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Cheap Low Light Scope For Hogs |
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Catmguy
Optics GrassHopper Joined: November/07/2008 Location: Texas Status: Offline Points: 2 |
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Posted: November/07/2008 at 23:17 |
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I am looking for a cheap low light scope for hog hunting in texas. can anybody sugest one???
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Catmguy
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Urimaginaryfrnd
MODERATOR Resident Redneck Joined: June/20/2005 Location: Iowa Status: Offline Points: 14964 |
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"Always do the right thing, just because it is the right thing to do". Bobby Paul Doherty Texas Ranger |
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ccoker
Optics Master Joined: February/13/2008 Location: Austin, TX Status: Offline Points: 2041 |
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what kind of gun?
are you stalking or setting up over a feeder? if the latter, at night? with red lights to illuminate? average distances? what's the absolute max you can spend? I do a lot of hog hunting here in Texas and at night with red lights and have tried a ton of scope setups |
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Dshusker
Optics Apprentice Joined: November/09/2008 Status: Offline Points: 103 |
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Would a Weaver Classic V7 (2.5X7X32MM) be a viable alternative to the Weaver V3? Been using one on a 30-30 levergun for a few years and it seems to work quite well. A little easier to sight in with these old eyes. Been using it to hunt deer in heavy brush and hogs in eastern tennessee, although my stalk has turned into a slow walk.
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hunter12345
Optics Journeyman Joined: November/21/2007 Status: Offline Points: 470 |
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Nice low light scope under $200 try looking on the popular auction site.I have bought many new name brands for less than $200 Nikon, Bushnell, Sightron, Redfield.My 30-30 has a Sightron SII 3-9x42 which brings plenty of light for my low light needs.
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Catmguy
Optics GrassHopper Joined: November/07/2008 Location: Texas Status: Offline Points: 2 |
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Thanks for the input: I am using a Marlin lever 30-30 and also a Mosberg 835 pump. I will be in a stand until dark then in a ground blind. No lights but I would setting up a red light effect the hogs comming through???? I will be at a feeder around the San Antonio area. Sorry if I sound dumb but this is my first time with hogs and first time hunt in texas. My norm is deer and turkey in Missouri. Average distance is 30 yards. |
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Catmguy
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ccoker
Optics Master Joined: February/13/2008 Location: Austin, TX Status: Offline Points: 2041 |
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I use the Texas Boars red LED light setup
they do NOT see the light I just set it up in the blind and flood the area I intend to hunt hog's noses is your worst enemy! a low power, 1-3 like the Weaver would be a good setup or a scout scope type setup or just a red dot would all be fine this is my main hog getter, 6.8 SPC I have been trying a lot of optics for it and have decided on the Burris 1.5-6 with a lit Gerrman # 4 reticle Edited by ccoker - November/10/2008 at 13:09 |
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Yak
Optics Apprentice Joined: October/26/2008 Location: Indiana Status: Offline Points: 137 |
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catmguy, Im also Combat Arms and Ive used a Weaver V3 for a few years with good results. The V3 is a fine optic indeed but it did fisheye a little when set at 1X. But if you didnt turn it all the way back to its stop (1.1X ?) it wasnt a problem. I would also advise the use of Bushnell's Elite 3200 1.5-5X32 for your hunting needs. It comes with the FireFly reticle that may or may not work for you but I do think its a bit better of an optic for what you describe plus it comes with the RainGuard lens coating that works as advertised. Yak
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Dshusker
Optics Apprentice Joined: November/09/2008 Status: Offline Points: 103 |
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I don't disagree with anything that has been said but seems to me that a 2x7x32mm would be an appropriate alternative. Don't know much about Texas hog hunting but unless you are hunting over a feeder, I wouldn't want to be limited to a 1x3x20 mm when shooting from a stand or blind, which is what I believe is the original premise? A 1x or 1.5x is perfect for a stalk or when hunting with dogs where you need rapid target acquisition. A 2x is very workable for stalks and the greater magnification would help you from stands/blinds. I hunt in eastern tennessee in fairly hilly country. The stalk/dog hunt shots are generally 30-40 yds. The stand/blind shots can easily run 75-80 yds. Helps to have 6x-7x available unless you have eyes like a hawk.
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Yak
Optics Apprentice Joined: October/26/2008 Location: Indiana Status: Offline Points: 137 |
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The Weaver V7 is a great hunting optic for sure. IMO the Elite has a bit better brush/bush reticle for shooting at proky. Texas pigs love the nasty stuff and having a bit wider of a reticle will help somewhat with that. Plus, with the Firefly reticle, you'll be able to offer still a little more contrast between the crosshair and nature. Just my opion, though. :) Yak
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RifleDude
MODERATOR EVIL OPPRESSOR Joined: October/13/2006 Location: Texas Status: Offline Points: 16337 |
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Nice rig, Ccoker!!!
Welcome, Catmguy!
I hunt hogs quite a bit, and I've used just about every method you can think of, except hunting with dogs. I also live and hunt in Texas.
As stated already, the feeder lights work very well. Maybe they spook the hogs at first, but their stomachs are their Achilles' heel, and they soon don't pay any attention to the lights.
I think the perfect scope for nighttime hog hunting is a good lit reticle 1.5-6X. 2-7X, 2.5-10X and 3-9X scopes would work well also. I think it's best to have no more than 3X on the low end for stand/blind hunting baited sites at night, along with at least 4X or 5X on the high end for longer shots you'll occasionally get during daylight hours.
Maybe you answered this already and I missed it, but how much are you realistically willing to spend?
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Ted
Money can't buy happiness... but it's much more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than on a bicycle. |
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ccoker
Optics Master Joined: February/13/2008 Location: Austin, TX Status: Offline Points: 2041 |
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that 1.5-5 3200 with the firefly reticle is something I came across today looking for something decent for my son's gun on the cheap side..
not having used the firefly reticle, I saw one post somewhere that entire reticle is not illuminated, the middle crosshairs were not seems odd to me granted, it would help guide the eye to the center, but a #4 with a simple small lit dot at the x hair intersection seems better to me.. again, I have not used one and would love to see one in person, at night... |
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Yak
Optics Apprentice Joined: October/26/2008 Location: Indiana Status: Offline Points: 137 |
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It works alot better than one may think. Overall the reticle of the Elite is nice. The glass is clear and bright and the optic is very user friendly as far as ER even at different magnification levels. About the only thing to give (me) pause would be (IF the Firefly reticle was A reason I bought the optic) how long could one expect the "illumination" to last? Yak
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birddogbud
Optics GrassHopper Joined: April/22/2008 Status: Offline Points: 7 |
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hunted hogs in texas in may, 08. the next time I go I will have a varmit light on my gun it is legal in texas. you can hunt 24,7 for hogs and axcess deer in texas. after the first nite they would not come out till way after dark. don't buy a scope, buy a light. i already did
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DAVE44
Optics Journeyman Joined: November/11/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 652 |
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I mounted a 4200 Firefly 1.5-6x36 on my brush gun the other day and I like it. I havent used the illumination but I dont think I ever will need to. I didnt like how thick the crosshairs were at first but in thick brush on low power they are great. The one thing I didnt like about the other 4200s is the plex reticle is a tad thin in low light and it has a tendancy to turn silverish and almost transparent in certain lighting angles. The 4200 firefly however is thicker for and since it has the illuminecent coating on the reticle wire there is no reflection or silverish color. As a matter of fact I had a Conquest 3-9x40 with etched reticle and I noticed that the Firefly reticle stayed as black if not blacker and looked etched as well in low light.
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