Where are the timber scopes?

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Random 8

Random 8

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Looking to replace the optic on my primary hunting rifle as the terrain I hunt has changed. For the life of me, I can't find an "American" (the normal big three brands plus a couple newcomers) with the following parameters. The Bushnell trophy 1.5x6 I bought the wife is perfect, and no longer in the catalogue.

Low end 2x or less, 30mm tube (would consider 1") heavy German 3p4 or similar reticle. They just don't exist, and German/Austrian glass is not in my price range.

All I'm finding are hubble telescopes with tacticool bells and whistles, illuminated reticles, and compact AR style scopes with stupid diamond, circle, zombie, etc busy reticles that do nothing to improve sighting in low light or heavy cover. I guess I'm a hopeless throwback in that I like simple designs that work and will have to shop for something vintage.
 
troy fairweather said:
Try eBay on the Bushnell. I was looking in to one looks like a good scope.
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If you find one, buy it. She's on 5 years with it, and the zero has held steady. We shoot it too. I insist she put at least 50 rounds through the rifle, a .308 Win prior to deer season and we hunt pretty challenging cover so it gets dinged around quite a bit. It's not a true 3P4, thick posts don't taper, but it stands out in very low light and the fine hair in the center is wide enough for precise shooting. Very good low light scope in all conditions. I'd estimate the space between the thick posts at aprox 16MOA on 3x, perfect for tight cover and shorter range.
 
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If you take out the "American" part there are some options. I understand wanting to buy American made products, just never been as big of a sticking point for me I guess as long as the company has a good reputation.
 
BigBL87 said:
If you take out the "American" part there are some options. I understand wanting to buy American made products, just never been as big of a sticking point for me I guess as long as the company has a good reputation.
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I put "American" in quotes as representing the most common of decent quality available on the Am. market, not representing country of manufacture. As much as I'd love a nice Zeiss or Swaro, spending that kind of money will give me physical pain. Also saw the one with ill. reticle. Those are a non-starter for me. If it's too dark to see a 3p4 with a 30mm tube, it's too dark to shoot a deer. I just want a simple scope with the right features, and they don't seem to exist anymore. Used to be several calalogued a few short years ago.
 
Random 8 said:
I put "American" in quotes as representing the most common of decent quality available on the Am. market, not representing country of manufacture. As much as I'd love a nice Zeiss or Swaro, spending that kind of money will give me physical pain. Also saw the one with ill. reticle. Those are a non-starter for me. If it's too dark to see a 3p4 with a 30mm tube, it's too dark to shoot a deer. I just want a simple scope with the right features, and they don't seem to exist anymore. Used to be several calalogued a few short years ago.
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Understand the thought process on the IR. I personally like them but my uses are more geared towards coyote/hog which don't have the same daylight concerns.

If you eliminate the illuminated reticle, though, is that pretty much what the old one you like is like? That was more why I asked, to get a more solid idea of what I'm looking for.

I did come across this, don't know if it falls in your price range. One less power on the top end than the old Bushnell but not sure how important that is to you.

https://www.opticsplanet.com/leupol...iflescope.html?_iv_code=LU-RS-1-5-5X20-170677
 
Yeah, minus the IR, that Trophy scope is identical to the wife's scope. The 2x7x40mm Burris FF2 that was once offered with a 3P4 reticle would be perfect as well. Just don't really want to drop below 6x on the high end, and that VX-3 is climbing the price ladder nearing the "too much" rung.
 
Sounds like you are describing my goto non long range scope. The nightforce nsx 1-4.

7BC05B18-8A9F-4381-863C-81651C4510C5.jpeg

Couldn’t get a very focused photo of the illumination though.

BE987C99-F5DC-4CC4-AE5D-D2A5C0B38F47.jpeg

Turned off is more representative of what it looks like properly focused.

F69E76D0-7006-4B37-9078-5E84FCDD6740.jpeg

I had to go look and see what the speck was on he floor because it’s not in the optic, it was a kernel of IMR 3031 :)
 
Ya, seems like if you absolutely don't want the illuminated reticle option, you may be stuck looking for used or new old stock to stay on price.
 
How about the Leupold VXR 1.5-5x33? Nominally a scout scope but only about 6" of eye relief so fine to mount conventionally?

ATB,

Scrummy
 
Check out the Leopold VX-Freedom 1-4x20 Pig Plex (new style reticle). It is basically a German #4 with hold over marks. Great scope for the coin.
 
Varminterror said:
Don’t want an illuminated reticle? Take out the battery.
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I like Skylerbone’s suggestion best followed by the Leupold’s. A good IR doesn’t hurt anything and quite often helps. My VX-R 2-7x33 with Firedot 4 isn’t always lit when I’m using it but it’s there if I want or need it.
 
My experience with IRs is they are kind of "shiney" instead of black with the illumination off. Maybe that has changed with more modern scopes.
 
I find with IR I tend to leave them on a pretty low brightness setting as especially with a Duplex / Number 4 reticle during daylight you are fine for shooting and also no risk of flaring.

Then as the light drops and you put onto a dark deer in shadow, the little red dot conveniently shows up where you want your bullet to go.

Breathe out and squeeze for tenderloin...
 
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