Red deer stalking scope advice

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Cheers for all the suggestions, I see vortex doesn't make an appearance so probably will stear towards s&b . Is there anything I should steer clear of eg. Reticle types ? Or is reticle not that important at those ranges? Also would I be looking for a matching brand rail and mount or is there a particular type people like?

Again suggestions are much appreciated

Thanks
 
With hill red deer, you tend to rarely surprise deer or shoot them at close ranges. Yes you should always aim to get closer, but sometimes the cover will only let you get to 200m of a red deer. For an exclusive hill rifle, I prefer higher magnification rifle. So I'd look for 8x (if fixed magnification) or something like 4-16x (if variable) .
 
melsh said:
Cheers for all the suggestions, I see vortex doesn't make an appearance so probably will stear towards s&b . Is there anything I should steer clear of eg. Reticle types ? Or is reticle not that important at those ranges? Also would I be looking for a matching brand rail and mount or is there a particular type people like?

Again suggestions are much appreciated

Thanks
Click to expand...
Reticle is a personal choice. I like a simple German 4A with thick posts at 3,6 and 9 o’clock and thin cross hair in the middle. A couple of small hash marks may be helpful to show you aiming points at 300 and 400. But truth be told if you set your zero correctly with c4cm high at 100m and pretty much spot on at 200m, for the vast majority of red deer its a point and shoot exercise.

Some like illuminated red dots. I just don’t like them. I have a stigmatism so they look like a shiny star. Third turret or growth on the objective bell just adds bulk to the scope.

With a decent 4a reticle your thick posts bracket the animal. If the light is poor, put the verticle on the foreleg, then horizontal in the bum and at bottom of neck, where you put the knife in to bleed, and squeeze the trigger.

Many of the bigger scopes have target / sniper oriented reticles with lots of grids, numbers etc on them. They are fantastic if you are bored and want something to occupy your mind. They are good on the range, or if you are set up in a sniper hide taking shots at 1,000m.

I wouldn’t worry too much about large objective lenses and high magnifications. Keep it light and simple. I would err towards the 42mm objective lense in S&B, Swarovski, Leica, Zeiss or Khales Scope. A 2.5-10 x 42/44 will do all you need.

Go for quality rather than lots of features.
 
I guess if hill stalking then higher mag is better for those longer shots. If stalking early morning and late evening then a scope that's got good light gathering is required. I have a vortex 25x for hill and ziess 15x for closer low light conditions and you can really see the difference at low light between the two. So it really depends on what type of stalking you will be doing.

ZEISS Conquest V6 2.5-15x56​

Vortex Viper PST Gen II 5-25x50 SFP IR Rifle Scope EBR -4 MOA​

 
Bigger objective lensed scopes are substantially heavier than smaller 42mm. They have to be mounted much higher - taller mounts, and because of the leverage and weight, probably need stronger and heavier mounts. And the weight is higher above the bore, so the rifle feels top heavy, so you end up adding a bigger bipod. And because the scope is high, you don’t get a decent cheek weld so you add on a comb raiser butt bag that carry 10 rounds of ammo. By now you have added a lot of extra weight, so you need a biathlon type sling to carry the rifle.

On a hunting rifle the little 3-9x36 Swarovski is a stunning little scope. Sadly no longer available in the UK. I have one on my 243 and its all I need. I have a Leica 2.5-10x44 on my 7x57. Its on a 30mm tube and its a bit bulky. My 243 did wear a 4-12x50 Swarovski. It got dropped so sent it off for repair. It needed higher mounts. I temporarily put the 3-9x36 back on. 5 years later its still on and haven’t felt the need for a bigger scope.

If I was buying again i would have a close look at the Khales Helia 3 4-12 x44. This is a lightweight scope, but can be equipped with a ballistic turret which means you can dial for longer ranges if needs be. Buts on a 1” tube so you can mount it nice a low. S&B did do the 4-12x40 Summit - I think it is now discontinued. Another superb scope.

Many seem fixated on high power scopes and use 20x for taking shots on deer. Personally I like a wide field of view around the deer as it allows you to see what else is going on etc. And it allows you to see the shot reaction. Higher magnification shows up all your wobble and vibrations.
 
Enormous cobblers spouted on here.

For a beginner wanting high quality reliable glass that’s simple and rugged with good service, for mixed reds - fixed 8 power is too high up close shots, and 56mm is a dog to lug around. S&B are the best in quality, but not in support and service as they’re expensive to deal with.

I’d go with a Zeiss 6x42 or Swarovski 6x42 all day long here. Or Zeiss HT 3-12x50 if the money is available
 
Heym SR20 said:
Bigger objective lensed scopes are substantially heavier than smaller 42mm. They have to be mounted much higher - taller mounts, and because of the leverage and weight, probably need stronger and heavier mounts. And the weight is higher above the bore, so the rifle feels top heavy, so you end up adding a bigger bipod. And because the scope is high, you don’t get a decent cheek weld so you add on a comb raiser butt bag that carry 10 rounds of ammo. By now you have added a lot of extra weight, so you need a biathlon type sling to carry the rifle.

On a hunting rifle the little 3-9x36 Swarovski is a stunning little scope. Sadly no longer available in the UK. I have one on my 243 and its all I need. I have a Leica 2.5-10x44 on my 7x57. Its on a 30mm tube and its a bit bulky. My 243 did wear a 4-12x50 Swarovski. It got dropped so sent it off for repair. It needed higher mounts. I temporarily put the 3-9x36 back on. 5 years later its still on and haven’t felt the need for a bigger scope.

If I was buying again i would have a close look at the Khales Helia 3 4-12 x44. This is a lightweight scope, but can be equipped with a ballistic turret which means you can dial for longer ranges if needs be. Buts on a 1” tube so you can mount it nice a low. S&B did do the 4-12x40 Summit - I think it is now discontinued. Another superb scope.

Many seem fixated on high power scopes and use 20x for taking shots on deer. Personally I like a wide field of view around the deer as it allows you to see what else is going on etc. And it allows you to see the shot reaction. Higher magnification shows up all your wobble and vibrations.
Click to expand...
3-9x36 Zeiss is on eGun with one hour left @ 200€
 
If you really think you won’t go over 150m (ish) then buy an S&B 8x56 and be done with it. That’s what I use. Built like a brick outhouse and great in low light. You shouldn’t pay more than £350 unless it’s illuminated in which case circa £500 and upwards.

You have the budget for something much more flexible if you need it, but I’ve kept my S&B 8x56 for 12 years - there’s a reason for that. I find it pretty much point, shoot and the deer drops out to 200m. Anything over that and you’re looking at either holding over or a different scope.
 
triggertrix said:
Enormous cobblers spouted on here.

For a beginner wanting high quality reliable glass that’s simple and rugged with good service, for mixed reds - fixed 8 power is too high up close shots, and 56mm is a dog to lug around. S&B are the best in quality, but not in support and service as they’re expensive to deal with.

I’d go with a Zeiss 6x42 or Swarovski 6x42 all day long here. Or Zeiss HT 3-12x50 if the money is available
Click to expand...
Rubbish, I went from the get go 3-12x56 Kahles what is this tosh about weight of scope when you are shooting Reds 60/70/80/90/100 kg + the bit of back leg you cut off weigh's more than a scope. Stop reading Milles & Boon books
 
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