Visit the SWFA.com site to check out our current specials. |
Need REALLY low light scope for night hog hunts... |
Post Reply |
Author | |
AstroVic
Optics Apprentice Joined: January/18/2010 Status: Offline Points: 161 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Posted: January/18/2010 at 20:21 |
First post here. I've been reading as much as I can, but I guess it's better just to state what I'm looking for, and wait for some expert replies. I'll try to keep it brief.
I like hunting hogs at night here in Texas. Most of the hunting is done in near-complete darkness, with maybe just the moon & stars, and/or a very dim LED feeder light available. More often than not, I'll be sitting in a blind...about 50-70 yards from the feeders, but sometimes up to ~100 yards or so. I plan on putting a new scope setup on my Marlin XS7 7mm-08. I have more expensive rifles in a variety of calibers, but I'm really confident in this new Marlin I bought and I think the 7mm-08 caliber is the sweet spot for what I want to do. This rifle is going to be my "go-to" rifle for hog hunting at night. I want the entire setup to be durable, rugged, and unafraid of getting banged up a little going to/from blinds or stalking up to the feeders. Looks aren't important to me; killing hogs is what matters. I definitely want flip-up style scope covers. (I learned this lesson the hard way last weekend on a hog hunt when muddy water got splashed up into the fore end of my scope.) I don't have the cash for a night vision setup, and I cannot afford a AR style rig. My budget is roughly $500 to $1,000 for the scope and rings. I'd like to keep it toward the lower end of the budget, but I'll stretch for the right setup. I've been looking at the Bushnell Elite 4200 Firefly 2.5-10x50 and the Trijicon AccuPoint 2.5-10x56 with the illuminated green dot. I've also been looking at LED and laser light kits that will mount to the scope and provide a little more illumination, but I don't want anything that's going to spook the hogs. It would be really cool if I could find a setup that has a pressure switch that could be mounted on the stock of the rifle. Any recommendations? I posted on TexasBoars.com and I've received some good responses, but it can't hurt to get some more advice from the optics pros over here! Thanks & happy hunting! |
|
martin3175
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: January/19/2005 Location: Maryland Status: Offline Points: 3773 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Both are great choices, albeit a bit over powered for ranges up to 100yd.s
|
|
RTW
Optics GrassHopper Joined: January/18/2010 Location: Texas Status: Offline Points: 1 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
I am in the same position. I have a place an hr from Austin we hunt hogs at night under the feeder. We have also added the 8" green fishing light to the feeder and it makes a world of difference at night, just take a 12v battery with you and recharge before you go out. I still find it difficult to see the crosshairs against the hogs even with the green light and am considering the 3x9x40mm Burris Fulfield II tac 30 with illuminated reticle. The $400 price still leave enough $ for the 30mm rings. I have a number of 30mm scopes and defintely see a difference compared to the 1". I am not sold on teh firefly yet, can;t find any literature on how long the charge last on the crosshairs, 10 min or 2 hrs??????
|
|
RTW
|
|
AstroVic
Optics Apprentice Joined: January/18/2010 Status: Offline Points: 161 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
That's one of my concerns, too, and it's one of the reasons why I'm leaning toward the Trijicon AccuPoint...but the Trijicon is just really pricey for my needs. Then again, if it's the only tool that'll get the job done, I'll go for it. I also want to maintain a lightweight package....as much as possible. Within reason, of course. |
|
tjtjwdad
Optics Journeyman Joined: December/11/2007 Status: Offline Points: 365 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
I don't do night hunting but I just picked up a Swarovski at a steep discount and the optics are really good. After I got mine I took it outside on a moon lit night and compared to my Zeiss Conquest. The Swarovski was the brighter of the two, albeit they were both good. Be sure to choose your reticle wisley.
HTH,
|
|
Urimaginaryfrnd
MODERATOR Resident Redneck Joined: June/20/2005 Location: Iowa Status: Offline Points: 14964 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
http://swfa.com/Laser-Genetics-ND-3-Laser-Designator-P41090.aspx
The reviews should tell the whole story.
If using the green laser you may want a contrasting color for illumination like the amber.
The Trijicon products are very nice.
|
|
"Always do the right thing, just because it is the right thing to do". Bobby Paul Doherty Texas Ranger |
|
Texas
Optics Apprentice Joined: February/11/2008 Location: Texas, USA Status: Offline Points: 211 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Vic, I have an Elite 4200 2.5-10x50, 4A illuminated red dot reticle, 30mm tube that is an extra scope to me that I need to send down the road. Has light ring marks but the matte finish is not broken. I can tell you the thickness of the reticle and the red dot adjustability are both ideal for night time hogs, and the optics are very good, no scratches or wear on the lenses... It is currently sitting in my safe in the box. $325 and $10 shipping will take it. PM me if your interested.
Even if you choose a new scope, I would take a close look at this model scope. I have used mine for the same hog hunt scenario and it worked good. The red dot will adjust way down in intensity, and really shows up nice against the ear of a black piggie. I bought the scope from SWFA a couple of years ago, but my upgrade program has reached this scope. Edited by Texas - January/19/2010 at 07:20 |
|
"There are some things which cannot be learned quickly and time, which is all we have, must be paid heavily for their acquiring. They are the very simplest things..." Ernest Hemingway
|
|
lucytuma
Optics Jedi Knight Joined: November/25/2007 Location: Wisconsin Status: Offline Points: 5389 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Here's another scope to consider.
|
|
"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not." - Thomas Jefferson
|
|
AstroVic
Optics Apprentice Joined: January/18/2010 Status: Offline Points: 161 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
PM sent.
|
|
HOLLOWPOINT
Optics Apprentice Joined: November/24/2007 Location: Germany Status: Offline Points: 79 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
These here are some REAL low light hunting scopes:
The MEOPTA Meostar R1 RD 7X56 is in your price range.
|
|
Independence is my happiness, and I view things as they are, without regard to place or person; my country is the world, and my religion is to do good. Thomas Paine
|
|
ccoker
Optics Master Joined: February/13/2008 Location: Austin, TX Status: Offline Points: 2041 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Trijicon
|
|
www.TacticalGunReview.com
Pro Staff - Silencer Shop http://tacticalgunreview.com |
|
AstroVic
Optics Apprentice Joined: January/18/2010 Status: Offline Points: 161 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Thanks for everyone's input. Here's what I've decided to do....
For my Marlin XS7 7mm-08 do-everything "beater" gun, I'm going to mount a Simmons AETEC 2.8-10x44 Master Series matte w/ the illuminated Truplex reticle. (These come highly recommended by Bill Wilson for a solid performing "value" scope.) This will allow a very lightweight package that will be perfect for those long walks to the feeders.
My new Savage Model 10 Precision Carbine .223 will get the Trijicon Accupoint 2.5-10x56 with standard crosshairs and a green illuminated dot. This will be my varmit setup and I think that scope will be the perfect fit for zinging a few coyotes and bobcats.
I'm also about to order a new Savage Model 10 Precision Carbine .308 and I've purchased the above mentioned Bushnell Elite 4200 2.5-10x50 #4 illuminated reticle scope from "Texas" for that gun.
I just figured I would follow up and let you guys know what I decided to do. Thanks for all of the excellent suggestions!
|
|
SVT_Tactical
MODERATOR Chief Sackscratch Joined: December/17/2009 Location: NorthCackalacky Status: Offline Points: 31233 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Sounds like you will have a nice 3some there. Congrats and good hunting.
|
|
Post Reply | |
Tweet
|
Forum Jump | Forum Permissions You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot create polls in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum |