Hey guys I need some help. I'm looking for a good scope for my .243, mainly for deer hunting. I hunt mostly in thicker forest but there are areas where a 100 yard shot is doable. I don't want to spend too much, so I'm looking for a decent scope that doesn't cost an arm and a leg. I've been checking out some scopes from Riton. I've got a few of their lower line scopes and I'm impressed but I want to know if anyone has any of their 3 or 5 line hunting scopes. I'm open to suggestions on other brands too, just looking for something I'll be happy with long term too. Thanks
Best Optics for .243 in Northwoods for Deer
- Thread starter Blake S
- Start date
citizenconn
Member
Without knowing your budget, I will add that my go to for woods hunting optic here in East Texas is a Primary Arms GLX 2.5-10 with a great illuminated chevron reticle. Pretty good close up as well as the odd long shot down the pipeline cuts we sometimes get out to a few hundred yards.
Added: This is the reticle on the one I use. It serves me good double duty for woods hunting as well as long range target shooting out to 800-1000 yards.
They have a few different reticle options, but this is the one I prefer because it is a little less crowded.
Added: This is the reticle on the one I use. It serves me good double duty for woods hunting as well as long range target shooting out to 800-1000 yards.
They have a few different reticle options, but this is the one I prefer because it is a little less crowded.
Primary Arms GLx 2.5-10x44 FFP Rifle Scope - Illuminated ACSS RAPTOR M2 Reticle - 5.56 / 5.45 / .308
DetailsAfter rigorous field testing, this optic has been given a Silver-tier rating by the National Tactical Officers Association.This rifle scope is part of the mid-tier optics line called GLx. GLx brings premium technology and materials into an approachable price range.The GLx 2.5-10x24 has a...
www.primaryarms.com
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I'm also going to suggest a 2-10, 3-9 or even a 4-12 scope. Those can still be found with a simple duplex reticle if you are wanting to keep things simple. As mentioned, knowing your budget and what features such as type of reticle will help us make recommendations.
Lefty38-55
Member
If on a classic rifle, wood stock, gloss blue et al, I've had really good luck with used Leupold VariX IIs or Burris or Redfield 2-7X scopes (gloss tubes) from eBay. I keep it on 2X whilst still hunting or on stand. My sporter 22s even sport the same scopes.
md7
Member
I’d think a basic 3-9 would be good. Leupold Freedom line has some reasonably priced optics that offer illuminated dots when you need it. Helpful when thick woods create shadows and gets darker.
.45Coltguy
Member
You could look at Burris FFII 3x9 on Amazon. These are pretty good scopes. Not made in China.
joseywales76
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Burris 2x7 or 3x9
Lefty38-55
Member
Deep Woods - LOW power best ... don't exceed 2X IMHO, 3X too much ...
Illumination - Forgot to add that one rifle has a 2-7X illuminated Leupold 'FireDot', like this. The FireDot feature is cool, as it goes to sleep if/when you don't move the rifle, but as soon as you move it ... it turns back on ... pretty darn neato!
Another has a Trijicon AccuPoint 1-4X with triangle like this, in BRIGHT red!
Illumination - Forgot to add that one rifle has a 2-7X illuminated Leupold 'FireDot', like this. The FireDot feature is cool, as it goes to sleep if/when you don't move the rifle, but as soon as you move it ... it turns back on ... pretty darn neato!
Another has a Trijicon AccuPoint 1-4X with triangle like this, in BRIGHT red!
The nice thing about adjustable power scopes is that you can set them at what ever low magnification you want to use and still have the ability to zoom in when you want. So a low of 2X, 3X, or 4X works fine for most hunting even in heavy woods. I use to use 3-9 scopes on my deer rifles all the time hunting the heavily wooded river hills along the Missouri and Mississippi rivers and in the Ozark's without any issues.
CoalCrackerAl
Member
Sig Buck masters comes to mind.
md7
Member
Absolutely true. Same thing hunting wooded hills and hollers in SW Mississippi.
Genesis 1-6×24 SFP MOA
The Blackhound Optics Genesis 1-6×24 SFP MOA provides streamlined target acquisition with minimal data distraction for shooters who prefer SFP magnification in short- to mid-range applications.
www.blackhoundoptics.com
Don't overthink this. A good quality 3-9X40 (or similar) scope is the most common for a reason. I wouldn't go with anything with more than 3X on the bottom end. In the real world there isn't enough difference between a 2-7X and a 3-9X to matter. In fact NONE of the scopes made are exactly the magnification they are advertised. Manufacturer A's scope advertised as 2-7X may in fact be 2.5X on the low end and manufacturer B's 3-9X scope may well be 2.5X on the low end. It also varies depending on how you focus it. The same fixed power 4X scope focused for my eye might be 3.5X. Focused for your eye it may be 4.5X.
If really close fast shots are a concern, I'd get something with 1X on the low end. That type of optic is ideal IMO on an AR or a lever gun.
Keep weight in mind. On a hunting rifle I like 1" tubes. You can get good scopes that weigh 11-16 oz. Moving to a 30mm tube will make it hard to keep weight under 20 oz, some are well over 20 oz. And that can throw off a rifles balance.
I'm at a bit of a loss to recommend a specific scope. The ones I really like are no longer in production. If you can find a Meopta Meapro you'll have a good scope. Meopta made them but sold them under several names over the years including the Zeiss Conquest and Cabela's Instinct.
A Leupold 3.5-10X40 has traditionally been a good choice, but I'm a little uncertain about current Leupold scopes. And there are some new options out there that I just don't know enough about.
The only scope right now that I have full confidence in is a Burris FF-II and you can find one of those for closer to $150. IME it is at least as good as a $500 Leupold.
If really close fast shots are a concern, I'd get something with 1X on the low end. That type of optic is ideal IMO on an AR or a lever gun.
Keep weight in mind. On a hunting rifle I like 1" tubes. You can get good scopes that weigh 11-16 oz. Moving to a 30mm tube will make it hard to keep weight under 20 oz, some are well over 20 oz. And that can throw off a rifles balance.
I'm at a bit of a loss to recommend a specific scope. The ones I really like are no longer in production. If you can find a Meopta Meapro you'll have a good scope. Meopta made them but sold them under several names over the years including the Zeiss Conquest and Cabela's Instinct.
A Leupold 3.5-10X40 has traditionally been a good choice, but I'm a little uncertain about current Leupold scopes. And there are some new options out there that I just don't know enough about.
The only scope right now that I have full confidence in is a Burris FF-II and you can find one of those for closer to $150. IME it is at least as good as a $500 Leupold.
horsemen61
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Luepold 2.5-8x36 VX3 HD
Lo-Profile
Member
Mine carries a Nikon 3-9x42
Couldn't be happier. Getting harder to find them.
Vortex scopes are within your budget and a BDC would work nicely
Couldn't be happier. Getting harder to find them.
Vortex scopes are within your budget and a BDC would work nicely
Old Dog
Member
OP, what're your "North woods?" If you're hunting in Minnesota, Northern Wisconsin or Upper Michigan, you've got a lot of great options for good glass at budget prices as the "hundred-yard shot" is rare. I've hunted up there for the past fifty-odd years and never need more than 4-power. The standard used to be 3 x 9, but now there's a lot more out there. Vortex (if you don't mind Filipino glass) comes right in at your price range with some great 3 x 9 or 2.5 x 10. I'd look hard at Leupold or Burris at your price point, though.
P.S. I love the .243, one of the most under-rated, unrepresented calibers out there. My wife is deadly with hers.
Are you talking about Riton's Primal and Conquer series? I know only one person whose invested in Riton scopes, he claims they're worthy, but I've not shot anything through his rifles -- and he's a notorious cheap bastard willing to accept mediocre performance if the product is cheaper, so I'm not gonna weigh in on Riton.
I'm a Leupold guy. At the OP's pricepoint, I'd probably go with a Freedom series, or a VX-3HD, like the 3.5x10. Frankly, you get proven glass with proven customer service.
P.S. I love the .243, one of the most under-rated, unrepresented calibers out there. My wife is deadly with hers.
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citizenconn
Member
I will second the awesomeness of the .243 Win. I have six of them in various semi-auto and bolt action variations. I always get barrels in a 1:8 twist rather than the traditional 1:10 so that I can use heavier bullets because I also use them for long range target shooting, out to 1300 yards. With a 1:8 twist they equal or best my 6mm Creedmoor rifles without burning out the barrels as quickly.
md7
Member
My kids are stacking up whitetail with a .243 Win. To include a really nice 9 point last season.
It ain’t a “kids cartridge”. It’s an effective whitetail cartridge for shooting distances many hunters have.
ECVMatt
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The Leopold Freedom line comes to mind. If you're truly hunting in the deep woods and want a reticle designed for that, the pig-plex looks like a good option.
www.leupold.com
Otherwise a 2x7 would probably work nicely.
www.leupold.com
These are both in your budget.
VX-Freedom 1.5-4x20 Pig-Plex
The VX-Freedom delivers the legendary Leupold® performance and dependability hunters and shooters have demanded for decades. The 1.5-4x20mm model provides a wide field of view, while also allowing for precise, mid-range shots.
www.leupold.com
VX-Freedom 2-7x33 Hunt-Plex
The VX®-Freedom® 2-7x33mm delivers the legendary Leupold® performance and dependability hunters and shooters have demanded for decades. The 2-7x magnification range is perfect for anyone who wants a wide field of view for close range shots but is also looking to take precise, mid-range shots.
www.leupold.com
These are both in your budget.
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Chuck R.
Member
A lot depends on "how" you hunt the thicker forest.
Are you static, stands, blinds?
Are you moving, still hunting/drives?
I have rifles set up for both.
Stands/blinds the mid-higher magnifications work well, I like 2.5-8x36 or even 3-9x40 etc.
Moving is a different story, then I like 1-4X, heavier reticles.
My current "moving" rifle is an M7 in .350RM with 2 scopes in QD mounts. 1.25-4X and 2.5-8x36 depending on conditions. The rifle I'm putting together now for the same conditions will wear a 1.5-5X with illuminated dot reticle, with possibly a RDS for back-up.
Are you static, stands, blinds?
Are you moving, still hunting/drives?
I have rifles set up for both.
Stands/blinds the mid-higher magnifications work well, I like 2.5-8x36 or even 3-9x40 etc.
Moving is a different story, then I like 1-4X, heavier reticles.
My current "moving" rifle is an M7 in .350RM with 2 scopes in QD mounts. 1.25-4X and 2.5-8x36 depending on conditions. The rifle I'm putting together now for the same conditions will wear a 1.5-5X with illuminated dot reticle, with possibly a RDS for back-up.
ECVMatt
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To jump on the bandwagon, I am a huge 6mm Remington/.243 fan as well. I have shot truck loads of deer with these two rounds in TX. My favorite deer bullet is the Sierra #1560 100 Grn. SP and my favorite ranch load is topped with a Speer #1213 85 Grn. SP. Both work well for TX deer and hogs, but if I am specifically hunting deer and pigs I usually go for the 100 Grn. bullet.
Larry in wyoming
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I just bought a leupold m8 6x FIXED power scope with heavy plex reticle on ebay. That's what I'd use. That or a decent 2x7. That leupold with the pig plex reticle would be a good one as well.
