From: Nitro (Original Message) Sent: 2/10/2002 5:13 PM

What is the ideal cut off point for scopes on big bore calibres?

My opinion is the 416 or 404 (.423) calibres.

I think a scope is entirely appropriate on the 375s as they can double as dangerous game rifles as well as plains game longer range shooting. Though by no means essential. A lot of people do fine without scopes on all sorts of calibres.

The 416s also fill this role to some extent even though they are considerably more powerful.

But I think the 45 calibres generally do not need a scope. They are mostly used on larger animals where precision shooting is not so important. They mostly do not have a good trajectory so longer range shots are generally not taken.

But most importantly they are ideal for close shooting on nasties aiming to squash, impale, claw or eat you, and a scope is just another thing that can go wrong.

But everyone to their own. If you prefer a scope on a 458 go for it.

Comments welcome.

Message 2 of 2 in Discussion

From: Bigfive Sent: 2/11/2002 3:44 PM

Personally I don't want a scope when following up a wounded member of the Big 5.It's really looking for trouble or death.There is even a few other African animals that can be very dangerous when wounded and then,whatever the caliber may be,it is easier and safer to have no scope.Unfortunately you can,t always carry all the rifles you need wor gonna need with you.Gemsbuck,warthog,bushpig and bushbuck is known to charge when wounded and even without being provoked e.g when they got young ones with them(warthog and bushpig)But if you go big game hunting in Africa please leave your scoped rifles at home.Your shots on BG is usually less than 100meters so open sights is good enough and shooting a wounded charging animal will be 30 and less meters away.You won't even see a charging lion trough your scope if it is 30 meters away and on 30 meters you have more or less 3-4 seconds for to shots.When I did my PH course here in South-Africa it was part of our shooting exam to shoot 3 targets about the size of a cigarette box on 40m 20m and 10 meters within 10 seconds with a scoped rifle.On the word go your chamber is still empty.
But back to the topic,yes I agree .375H&H is about the limit.Maybe a 416 also.These rifles can give you much more if you have a detachable scope on them.It opens your field/range of animals that you can hunt.