Scope Advice - Fox/Rabbit Rifle

[BelMali]

Want to put a different scope on my .222,
currently has a Vortex Viper PST GII 3-15x44(its what I had spare at the time)

I've kind of narrowed my choices down to either
Minox RS-4 3-12x56 BDC
Steiner Ranger 4 3-12x56 (would buy bdc turret)
Leica Amplus 6 2.5 - 15x56i BDC
GPO Centuri 2.5-15x50i (cheapest option)

Tbh I would prefer a 50mm obj, but based on features and frankly my budget 3 manufacturers offer 56mm obj. at the price point, mag range, features etc.

Scope will be used under a lamp for foxes and out to distance on rabbits, hence the BDC.

I'd just like to mention before any potential reccommendations
1. NV/Thermal requires a Firearms Licence in Rep of Ireland so its not an option(as I couldn't be arsed)
2. I would love to hit the For Sale section here and pick up a good second hand scope but afaik the seller would need an export licence for anything over 9x(which from a little google seems a PITA)

 

[WalkedUp]

1. NV/Thermal requires a Firearms Licence in Rep of Ireland so its not an option(as I couldn't be arsed)

Glad that I read to this stage rather than just replied “Alpex 4K LRF.”

I have shot a lot under lamp, I am using one as I type waiting for rats amongst the chickens, however the scopes are all pretty basic. If you are using a lamp for foxes and rabbits, even a good one, the limitation is the lamp/illuminator not the glass in my experience. Therefore I would go for a cheap, lightweight scope and an adjustable mount. Apologies that I haven’t really helped in anyway. Someone else will hopefully have more constructive input.

 

[VSS]

Tbh I would prefer a 50mm obj, but based on features and frankly my budget 3 manufacturers offer 56mm obj. at the price point, mag range, features etc.

50mm obj would be fine. There's really nothing to be gained by going up to 56mm. Better to spend your money on quality rather than size.

2. I would love to hit the For Sale section here and pick up a good second hand scope but afaik the seller would need an export licence for anything over 9x(which from a little google seems a PITA)

9× is fine under lamp.
If you go much higher on magnification then quick target acquisition becomes harder, takes longer, and reduces your chance of a shot, which you've only got a very small time window for as soon as the lamp has picked out a fox.

 

[Tim.243]

Want to put a different scope on my .222,
currently has a Vortex Viper PST GII 3-15x44(its what I had spare at the time)

I've kind of narrowed my choices down to either
Minox RS-4 3-12x56 BDC
Steiner Ranger 4 3-12x56 (would buy bdc turret)
Leica Amplus 6 2.5 - 15x56i BDC
GPO Centuri 2.5-15x50i (cheapest option)

Tbh I would prefer a 50mm obj, but based on features and frankly my budget 3 manufacturers offer 56mm obj. at the price point, mag range, features etc.

Scope will be used under a lamp for foxes and out to distance on rabbits, hence the BDC.

I'd just like to mention before any potential reccommendations
1. NV/Thermal requires a Firearms Licence in Rep of Ireland so its not an option(as I couldn't be arsed)
2. I would love to hit the For Sale section here and pick up a good second hand scope but afaik the seller would need an export licence for anything over 9x(which from a little google seems a PITA)

Side note, I used a small red torch set on a narrow beam to find foxes then would set up on the sticks then use the lamp, saved "in those days"
the 7 amp battery life also waving the big lamp around!
The SRanger a friend has very nice scope

 

[BelMali]

@WalkedUp
Yea as I said nv/thermal is licenced as a firearm here could be got but tbh I couldnt be bothered with the fee/paperwork for an optic

I use a Lightforce Nighthunter Elite, I think its a great bit of kit, certainly throws a beam better that my older Nightmaster

@VSS
I agree on the obj size, would prefer 50mm, at the money I have to spend, with the features Im looking at, they all seem to do 56mm(except GPO)
Only reason for more than 9x is the longer range day time rabbits

@Tim.243
I do exactly the same to find them, works for me, saves tgrowing a big beam across a field

 

[Cyres]

Delta titanium
D

 

[cjs66]

Delta titanium
D

Great scope for the money...

 

[BelMali]

Delta titanium
D

Ill have a look at them, hadn't considered/come across them

 

[Cyres]

Best scope you can get for the money. Get a SH one from Optics Warehouse.
D

 

[Klenchblaize]

The Leica as it has parralex adjustment down to 20-yards and a reticle in the 2nd image plane for more precise aiming when head shooting.

K

 

[Mr Tree]

Meopta R1, some of the best low light glass out there. Discontinued but a few knocking around second hand. Be sure & get a lamp with a dimmer,

 

[BelMali]

Meopta R1, some of the best low light glass out there. Discontinued but a few knocking around second hand. Be sure & get a lamp with a dimmer,

Had a look at this, on google, looks great but not many(or any) Meoptas knocking around here in ROI.

Haven't looked at the UK rules too in depth but ill have a look at RFDs

 

[Greenmist]

Is there a reason the current scope isn't up to the ranges you'll be shooting

 

[BelMali]

Is there a reason the current scope isn't up to the ranges you'll be shooting

No not really, the current Vortex scope is grand. I probably should've put it in the OP, after changing the scope on my .222, I want to use the Vortex on my CZ .22lr, as its currently scopeless atm.

I suppose my logic is the .222 is mostly for Fox(Lamping) so sits at 6x and 180m zero. The want for a BDC is sometimes ill use it on longer range rabbits.
So if I get a scope capable of that, I can move the Vortex PST GII on to my .22lr, which is sitting up atm, and I only ever use for day time rabbits.

 

[kieran222]

Want to put a different scope on my .222,
currently has a Vortex Viper PST GII 3-15x44(its what I had spare at the time)

I've kind of narrowed my choices down to either
Minox RS-4 3-12x56 BDC
Steiner Ranger 4 3-12x56 (would buy bdc turret)
Leica Amplus 6 2.5 - 15x56i BDC
GPO Centuri 2.5-15x50i (cheapest option)

Tbh I would prefer a 50mm obj, but based on features and frankly my budget 3 manufacturers offer 56mm obj. at the price point, mag range, features etc.

Scope will be used under a lamp for foxes and out to distance on rabbits, hence the BDC.

I'd just like to mention before any potential reccommendations
1. NV/Thermal requires a Firearms Licence in Rep of Ireland so its not an option(as I couldn't be arsed)
2. I would love to hit the For Sale section here and pick up a good second hand scope but afaik the seller would need an export licence for anything over 9x(which from a little google seems a PITA)

Wow, looks pretty restrictive. I'm going to be helping my brother get set up with some new rifles in the near future. I wasn't aware of the 9x zoom, nv and thermal restrictions. Can you use/own thermal or nv spotters without a licence or is it just scopes?

 

[BelMali]

Wow, looks pretty restrictive. I'm going to be helping my brother get set up with some new rifles in the near future. I wasn't aware of the 9x zoom, nv and thermal restrictions. Can you use/own thermal or nv spotters without a licence or is it just scopes?

The 9x zoom is a UK Export Restriction. So I can't, afaik, but much off the second hand threads on SD.

I can, I think, purchase from an RFD if they have the licence.

Thermal/NV spotters are unregulated in ROI.
Thermal/NV scopes/add-ons are classed as a firearm, and have to be licenced as such, which is a PITA and requires extra security