Introduction: A Versatile Optic for Modern Hunters
This year has been exceptional for my hunting experiences with a great sage brush steppe antelope, though the deer season presented its own challenges. After extensive field testing, the Riton 5 Primal 3-18×50 has proven itself as the ideal scope for the diverse hunting conditions I regularly encounter. Whether pursuing whitetails in dense timber or hunting pronghorn across Wyoming’s open sagebrush country, this optic delivers the versatility serious hunters need.
My season began with Riton’s 3 Conquer 6-24×50 mounted on a Christensen Arms Modern Carbon Rifle chambered in 7mm PRC. I had spent a lot of time behind that rifle getting it sighted in and ready and somehow on my trip out to Wyoming, I did something and knocked it off alignment. On a prairie dog, I was shooting off at just under 100 yards, I used a little Kentucky windage and got the prairie dog but that wasn’t going to work on an antelope. So I took a breather and waited till I could get into a draw and reset the scope. I was dead on quickly and shooting groups of 3 inside of a quarter. The next day, I tested it out on a coyote and had a great shot and a few days later took an antelope with one shot at 326 yards – a testament to both the rifle and scope quality.
When the review rifle returned to Christensen Arms, I transitioned to testing the 5 Primal 3-18×50 on my Henry Long Ranger in 6.5 Creedmoor. The team at DEGuns assisted with mounting, leveling, and bore sighting. Thanks to their on-site range facilities, I quickly mastered the 1/10 MRAD adjustments and achieved a solid 200-yard zero using Nosler 6.5 Creedmoor 140-grain AccuBond Trophy Grade ammunition.
Real-World Hunting Performance
Lessons from the Field
My Western Nebraska deer hunt provided valuable insights into both hunting strategy and the scope’s capabilities. During one memorable encounter, I had a mature 8-point whitetail at 80 yards in my crosshairs. While mentoring a young hunter beside me, a communication issue resulted in the buck safely crossing the property line—a missed opportunity that taught me the importance of pre-hunt coordination.
Another lesson came from a doe stalk where I attempted to close the distance from 110 to 95 yards. This unnecessary adjustment cost me the shot and reinforced a fundamental rule: when you have a clear ethical shot, take it. These experiences will inform my approach during January’s late antlerless season and if I am lucky, I will get a chance at that buck during muzzleloader season.
Low-Light Excellence: The Defining Moment
The scope’s true capabilities revealed themselves during my final evening hunt. Positioned in a cornfield with a 15 yard wide and 200-yard long shooting lane oriented directly west into the setting sun, I spent the last 30 minutes of legal shooting light evaluating the optic’s performance.
With my rifle stabilized on shooting sticks, I extensively tested various magnification levels (primarily around 6x) and all illuminated reticle settings. Despite the challenging backlighting conditions, the scope’s optical clarity and light transmission exceeded expectations. The ability to clearly distinguish detail in these difficult conditions convinced me that the 5 Primal 3-18×50 would become my primary hunting optic.
Though deer didn’t appear that evening, the scope had already proven its worth. I’ll have additional opportunities during late antlerless seasons to put this optic to the ultimate test.
Exceptional Value for Crossover Hunting
The Riton 5 Primal 3-18×50 represents an outstanding choice for hunters who need a single scope capable of handling diverse scenarios. From 25-yard shots in thick timber to precision long-range work at 1,000 yards, this scope bridges the gap between close-quarters whitetail hunting and western open-country pursuits.
Performance That Doesn’t Break the Bank
At an MSRP of $829.99, the 5 Primal 3-18×50 delivers premium features typically found on scopes costing significantly more. The combination of first focal plane design, quality glass, robust construction, and versatile magnification range makes this an exceptional value for serious hunters.
Final Verdict: A Scope for All Seasons
After extensive field testing across multiple hunting scenarios and lighting conditions, I can confidently recommend the Riton 5 Primal 3-18×50 to hunters seeking a true crossover optic. Whether you’re planning a midwest whitetail hunt or a western big game expedition, this scope has the optical quality, durability, and feature set to excel.
The 5 Primal has earned its place as my go-to hunting scope, and I look forward to many successful hunts with this reliable optic mounted on my rifles. For hunters who demand versatility without compromising performance or budget, the Riton 5 Primal 3-18×50 deserves serious consideration.
Core Specifications
- Magnification Range: 3-18 with versatile performance from close quarters to long range
- Objective Lens: 50mm for excellent light gathering capability
- Tube Diameter: 34mm chassis for superior light transmission and greater adjustment range
- Focal Plane: First Focal Plane (FFP) with LRH reticle
- Eye Relief: 3.35 inches for comfortable shooting
- Weight: 2.03 lbs (32.45 oz)
- Length: 14.76 inches
- Field of View: 36 feet at 3x to 6.3 feet at 18x (at 100 yards)
- MSRP: $829.99
Advanced Features
Optical Performance
- Riton HD Glass: Delivers 99.5% light transmission for enhanced clarity
- Fully Multi-Coated Lenses: Features low light enhancement, full wide band, anti-scratch and anti-reflective coatings
- Exit Pupil: 7mm to 2.8mm range for optimal performance in varying light conditions
Turret System
- Capped Turrets: 0.1 MIL adjustments for reliable zero retention in the field
- Adjustment Range: 25 MRAD total adjustment for extreme long-range capability
- Zero Stop: Included with bushing and wrench for quick return to zero
Reticle Design
- LRH (Long Range Hunter) Reticle: Christmas-tree style FFP reticle
- Dual Functionality: Appears as simple duplex at low magnification, reveals precise holdovers at high magnification
- Red Illumination: Six brightness levels with off positions between each setting
Durability and Construction
- Material: 6061-T6 aircraft-grade aluminum with CNC machined one-piece tube
- Type III Hard Coat Anodize: Superior protection against wear and corrosion
- Dry Nitrogen Purged: Waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof construction
- Airgun Approved: Designed to withstand unique recoil characteristics
Usability Features
- Dual Throw Lever System: Patent-pending design with multiple positioning options and height choices
- Parallax Adjustment: 10 yards to infinity for precise focus at any range
- Mounting Length: 6.5 inches for secure scope ring placement
Included Accessories
- Flip-up lens covers
- Lens cleaning cloth
- Allen wrench
- Zero stop bushing with wrench
- CR2032 battery (installed)
Intended Use Cases
- Whitetail hunting in dense midwest cover
- Western hunting applications requiring longer shots
- Off-season precision shooting and range work
- Low-light hunting conditions (early morning/late evening)
- Situations requiring rapid magnification changes
- Long-range shooting out to 1,000 yards
Read the full article here
