What scope should I buy?

[scotty87]

Illuminated reticle scopes usually are a little heavier which adds up if the rifle is going to be hauled on long hikes. My .308 scope has an illuminated reticle and I can't say I've ever used it.

[Bosbefok]

I hate batteries in anything. I think you need to replace batteries if you have an illuminated reticle? I would say that it is not that important.

[happyhunter]

I hate batteries in anything. I think you need to replace batteries if you have an illuminated reticle? I would say that it is not that important.

There is a type that doesn't need batteries. You shine a torch down the tube for a moment and it holds the glow for a while, kid of like those old halloween toys.

[brett1868]

I'm not a fan of illuminated reticles and as a rule I remove the batteries from the scopes so they don't corrode. For me it's just another thing to remember batteries for or to turn off. When spotlighting I have a HID light and have no problem seeing the cross hairs. Occasionally if the mood strikes I'll sit in the paddock corner and use a thermal sight which is very effective on pigs & giant bunnies.

[alan j]

Leupold vx 1 for me. A mate buys 2nd hand kahles, I find the vx 1 clearer and better on low light. Plus they are a lot cheaper.

[sandgroperbill]

Illuminated reticle is something you don't need that could maybe go wrong. Also, check the warranties. Some scopes that have lifetime warranty are excluded from this if they have an illuminated reticle, or at least they used to be

[ursus]

Continuing with the stupid questions: what kind of magnification should I get for my first scope. I plan to hunt mostly during the day.

[Gwion]

3-9 magnification is a common hunting recommendation.

[sandgroperbill]

It depends on what you're hunting, where, from how far and with what.
A big bore for short range would be best served by a low magnification, something small used at range against small targets would benefit from higher magnification, etc.

A very common and popular all rounder is 3-9. If you're going to be hunting a lot in low light, then a larger objective may be useful.

Target work would be best served by a target scope, where as most hunters want something light and "set and forget".

Personally, my go to hunting rifles both wear 3-9, one 40 and the other 42.

Edit: I know you said you plan to hunt mostly during the day, but you'll likely find yourself hunting around dusk, perhaps even spotlighting, so include this in your considerations.

[Medic]

I like a small fixed 3 power for almost everything. Check out vortex spitfire 3x, amazing little scope. I also really like my 1.5-5x

[ursus]

It depends on what you're hunting, where, from how far and with what.
A big bore for short range would be best served by a low magnification, something small used at range against small targets would benefit from higher magnification, etc.

A very common and popular all rounder is 3-9. If you're going to be hunting a lot in low light, then a larger objective may be useful.

Target work would be best served by a target scope, where as most hunters want something light and "set and forget".

Personally, my go to hunting rifles both wear 3-9, one 40 and the other 42.

Edit: I know you said you plan to hunt mostly during the day, but you'll likely find yourself hunting around dusk, perhaps even spotlighting, so include this in your considerations.

If I may ask another one. Are scopes for daylight hunting different from those for the dark? I was under the impression that setting the spotlight on top of it is the only difference.

[Gwion]

Better quality glass will transmit more light to your eye and so be better for low light. It will also have better coatings that filter the right spectrum. A larger objective lens will also transmit (or 'gather') more light.
That said, my Vortex diamondback scopes work fine at dusk and under lights. They have 40mm objective lens. Technically it's a ratio of objective lens diameter to magnification thing but you don't need to spend huge dollars for a usable scope.

[bladeracer]

If I may ask another one. Are scopes for daylight hunting different from those for the dark? I was under the impression that setting the spotlight on top of it is the only difference.

Quality of the glass dictates how well it works in low light. Cheap Chinese stuff generally sucks in anything less than good daylight.

[bladeracer]

Continuing with the stupid questions: what kind of magnification should I get for my first scope. I plan to hunt mostly during the day.

Depends on what you want from it really.

Four-power was the "standard" years ago and is still a good choice, not too high for close-range moving shots, not too low for a reasonable view out to 200m or so.
Nowadays though, variables are much more precise than they used to be. I lean toward 4-12x but once I tried Bushnell's 4.5-18x40 I've now gone to those exclusively. Got six so far and more to come I'm sure. If you're only shooting out to 200m max then something in the 3-9x range might work better.

[ursus]

If I may ask another one. Are scopes for daylight hunting different from those for the dark? I was under the impression that setting the spotlight on top of it is the only difference.

Quality of the glass dictates how well it works in low light. Cheap Chinese stuff generally sucks in anything less than good daylight.

I am assuming known brands should have good quality glass - Leopold, Nikon, Bushnell etc.?

After reading this thread I am leaning towards Leupold VX, Nikon Prostate or Vortex Diamondback. I will probably lean towards the bigger objective - over 40 mm, maybe even 50mm. These brands seem to have what I am thinking of for under $1000.

[sandgroperbill]

After reading this thread I am leaning towards Leupold VX, Nikon Prostate or Vortex Diamondback. I will probably lean towards the bigger objective - over 40 mm, maybe even 50mm. These brands seem to have what I am thinking of for under $1000.

Make sure you take a pair of latex gloves with you when you go to check the Nikon Prostate...

[tom604]

After reading this thread I am leaning towards Leupold VX, Nikon Prostate or Vortex Diamondback. I will probably lean towards the bigger objective - over 40 mm, maybe even 50mm. These brands seem to have what I am thinking of for under $1000.

Make sure you take a pair of latex gloves with you when you go to check the Nikon Prostate...

[bigfellascott]

My mate had a look through my Nikon prostaff 3-9x50 (he didn't know what it was at the time) and first thing he said was "f*** that's good glass, clear as" he said what is it I said it's that $200 Nikon He loves his Nightforce and VX6 Leupolds but was blown away with how good the Nikon is, we've done heaps of comparisons with diff scopes in all sorts of light conditions from daylight to last light and cloudy etc that little Nikon don't give SFA away to the better quality stuff and in some cases it was better than one of his Leupolds, it had better contrast/definition etc and was a little sharper looking to my eyes (Can't remember the model of that particular leupold now but was a fairly good version not their base version)

One thing I will say is I won't buy a scope that doesn't have at least a 50mm Objective now, I just find them to be better for me than the 40's etc

[Sam45]

I'm not a fan of illuminated reticles and as a rule I remove the batteries from the scopes so they don't corrode. For me it's just another thing to remember batteries for or to turn off. When spotlighting I have a HID light and have no problem seeing the cross hairs. Occasionally if the mood strikes I'll sit in the paddock corner and use a thermal sight which is very effective on pigs & giant bunnies.

Giant Bunnies That would definitely require the .50 cal