These are our top picks for Centre Fire Hunting. We've chosen these based on our experience of using these scopes in the field.
Magnification
Generally speaking, hunting scopes will be of lower magnification. For example, a fixed power 6x42 or 8x56, or low to mid mag scopes 3-9, 3-12, 4-16 etc. Higher mags can be used but present problems with stability.
Scopes with lower magnification like a 1-4x or 1-6x will feature a small objective, wide field of view and the reticle will be designed in such a way that it's quick and easy to use for fast moving targets.
Tube Diameter
Tube diameter varies between price, manufacturer and shooters choice. Traditional hunting scope diameters will vary between 1”- 34mm tube diameters to maximise internal adjustment and minimise weight.
Reticle Choice
Reticle choice of a hunting scope tends to be down to personal preference, the user can either have first focal plane or second focal plane with the option of illumination which helps to draw your eye to the center of the reticle for quick target acquisition in low light. Reticles will usually be quite simple with either a standard duplex reticle or a duplex with a couple of aiming marks to aid with aiming off.
Parallax
Parallax is usually set and fixed to 100 yards on classic style hunting scopes but this can be altered if the choice of scope has parallax adjustment system located on the objective or side of the unit.
Entry Level Ultimax 3-12×56 Illuminated 4A Riflescope
£616.99 £395.00
The Ultimax 3-12×56 Riflescope has been developed for hunters seeking top end performance at a reasonable price. Best glass, optimized coatings and optical calculations combined with production to tightest tolerances in the industry delivers a premium product with a crisp clear image. Precise small fiber illuminated centre dots supports accurate shooting. A 30mm maintube and bell diameters up to 56mm covers the needs of hunts in bad light conditions or at night.
Mid Level Delta Titanium 2.5-15×56 HD Illuminated 4a SF Riflescope
£699.95
The Delta Titanium 2.5-15×56 HD is the brand new optical system from Delta Optical and again as normal they are coming out of the Light Optical Factory in Japan and feature the brand new HD multi coatings which give even better image quality and larger field of view.
Top Level Karl Kaps TLB 3-12×50 FFP Illuminated Riflescope
£1,150.00
The Karl Kaps TLB 3-12×50 FFP offers the best value for money low light illuminated variable hunting scope on the market. The Karl Kaps TLB 3-12×50 FFP IR Riflescope is the perfect rifle scope for raised hides, especially at larger hunting ranges and twilight times.