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All around pig hunting scope

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JimFromTN View Drop Down
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    Posted: July/25/2019 at 16:15
I need advice on what to do about a scope.  My current official pig gun is a rem 700 in 35 whelen.  I have a vortex razor hd lh 1.5-8x32 which seems like the perfect scope except I am concerned with the reticle being difficult to see.  Wish it came with illuminated reticle.  I will be hunting daylight hours as well as after dark with a scope light attached.  Range will be anywhere from 0 to 100 yds.  Should I just go with the vortex or should I get something else?  Price range is < $800.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Kickboxer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/25/2019 at 16:36
Opinion,untempered by fact,is ignorance.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Scrumbag Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/26/2019 at 06:07
If you can stretch to it (Maybe second hand) a good German 1.5-6x42 with a No. Type reticle and an illuminated centre dot would be just about perfect (In my view)

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JimFromTN View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote JimFromTN Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/26/2019 at 13:28
What about a Leica Visus 2.5-10x42 i ?  The power range is a little more than I want but I found one for aboout half of retail.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Rancid Coolaid Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/26/2019 at 14:30
My preferred option for a real pig gun is a true 1X, because up close with any magnification can be problematic - since pigs will hunt you too.

Are you just looking for better low light capabilities?

Are you sitting on a feeder/bait, or moving?
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JimFromTN View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote JimFromTN Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/26/2019 at 16:59
I hunt over bait 98% of the time.    My concern is being able to see the reticle at night using a flashlight mounted to the rifle.    I have not had issue in the past with other rifle scopes but the center of the reticle is very fine on the vortex and I am afraid that I won't be able to see it well enough to really make a precise shot at 100yds.  I prefer a really low power on the minimum magnification as well which is why I really like the vortex. 1.5-8 which seems like the perfect power range for hunting 0 out to 300 or more yards.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote tejas Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/27/2019 at 08:58
Try a Trijicon Accupoint. No batteries, good glass and a well proven design. I like the mil dot reticle for shooting at night. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RifleDude Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/27/2019 at 09:11
When you’re hunting pigs with a rifle-mounted light at the short to moderate shot distances cited, pretty much any scope you’d use for a typical “woods” deer rifle will work just fine. Behind a flashlight, you’ll see all but the thinnest of reticles. The Razor HD 1.5-8x32 is a very nice little lightweight hunting scope, especially with the G4 reticle. I have one and love it. Given prices on it right now while it’s still available, it’s a steal. 

Personally, for pig hunting at night or extremely dim light, I still prefer illuminated reticles for those times where I have just enough light that I can still see pigs without needing the light. You’ll eventually find that the light spooks pigs sometimes, so you’ll want to use it sparingly. Given the budget, I would go with the Trijicon Accupoint 3-9X40. I’ve used it quite a bit on pigs, and it’s a great scope for that purpose. The glowing dot or triangle helps lessen your need to turn on the light in “near dark” conditions. On bright full moon nights, you can even forego the light entirely.

2 years ago, I got into thermal optics and haven’t looked back since. I no longer hunt pigs with conventional optics anymore, unless I just happen to encounter them while hunting something else. All of my intentional pig hunting is now done at night with thermal scopes. No lights to spook them, no limitations on visibility, no dependence on the moon. I realize going the thermal route is way beyond your stated budget, but if you do a lot of pig hunting, I think you’ll find it’s worth saving up for. If you decide to eventually do that, just remember, not all thermal optics are created equal. Some truly suck. The decent stuff is downright sinister deadly!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Rancid Coolaid Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/27/2019 at 09:14
I have also had great success with Trijicon Accupoint scopes, especially the 3-9. The tritium illumination is great, no batteries needed. I had the mil dot reticle in the 5-20 and didn't love the scope, maybe that reticle is better in the 3-9 version, but the reticle was HUGE in the 5-20. The center dot is all that illuminates and it is indeed a great very low light scope. I prefer the post reticles and have used them for many years.

Another option is a red light in the bait area. I haven't done this but have seen feeders with red lights that throw just enough to clearly illuminate the immediate vicinity. The pigs don't run from the red light (which they will with a gun light) and you have visibility with the great scope you already have on the gun. I would bet a low power LED area light would be far less expensive than a new scope.

And the 3-9 Accupoint is in budget, but 3X is a bit high for a really up close encounter.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Rancid Coolaid Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/27/2019 at 09:16
Great minds think alike...or something.

And I do agree on thermals and conventional NV: once you start down that path, it is gloriously fun, and not inexpensive.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Kickboxer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July/27/2019 at 09:37
I also have the Accupoint 1-4x24 with mil-dot in green.  Nice scope, I swap it and the Leupold Hog around on .458 SOCOM and 6.5 Grendel... sometimes 5.56.  Good for low light hunting, but if you are hunting in full dark, obviously RC and Rd have the best suggestion... thermal or NV, big dollars for quality.  
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