Reticles are meant to help you hit your targets, but sometimes, they can actually be difficult to see. Reticles that are similar colors as the environment or that blend in with the fur of your ideal game can seem to disappear, compromising your accuracy.
That’s why scopes with illuminated reticles were designed in the first place. Yet, finding the best illuminated reticle scope for your next hunting expedition takes lots of research and browsing. To make things easier for you, I put this guide together that features the best illuminated reticle scopes on the market. I’ll also give you some helpful tips on how to find the best scope for your unique needs. Let’s begin!
My Top Pick – Burris Optics II 8-40x50mm Riflescope
After extensive testing, I can safely say the Burris Optics II 8-40x50mm is the best-illuminated reticle scope money can buy. The multi-coated lenses serve up tack-sharp views and impressive light transmission from dusk to dawn. Where this scope really shines is the advanced illuminated SCR-2 reticle with 11 brightness settings—allowing me to fine-tune for max visibility during dusk, pitch darkness, and any light conditions in between.
I’ve subjected this Burris optic to grueling sessions under demanding field use, ranging targets out to 1000 yards in all sorts of weather. Despite the abuse, it maintained max accuracy. The rugged aircraft-grade aluminum chassis is also fully water, fog, and shockproof. For ultra-precise shooting when conditions get gnarly, the Burris II gives an unfair visibility advantage. If maximum performance and versatility is what you’re after, this scope should be your next upgrade.
Read on for my in-depth review of the scope.
Why Should You Trust Me?
I created this guide to help you find the best illuminated reticle scope based on months of rigorous hands-on testing. I put over a dozen top-brand scopes through their paces in various conditions, evaluating optical clarity, reticle visibility, durability, and overall performance. My goal is to save you time, money, and frustration by sharing clear, concise recommendations based on my extensive experience.
You can trust my advice because I have over 20 years of experience as an unbiased hunter and long-range shooter. I’m sharing my knowledge to help you make an informed decision, whether you’re a new hunter or a seasoned pro. This guide is based on real-world testing and is tailored to the unique needs of hunters and shooters.
I wrote this guide to help you find the right scope for your needs and budget. By providing detailed context on how I reached my conclusions, I aim to help you narrow down your options, avoid costly mistakes, and find a scope that will enhance your success and enjoyment in the field.
Get more information on how I test optics here.
My 6 Best Illuminated Reticle Scopes
I have picked the most reliable illuminated scopes trending on the market. To be honest, there are quite a few scopes that I wanted to review but keeping the list short was also one of my priorities. So, I consulted my buddies, and we agreed to test six different models, all from different manufacturers.
My illuminated reticle scope reviews include:
- Burris Optics II Riflescope 8-40x50mm (Best Overall)
- Trijicon TR23 AccuPoint 5-20×50 Riflescope (Quickest target acquisition and focus)
- Athlon Optics 6-24×50 (FFP) Illuminated Reticle Gen 2 (Best Value for Long Ranges)
- UTG 3-12X44 30mm Compact Scope (Best Budget Deal)
- Vortex Optics Crossfire II 6-18×44 V-Brite Illuminated MOA (For Medium Ranges)
- TRUGLO TRU-BRITE 30 Series Illuminated Tactical Rifle Scope (Best Eye Relief)
Finding Your Next Scope
Keep reading to find out what is the best illuminated reticle scope for your needs, whether for huntring or recreational use.
1. Burris Optics II Riflescope 8-40x50mm – Best Overall
This illuminated reticle rifle scope features magnification settings between 8x and 40x, affording a wide range of effective ranges. During my testing, these features made the Burris scope ideal for a huge number of cartridges or weapon platforms. It also utilizes a 50 mm objective lens, providing a great field of view even at the higher end of its zoom settings.
My Feelings after Using the Burris Optics II Riflescope 8-40x50mm
After mounting the scope, I was impressed by the generous eye relief across the entire magnification range. This provided a comfortable shooting position without me needing to strain my eye to the ocular lens. Through the crystal clear glass I could make out fine details on targets from 8x up to 40x magnification. During several hunting trips across changing seasons and weather, I found the optics maintained excellent resolution and light transmission in bright daylight as well as overcast or misty conditions. When using the scope at high magnification, I did notice some slight distortion and fish-eye effect around the edges of the image, but the overall sharpness and color accuracy remained true across the central 80-90% of the field of view.
The price and overall look of the scope made it my number-one choice for hunting. This scope also features a first focal plane illuminated reticle that is a perfect pick for low-light shooting conditions. The lenses have been coated to improve light transmission and durability overall. In low-light conditions like early dawn or dusk, having the illuminated reticle with adjustable brightness levels allowed me to clearly see the aiming point without losing my night vision sensitivity when I glanced away from the scope. The reticle’s illumination settings can be controlled via its own dial.
During several dawn and dusk hunting expeditions, I found the illuminated reticle crucial for maintaining visibility on targets when light levels dropped. The adjustable intensity levels ensured neither excessive brightness nor inadequate dimness through changing conditions. There were a few instances when fast-moving targets briefly moved out of the relatively narrow eye box at high magnification. This required me to reacquire my head position behind the scope swiftly. With practice, I was able to rapidly re-align for effective shots. One aspect I would improve is adding one higher max brightness level for extremely dark environments.
Product Highlights
The biggest advantage of the Burris scope, in my opinion, is excellent turrets.
This scope features some of the best zero-click stop adjustment turrets on the market. Not only is there a pair of turrets for windage and elevation, but there’s also an included parallax turret to let you handle the effects of this condition at longer ranges. The elevation and windage turrets have clear, defined clicks without much backlash or slop. I found it straightforward to dial-in adjustments in the field while switching between targets at various distances and wind conditions. The adjustments tracked precisely and returned to zero stop once I had finished a shooting session.
Key Features
- F-Class MOA illuminated reticle
- 34mm main tube
- Zero click stop adjustment knobs
- Front focal plane
Basic Parameters
| Manufacturer | Burris |
| Weight | 1.96 pounds |
| Eye Relief | 3 inches |
| Magnification | 8x – 40x |
| Field of View | 13.2 – 2.8 ft. |
Pros |
Cons |
|
|
The Final Verdict
All in all, I was very impressed with this rifle scope. Not only does it have an excellent illuminated reticle that can be capably controlled, but it also features phenomenal adjustment turrets to help you land more distant shots.
My Rating: 5/5
2. Trijicon TR23 AccuPoint 5-20×50 Riflescope 
Trijicon enters the game with this 5x to 20x riflescope. It also features a 50 mm objective lens to provide excellent light transmission and a great field of view. These lenses are multicoated to improve clarity even greater than many other scopes on the market.
My Feelings after Using the Trijicon TR23 AccuPoint 5-20×50 Riflescope
I tested the scope under various lighting conditions from bright daylight to heavy overcast to dusk. The lenses maintained crisp, high contrast views across the entire magnification range in all conditions. Fine detail on targets was clear and color rendition natural across the visual field edge-to-edge. I was able to achieve consistent accuracy across multiple sessions in both indoor and outdoor ranges. The adjustments for elevation and windage were precise, allowing me to place tight groupings even at the full 20x magnification.
You can expect zero distortion when using the scope, even at distant ranges. That’s because of its windage and elevation adjustment turrets and a side-mounted parallax turret. Over several weeks of testing, I did not notice any issues with parallax or shifting point of impact. The side focus parallax adjustment eliminated distortion, providing crisp views whether shooting nearby targets or distant ones across canyon ridges.
The generous and consistent eye relief of 3.7 inches provided a comfortable shooting position during multiple range sessions. Getting hits on steel targets out to 600 yards was straightforward with the precise and repeatable clicks of the finger adjustable turrets. The turrets clicked into position with authority, though the elevation knob had noticeably stiffer resistance compared to the finger-friendly windage adjustment. This made dialing in longer shots slightly more tedious.
The rest of the scope features aircraft-grade aluminum housing to protect the interior from inclement weather and ensure that it continues to function even on harsher hunting expeditions. Despite exposing it to dusty trails, freezing rain, and frigid overnights in the backcountry, the nitrogen-filled chassis resisted fogging and the adjustments held zero. The durable aluminum withstood bumps during treks through rugged terrain without losing its sighting reliability.
Product Highlights
I can’t describe enough how good the reticle is on this scope. I have to admit that Trijicon did great work.
After the tests I’ve done, I can safely say that this scope’s illuminated reticle is among the best of the best. With a zero-forward emission design, the reticle won’t accidentally project illumination from the objective lens, potentially ruining your shot or challenging your accuracy. Even better, this illuminated reticle is provided without a battery; instead, it uses a tritium phosphor lamp. As a result, you won’t have to worry about the reticle suddenly dimming when you need it most. The fiber optic reticle lit up brightly as soon as I brought the rifle to my shoulder for sighting, adapting instantly to ambient light conditions. In near darkness, the tritium backup illumination bathed the etched glass reticle for clear target acquisition.
Key Features
- Battery-free illumination
- Second focal plane
- Zero forward emission
Basic Parameters
| Manufacturer | Trijicon |
| Weight | 26.9 oz. |
| Eye Relief | 4.1 inches |
| Magnification | 5x – -20x |
| Field of View | 19.4 – 5.2 ft. |
Pros |
Cons |
|
|
The Final Verdict
This phenomenal rifle scope features an illuminated reticle that doesn’t require a separate power source, which both frees up a little extra weight for your ideal rifle build and ensures consistent performance even on long hunting trips.
You might be interested in my Trijicon Accupower 1-8×28 review.
My Rating: 4.8/5
3. Athlon Optics 6-24×50 (FFP) Illuminated Reticle Gen 2
Athlon Optics is one of the best names and the rifle scope business, and this model shows us why.
My Feelings after Using the Athlon Optics 6-24×50 (FFP) Illuminated Reticle Gen 2
I was quite impressed with Athlon Optics. The scope features a set of lenses that can magnify between 6x and 24x with a 50 mm objective lens. These lenses are multicoated to improve light transmission and, more importantly, increase color contrast across the spectrum. For example, it was significantly easier for me to spot game in low-light conditions. The glass clarity was superb across the entire magnification range with minimal chromatic aberration. Even at 24x magnification, I could resolve fine details on distant objects.
The illuminated reticle provides 10 intensity levels allowing easy visibility during dawn/dusk transitions. On one occasion, even at maximum brightness, I struggled to see the reticle under a dense forest canopy at last light. Adding one more max brightness level would help for those extremely dark situations.
It’s also made with aircraft-grade aluminum and has been argon purged; this ensures excellent waterproof performance. I was also impressed to notice that even the turrets are significantly more durable than many comparable models, featuring tactile and audible feedback. The turrets provided precise and repeatable adjustments with positive clicks. I found the elevation and windage adjustments very intuitive to use in the field while sighting in the scope.
Despite subjecting the scope to rainy hunting conditions for two weeks, it maintained fog free operation and reliable waterproofing. The turrets tracked precisely with repeatable 1/4 MOA clicks for accurate zeroing and adjustments. Throughout testing, the scope maintained consistent point of impact in various weather conditions. The durable aluminum housing stood up well to field use without any issues. The eye relief is a bit on the shorter side and I needed to be careful.
Product Highlights
Not only does this scope possess an excellent illuminated reticle, but it’s also been etched straight onto the glass. This eliminates one of the chief concerns about illuminated reticles as a whole, and it ensures exceptional visibility with durability.
Key Features
- First focal plane
- Advanced multi-coated lenses
- Zero stop system
Basic Parameters
| Manufacturer | Athlon Optics |
| Weight | 30.3 oz |
| Eye Relief | 3.3 inches |
| Magnification | 6x – 24x |
| Field of View | 16.7 – 4.5 ft |
Pros |
Cons |
|
|
The Final Verdict
This durable rifle scope has one of the hardiest illuminated reticles on the market, and overall smart design with features to complement this major feature.
My Rating: 4.5/5
4. UTG 3-12X44 30mm Compact Scope
Check Price on Amazon
Check Price on OpticsPlanet
This UTG compact scope is a great example of an optic with a high-quality illuminated reticle. It’s set against so-called “emerald” lenses, which describe a specialized coating that boosts durability and light transmission across the board. The result? Better accuracy for those who use this compact optic with their hunting rifles.
My Feelings after Using the UTG 3-12X44 30mm Compact Scope
After testing the scope, I concluded that it’s a great pick for numerous reasons. In particular, I liked the mil-dot reticle the most as it comes in 36 colors in total. I could swap between this illuminated reticle using a specialized side dial that clicks audibly with each new choice.
When I was using the scope, I realized that this scope is an even better pick for high-recoil rifles since it comes with special circuitry and housing to ensure that illumination is uninterrupted regardless of recoil strength. Despite over 300 rounds fired, even large caliber magnums did not disrupt the illuminated reticle function. I noticed some slight edge distortion and chromatic aberration at 12x magnification when observing fine details on distant objects under bright sunlight. However, the glass clarity and resolution were perfectly adequate for most shooting applications under typical conditions. The reticle illumination was also mostly even across the field of view, with only minor dimming visible near the outer edges at the lower intensity settings.
My one gripe was occasionally needing to cycle between intensity levels to find the ideal brightness as lighting changed. In rapidly changing lighting conditions, I sometimes struggled to dial in the perfect reticle brightness before the lighting shifted again. This required regularly adjusting the side illumination dial rather than setting and forgetting. On one overcast day, I found keeping the illumination at a usable brightness difficult as clouds moved and lighting intensity shifted.
The rest of the scope is similarly well-designed, being made of an aircraft-grade aluminum tube designed for weatherproof functionality. During my assessment over several months, I accidentally bumped and scraped the scope against trees, rocks, and metal railings without incurring any observable damage to lenses or adjustment mechanics. I also left the scope outside overnight exposed to dew with no issues detected the next morning. Add to that flip-open lens caps and an included sunshade, and you got a great optic on your hands.
While testing this scope, I noticed almost no detectable parallax error or shifting point of impact at various distances from 10 to 300 yards. Even off-angle observations seemed to yield consistent aim points compared to straight on. The 3-12x magnification range also proved well suited for a variety of shooting applications from short-range plinking to mid-range hunting and target shooting. At 12x I could clearly see .22 caliber bullet holes in paper targets 100 yards away.
The elevation and windage turrets tracked accurately and consistently in the field, with each audible click moving the point of impact by the expected fraction of an inch at 100 yards. I never felt the need to re-zero after making multiple adjustments. With about 60 MOA of vertical and horizontal adjustment range, I had ample ability to dial for varied shooting conditions and ranges.
Product Highlights
I also really liked this compact optic, thanks to the zero-locking and resettable windage and elevation adjustment turrets. These have tactile and audible feedback with each adjustment, so it’s easy to make these changes without looking at the actual values on the dials.
The scope overall comes with a lifetime warranty for even more value for money.
Key Features
- Lockable and resettable turrets
- Custom scope reticle color
- Fully coated lenses
Basic Parameters
| Manufacturer | Leapers |
| Weight | 1.45 pounds |
| Eye Relief | 3.4 inches |
| Magnification | 3x – 12x |
| Field of View | 34 – 8.4 ft |
Pros |
Cons |
|
|
The Final Verdict
This illuminated reticle optic is a quality piece of equipment from UTG, featuring excellent lenses, great windage and elevation adjustment turrets, and several other aspects that make it not only affordable but excellent for any experienced rifle user.
If you are interested, you can also check my VX-3i review.
My Rating: 4.3/5
5. Vortex Optics Crossfire II 6-18×44 V-Brite Illuminated MOA
Check Price on Amazon
Check Price on OpticsPlanet
Vortex’s Crossfire line is well known, and this rifle emphasizes its greater features. It features magnification powers between 6x and 18x with a 44 mm objective lens. This lens is multicoated to provide better light transmission and a clear view each time you use it.
My Feelings after Using the Vortex Optics Crossfire II 6-18×44 V-Brite Illuminated MOA
This scope also has a great solution to the parallax problem that many long-distance shooters run into. An adjustable objective is included in the scope’s build, allowing you to compensate for this condition without needing to tack on an extra turret. The windage and elevation turrets already installed are capped and finger-resettable to zero, making them fine additions to the hardware as a whole.
Over my months of using this scope in a variety of environments and lighting conditions, I found the glass clarity to be very good, with bright and crisp images across the entire magnification range. The fine duplex reticle stayed sharp even at 18x magnification with no noticeable parallax error after adjusting the side focus knob. I could clearly see bullet holes out to 600 yards, making this scope very capable for long range shooting.
The 3.7 – 4.3 inches of eye relief prevented any issues getting proper eye alignment behind the scope. The finger adjustable turrets with audible clicks made dialing in my zero a breeze. During range sessions, I could quickly adjust elevation for changes in target range and windage to account for crosswind drift. The turrets tracked accurately with repeatable adjustments, holding zero reliably even after repeated firing sessions.
In terms of durability, I subjected this scope to bumps, drops, and vibrations while mounted to different rifles and it has held up well over time. The only practical challenge I faced was needing to add lens covers to protect the glass when hunting in dense brush areas.
Overall, I was pretty happy with the scope and would recommend any hunter to try it out.
Product Highlights
Out of all models I’ve tested, this scope features one of the best eye boxes around. It’s very forgiving and allows you to sight into your target even from afar quickly. It also features great eye relief across all of its magnification powers.
Key Features
- Fully multi-coated lenses
- Resettable MOA turrets
- Generous eye relief
Basic Parameters
| Manufacturer | Vortex Optics |
| Weight | 19.2 oz |
| Eye Relief | 3.7 – 4.3 inches |
| Magnification | 6x – 18x |
| Field of View | 15.2 – 5.2 ft |
Pros |
Cons |
|
|
The Final Verdict
This scope’s eyepiece and fantastic lenses are just the start. A durable build and some of the best turrets on the market complete the picture and make it a worthy choice for any hunter or discerning marksman.
It’s also one of the best Vortex scopes.
My Rating: 4/5
6. TRUGLO TRU-BRITE 30 Series Illuminated Tactical Rifle Scope
TRUGLO offers another high-quality illuminated reticle scope. The TRU-BRITE 30 Series optic is an excellent piece of equipment forged from a single piece of aircraft-grade aluminum. This affords it fantastic durability, although it’s a little heavier than average at 2.2 pounds.
My Feelings after Using the TRUGLO TRU-BRITE 30 Series Illuminated Tactical Rifle Scope
I tested the scope in inclement weather and have to say it didn’t let me down. This is all because of the materials used. A limited lifetime warranty ensures that you get your money’s worth with this purchase.
Despite heavy rain and high humidity during my testing, the scope maintained fog free lenses and never lost zero. The exposed turrets held up well to water exposure even when accidentally submerged briefly.
One of the reasons why I like the scope is because it comes with a reversible and offset scope mount made of aircraft-grade aluminum. So mounting the optic on your rifle is fast and easy. The attached windage and elevation turrets are top-tier and offer tactile feedback so you can hit targets at greater distances. Since the scope magnifies from 3-9x with a 42 mm objective lens, these turrets will likely be used often.
The eye relief is also great. You get 4 inches of eye relief at 9x magnification, ensuring that even high recoil rifles won’t cause the optic to buck into your orbital bone painfully.
Product Highlights
The reticle is also phenomenal for a few major reasons. For one, it’s a dual-color reticle that can be displayed in either red or green. You can adjust the brightness and color using a side-mounted dial that’s easy to reach.
The etched glass reticle maintained flawless performance even after repeated high recoil sessions. My only gripe was occasionally needing to cycle between intensity levels to find the ideal brightness.
But the reticle is also etched directly onto the lens glass. Therefore, you can use the reticle without any illumination settings at all, and it won’t vibrate or shake away even under heavy recoil. It’s a reticle I fully relied on even after lots of use.
Key Features
- Dual-color illuminated reticle
- Includes reversible, offset, and monolithic 30mm scope
- Mil-dot reticle
Basic Parameters
| Manufacturer | Truglo |
| Weight | 2.2 pounds |
| Eye Relief | 4 inches |
| Magnification | 3x – 9x |
| Field of View | 103.71 – 18.15 ft |
Pros |
Cons |
|
|
The Final Verdict
All in all, the TRU-BRITE 30 Series offers an excellent shooting experience and has one of the best illuminated reticles on the market.
My Rating: 4/5
Why Is an Illuminated Reticle Scope Helpful?
Many people have a misconception about the purpose of illuminated reticles. They think that reticles that glow are supposed to light up their target or somehow allow them to hit an animal in complete darkness accurately. That’s not what illuminated reticles are for.
Instead, think of illuminated reticles as assistants to help you see your reticle against your target. Basically, reticle illumination makes a reticle easier to spot on your end, allowing you to line up the optics better and take an accurate shot.
This can be helpful during certain hunting scenarios when your reticle’s natural color blends in either with the background environment or with the fur of your animal target. Lighting up your reticle can make it more distinct and easier to place correctly.
I don’t want to say that illuminated reticles aren’t helpful in low–light conditions. Indeed, low–light environments or times of day often make even visible reticles appear to be less vibrant or clear. In these situations, reticle illumination is certainly a blessing, especially since many illuminated reticles have control knobs to let you dictate exactly how bright or dim the reticle actually is.
Overall, it’s best to think of illuminated reticles as advanced accuracy tools. They can help you make an accurate shot, but they can’t replace poor marksmanship or let you perform miracles in pitch–blackness.
Any Disadvantages?
This isn’t to say that you should always use an illuminated reticle over a standard one. For instance, many illuminated reticle scopes feature additional control knobs and batteries. These add additional ounces to the overall weight of a scope. In addition, illuminated reticles are oftentimes slightly less durable than lenses with glass–etched reticles.
Still, in my opinion, an illuminated reticle can be a great choice despite these drawbacks.
What to Look For In an Illuminated Reticle Scope?
Let’s go over the common things you should consider when selecting the best illuminated reticle scope for your needs.
Are you shooting with something different? Check our air rifle scopes and crossbow scopes guides.
Magnification Ranges
Obviously, the available magnification ranges of a given rifle scope will matter greatly for its effective range. Most common hunting engagements take place below 1000 yards, so magnification settings at 10x or less are usually fine for most rifle scope owners. However, magnification settings greater than 10x can let you zoom in past 1000 yards with clarity. From my experience, I can say that these kinds of scopes are ideal for target shooters or for hunting stationary targets.
I’ve provided illuminated reticle scopes with several different ranges of magnification so you can pick the perfect scope for your typical hunting scenarios or needs.
First or Second Focal Plane?
You next need to consider whether the illuminated reticle rests on the first or second focal plane. First focal plane reticles will gradually become larger as you zoom in and smaller as you zoom out. This allows the reticle’s windage and elevation holdover points to remain accurate even as you change the magnification.
On the other hand, second focal plane reticles never change the size, even as you flip between zoom settings. They are usually truly accurate at one level of magnification specified in a scope’s manual; for all other zoom levels, you’ll need to estimate the accuracy of holdover points in your head.
Both types of scopes have their proponents and advantages or disadvantages. Thus, I provided several scopes with both types of reticles for your consideration below.
Brightness Settings
The best illuminated reticle scopes will include controls, usually in the form of an adjustable turret, to let you change how vibrant the reticle actually is. I think this is great not only for personal comfort but for adapting the reticle to different light levels in your environment. You should always try to find illuminated reticle scopes with at least a few different brightness settings instead of a single “on or off” reticle switch.
Multicoated Lenses
You should also prioritize finding scopes that incorporate multicoated lenses. Not only are these more durable and thus more valuable since they won’t break as easily, but they also provide better light transmission and a better–ending sight picture for your scope. These help you maintain greater accuracy and work excellently with illuminated reticles.
All the scopes I’ve listed below have brightness settings and multicoated lenses.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of an illuminated reticle scope?
Internal lights in an illuminated scope provide an illuminated reticle. This can assist you in seeing the reticle in low-light situations like pre-dawn, twilight, rainy, snowy, or cloudy weather. An illuminated reticle can also be utilized to add contrast to a target that has been darkened by color or a shadow. A dark brown elk standing in the shade of a tree, for example, may be difficult to recognize with a non-illuminated reticle.
A tiny LED is used to illuminate an illuminated reticle. The LED in most lit scopes is red, but some utilize green or amber. These hues are utilized because they can be seen in low light yet do not force the pupil of the eye to compress as much as white light, retaining natural night vision.
The use of an illuminated scope is the same as that of a non-illuminated scope. Because most states base legal hunting hours on local dawn and sunset, hunters who desire to hunt at the start or end of the day may benefit from employing the illuminated reticle function on an illuminated scope. You can turn off the illumination feature for the rest of the day or utilize it selectively depending on the lighting conditions of your target.
Is an illuminated scope worth it?
If it improves the clarity of your sight image when hunting, an illuminated scope is well worth the money.
While an illuminated scope can help you aim and shoot more precisely, whether it’s worth it or not depends on whether you require the scope.
Does an illuminated reticle function without batteries?
Yes, an illuminated reticle can function without the use of a battery. The reticle is exclusively illuminated by the battery; therefore, once the power runs out, the reticle will revert to its original black color.
Which illuminated reticle scope is best for deer hunting?
The ability of a deer hunting scope to retain zero and offer repeatability determines its quality. It should also have excellent optical clarity and be dust- and water-resistant.
Because deer are most active at dawn and twilight, a scope with high-quality glass, a large aperture, and a multi-coated lens is preferable.
The finest illuminated scope for deer hunting should be easy to transport, operate, and mount.
In a hunting game, every second matters, so you must always be ready to aim and fire at the target. The scope should be pleasant to wear and provide adequate eye relief.
What is the ideal scope for pitch–dark or low–light conditions?
It’s critical that you select a rifle scope that meets your requirements. It’s preferable to have an illuminated reticle scope that works with night vision if you’re going to use a night vision optic.
If you don’t plan on shooting at night, though, it’s not necessary to invest in night vision compatibility.
Shooting in dawn and dusk requires a sight with a greater magnification range, while long shots in the dark require a bullet drop compensator and an illuminated reticle.
Some scopes have fully lighted reticles, but most have partially illuminated reticles, so choose the kind that will help you aim more precisely.
Conclusion
All in all, the best illuminated rifle scope for your unique needs will offer the correct magnification range, be durable enough to withstand your travels, and likely be waterproof so it can function in any kind of weather. Hopefully, one of the models I mentioned above is an ideal fit for you. Good hunting!
Mike Fellon is an experienced firearms enthusiast and optics expert. He delivers unbiased and detailed rifle scope reviews. Born and raised in Dallas, Texas. He inherited his hunting passions after his father John – he was fascinated by his stories, hearing how much attention, focus, dedication and patience he invested in shooting every animal. When he was old enough, his father first allowed him to shoot some cans and bottles with his shotgun, and then took him hunting – it was love at first sight. Mike has never stopped shooting ever since.