergara single shot. A friend, horrified by my luddite tendencies lent me a Leupold 1.5 - 5 x 20 Vari X3. Both scopes would do the job in the bush but the latter would be much better in the open. A recent Leupold low range variable, or equal, should tick all the boxes for the bush and the odd 250 metre hare.
Regards Grandpamac. Resident Luddite.

i'm awaiting on my leupold 1-4x20 firedot to arrive ( its a replacement as leupold couldnt repair my 1x prismatic)


i will let you know what its like when it arrives

Thanks for that @Marty Henry, have been looking at them but a lot of the reticle options are for myself way to busy. That one looks like it is simple and effective

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Originally Posted by Trout

FOV is key.x is what you choose.Some 2x have better FOV than 1x.Find something that has 30ft fov or close at 50yds would be pretty good.

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@Trout If coming to Oxford John would be happy for you to have a look at his 1.5 - 9 Delta. Andrews 4-24x50 will be here - 10 mins from Oxford

Red dots are pretty handy and fast to get on target.

Have tried a few "1- somethings" with 24mm objectives and not a fan. Maybe its my eyes, but in bush stalking when you need that low power for very close range you also frequently may be in low light & thus better off with a 36 - 42 mm objective. I've found the Kahles 2-7 x36 was very good and also older Burris "6x" 2-12x42 & great fov. Both come up 4 sale second hand occasionally. If you running a suppressor its odds on at 2x it will encroach on fov.

I see there was a Swarovski z8i 1-8 came up for grabs on here the other day. That was a good buy, I like the look of the March 1-10 but have no personal experience with the brand

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Originally Posted by Nathanfish

I see there was a Swarovski z8i 1-8 came up for grabs on here the other day. That was a good buy, I like the look of the March 1-10 but have no personal experience with the brand

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March are excellent


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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Originally Posted by Moa Hunter

You are right about the Delta, just been testing / comparing them with a Swaro Z5 and Kahles 4-12 x56 and Leupolds. The Leupolds are great in good light - can see bullet holes on paper at 200mtrs but when it comes to actually hunting in poor light they are rubbish bin material against the Deltas. My friend John ordered a 1.5 - 9 x45 Delta yesterday for his 223 after testing them here on Saturday night. The optics are so clear and the 2D reticle so good that the x9 on the Delta is like x12 on a Leupold but with a much bigger FOV and light transmission. Plus no Leupold lens flare

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Thanks for your comparison and review @Moa Hunter
I could/can say a lot about Delta against the other more "old fashioned" Brands but I must bite my tongue
Last thing I want to do is down/slag another Brand

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Originally Posted by Moa Hunter

Best contact Sarvo, he may still have one 'demonstrator' 1.5 - 9 left at a good price, but I am not sure.

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Thanks @Moa Hunter
Yes - I have the above
ALSO - a Free 4 Ring BT Turret add-on that is a free Promo - this is the last I think ??

Used a Bushnell 2.75X scope for years, massive field of view ( could see front 1/3 of barrel through it) and had magnetic pop-post with the cross hairs.
Good in low light too.

Limited out in the open but great in the bush.

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Originally Posted by Finnwolf

Used a Bushnell 2.75X scope for years, massive field of view ( could see front 1/3 of barrel through it) and had magnetic pop-post with the cross hairs.
Good in low light too.

Limited out in the open but great in the bush.

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bet you like that 3x9x40 on the wee x39mm......

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Originally Posted by Moa Hunter

@Trout If coming to Oxford John would be happy for you to have a look at his 1.5 - 9 Delta. Andrews 4-24x50 will be here - 10 mins from Oxford

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Hi Moa Hunter,just seen this,committed to another scope now 2x10x44 minox,pretty good field of view to.Not a bad price either.Thanks again.MH