Owning the best optics you can afford has been a piece of advice by successful hunters for years. In this article, we'll highlight the top picks for essential hunting optics: a range finder, binoculars, and riflescopes. This article focuses on recommending optics that offer the best value. While some of these optics are slightly higher on the budget scale, investing in any options promises a lifetime of rewarding hunts. There's a distinct advantage in having quality gear, rather than settling for what's "good enough"-it ensures reliability in every situation and confidence in your ability to be successful in your adventures. Hopefully, you'll be introduced to new features, models, and even companies that may not have been on your radar but offer exceptional quality.
Selecting a Riflescope
Let's begin our discussion by selecting a riflescope. If there was a quick rule for how much to budget for a new riflescope, you should consider spending at least as much on your scope as you did for your rifle. While this might initially give you pause, especially if you're trying to keep a budget-build affordable, investing in a high-quality optic pays off when the critical moment arrives. You'll appreciate the decision to upgrade, even if it means adding a couple hundred dollars to the overall cost. We've all been there (or will be at some point): it's the final day of your hunt, you've just finished a long stalk to your planned shooting position, the sun is setting, and without sufficient light transmission, you struggle to locate your target through your scope. A quality rifle scope enhances visibility in low light conditions, thus extending your ability to confidently acquire your target in the early morning or late afternoon light. Nearly all high-quality optics also offer rugged reliability that is shockproof, waterproof, and fogproof reliability, so no matter the weather condition, you won't have to worry about your scope's ability to stay zeroed.
Best Riflescope
Let's discuss our scope of choice: the Leupold VX-5HD 3-15x44 with a duplex FireDot reticle. Why this particular scope? Let's start with its weight-it's impressively light at only 19.7 ounces. When mounted atop a lightweight rifle, you barely notice that you've had it slung up on your shoulder all day. Reducing the weight on your firearm will lessen the fatigue of carrying it all day and make it easier to hold for an offhand shot.
The 3-15x magnification range is also ideally suited for a rifle setup geared toward deer season. Whether taking a 500-yard shot out West or a close shot from a deer stand Back East, this scope's versatility shines through. While 6-24x scopes are enticing for longer distance shots that every hunter plans for, there are plenty with at least one story of struggling to quickly find a buck just 100 yards away with their scope bottomed out at 6x. Larger scopes like the 6-24x variants are also heavier and more susceptible to knocks and bumps due to their size. While 24x magnification can make for a better sight picture at a distance, the trade-off is potential accuracy loss due to fatigue and resultant instability.
Moreover, high magnifications also tend to compromise light transmission, something especially critical during low-light conditions at dawn or dusk when game is most active. OutdoorLife offers great insights into the relationship between magnification and light transmission. On that note, the glass used on Leupold's VX-5HD renders an incredibly sharp and clear image in the scope. Many hunters would agree that the VX-5HD ranks among the top choices for ensuring excellent visibility, no matter the time of day.
This model is also celebrated for its straightforward design. The elevation turret allows for rapid adjustments for longer shots while retaining a sleek and low profile. This turret also features a locking mechanism that prevents accidental adjustments; a boon for hunters. The windage turret is capped, with Leupold recognizing that there's seldom enough time or opportunity to fine-tune windage adjustments in most hunting scenarios. While there are those who have concerns about adjusting one's scope for each specific shot, the elevation turret on this model keeps this process simple and will be a cinch to learn with practice. While there's merit in zeroing your rifle for maximum point-blank range, understanding and employing the elevation turret is a must. A simple adjustment can ensure precise targeting beyond your rifle's zero, eliminating the need for estimating windage adjustments and leading to fewer wounded animals.
For those who find affixing a custom dope chart for their hunting load to their rifle stock cumbersome, a practical alternative is "Turret Tags," available at backfireshop.com. These inexpensive stickers replicate the functionality of higher-priced custom turrets, offering convenience without compromise and simplifying the elevation adjustment process. Place the stickers for each yardage over the corresponding mil amount on your turret. Then, when you have a shot at a given yardage, twist to the corresponding sticker, and you're ready to go.
Moving onto the all-important reticle choice, the duplex and FireDot combination is a game changer. While the market offers numerous versatile and intricate BDC reticles, the hunter can appreciate the simplicity of Leupold's duplex reticle for several compelling reasons. Firstly, the duplex is exceptionally sharp and clear. Many of the more complex reticles have too thin crosshairs, making them difficult to discern against dark backgrounds during hunts. Moreover, hunters rarely utilize the full complexity of these reticles in the field. More commonly, they adjust the turret to the appropriate range and take their shot, making extensive mil markings unnecessary.
The duplex reticle employed on this model of scope negates concerns about differences between first and second focal planes, as it lacks hash marks, so there is no need for the reticle to remain the same size relative to the target at a given range. Additionally, Leupold's Firedot system enhances aiming precision. The dot naturally draws your eye to the center and is bright enough for confident shot placement, even against the sunniest backdrop. Unlike many other illuminated reticle designs that light up the entire reticle, potentially cluttering your view and causing disorientation, the Firedot focuses solely on the center, ensuring a clear and precise image. FireDot focuses solely on the center, ensuring a clear and accurate image. This simplicity proves advantageous for quick shots and is more akin to a red dot sight you might find on an AR-15 instead of a deer rifle. It makes quick shots of an animal heading for the tree line much more doable and can spell success in an otherwise uncertain situation.
While you could certainly spend a lot more on a scope to achieve the absolute brightest or most rugged design, it is our opinion that the Leupold VX5-HD sits perfectly at the point of diminishing returns. A brighter scope might enhance image clarity further, but with the VX5-HD, the brightness is already sufficient for making a shot. If conditions are significantly darker, it's approaching an unethical time to take a shot at an animal, and of course, there are state regulations for shooting hours. As for ruggedness, we assume my readers handle their rifles carefully rather than subject them to Army infantry-level abuse. Even in an accidental tumble down a mountain, the scope's durability often hinges more on how it impacts a rock during the fall than on inherent construction differences; Leupold scopes are robust for 99% of the scenarios most hunters will find themselves in. If the rifle has taken enough abuse to damage this scope, you should be more concerned about the integrity of the entire setup to take a shot, no matter who made the scope.
Leupold's streamlined approach with this optic provides optimal magnification, weight savings, and an exceptionally clear image. Its sighting system minimizes errors during moments of excitement-simply dial to the range, place the red dot precisely where you want the shot to land, and squeeze the trigger with confidence. These factors combine to make the Leupold yX-5HD 3-15x44 our pick for the upcoming hunting season.
Rangefinders
While more commonly associated with archery hunters, it's surprising that every rifle hunter doesn't utilize this tool. Despite being an additional expense, it's one you'll appreciate every day you're in the field. Rangefinders offer incredible versatility. They can be used to meticulously plan stalks on bedded animals by ranging surrounding areas, ensuring your route allows you to get close enough for an ethical shot. Thanks to their lightweight design and comparatively robust magnification, they've also proven invaluable for quickly verifying an animal's position during an approach.
Of course, the primary function of a rangefinder is to ensure precise shooting. No matter how skilled you are at estimating distances, consistently judging whether a target is at 450 or 500 yards is extremely difficult. The difference in trajectory for a standard .30-06 projectile between these distances can exceed 14 inches, an amount that could mean missing your target altogether if you rely on your eyes. A swift check with a laser rangefinder eliminates guesswork, ensuring each shot is well-placed and maximizing your chances for success. This distinction often marks the difference between recounting the story of a lifetime or eating tag soup back at camp.
Having hopefully emphasized the importance of a rangefinder to an excess, we'd like to recommend the Leica Rangemaster 2400R. While it comes in at a slightly greater price than Sig Sauer or Vortex offerings, the Leica surpasses them in every aspect. Experience with several budget rangefinders, including more expensive models from the same brands, has shown no shortage of frustrations. Despite claims of reaching distances up to 1600 yards, reliable readings beyond 500 yards on game animals are rare. In contrast, the Leica Rangemaster delivers on its promise of 2400 yards with consistent accuracy.
In terms of features, the Leica stands out with its compact and lightweight design despite offering impressive 7x magnification and exceptional optical clarity. It boasts angle-compensated range estimates up to 1200 yards, which is crucial for adjusting your shot trajectory, whether you are shooting uphill or downhill. Its "fast scan" feature sets it apart, which provides measurements every 0.5 seconds for consistent, accurate readings. Hunters have often been frustrated by other rangefinders that deliver inconsistent results, an issue that will be nonexistent with a Leica due to this excellent feature.
Durability is another hallmark of the Leica. While cheaper alternatives may degrade over time, you can be sure your Leica will maintain its precision over several years of use, reliably providing readings of anything you point it at within a mile-and-a-half radius. The clarity of its glass also greatly facilitates target acquisition when transitioning from binoculars to your rangefinder for confirming distances.
While pricier models may extend your range capabilities, it boils down to practicality. I find that 2400 yards is sufficient for my needs and a range adequate for most hunters. Realistically, when you need to assess distances beyond that during a stalk, you can just as easily rely on an offline GPS app, dropping pins for more precise measurements. Despite this compromise for a more affordable option, the Leica excels at the forefront of all other features. After years of disappointment with sub-$400 options, investing in a high-quality, German-made Leica will be a decision you'll never regret.
Binoculars
Wrapping up with binoculars, we'll skip the details on why binoculars are essential in a hunter's arsenal and dive straight into recommending the Meopta Meostar Bl Plus 12x50 HD binoculars.
You might wonder why you should invest in binoculars from a company you've never heard of. Meopta, a Czech manufacturer, has historically flown under the radar due to minimal marketing efforts. However, they are renowned among experts as one of the world's top binocular makers. Comparisons place them on par with the Austrian-made Swarovski but for only half the price. Meopta is a more affordable option that delivers exceptional quality while rivaling top-tier competitors.
To illustrate the crucial impact of high-quality binoculars, consider this anecdote: In Arizona, we find the lesser-known Coues deer, a subspecies of whitetail. These deer are among the most challenging game animals to hunt, not just in North America but arguably worldwide. Their small size and ability to blend seamlessly into their surroundings have earned them the nickname "the grey ghost." There's perhaps no better optical quality test than spending an afternoon staring through a pair of binoculars at a hillside to detect the faintest flicker of a Coues deer's ear in the shade of a Palo Verde tree. While out hunting, it is rare to encounter an experienced Coues deer hunter that isn't toting a pair of Swarovski's or Meopta's. It is simply incredible how these optics seem to allow the hunter to effortlessly locate a Coues buck bedded from 600 yards away. Clearly seeing game significantly enhances the enjoyment and success of hunting, underscoring the value of investing in high-quality binoculars. A good pair of binoculars will often spell the difference between spotting a shooter buck and returning to camp frustrated from not seeing game. That is what makes these expensive binoculars worth the extra money. That said, the great news is that quality Meopta offers Swarovski-quality optics for hundreds of dollars less.
Now, regarding why we recommend 12x50 binoculars over the standard 10x42 models. While 10x42 binoculars are certainly excellent, the 12x50's strike a perfect balance between a spotting scope and traditional binoculars. The additional 8mm in objective lens diameter allows more light to enter, enhancing visibility in low-light conditions. Plus, the extra 2x magnification significantly aids in discerning small details over long distances while still retaining a large field of view. All of these advantages come with only a minimal increase in weight. Switching from 10x42s to 12x50s, almost no one comments on feeling burdened by the slightly larger size, and the benefits are undeniable.
Combining top-tier optical clarity, an ideal level of magnification, and a more affordable price tag than its competitors, the Meopta Meostar Bl Plus 12x50 binoculars make hours of glassing a pleasure. It is a genuine pleasure to use such high-quality optics, and I know you've saved hundreds doing it.
So, there you have our recommendations for a riflescope, rangefinder, and binocular combination for serious hunters. While these may not be the least expensive options available, they were chosen to maximize utility and overcome the common frustrations often encountered with cheaper alternatives. Investing in any of these three optics will be a decision you won't regret-just as we haven't. Heading into the field with reliable and effective gear, enhances the joy and your confidence of being out in the woods with a deer tag in your pocket. It will give you all the advantages you'll need to greatly increase your odds in tagging-out this season.
*Made in the U.S.A. from U.S. and Global Parts.
