308 Short Scope Recommendations.

Crossbow Hunting

Moderator: Excalibur Marketing Dude

Post Reply
Buck
Posts: 124
Joined: Sat Sep 26, 2015 8:35 pm
Location: Northern NJ AKA Zone 13

308 Short Scope Recommendations.

Post by Buck »

What are some quality lowlight scope options specifically for the 308 short? I hunt an established ,but very confined, space that requires a couple mile trek. The 308 is a perfect fit due to the small space, the long walk, and an absolute max shot distance of 25 yards. The area is dense and gets dark 30-45 mins before legal time.

The stock octane scope is decent but not good regarding the lowlight glass capability. The sale of another bow will free up one of my XB 30s but, as mentioned in an earlier thread, the scope is very large in comparison to the bow and may be overkill due to the max shot distance. I’m not concerned about the appearance of a monster scope on a little bow, it just runs counter to the bonus of the light weight and low profile of the short.

I searched some prior threads here related to both the 308 and scopes in general and saw Carnivorous’s sweet set up. That Leopold is compact and I know they have good glass and would definitely consider but don’t have the details.

The main question is,

What’s the recommendation for a very compact low light scope knowing that the scope will only be needed for a 25 yards max?
Micro 335 / Hawke XB30 Pro- Excal Sound Deadening System....
Matrix 350 SE / Hawke XB30 Compact - Couldn't say no......
308 Shorty / Hawke XB30 Pro- Tack driver ....
Axe 340 Raid / Hawke XB30 Compact - ....
User avatar
Bcxbow
Posts: 1370
Joined: Fri Jun 30, 2017 5:44 am
Location: North Georgia

Re: 308 Short Scope Recommendations.

Post by Bcxbow »

Take a look at this one Buck. Heavy crosshairs and excellent in low light conditions.

http://www.nikonsportoptics.com/en/nikon-products/product-archive/riflescopes/bolt-xr-crossbow-scope.html

Nikon also has a new model the pro staff P3 crossbow scope but I don’t have any personal insight on that one.......yet.
Hybrid Micro BD 360
Micro Mag 340
Boo Strings - Trinity Strings
Zombie Slayers
Swat & TOTA Broadheads
xcaliber
Posts: 12827
Joined: Fri Jan 11, 2013 7:35 pm
Location: NW Indiana

Re: 308 Short Scope Recommendations.

Post by xcaliber »

There are some scopes for sale on the trading post, one is the Nikon Bolt XR for $75. It is perfect for that model, and speed.
It’s not the way you rock, it’s the way that you roll!
User avatar
Boo
Posts: 14322
Joined: Thu Dec 29, 2005 11:04 pm
Location: Newtonville, Ontario, Canada
Contact:

Re: 308 Short Scope Recommendations.

Post by Boo »

My recommendation is the 30 mm VXR Hog scope first. It's clear, very bright and the single red dot goes out if not used for a few minutes and wakes up when move. My second would be a Vortex 1X8 Strike Eagle scope. At that close range, a 30 mm scope will give you a wider field of view. If you're shooting only close range and sitting in a small opening in the woods, you'll want to buy a scope with good glass, good coatings, good light management and a wide field of view.
Watch out for illuminated scopes that light up their reticles too brightly. To that end, the Hog scope will be a wise choice.
Last edited by Boo on Fri Oct 19, 2018 1:11 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Some people just like stepping on rakes
flightattendant100
Posts: 4802
Joined: Thu Jul 30, 2009 5:06 pm
Location: Ft. Worth, Texas

Re: 308 Short Scope Recommendations.

Post by flightattendant100 »

Fave hunting scope! Leupold VX-I shotgun heavy duplex, 1-4x20. They are small, light, and being Leupold they are bright. They are NOT illuminated, but are bright as can be. They weight about half what that Hawke weighs. You will love it.
mchurch
Posts: 542
Joined: Thu Oct 04, 2007 12:07 pm
Location: Santa Maria, Ca. USA
Contact:

Re: 308 Short Scope Recommendations.

Post by mchurch »

My son has a hawke xb 30 compact on his
Excalibur Revx
Hawke Xb 30 pro
16.5 inch wyverncreations.com zombie slayers
SWAT juggernaut broadhead
User avatar
NEPAbowhunter
Posts: 524
Joined: Fri Aug 17, 2012 1:15 pm
Location: Steamtown, PA.

Re: 308 Short Scope Recommendations.

Post by NEPAbowhunter »

A 2 x 7 Leupold scope with a heavy duplex should be perfect for that bow. Sight it dead on for twenty five and your good to go. If you cant see em with that scope its time to go home.
Matrix 355
Bulldog 380
Mission Sub-1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bS9N8dEdZCQ
hankenhunter
Posts: 2978
Joined: Mon Jul 12, 2010 10:21 pm
Location: Thompson/Nicola, British Colombia

Re: 308 Short Scope Recommendations.

Post by hankenhunter »

I have a plain 4 power leupy on my hunting rifle that is amazing in low light. If I had only 25 yards or less to shoot, I would put it on my Equinox in a heartbeat. I'm a walk and stalker so I need the hash marks.
Hank
Riflemanz
Posts: 2764
Joined: Thu Feb 04, 2010 8:12 am
Location: Wisconsin

Re: 308 Short Scope Recommendations.

Post by Riflemanz »

I'd just use the tac zone with that set up.
Team Matrix 355
Matrix 355 The Crusher
TT 2 stage trigger
Executioner arrows
Easton XX75 magnums 2219
Xcaliber custom string
Boo Custom String
Vixenmaster Custom string
8ptbuk string
Rocket 3 blade 2" cut
Slick tricks
HSS Vest 30' lifeline
User avatar
Bcxbow
Posts: 1370
Joined: Fri Jun 30, 2017 5:44 am
Location: North Georgia

Re: 308 Short Scope Recommendations.

Post by Bcxbow »

So as you can see Buck it comes down to personal preference so the best thing you can do is go to your local sporting goods store that sells quality optics and look thru some different makes/models right about dusk.

Good luck
Hybrid Micro BD 360
Micro Mag 340
Boo Strings - Trinity Strings
Zombie Slayers
Swat & TOTA Broadheads
Buck
Posts: 124
Joined: Sat Sep 26, 2015 8:35 pm
Location: Northern NJ AKA Zone 13

Re: 308 Short Scope Recommendations.

Post by Buck »

Bcxbow wrote:
Fri Oct 19, 2018 6:50 pm
So as you can see Buck it comes down to personal preference so the best thing you can do is go to your local sporting goods store that sells quality optics and look thru some different makes/models right about dusk.

Good luck

I figured as much, always best to go in informed. Every now and then I get alligator arms and deep pockets but sometimes you need to crack the wallet for quality. Will definitely be checking out the Leupold options as well.

Thanks all.
Micro 335 / Hawke XB30 Pro- Excal Sound Deadening System....
Matrix 350 SE / Hawke XB30 Compact - Couldn't say no......
308 Shorty / Hawke XB30 Pro- Tack driver ....
Axe 340 Raid / Hawke XB30 Compact - ....
User avatar
janesy
Posts: 4723
Joined: Sat Dec 05, 2015 8:20 pm
Location: Beavertown. Ont

Re: 308 Short Scope Recommendations.

Post by janesy »

Pretty hard to beat the Bolt XR is weight is a concern .
Blackout BD-Axe "Hatchet340"
Suppressor 400TD
Assassin 400Extreme
longbow joe
Posts: 4246
Joined: Sat Jun 06, 2015 9:55 pm
Location: south eastern pa (bucks county)

Re: 308 Short Scope Recommendations.

Post by longbow joe »

Bolt xr cheap ,good,fps will be spot on. If its too dark to see thru it .......you shouldn't be shooting anyway.....very compact
Vixen 2, metal ibex,Phoenix,sapphire,matrix 330 ,matrix 355 ,vortex and baby grand piano y25 relayer.
Trigger tecs,leupold crossbones and nikon bolts.
Zombie slayers and mostly swat broadheads.
Post Reply