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

[M16]

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.

I hate to tell you this but scopes don't gather light. The lenses transmit light. The better the quality of the lenses the better the light transmission.

Divide your exit pupil by the diameter of your objective lens. This is the power that will transmit the most light. For example if your exit pupil is 7mm divided by a 50 mm objective your best setting will be roughly 7 power. Hence the reason for European scopes that are fixed power. 8X56 would be 8mm divided by 56mm equals an exit pupil of 7.

[bboswell]

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.

I hope this wasn't directed at me. I asked about his avg shot distance and based on his answer I think his former scope is a better fit, especially with low light conditions but I never set out to insult him.

[Brute Killer]

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.

LWD

I never thought I'd ever see Leupold put below Nikon. Zeiss,sure. Those other two I don't know anything about.

[Pullersboy]

I never thought I'd ever see Leupold put below Nikon. Zeiss,sure. Those other two I don't know anything about.

Ya know, I've got several Leupold's. And, like most folks, I really like them. I recentlypurchased a Ruger American that's my "budget predator rifle." I picked up a Nikon for it for a couple of reasons. 1) I was quite pleased w/ the optical clarity while looking at it in the store. 2) it retailed for $299 and I got it on sale for $194. I still haven't gotten to shoot this rifle yet. But, I have taken it outside and looked through the scope. I really am pretty impressed with it for the price. I don't know if I'd say it's better than my Leupolds. But, I also won't say it's noticeably worse.

Sorry for the hijack.

OP, I think everyone else has pretty much covered the answ8to you questions. I know I have a couple of stands that I use my 4" scope shade on either right after sun up or right before sunset. But, if I'm trying to view something in dim light, I'll just unscrew it and drop it in my bag.

[Mike D]

What series of Leupold scope are you using? There are varying levels of glass depending on the model. However, 6x magnification with a 50mm objective should have given you plenty of light transmission to see. You took a step backwards going to the 8.5-25 IMO. The shade was a minimal impact to the amount of light the scope was transmitting.

Based on all your comments I believe axis fever and lack of a steady rest was more of an issue than your optics.

[In-Yo-Grill]

Thanks for all the comments and constructive criticism folks. I'm not sensitive to any comments so fire away.

I started buying Leupold scopes for the same reason I started buying Mathews bows. Not necessarily top of the line but good quality and will last a long time.

The .25-06 I shoot has the Leupold Vari-X III 3.5-10x50. This year I want to use my .22-250 which has the Leupold Mark4 8.25-25x50 on it.

[LWD]

Ya'll look carefully at what I said. I didn't say that Nikon was better than Leupold. My comments were limited to the optical clarity. The quality of the glass and sharpness and brightness of Nikon scopes, especially at the lower price points, is better Leupold. And I think they represent a much better value given the price of Leupold. That said, the Leupold warranty is exceptional and worth a lot. Leupold scopes have a much larger and more forgiving eyebox than others though that does come at the expense of optical clarity.

LWD

[Ronnie41]

Did you miss because of the scope or maybe another reason ,like flinching? The scope you mentioned probably did not need the shade on either which would allow more light in.

[gatorgar]

The darker it gets, the lower the magnification. I start my afternoon hunts at about 7X then move down as time passes.

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