Rifle Scopes Optic for heavy woods/open fields

Count VonFuhrman

Sergeant of the Hide
Full Member
Minuteman
Nov 22, 2018
198
34
Need opinions for optic for heavy woods and some open fields. Southern Indiana hills and hollows. Considering red dots, variable scopes and any others. No price range for Ar15/Ar10. Thanks
 
I agree, 1-6 or 1-8 would be perfect for this application. I don’t know your budget, but I have been very impressed with the Burris RT-6. IMO it is one of the best in its price range.
 
cameralandny.com and midwayusa.com have an Athalon Midas BTR 2.5-15x50 on sale for pretty cheap. I just got mine yesterday and it is a pretty nice scope for the money and the field of view is excellent.
 
If you don’t need to dial, it would be easy to go with a duplex reticle with illuminated center, in a brand of your choice. If you want to be able to dial, a NXS 2.5-10x42 or a Leupold VX5 2-10x42 with fire dot.
Or maybe a 1.5-6x42, would be great.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Novak77
As above, the Leupold firedot is awesome, a 2-10 or 2-12 with the firedot would be my choice.
On 2x you can shoot both eyes open and pick the dot up super fast.

A 1-8 would also work well and may be a little more suited to an AR.
 
  • Like
Reactions: plamia2
Aimpoint H2 or Steiner P4Xi 1-4X

You can do some damage with an Aimpoint:
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Dewey7271
Also a huge fan of the leupold vx-r line. I have a 4-12 x 50 and a 1.5-4x20. You'll love the firedot.
 
Personnel opinion but if you a are going with anything 1-8 or lower go SFP otherwise the reticle will all but disappear at 1 or 2 power.
 
Personnel opinion but if you a are going with anything 1-8 or lower go SFP otherwise the reticle will all but disappear at 1 or 2 power.
Depends completely on the optic. The Dual focal plane XTRII has a daylight bright red dot in the second plane and bdc in the first.
 
My Sig 1-4 is good for as far as we can see around here, hits at 300 and super deadly inside 100. I thought the illumation was key but nothing changed for me after the battery died. I leave it on 4x. Or at least I did until I sold the stick it was on...
 
I'm using a Leupold Mk4, 1.5--5, with SPR reticle. You can use the CDS system with it, though I never have.
 
What’s the range for the low end? I like my vx5hd 2-10. I use it to hunt the PNW where I might shoot 20yds in the brush or 400yds in open prairies. I wouldn’t go much more on the bottom end but maybe a vx6hd 2-12.
 
What about the Steiner M6Xi coming out soon?
I'm sure it would work fine but I have a hard time seeing what you get for the extra $2000 - $2500 over a P4Xi, considering the intended use.
 
Last edited:
Could go with a 4-16, 3-15, etc if you are wanting a higher top end for the open fields, then a micro red dot (RMR style) mounted off the scope for super close in the woods.

If not I would say one in the 2-10 range like many have said. The VX5 and NXS mentioned are great, trijicon accupoint or accupowers are another. I'd pick the features and reticle you like the best.
 
Looking at the Nightforce NXS Compact 2-10x42mm. Which reticle would be a good choice? Hard to decide.
 
If you don’t need to dial, it would be easy to go with a duplex reticle with illuminated center, in a brand of your choice. If you want to be able to dial, a NXS 2.5-10x42 or a Leupold VX5 2-10x42 with fire dot.
Or maybe a 1.5-6x42, would be great.

^^^ this ^^^

I run a Kahles 1.5-6 x 42 with an illuminated German #4 on my Tikka in 6.5x55. I can hunt thick brush with both eyes open at 1.5 and dial it up to 6 for open fields.
 
  • Like
Reactions: lou400a
I’ve hunted with a Burris fullfield 2 3-9x40 on my slug gun for the last 3 years. I’m in Virginia so it’s basically the same terrain. Inside the woods shooting 15 yards, I really don’t have a issue. Turn it up to 9 for the fields out to 250. Just my 2 cents