Finally got my Micro 355, now for a scope...which one?

[Smong2000]

It's been 2 years on my mind and finally got my Micro. Actually got a Ravin R9 and after a month sold it to buy the Excalibur. It was a nice bow but just the opposite of an Excalibur, lot of complexity and stuff to fail and a pain to work on. Last year I almost pulled the trigger on a Suppressor but looked at 2 in shops and the rail was rough as sandpaper on both...
So my dilemma, it came with a Hawke XB30 Pro SR. I have same scope on my Mission MXB400 and love it on that bow but not so much on the Micro. They are heavy scopes and overkill on a little Micro IMO. What are you Micro hunters using on your bows? I was considering a Nikon Bolt as perfect sized.

[amythntr]

....I use a Leupy Crossbones on both my 335 and 380...but there are a few selections of scopes that different members use and love!

Anthony

[robertyb]

....I use a Leupy Crossbones on both my 335 and 380...but there are a few selections of scopes that different members use and love!

Anthony

I already tried to trade him my Crossbones for his Hawke. No go.....he must not really want a light scope.

[Smong2000]

Robert,
I would like a light scope and the Crossbones is 1/2 weight of the XB30 but didn't care for the length of the Leupy. Maybe I could change my mind...looking for ideas. Considering a reflex sight too like a Burris FF III.

Anthony, got a picture of the Micro with a Leupold on it?

[longbow joe]

The leupold is long ...but a great scope with clear optics and a great warrenty i also have one on my micro love it. I love the simple plain boring hashmarks. Rather than the "fishing net" look of some scopes. The bolt is a great small scope also ...non adjustable but with a 355 the marks will line up pretty much perfect anyway till 40 yards . I also have a bolt and like it. also the bolts probably about $120.oo cheaper. Good luck in your choice. Most new scopes are all pretty well built after the $150.oo mark nowadays anyway.

[Ferguson Outfitters]

There is only two options, Nikon or ACOG.

[sgtkersh]

If you like your Hawke, look at the XB1 SR. I have it on my 350SE and it's a really nice scope. Clear optics, fairly small and light weight (13 oz and 8.3" compared to 16.5 oz and 10.1" on the XB30). The eye relief is pretty good, reticles are nice, the illumination works well. I have only used it for target practice so far, but I think it will be great in the field.

I was torn between it an the Nikon, but I really wanted illuminated reticles as well.

[amythntr]

....just picked up a Leupy VX-R 2-7 for my "____________." It is a sweet scope....a little pricey but i have never had any kind of issue with a Leupold!

Anthony

[flightattendant100]

If Crossbones is too long, try the 1-4x20. Short, light , bright as hell!

[FORVOLS]

Yep I vote Hawke XB1 sr 1.5-5X32 got one on my Matrix 355 love it.

[newbie]

If Crossbones is too long, try the 1-4x20. Short, light , bright as hell!

x2. I have two of them looking for a third.

[Smong2000]

Thanks, never thought of the 1-4 Leupold straight tubes. I love the old style circle reticle on my old XB30 so maybe the turkey reticle would be perfect and give me a couple extra aim points. On my way to Dick's to see how the Nikon and Leupold compare in brightness.
Sure can't afford the VX R though. ..

[amythntr]

Thanks, never thought of the 1-4 Leupold straight tubes. I love the old style circle reticle on my old XB30 so maybe the turkey reticle would be perfect and give me a couple extra aim points. On my way to Dick's to see how the Nikon and Leupold compare in brightness.
Sure can't afford the VX R though. ..

....I hear you on the VX-R....but it is soooooooooo purdy! Wishing you the best on your "optic" search....do let us know what tickled your fancy the most!

[foofoo]

There is only two options, Nikon or ACOG.

i wanted to like the Nikon, its a shorty but circle reticles get too lost on things like bear hides. the COG would be nice on an AR dont know about a crossbow, i thought they had recalls on them due to temps changing point of impact.the Leupy vx1 or 2s 1x4x20s are awesome sauce. small lightweight and the turkey plex is a nice reticle if you like circles. i have Leupold Crossbones on my Matrix series. its a good fit

[Smong2000]

I handled many different scopes yesterday, Leupold, Vortex, Nikon, Swarovski, Burris, some were for rifle or shotgun to get the sense of size, weight, clarity and light gathering. All the high end rifle scopes proved why they were so expensive. Once the price went over $400 they were all great and Leupolds had the weight advantage. The Nikon Bolt fell right into that optical quality surprisingly and was among the brightest until you got into the 50mm range. I think the length had a lot to do with that because even the 20 mm 1" straight tubes were right up there in brightness.
I now have a Nikon Bolt on my Micro and shaved almost 3/4 lb off it because I used lighter rings and no flip up covers. I played with my new XB30 and Nikon for a long time last night until well after dark. Illumination definitely makes a difference when trying to sight on a black object in full darkness. That is not something I would ever do but a consideration for bear and boar hunters. Biggest thing that I saw after dark was that I could see objects through the Nikon that I could not see with the XB30 or my naked eyes! The reticle does stay visible if the object isn't black and a bonus is that it is 3x and the Hawke is at a lower power by quite a lot when set for the Micro and about the same on my MXB400. Something strange was that when I looked from a lighted room into the dark the Hawke had some glare issues and it was hard to see through it while the Nikon was fine? I'm keeping the XB30 in my cabinet for a while until the Nikon gets some hunting time but may end up with 2 Nions soon.