My favorite - Leupold VX-3i 2.5-8x36mm Riflescope

This is my favorite optic of all time! I'm not a gun pro or a hunter that travels the world while stacking up the trophies but I am an avid deer hunter. Our deer season here in Louisiana is a relatively long one and I make it to the woods as often as possible. I bought my first rifle by mowing lawns and it took me the next year to get a scope. A lifelong friend guided me to the 2.5-8x and I am so glad he did. I hate it when a scope overwhelms a rifle appearing as though there is a scope with a rifle attatched. I have found this scope to fit any rifle I've ever owned. While it is not a large scope dimensionally it is huge on performance. I've never had a deer too close when on 2.5x and I've never needed more than 8X for a shot. I primarily hunt in creek bottoms and heavy timber where there are deep shadows and light fades fast and deer begin to move. Images even then are sharp, crisp and and clear and light transmission is great. I keep the scope on its lowest setting for the deer on the move and can always turn it up for longer shots or to check for antlers in the shadows. For those wanting a scope for close ranges and enough magnification to make ethical shots on the long side. I believe that this is the perfect optic for the way I hunt and for anyone who hunts where shots are close or at moving game and it is enough magnification for the occasional long shot. It remains my favorite and likely always will!