The only stupid questions are the ones you don't ask...Right?

[In-Yo-Grill]

So I'm no genius when it shooting and am willing to learn.

Last year I missed an Axis doe in the waning light of the evening. I shoot a Leupold 3.5-10x50 scope with a 4" lens shade on it. I usually keep my scopes set at 6power magnification. I've always thought that the larger objective should gather more light. What could I have done different?

Is the lens shade a hindrance? Should I not be zoomed in too much to allow the scope to gather the most light?

This year I've switched to a 8.5-25x50 scope. This scope does have a 30mm tube as opposed to the other one that was a 1" tube.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

[Mud Shark]

First of all, yes, the shade is a hindrance. With the shade, you're limiting the amount of light the scope can gather.
Also, back the power down the lower the light, thus allowing the scope to gather more light.
Lastly, don't take shots you're not comfortable with. If the light isn't good, don't shoot.

[sir shovelhands]

Missed as in shot and missed, or couldn't shoot because you couldn't see it well enough through the scope?

[Shinesintx]

First of all, yes, the shade is a hindrance. With the shade, you're limiting the amount of light the scope can gather.
Also, back the power down the lower the light, thus allowing the scope to gather more light.
Lastly, don't take shots you're not comfortable with. If the light isn't good, don't shoot.

This. End thread.

[bboswell]

Agreed

Shade hurts and your view will get brighter the lower you adjust the zoom.

What are your normal shot distances? Seems an 8.5 minimum zoom would be a big hindrance for most hunting

[In-Yo-Grill]

First of all, yes, the shade is a hindrance. With the shade, you're limiting the amount of light the scope can gather.
Also, back the power down the lower the light, thus allowing the scope to gather more light.
Lastly, don't take shots you're not comfortable with. If the light isn't good, don't shoot.

I knew this was coming...

Missed as in shot and missed, or couldn't shoot because you couldn't see it well enough through the scope?

I was a miss. I've been taking base of the neck shots. I could see it...just not as much as I felt I should with the quality of glass I was using.

[In-Yo-Grill]

Agreed

Shade hurts and your view will get brighter the lower you adjust the zoom.

What are your normal shot distances? Seems an 8.5 minimum zoom would be a big hindrance for most hunting

I'd say 80-120yrds on average.

[LWD]

Dump the lens shade.

While there's a lot to like about Leupold rifle scopes, high quality glass ain't one of them. Nikon, Meopta, Minox, and Zeiss all make scopes with better glass at a mid-range price point.

The exit pupil size is the practical measure of the light leaving the ocular lens of a rifle scope. The objective lens size divided by magnification is the size of the exit pupil. Middle-aged eye pupils usually can't dilate to more than 5mm, so a larger exit pupil isn't useful.

Higher magnification does let you see detail better in low light. European boar hunters love the old Kahles 8x56 scopes.

And don't forget that you might have missed the shot due to bad shooting and not your optics.

LWD

[In-Yo-Grill]

Dump the lens shade.

While there's a lot to like about Leupold rifle scopes, high quality glass ain't one of them. Nikon, Meopta, Minox, and Zeiss all make scopes with better glass at a mid-range price point.

The exit pupil size is the practical measure of the light leaving the ocular lens of a rifle scope. The objective lens size divided by magnification is the size of the exit pupil. Middle-aged eye pupils usually can't dilate to more than 5mm, so a larger exit pupil isn't useful.

Higher magnification does let you see detail better in low light. European boar hunters love the old Kahles 8x56 scopes.

And don't forget that you might have missed the shot due to bad shooting and not your optics.

LWD

No doubt there. I have a Primos rest that helps while in a pop-up but isn't the most steady rest. Not to mention, I still get a rush before I pull the trigger whether it's a bow or gun.

[Jkj1986]

Wow! Instead of insulting your choice of optics's or lecturing you on when and when not to take the shot I'll just answer what you've ask. Lose the shade next time you'll see a little better in those low light situations.

[TxnRunner]

80 to 120 yds!! With a 8.5 power scope! This is insanity unless you are hunting ticks. Ill shoot deer all day with open sights at those ranges. You're problem is you are way over thinking this whole deal. Get a decent quality $150-$300 3-9x40 scope and make sure its sighted in well. Turn the power down as light fades. And shoot deer.

[Jkj1986]

80 to 120 yds!! With a 8.5 power scope! This is insanity unless you are hunting ticks. Ill shoot deer all day with open sights at those ranges. You're problem is you are way over thinking this whole deal. Get a decent quality $150-$300 3-9x40 scope and make sure its sighted in well. Turn the power down as light fades. And shoot deer.

Well I shoot ticks at this distance with open sights..

[Artos]

Amigo, the only time you want to use the shade is when the direct sunlight can hit your front lens & the cover stops it like the brim of your cap. It's very helpful when shooting into a quartering/setting sun...there is only so much good lens coating can do & shooting into a rising / setting sun is a shot I dislike having to take.


I also am slowly moving most all my 1" scopes to 30mm.

Hate the huge objectives & like the 44mm best with 50mm max...any bigger really does not help & makes me move to higher rings.

[LWD]

No doubt there. I have a Primos rest that helps while in a pop-up but isn't the most steady rest. Not to mention, I still get a rush before I pull the trigger whether it's a bow or gun.

Guy I used to hunt with who was admittedly an exceptional rifle shot always gave the rest of us a hard time for getting buck fever. His theory was there wasn't anything to get excited about until that big buck was DRT. I just got excited at the prospect of a big buck!

LWD

[Artos]

I use shooting sticks & a chair with a arms rest when in the pop-up...use a small sand bag on the bipod & under my elbow. I think having confidence helps with the buck fever, but I haven't put crosshairs on a good's in quite a while.

I miss that feeling.


edit...turns out you can't use san**** as one word. Embarrassed to say it took a couple secs trying to figure out what curse word I was misspelling