New scope for boar and deer

[Jbpatrend]

After an (unsuccessful…not a bull in sight) elk hunt over the holidays, my brother and I decided to focus on lighter game for a while. I’ll be switching the 7mm Rem Mag barrel for a 6.5 Creedmoor to go after some boar and deer later in the year and hoping to find a scope that could cover both species.

I currently have a Swarovski Z8i 2-16x50 that I think is going to be way too much scope for closer range hunts, so plan is to assign that one to western big game and get a second scope that covers anything in closer quarters or thicker woods.

Because the boar trip is top of mind, I was originally deciding between the Z8i 1-8x24 and the 0.75-6x20 (just like the idea that the wide field of view is there if ever needed, even though I won’t be doing driven boar hunts and real-world opportunities to use the 0.75x magnification are probably quite limited for me). But, I’m now wondering if the objective lenses are large enough for longer range hunting for deer in potentially lower light given the timing of deer season…there’s a big step up to the 1.7-13.3x42 and I really don’t have much experience with smaller scopes.

For those that do have experience with those scopes (or similar), what do you use them for and how do you feel they work for whitetail/mule deer or other similar animals you might hunt at 50-200 yards.

Thanks in advance for the help!

[stokesrj]

Quite frankly, any of the ones you are considering would be more than adequate. I personally favor the 1.7-13.3X42 as an all around scope. I have used mine at ten feet out to 800 yards. But for 50-200 yards the 1-8X24 is more than good enough and no need for turrets. I didn't like the flex reticle at first but now I have grown very fond of it and prefer it above others. The only role I see for the .75-6 is really tight fast shooting under 20 yards or so.

[slugslinger]

That Swarovski Z8i 2-16x50 is just fine. I've hunted pigs in Oklahoma in dense woodland with no difficulty at all using a Swarovski Z6i 2-12x50. Sure, a 1x is just slightly better depending on field of view requirements, but not enough to justify buying a new special purpose scope just for that. The real discriminators are light-gathering and the illuminated dot reticle.
Now, if there is potentially dangerous game in your future, the .75 or 1x might be worth considering.
There is also good old Aimpoint Red Dot sights - they are very popular, deservedly so . . .

Regards,

[Vaughan]

I would also have thought the 2-16x would be fine. But if you want a new scope.... I have the 1-8x that I use for moose hunting and love it. Like Bob, I was not sold on the Flex reticle initially but use it now. I zero mine at 150m and have no trouble shooting groups with it so hunting game out well beyond 200m is not an issue. I've used it in early morning misty conditions and not found it limiting. I've never used it for late evening hunting but I wouldn't hesitate to take it.

[robban.jagaren]

I use Meopta R2 1,7-10x42, on driven hunts for boars, deer and moose with great succes if im doing my part.

[SPEEDY]

1-8x24 will be perfect, I use either a 2-7x36 Kahles or a 1-4 leupold spot hog and I've never wanted more power.

Field of view is more important then magnification is when hunting pigs.
The good thing with blazers is the ability to have multiple scopes on the one gun and never have to worry about them being slightly off when you change them around.
I have 3 scopes for my hornet barrel along.

[Jbpatrend]

Thanks all, very much appreciate the responses and insight. I think I’ll go with the 1-8x24. Slugslinger and Vaughan, I think at the end of the day you’re probably right but if I’m being 100% honest the allure and excitement of new equipment probably has an outsized impact on this decision!

[analog_art]

Late entry - my favorite for close work and drive hunts is a Zeiss Duralyt 1.2-5 x 36 illuminated. No longer in production but they're available if you look around. I just picked up a spare with a Blaser mount for a fair price. The only flaws I would point out (and they're trivial) are 1) no rail version, and 2) turning the illumination on is easy, but turning it off is annoying (push and hold the + and - buttons at the same time).

[Vaughan]

Good luck and enjoy the scope! The 1-8x is a great scope. Mine is set at 1-2x probably 80% of the time but its good to be able to wind it up a bit when game is standing at distance rather than running by close in.