Deer hunting is a thrilling and challenging activity that requires skill, patience, and the right equipment. One of the most critical components of any hunting setup is the scope, which can make all the difference between a successful and unsuccessful hunt. Choosing the best scope magnification for deer hunting is a topic of great importance for hunters of all skill levels.
With so many options available on the market, it can be overwhelming to make the right choice. In this article, we will explore the various factors to consider when selecting the best scope magnification for deer hunting.
We will provide you with valuable insights into selecting the best scope magnification for your next deer hunting expedition. So, let’s get started and take your hunting game to the next level!
Best Scope Magnification for Deer Hunting
Generally, the magnification range that is ideal for deer hunting is between 2x to 12x with 3-9x being the most used because of its short to long-range use versatility. For hunting in dense forests or areas with limited visibility, a low magnification scope in the range of 2x to 7x is recommended. This low magnification allows for a wider field of view, which is necessary for tracking and spotting deer in dense vegetation. It also offers a fast target acquisition and a wider exit pupil, making it easier to aim at close-range targets.
On the other hand, for open fields and long-range shooting, a higher magnification scope in the range of 8x to 12x is recommended. This is because a higher magnification scope provides a clearer and more detailed image of the target, allowing for accurate shots at long distances.
What Makes a Good Deer Hunting Scope
Selecting the best scope magnification for deer hunting is a subjective matter and depends on various factors such as personal preferences, hunting style, and terrain. Other considerations to make include;
Durability– A good deer hunting scope should be durable and able to withstand the rigors of hunting. It should be shockproof, waterproof, and fog proof, with high-quality construction materials such as aircraft-grade aluminum.
Magnification– As mentioned earlier, a good deer hunting scope should have an appropriate magnification range. A range of 2x to 12x is suitable for most deer hunting situations.
Objective lens size– A larger objective lens allows more light to enter the scope, providing a brighter and clearer image, especially in low-light conditions. A good objective lens size for deer hunting scopes is between 40mm and 50mm.
Reticle– The reticle or crosshairs in a scope should be easy to see and provide a clear aim point. A duplex or BDC (bullet drop compensator) reticle is a popular choice for deer hunting.
Eye relief– Eye relief is the distance between the eyepiece and the eye, and it should be sufficient to prevent scope eye injuries. A good deer hunting scope should have a minimum eye relief of 3 inches.
Deer Hunting Tips
Here are some deer hunting tips to help increase your chances of a successful hunt:
- Scout the area: This will help you identify where the deer are located and where you should set up your stand.
- Choose the right hunting equipment: In addition to a good deer hunting scope, make sure you have a reliable and accurate rifle or bow and arrows, as well as any necessary accessories.
- Know the hunting regulations: This can help ensure that you are hunting legally and ethically.
- Stay scent-free: Deers have a keen sense of smell, so use scent-blocking products and avoid wearing scented products.
- Be patient and stay quiet: Wait quietly in your stand or blind and avoid making noise that can scare away the deer.
- Consider the weather: Deer tend to be more active during cooler weather, especially during the early morning and late evening.
Best Deer Hunting Scopes
1) Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9x40mm Rifle Scope
The Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9x40mm rifle scope is a high-quality optic designed for a 3-9x magnification range. It features a 40mm objective lens, making it suitable for mid to long-range shooting.
The Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9x40mm rifle scope is designed with a multi-coated lens system that maximizes light transmission and reduces glare, resulting in a bright and crisp image. The lens system is also designed to eliminate color fringing and other visual aberrations, ensuring a clear and accurate view of the target.
The 3-9x magnification range of the Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9x40mm rifle scope makes it suitable for a wide range of shooting scenarios. The lower power provides a wide field of view, making it easier to acquire and track moving targets while the high end of the range provides a clear and magnified view of the target, allowing for more precise shot placement.
The Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9x40mm rifle scope is built to withstand the rigors of hunting and shooting. It features rugged aluminum housing that is both lightweight and durable, with a scratch-resistant matte finish that helps to reduce glare.
The scope is also waterproof and fog proof, with a nitrogen-filled housing that prevents fogging on the internal lens surfaces. The scope is shockproof and can withstand heavy recoil without losing zero.
It features finger-adjustable turrets that allow for quick and easy adjustments to the windage and elevation settings. The turrets are also marked with clear and precise increments, making it easy to dial in the exact adjustments needed. Additionally, the scope has a fast-focus eyepiece that allows for quick and easy reticle focusing.
Specifications
- Magnification: 3 – 9 x
- Tube Diameter: 1 in
- Exit Pupil: 4.7 mm
- Field of View, Linear: 33.1 – 13.6 ft. at 100 yds.
- Eye Relief: 4.2 – 3.7 inches
- Weight: 12.2 oz.
- Length: 39 inches
- Adjustment Type: MOA
- Attachment/Mount Type: Ring
Pros
- The magnification range is versatile
- Scratch-resistant
- Waterproof and fog proof housing design
- Easy to use and adjust
Cons
- Non-illuminated
2) Vortex Crossfire II 3-9x40mm Rifle Scope
The Vortex Crossfire II 3-9x40mm rifle scope is a versatile and reliable option for hunters, shooters, and tactical professionals. It offers a magnification range of 3x to 9x, allowing users to zoom in and out on their targets with ease. This range is ideal for medium-range shooting applications.
The objective lens of the scope has a diameter of 40mm, which provides a bright and clear image. The lens is made of high-quality glass that is fully multi-coated, which ensures maximum light transmission and excellent clarity in low-light conditions.
The Crossfire scope features a 1-inch tube made of aircraft-grade aluminum, which makes it lightweight and durable. The tube is also nitrogen-purged and O-ring sealed ensuring that it is both fog-proof and waterproof.
The scope uses a second focal plane Dead-Hold BDC reticle, which is a simple and intuitive reticle that allows users to make accurate shots at different ranges. The reticle is non-illuminated, but it is visible in most lighting conditions.
Additionally, the scope’s finger-adjustable capped turrets allow for easy and precise adjustments to windage and elevation. The turrets have a reset-to-zero feature that allows for quick and easy adjustments to the original zero.
Specifications
- Magnification: 3 – 9 x
- Tube Diameter: 1 in
- Exit Pupil: 4.4 – 13.3 mm
- Field of View, Linear: 12.6 – 34.1 ft. at 100 yds.
- Eye Relief: 3.8 – 4.4 inches
- Weight: 15 oz.
- Length: 12 inches
- Adjustment Type: MOA
- Attachment/Mount Type: Ring
- Adjustment Range: 60 MOA
- Battery Life: 150 hours
- W/E Travel at 100 Yds: 60/60 MOA
Pros
- Generous eye relief
- Long battery life
- High-quality optics
- Durable construction: fog-proof and waterproof
- Easy to use
- It is supported by a VIP lifetime warranty
Cons
- Non-illuminated reticle
3) Vortex Diamondback 3-9x40mm Rifle Scope
The Vortex Diamondback 3-9x40mm rifle scope is a second focal plane scope, meaning that the reticle remains the same size relative to the target as the magnification is adjusted. The scope features a 40mm objective lens that provides clear and bright images, even in low-light conditions.
The scope has the lens fully multi-coated, thus minimizing glare for improved light transmission, resulting in crisp, clear images. It has a 1-inch tube, which is made from aircraft-grade aluminum and is both lightweight and durable. The tube is also purged with argon gas, to prevent internal fogging.
The scope has a variable magnification range of 3-9x, making it ideal for close to mid-range shooting. The magnification is adjusted using a fast-focus eyepiece, which allows for quick and easy reticle focusing. The reticle itself is a dead-hold BDC reticle, designed to allow for accurate holdovers at long ranges.
The scope’s compact and lightweight design, along with its impressive range of features, make it a popular choice among gun enthusiasts. Not forgetting the windage and elevation adjustments, which can be easily adjusted using finger-adjustable turrets that feature audible clicks.
Specifications
- Magnification: 3 – 9 x
- Tube Diameter: 1 in
- Exit Pupil: 4.4 – 13.3 mm
- Field of View, Linear: 14.8 – 44.6 ft. at 100 yds.
- Eye Relief: 3.3 – 3.5 inches
- Weight: 14.5 oz.
- Adjustment Click Value: 1/4 MOA
- Width: 38 inches
- Length: 6 inches
- Adjustment Type: MOA
- Attachment/Mount Type: Ring
- W/E Travel at 100 Yds: 70/70 MOA
Pros
- Large objective lens provides a clear and bright image
- Durable aircraft-grade aluminum body
- Accurate reticle
- It is easy to focus
- Versatile magnification range
Cons
- A bit pricey
4) ATN X-Sight LTV 3-9x30mm Day/Night Hunting Rifle Scope
The ATN X-Sight LTV 3-9x30mm Day/Night Hunting Rifle Scope is a versatile and powerful optic designed with a 1280×720 HD micro display that provides clear and detailed images, even in low light conditions. This display is powered by an advanced processor that helps to reduce lag and provide a seamless viewing experience.
The ATN X-Sight LTV is also equipped with advanced image processing technologies. One of these technologies is the Ultra-Low Light sensor, which provides enhanced image quality in low-light conditions. This feature enables hunters to see their target clearly, even in very dark environments.
The 3-9x magnification range provides flexibility in terms of distance and target size. This magnification range is ideal for close and medium-range hunting and shooting applications. The scope is meant to be easy to use and intuitive, with a simple and intuitive interface that allows users to easily adjust settings and access features.
Another standout feature of the ATN X-Sight LTV is its advanced ballistic calculator, which allows hunters to input their specific ballistics data, including bullet weight, muzzle velocity, and wind speed, to calculate the precise trajectory of their shot. This feature is especially useful for long-range shooting applications.
Specifications
- Magnification: 3 – 9 x
- Tube Diameter: 30 mm
- System/Lens Resolution: 160 lp/mm
- Display Resolution: 1280×720 pixels
- Refresh Rate: 60 Hz
- Eye Relief: 90 mm
- Field of View, Angle: 9 degrees
- Diopter Adjustment Range: -5 – 5 dpt
- Attachment/Mount Type: Ring
- Battery Life: 10+ hours
- Height: 2 inches
- Weight: 1.6 lb.
Pros
- Lightweight and compact, hence easy to carry and handle in the field
- It has a high-resolution display
- It offers advanced image processing
- Easy to Use
Cons
- Shorter battery life
5) Bushnell Banner 3-9x40mm Rifle Scope
The Bushnell Banner 3-9x40mm Rifle Scope has a magnification range of 3-9x and a 40mm objective lens, making it perfect for mid-range shooting. The one-inch diameter tube is made of high-quality aluminum, which is both lightweight and durable.
The Bushnell Banner 3-9x40mm Rifle Scope has a multi-coated lens that provides a clear and bright image. The lenses are treated with Bushnell’s proprietary Dusk & Dawn Brightness (DDB) coating, which helps the scope perform well in low-light conditions. The scope also features an adjustable objective lens for fine-tuning the focus and parallax correction, ensuring that the shooter is always on target.
The scope uses a Multi-X crosshair reticle, which is a classic design that is widely used by hunters and shooters. The reticle is thin and unobtrusive, allowing for a clear view of the target. The scope also has 1/4 MOA fingertip windage and elevation adjustments, making it easy to zero in on the target and make quick adjustments on the fly.
The Bushnell Banner 3-9x40mm Rifle Scope also has a fast-focus eyepiece that allows for quick and easy reticle focusing. It is nitrogen-purged, making it fog-proof and water-resistant, to ensure that it performs well even in harsh weather conditions.
Specifications
- Length (in / mm): 12 / 305
- Reticle: Multi-X
- Field of View (ft@100 ft. / m@100 m): 32/10.7@3x 11/3.7@9x
- Range: 60 / 1.7 @100yds/ mm@100m
- Weight: 13 / 369(oz. / g)
- Exit Pupil (mm): 13@3x 4.4@9x
- Eye Relief (in / mm): 6 / 153
- Mounting Length (in / mm): 5.8 / 147
- Click Value in@100 yds. / mm@100m: .25 /7
Pros
- Clear and bright images allow easy target acquisition
- Affordable
- Durable high-quality aluminum construction
- Lightweight
- Easy to use
Cons
- Limited Magnification Range
6) Burris Fullfield II 3-9×40 mm Rifle Scope
The Burris Fullfield II 3-9×40 mm rifle scope is a high-quality and versatile option, featuring an optical system with fully multi-coated lenses and Burris’s proprietary Hi-Lume multi-coating, which increases light transmission and provides a bright, clear, and sharp image.
The scope has a 3-9x magnification range, making it suitable for a wide variety of shooting situations. The 40mm objective lens provides a wide field of view and allows for easy target acquisition.
This Burris scope also has a nitrogen-filled body and is O-ring sealed, making it waterproof and fog-proof. It also has a durable, one-piece tube made of aircraft-grade aluminum that provides exceptional strength and rigidity. The tube is also shock-resistant, protecting the scope from recoil and impact.
The scope’s adjustments are easy to use, with finger-adjustable turrets that allow for quick and precise windage and elevation adjustments. Additionally, the scope has a fast-focus eyepiece that allows the shooter to quickly and easily adjust the reticle to their eyesight.
Specifications
- Magnification: 3 – 9 x
- Tube Diameter: 1 in
- Exit Pupil: 4.44 – 13.33 mm
- Field of View, Linear: 31 – 13 ft. at 100 yds.
- Eye Relief: 3.1 – 3.8 inches
- Weight: 13 oz.
- Adjustment Click Value: 1/4 MOA
- Length: 4 inches
- Adjustment Type: MOA
- W/E Travel at 100 Yds: 50/50 MOA
Pros
- Ideal for low-light conditions
- versatile magnification range
- A large objective lens provides a wide field of view
- It is waterproof and fog-proof
- Durable and shockproof
Cons
- The scope is not the most budget-friendly option on the market
Conclusion
The best scope magnification for deer hunting depends on a variety of factors, including the type of hunting, the hunting environment, and personal preferences. Hunters should also consider the quality of the scope, the reticle type, and the objective lens size to ensure a successful and enjoyable hunting experience.
Ultimately, the best scope magnification for deer hunting is one that fits the hunter’s individual needs and helps them make accurate shots in the field.
See Also: 5 Best Scopes for Low Light