In search of a new scope

[12th Man]

I've never been one to shoot a scope over 10X magnification. I never saw a need. That was until our last hunt in the canyons of hill country last month. My old eyes realized I could use a bit more magnification. After an exhausting search, I settled on the MeOpta 3-18 with the illuminated 4C reticle. European made, Schott glass from Germany and a price point right at $700.00 with discount. I received the scope on Monday. Comparing the glass, clarity, contrast & brightness to my Leupold VX6HD 2-10X42mm. There was no comparison, it blew the Leupold away. However, it was one of the few scopes with a second plane duplex type reticle. More on that in a moment. The issue was the 4C reticle. The vertical and horizontal reticle lines off of the wide plex were so thin I could hardly see them. They were .18" at 100 yards. Basically a super thin bench rest reticle. Younger eyes might be able to make them out. My older eyes were having a hard time making them out in daylight. Low light there would be no chance. Totally bummed, I'm sending it back. They don't make a standard duplex reticle, and all of there other reticles are some type of bullet drop compensating reticle design. These are too busy and something I don't need. There glass was incredible though!

As I search for a mid level priced scope, it's become quite clear, scope manufactures are big on first plane reticles and have few offerings in second plane reticles with a duplex reticle. First plane reticles are all the rage, great for competition and ranging but suck for low light hunting. Turn the power down to 2 or 3X and the reticle shrinks so much you barely make it out. Again, not for hunting and my old eyes. I've been searching for 2 to 3x to 15 or 18X with a 44mm objective. I won't go over 50mm.

The Leupold VX6 HD 3-18X42mm w/firedot duplex reticle meets my requirements and exactly what I need. However, it comes with a $1500 price point, about twice as much as I want to spend. I do have my Leupold VX6HD 2-10X42mm up for sale. If it sells, it will off set my price on the 3-18. I know the shot show is in late Jan, I hoping some of these scope manufactures have some new scopes out with duplex second plane reticles.

My search continues. Anyone with any ideas?

[CPJ 2.0]

I’d wager there’s a 9-1 ratio of duplex second plane reticles over first.
Are we talking the some terms here?

[Diver43]

https://www.opticsplanet.com/vortex-opt ... copes.html

I had the same issue with FFP. Was great in sunlight, but as soon as the sun began to go down under the trees the reticle disappeared.

[12th Man]

I’d wager there’s a 9-1 ratio of duplex second plane reticles over first.
Are we talking the some terms here?

I gave it a try. I was on Natchez Shooting website. Unless, they are the low end scope lines for a hundred or couple hundred bucks, the bulk of the scope lines are FFP with some form of ranging reticle. Very, very few have a duplex reticle. Ranging reticles with FFP are what's selling now. Also, most have huge objective lenses of 56mm. My eyes want good glass, a simple duplex reticle with a 44ish mm objective and 30mm tube.

Speaking of 30mm tubes. We were in Dallas yesterday having Christmas with our granddaughters. My son took me to Scheels. If you've never heard of it, they say they are the largest sporting good building in the US. It's like the biggest Cabelas and biggest Dicks sporting good put together. It's huge for sure. There gun area was massive, I've never seen anything like it before. Not bad ammo prices, the scopes were all manufactures list price. No sale prices of any kind. What really struck me were these 34, 35 & 36mm tube scopes. My gosh, they were massive in size. I'm sure they had a ton of elevation and windage adjustments. The place was unreal!

[Varmintmist]

https://www.eurooptic.com/
https://www.eurooptic.com/optics/rifles ... &i=48&d=48

I have always gotten a fair deal from these guys. Have fun. Their warehouse is a fort because they have stock.

[CPJ 2.0]

I’d wager there’s a 9-1 ratio of duplex second plane reticles over first.
Are we talking the some terms here?

I gave it a try. I was on Natchez Shooting website. Unless, they are the low end scope lines for a hundred or couple hundred bucks, the bulk of the scope lines are FFP with some form of ranging reticle. Very, very few have a duplex reticle. Ranging reticles with FFP are what's selling now. Also, most have huge objective lenses of 56mm. My eyes want good glass, a simple duplex reticle with a 44ish mm objective and 30mm tube.

Speaking of 30mm tubes. We were in Dallas yesterday having Christmas with our granddaughters. My son took me to Scheels. If you've never heard of it, they say they are the largest sporting good building in the US. It's like the biggest Cabelas and biggest Dicks sporting good put together. It's huge for sure. There gun area was massive, I've never seen anything like it before. Not bad ammo prices, the scopes were all manufactures list price. No sale prices of any kind. What really struck me were these 34, 35 & 36mm tube scopes. My gosh, they were massive in size. I'm sure they had a ton of elevation and windage adjustments. The place was unreal!

Did a bit of googling, seems you’re correct. I don’t spend a ton of money on any glass, but if I was…..it would be FFP and MOA reticle.
So…I see your dilemma.

I wonder if you could get a a Leupold model that fits most of your needs and have them swap reticleS?

[Varmintmist]

I am not sure Leupold custom shop is still open to do stuff like swapping reticels

[CPJ 2.0]

I am not sure Leupold custom shop is still open to do stuff like swapping reticels

From their WWW:


“Thank you for your continued interest in the Leupold Custom Shop! Unfortunately the Custom Shop remains closed at this time.

We are facing an incredible demand for Leupold products. In order to keep bringing the world’s best sporting optics to you, straight from our factory here in Beaverton, Oregon, we have dedicated all of our resources to production and are building inventory as quickly as we can.

Though we do not yet have a date for resuming Custom Shop services, we are actively evaluating the situation with the intent to resume services as soon as possible.



We thank you for your support.

”