Forums > Hunting Club Forum > Hunting Optics
Illuminated Reticle
Last Post 09 Jul 2012 01:14 PM by TOM IN TENNESSEE. 14 Replies.
AddThis - Bookmarking and Sharing Button
Author Messages
dlight1User is Offline

dlight1 Send Private Message Posts:34
--
26 Jan 2012 12:00 PM �
I am shopping for a new scope for my Savage 110 chambered in .243win.  I currently have a 3-9X32 simmons and am looking for a 3-9X40, 44, or 50 for more light.  I have been seeing scopes with illuminated reticles from various companies and was wondering if anyone has had any experience with these. I use a Red Dot on my muzzleloader but it has no magnification.  Also what is a good one.  I have been looking at the BSA Huntsman and have also found on ebay several Bushnell's that sell for around $50 but seems like to good of a deal.  I know they are from china but didn't know if they were true bushnells and trustworthy or if they are the bottom of the barrel.  Thanks for your input.
dlight1User is Offline

dlight1 Send Private Message Posts:34
--
26 Jan 2012 12:01 PM �
Sorry I am going to use the gun for coyote hunting and thought the illuminated reticle would be helpful in low light conditions and was wondering what colors work best. Thanks
dk99300User is Offline

dk99300 Send Private Message Posts:264
--
26 Jan 2012 05:20 PM �
In my opinion, you will be MUCH better served by buying a quality scope over the models you mention. Step up to something like a Leupold VX-II or VX-3, a Weaver Grand Slam, or a Bushnell Elite. The better scopes have better lenses and better coatings and will transmit much more of the available light to your eye. They will also be clearer, with far less edge distortion.

I have a Bushnell Elite 4200 and a Nikon Pro Staff. There is a noticeable difference in brightness and clarity. The Bushnell cost about twice the amount of the Nikon. In optics, you get what you pay for.

Dale
Anyone who thinks laughter is the best medicine has never had morphine
SDOWLINGUser is Offline

SDOWLING Send Private Message Posts:215
--
26 Jan 2012 08:13 PM �
I use Burris Signature Select 4X-16X 44MM illuminated ballistic plex reticle on all my bolt action rifles.

Love it !

http://www.opticsplanet.com/product...copes.html
Silence is Acceptance. "To stand in silence when they should be protesting makes cowards out of men." ~ Abraham Lincoln ~ Stand Up and Be Counted !
TSKNIGHTUser is Offline

TSKNIGHT Send Private Message Posts:19
--
26 Jan 2012 09:47 PM �
I have a Leaper's 4x32 lighted reticule (green or red) and have not had any problems with it over the past 6-8 years. It helps slightly in low light conditions with green being a little better for me than red. That said, I would put money into a better quality scope over a lighted reticule the next time I look for a low light scope.
I have it on a Ruger Mini-14 (standard) and use it mostly for the Mil-dot reticule. It was very inexpensive (about $40) and has been regularly abused over the years and still holds true. For my Mini-14 it works well out to 150yds or so, beyond that the rifle isn't accurate enough to warrant real high quality optics.

Oh, I tried out a BSA Huntsman but didn't care for it as the reticule changed size when I changed magnification. The higher the magnification, the thicker the cross-hairs appeared. Was real confusing when trying to judge distances.

Just my two-bits-worth
gutpileUser is Offline

gutpile Send Private Message Posts:557
--
28 Jan 2012 07:49 AM �
Have a friend who had a lighted reticle. Early one cold morning great buck stepped out at 80yds shouldered gun........................DEAD BATTERY!!
Liberals Negate Darwinian Theory Kishel's Scent and Lures www.kishelscents.com
SDOWLINGUser is Offline

SDOWLING Send Private Message Posts:215
--
28 Jan 2012 08:02 PM �



 Dead battery = black crosshairs  

Anyone who can't squezze the trigger, I guess needs more than batteries !  LOL
  
 

Silence is Acceptance. "To stand in silence when they should be protesting makes cowards out of men." ~ Abraham Lincoln ~ Stand Up and Be Counted !
DukepilesUser is Offline

Dukepiles Send Private Message Posts:14
--
25 Feb 2012 10:17 PM �
I've had a bushnell banner with a illuminated reticle (red or green) for about 5 years and it has been on seven different rifles. I have never had it fog up or had any problems out of it. I've only used 3 batteries the whole time. 1 of them is because I left it on. I have even put it on my muzzle loader and no problems Just because some label the lower budget scopes as not worth the money doesn't mean it's not a decent scope. Give it a try
brittany-2User is Offline

brittany-2 Send Private Message Posts:276
--
03 Mar 2012 03:46 PM �
I use a center point on my 17. Works great with or without lighted up. Take your pick of red or green.
http://centerpoint.crosman.com/
tfrenchUser is Offline

tfrench Send Private Message Posts:16
--
14 Mar 2012 09:48 AM �
I've owned two cheaper scopes on varmint rigs and must say never cared to use the lighted reticle, once my eyes were set on darkness kinda worked itself out, that and the added weight and ugliness of the battery compartment. Anyhow with all that said I reloaded for a friend that uses a 3200 bushnell on his deer rig with fire-fly kinda nice- take a small flashlight shine it in the end of the scope for a bit and walla illuminated reticle for like 1/2 hr or so and no batteries. I haven't used it, but took it out in twilight time seemed to work descent, I would say optics are about as good as my Grand Slam.
dlight1User is Offline

dlight1 Send Private Message Posts:34
--
14 Mar 2012 02:41 PM �
Thanks everyone I am still deciding on what to do yet. I would have made up my mind sooner if the winter wouldn't have been so mild didn't get a chance to go yote hunting this year.
JoeTermiteUser is Offline

JoeTermite Send Private Message Posts:183
--
14 Mar 2012 02:47 PM �
Posted By Dukepiles on 25 Feb 2012 11:17 PM
I've had a bushnell banner with a illuminated reticle (red or green) for about 5 years and it has been on seven different rifles. I have never had it fog up or had any problems out of it. I've only used 3 batteries the whole time. 1 of them is because I left it on. I have even put it on my muzzle loader and no problems Just because some label the lower budget scopes as not worth the money doesn't mean it's not a decent scope. Give it a try

I agree with you. I have a banner on my slug gun and three of my muzzelloaders. My son also has one on his slug gun. We have never had a problem with them.

Joe Termite
bntyhntr6975User is Offline

bntyhntr6975 Send Private Message Posts:12
--
18 Mar 2012 07:58 PM �
I have used a few scopes with lighted recticles and it does make a difference. But not so much to me that it is a requirement when considering a scope to buy. And most of the ones with lighted recticle do not have an automatic shut-off. I'm sure some do though, that would be a huge plus. Anyway, the higher quality scopes really don't need a lighted recticle, its more of a novelty to me. With higher quality comes clarity and better light gathering capabilities, making the need for a brightly lit distraction un-necessary. I have 2 Burris Fullfield 2s, 6.5-20x50, that have no problem shooting in light of a half moon when turned down. And they aren't anywhere near top end. Ultimately, it's up to you what you want and willing to spend. Some people like the lighted recticles alot and some don't.
"Certainly there is no hunting like the hunting of man, and those who have hunted armed men long enough and liked it, never really care for anything else thereafter." Ernest Hemingway.
cayugadUser is Offline

cayugad Send Private Message Posts:96
--
07 Jul 2012 10:55 AM �
I have currently (not counting RED DOTS) two scope with illuminated reticles.  One is a inexpensive Traditions Arms Scope. It was on sale at their site once for $49.00 and I figured it would be fun to play with. Who makes it, I have no idea.  It does take a battery and I am still on the first battery.  The scope has red hairs that stand out very nice.  The strange thing about this cheap scope is, I have it on a muzzle loader.  A T/C Black Mountain Magnum with a 1-28 twist.  And I have shot some VERY impressive groups out of that rifle using this low end scope.  The clarity is very good.  Granted its not a high dollar scope.  But it holds its own.  A lot of fun.  One deer season I hunted all day with the rifle.  The battery was fairly new.  At the end of the day the battery was fine.  And being out in the Wisconsin winter, if something was going to drain it, that should have done it.  I do carry a spare battery in my possible bag.

My second scope that is illuminated is a Bushnell 3200 Elite with Firefly .  This is a 2-7x32mm scope, as I prefer this magnification because of its light gathering ability and just the size of it, over some of the larger scopes.  This scope has no battery.  That's right .. no battery.  All you need is a flashlight to set it.  You can hold your hand over the outer bell and shine a flashlight into the eye piece for 30 seconds and it glows a nice neon green for quite a while.  I never timed it to be honest.  But I always have a small led flashlight on me and another bigger one in my tote bag.  So I always have a light.  When the evening shadows start to come in, I fire up the lens.  The draw back that you do get used to..  the firefly cross hair is thicker them most you are used to.  All except for the very center area.  That is so it can hold light longer I believe.  And I use the fat part of the lens as a aim post for longer distance shooting.  It sits on a .451 caliber White Model 97 Whitetail Hunter muzzleloader.



This is what that scoped White will do at 100 yards.  This is shooting a 488 grain conical bullet and 80 grains of Triple Seven 2f.  The lower group is the result of holding a dead center bull.  The upper group is the adjustment. Knowing the drop.



Where I hunt, my shots are close.  So I sight in for 50 yards.  The rifle does fine holding a dead bull at that distance.  The fat cross hair might throw some people off.  But once you get used to it.  I really see no problem.  And the neon green glowing cross hairs are easy to see in fading light.
TOM IN TENNESSEEUser is Offline

TOM IN TENNESSEE Send Private Message Posts:1492
--
09 Jul 2012 01:14 PM �
I wud rather spend my bucks on quality glass rather than a gimmick----if it is too dark too shoot, it is too dark to track! Which darkness may cause...or a non perfect shot....
Soddy Daisy Tennessee USA, A gun in the hand is better than a cop on the phone PROUD PRO STAFFER--www.heirloomgamecalls.com, hand made , hand tuned and hand tested, Hunt ARK ducks with www.smackinquack.com I am an uncompensated, non-attorney spokesperson

Forums > Hunting Club Forum > Hunting Optics
---