I am looking for scopes with center dot reticles and magnification for hunting, ideally under $600.
Suggestions?
Suggestions?
Scopes with center dots and suitable for hunting?
- Thread starter Liontracks
- Start date
The Clearidge 4.5-14x40 with duplex dot is a good scope and should work for hunting. I used one for target shooting and it's a quality scope.
https://shop.theopticzone.com/rifle-scopes/clearidge-ultra-xp-4-5-14x40-duplex-dot-matte-3540/
https://shop.theopticzone.com/rifle-scopes/clearidge-ultra-xp-4-5-14x40-duplex-dot-matte-3540/
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ReticleCenterpoint Optics 72002 1-4x20 MSR Rifle Scope..
hard to show in a picture but the reticle is crisp and so is the image.
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Hi, Dino,
I have lots of suggestions for scopes, LOTS and LOTS.
But most of them probably won't be good suggestions for YOUR shooting scenarios.
So, if you give us some more specifics, the suggestions will be much more helpful to you.
➊ Is this for a springer or PCP?
➋ What is your budget?
➌ Is this for targets/ plinking —
or hunting —
or both?
➍ What is your shortest range and your longest range you will be shooting at?
➎ Do you prefer FFP —
or SFP —
or does it not matter?
➏ What do you mean with "center dot"?
I'll attach an image to show what I understand under "center dot".
Cheers,
Matthias
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Thanks Jungleshooter. I prefer SFP, short range would be 15, Longest around 100. Ideally under 600 bucks.
Yes that reticle has a nice center dot and looks like it's illuminated which is even better.
I am looking at Midas 4-16X44
Yes that reticle has a nice center dot and looks like it's illuminated which is even better.
I am looking at Midas 4-16X44
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if i had the money i would strongly consider this option, they must be coming out with a new model or line as these are significantly reduced in price. i generally prefer Mil / FFP platforms from my long range rifle days (but they also offer SFP versions) .
it's not a two thousand dollar scope but it's in my opinion a pretty darn good value at $415 dollars. I just can't afford it right now.
the only major negative at least for me would be the parallax value but it sure would work well for me at the distances I tended to shoot at.
it's not a two thousand dollar scope but it's in my opinion a pretty darn good value at $415 dollars. I just can't afford it right now.
the only major negative at least for me would be the parallax value but it sure would work well for me at the distances I tended to shoot at.
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On that amazon page, the 4-16x50 is better for hunting than the 6-24, no? I already have a Athlon 6-24 but the pov is not suitable for hunting. That 4-16 looks good at $374
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honestly not sure, i've not been in a position to trial and compare...i would imagine that your assumption would be reasonable...and they are a bit less expensive. i'm not a big fan of returning items, i always feel bad about it but perhaps in this case if it was just an exchange it might prove to be a suitable option?
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Hawke Endurance 4 x16 with illuminated dot, great for low light squirrel hunting, very nice scopes. I have one and really like it.
Hawke Endurance 30 WA SF, 4-16x50 IR SF, LR Dot, (8x) | Pyramyd AIR
We've got a great price on Hawke Endurance 30 WA SF, 4-16x50 IR SF, LR Dot, (8x) at Pyramyd AIR. Shop where the experts do!
www.pyramydair.com
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Hello
Look at the Meopta optika 6
adjustable parallax
1 moa center dot daylight bright
I have 2 and love them super clear glass for the price
Scope list always offers some great prices as well
hope this helps
Eric
Look at the Meopta optika 6
adjustable parallax
1 moa center dot daylight bright
I have 2 and love them super clear glass for the price
Scope list always offers some great prices as well
hope this helps
Eric
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What about the Vortex venom 3 X 15 -44. I know you said you prefer SFP but I’ve been using mine for the last 6 months mil/mil and couldn’t be happier. At short range even with the shrinking reticle it’s real easy to spot the target.
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adjustable Parallax , 10 yards to infinity , Athlon Scopes , lifetime guarantee / Kansas City USA address
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OK, good, that's helpful:
Top end magnification:At least 16x for 100y range — better 20x for seeing impact holes in paper target.
Bottom end magnification — really means "Field of View (FoV)":Your comment that your 6-24x has a FoV that is too narrow is spot-on for ranges of 15y (typical FoV of 6-24x scopes is 20-22ft @100y).
For close-range hurried shots I consider 30ft "sufficient" — but 40ft "ideal".
There are few scopes with a bottom end of 4x that will give you those 30ft.
The bottom end magnification that gives you those 40ft is usually 3x.
️ Combining your top end and bottom end magnification requirements results in the ideal scope being a:★ common: 3-18x
★ very rare: 2.5-20x | 3-24x | 3-28x
Less than "ideal" due to a narrower FoV, but "sufficient" could be:
★ uncommon: 4-24x
★ common: 4-20x (but often with a rather narrow FoV, e.g., Sightron)
★ rare: 4-32x
I attach below 2 Scope Specs Tables where you can compare scopes with those magnification ranges.
All scopes in the tables are separated into SFP and FFP.
They all have a 10y minimum parallax.
They all have exposed elevation turrets and a hold-off reticle.
⮕ You now simply go to the SFP section in the Tables.
There you find your magnification range —
then make sure the FoV is OK —
and note the price and warranty —
and if the reticle has a center dot (CD). (Please, note that only recently I started adding this info, so there are some scopes where this is not stated.)
Have fun scope shopping!
Matthias
️ Attachments:Scope Specs Tables
View attachment - Scopes. With 4-14x Magnification. 111. 2025-04.pdf
View attachment - Scopes. With 6-20x Magnification. 175. 2025-07.pdf
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I use a USO 3-12 and a Vector Veyron 4-16. Both work really well for pesting, barn and field hunting. They have hash marks and a center dot.
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wow very nice thank you!OK, good, that's helpful:
At least 16x for 100y range — better 20x for seeing impact holes in paper target.
Your comment that your 6-24x has a FoV that is too narrow is spot-on for ranges of 15y (typical FoV of 6-24x scopes is 20-22ft @100y).
For close-range hurried shots I consider 30ft "sufficient" — but 40ft "ideal".
There are few scopes with a bottom end of 4x that will give you those 30ft.
The bottom end magnification that gives you those 40ft is usually 3x.
★ common: 3-18x
★ very rare: 2.5-20x | 3-24x | 3-28x
Less than "ideal" due to a narrower FoV, but "sufficient" could be:
★ uncommon: 4-24x
★ common: 4-20x (but often with a rather narrow FoV, e.g., Sightron)
★ rare: 4-32x
I attach below 2 Scope Specs Tables where you can compare scopes with those magnification ranges.
All scopes in the tables are separated into SFP and FFP.
They all have a 10y minimum parallax.
They all have exposed elevation turrets and a hold-off reticle.
⮕ You now simply go to the SFP section in the Tables.
There you find your magnification range —
then make sure the FoV is OK —
and note the price and warranty —
and if the reticle has a center dot (CD). (Please, note that only recently I started adding this info, so there are some scopes where this is not stated.)
Have fun scope shopping!
Matthias
Scope Specs Tables
View attachment 577221
View attachment 577222
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A suggestion would be to research the center dot size and hash line thickness. For example I had the older Midas TAC 4-16 but sold it because it was hard to see the reticle on low power. They might have changed it for the newer 4-16's but haven't looked into it.
People think that one can't hit small targets with thicker reticles or do the same on low magnification. For hunting seeing the reticle well is paramount. It's very hard to beat the Athlon Helos G2 2-12x42 for this price range and because it's FFP you almost have the best of 'all worlds'. If I had to choose one scope for a "do all" this would be it. I might pick the March 1.5-15 DFP but it's super expensive and the optical quality is compromised at high mag. It's more of a 1.5 to 10 to avoid the wonky appearance of the periphery of the FOV.
That being said the Athlon Ares BTR G3 2.5-15x50 is a crazy good scope because it has a slightly thicker reticle than normal/.06 mil so it works well on lower power. 2.5x is a bit iffy but by 3x one can make out the reticle decently. This is one of those scopes that came out really well. Unlike IMHO that MT 4-16 having a thin reticle.
If this ABTRG3 had true daylight bright illume it'd be nearly perfect for hunting!!!
There's the Helos G2 4-20x50 as well. Because it's Helos grade the IQ isn't up to the MT's or higher grade scopes but it's still a great scope and the reticle line thickness is .05 mil thick.
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Athlon Helos 2-12 is the correct answer to about 90% of the “what scope” questions lately.
The 2-12 Mil is the best “killing” reticle I’ve ever used… for everything from house sparrows at 10 yards with a .177, pigeons at 75-100 yards with the .30 Uragan, or coyotes and deer to 1/2 mile with the PBs.
20 years ago you’d have never convinced me that a 1(ish) MOA center dot reticle would EVER grace one of my rifles. Now, they’re like Frank’s Red Hot…. I put that $&@# on everything!
The 2-12 Mil is the best “killing” reticle I’ve ever used… for everything from house sparrows at 10 yards with a .177, pigeons at 75-100 yards with the .30 Uragan, or coyotes and deer to 1/2 mile with the PBs.
20 years ago you’d have never convinced me that a 1(ish) MOA center dot reticle would EVER grace one of my rifles. Now, they’re like Frank’s Red Hot…. I put that $&@# on everything!
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Well, the seller that had the
Athlon Helos 2-12x42 FFP for
$460 just ran out of them.
However, he still has a couple of the high quality do-it-all scope (that I just bought), the
Athlon Ares ETR 3-18x50 FFP for
$583 (MRSP over $1000).
Matthias
Links:
borebuddy.com
borebuddy.com
Athlon Helos 2-12x42 FFP for
$460 just ran out of them.
However, he still has a couple of the high quality do-it-all scope (that I just bought), the
Athlon Ares ETR 3-18x50 FFP for
$583 (MRSP over $1000).
Matthias
Links:
ATHLON ARES ETR UHD 3-18X50 APRS6 FFP IR MIL - BoreBuddy
3-18x Magnification APRS6 FFP IR MIL 34mm Tube Generous 32MRAD of elevation travel - pair with up to a 40MOA mount
borebuddy.com ATHLON HELOS BTR GEN2 2-12×42 AHMR2 FFP IR MIL - BoreBuddy
2-12x Magnification AHMR2 FFP IR MIL 30mm Tube Generous 32MRAD of elevation travel - pair with up to a 40MOA mount
borebuddy.com Upvote 0