willfrye027
WKR
- Joined
- Dec 4, 2018
- Messages
- 2,291
I have a $1500 budget to upgrade my optics system for next year and am having a tough time deciding what to do with it. I'm planning two backpack mule deer hunts, one archery and one rifle. Right now I have a pair of 10x42 conquests, I and can borrow a leupold gold ring 12-40x60 (non-HD) which worked well for my Wyoming rifle hunt last year (car camping). I'm not a trophy hunter, but I do like to know the general frame of a buck before deciding to go after it (don't care as much if its a big 3x4 vs a big 4x4). Here are some options I am considering that are in the budget:
1. Kowa 554
2. Conquest 15x56 plus new victory 8x25 (would leave the 10x42's at the trailhead)
3. Others to consider?
I am really drawn to the 15x56's because I think I would find more deer. The rifle hunt is going to be in thicker, more broken country where these might be the ticket. If they could help me judge the frame/general size of a buck at a mile or so, that would probably be all I need to go for the stalk. On the other hand, Ive read a ton of good things about the kowa and I think a 10x42 plus the 55mm would be a great combo (and an upgrade to the borrowed leupold), but I wonder if I would find more deer using the 15's. However, if I took the 15's backpacking I would leave the 10x42's at home and go with the victory 8x25's (getting amazing reviews from the birding guys who compare them to most 8x32's) for glassing within 500 yards. That might be too much of a compromise though. I am probably overthinking all of this, but hey, that's what post-season is all about!
1. Kowa 554
2. Conquest 15x56 plus new victory 8x25 (would leave the 10x42's at the trailhead)
3. Others to consider?
I am really drawn to the 15x56's because I think I would find more deer. The rifle hunt is going to be in thicker, more broken country where these might be the ticket. If they could help me judge the frame/general size of a buck at a mile or so, that would probably be all I need to go for the stalk. On the other hand, Ive read a ton of good things about the kowa and I think a 10x42 plus the 55mm would be a great combo (and an upgrade to the borrowed leupold), but I wonder if I would find more deer using the 15's. However, if I took the 15's backpacking I would leave the 10x42's at home and go with the victory 8x25's (getting amazing reviews from the birding guys who compare them to most 8x32's) for glassing within 500 yards. That might be too much of a compromise though. I am probably overthinking all of this, but hey, that's what post-season is all about!