Some advice on choice of optics for stalking rifle

[jcampbellsmith]

KISS. (Keep It Simple, Stupid)

1. Fixed magnification
2. No bells and whistles
3. Superior quality glass (multi-coated)
4. Strong built.
5. Water and Shock proof.

That is all you'll ever need for deer stalking.
For example a S&B 8x56 - a Classic, and for a very good reason. It does the job.
Or a Meopta 7x50 Artemis, if you can find one.
There are many others but looking for a FIXED magnification scope will limit your options.
Good luck.

However, if you also want to some load development a variable scope is very handy. Pre-reloading I used 6x42 and 8x50 scopes. Once I started load testing, these scopes were traded in.

Regards

JCS

 

[jwoolland1]

I was the complete opposite.
When I started stalking I thought I needed a scope with lots of features, but as my experience grew I realised that the majority were, at best, unnecessary, and at worst just expensive gimmicks.
I have since learned to spend more for less features, which means that for your money you're getting better quality glass and construction.

Things I did have, but now don't bother with as I found them totally unnecessary in stalking scenarios:

Ballistic turrets: I now zero once only, to mpbr principles, then leave well alone. Only time I need to do any zeroing, or make any scope adjustments, is if I've just fitted a new one.

Multiple aiming point reticles: Caused nothing but confusion. A simple fine crosshair is infinitely more useful.

Adjustable parallax: Never used it. Can't see any point in having it for shooting at normal stalking distances.

Large diameter objective: Nothing to be gained by going bigger than 50mm.

High magnification: Never adjusted it higher than 7.5× for stalking, so a scope that only goes up to 9× is more than adequate. So why was I paying for 25× magnification?

Illuminated reticle: Anything more than a tiny centre dot is a hindrance, not a help. As for multi-colour Illumination options (eg, red/green), why was I stupid enough to pay for that???

Interesting points, and I’m in agreement. Ultimately, it comes down to what you’re shooting, where you’re shooting it, and what suits your style best.

Personally, I tend not to use ballistic turrets—like you, I find them unnecessary for most stalking scenarios. That said, I do dial them occasionally for longer shots or when there’s a bit of wind involved. When guiding guests in Scotland, where side breezes can be quite stiff, I’ve found it easier to make a quick turret adjustment myself rather than asking a less experienced client to compensate for drift. It also means I can tweak settings for someone else using my rifle and return to my own zero without any fuss.

As for multiple aim points—I’m with you. Never used them, never needed them.

Parallax, on the other hand, I do find useful, but mainly because I run a night vision add-on. It’s not something I rely on for stalking, but it’s essential for that setup.

Illuminated reticles are a personal preference, but I do appreciate them when shooting against darker backgrounds. They help make the aim point stand out clearly.

In the end, it really depends on whether the rifle’s intended purely for stalking or if you’re planning to use night vision, shoot on a range, or explore other scenarios. Some of the extra features might have merit depending on how you intend to use the kit. I started thinking I would only stalk but as I got more into it I enjoy doing different bits with my rifles.

 

[rob.batterbury]

I’ve got a simple S&B 8x56 on one rifle and a more complicated vortex on another. Both epic and would recommend. Vortex have lifetime guarantee and don’t seem to break the bank. 8x56 I picked up for under £200 and has been bomb proof

 

[Rake Aboot]

Schmidt and Bender 8x56
Meopta 7x50

The latter are the best I’ve ever used

 

[TheOldTool]

I have seen a Zeiss conquest dl 3-12 x50 at a good price…….very tempted from the comments here seems to tick all the boxes?

BTW, thanks for all the replies!

 

[muddy42]

my Swaro Z6i has been unbelievable. I zeroed it once when I bought it, Ive checked zero since but in 4 years it hasn't moved.

 

[Heym SR20]

my Swaro Z6i has been unbelievable. I zeroed it once when I bought it, Ive checked zero since but in 4 years

I would expect nothing less of any scope. Any decent scope, mounts and rifle if properly set up should retain zero for decades. The only reason to rezero is if you change ammunition- even then if you keep the same bullet weight and velocity POI often doesn’t change.

 

[Essexsussex]

Hi, I have my prospective rifle chosen ( Seekins Havak PH2 in 6.5 creedmoor) and am starting to look at a suitable set of optics. For now, I want the best for stalking, especially as we usually go early or late.

Can I get some recommendations please in the £500 - £1500 range ?

Thanks!

For early and late if you are going traditional glass scope, i would say fixed mag from zeiss, S&B, swaro with an illuminated reticule. Found my S&B 8x56 excellent but didn’t have ir. Now have Zeiss 7x50 with ir and it’s brilliant for that job. But then everything I use it for is say 50-175m and usually open fields.