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Hunting >> Hunting in Africa & hunting dangerous game
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bulldog563
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Reged: 21/10/05
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Loc: California
Scope Suggestions for Africa.
      #50452 - 21/02/06 01:40 PM

I have recently purchased a Sako AV in 338 Win. The rifles main purpose will be for African Plains Game but will also use it for basically all my other hunting in NA and elsewhere where a 375 or 500 would be overkill. I am looking for a scope that will be the best fit. I was looking pretty closely at the Zeiss Conquest series but have reconsidered since reading about problems with them on this board. This rifle will be my Leopard rifle as well so want something with a good sized objective for low light but not so large as to require high mounts. I was thinking 40mm or close to it. An illuminated reticle would be nice but not a deal breaker. I would want a variable with a low mag of around 2 and a high mag of around 10 as I would like it to be usable in the thick scrub as well as more open shots up to 350 yards or so. I will rarely take shots this far but want to have the range just in case. My budget would be approximately 1000.

The Leupold LPS caught my eye but they are pretty heavy at 17.2oz and have been told the optics aren't on the level of the premium Euro optics. I do like the fact that it comes in 2.5-10 variable but this one has a 45mm objective which may require high mounts. I have been told that Kahles are very good but have no experience with them. The price of Dr Optic are very attractive but also don't have experience with them.

If price were not a concern I would really like to get the Swaro PV-N 2.5-10X42 as they are pretty much exactly what I am looking for, but at roughly 1800 buck they are almost twice what I would like to spend. I guess the first time I cannot take a shot or botch a shot as a result of not having top quality optics that extra 800 will seem pretty cheap but it is still a hard pill to swallow.

Should I just save for the Swaro's or is there an option out there that will serve my needs just as well? Thanks in advance.

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mikeh416Rigby
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Re: Scope Suggestions for Africa. [Re: bulldog563]
      #50454 - 21/02/06 01:56 PM

I have but two scopes mounted on my rifles (except for my .22): either a Leupold 1.75 X 6, or a Leupold 2.5 X 8. I've never had a need for anything of less, or more powerfor hunting purposes-either in Africa, or North America. I could probably shoot tighter groups at the range if I had a 10 power, but I prefer to go with what has worked for me in the past.

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bulldog563
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Re: Scope Suggestions for Africa. [Re: mikeh416Rigby]
      #50456 - 21/02/06 02:23 PM

I have just been looking around the net and found this;

http://www.riflescopes.com/products/200183PKG/burris_4.5-14x42_fullfield_ii_rifle_scope.htm

Seems like a really good deal and may be good to get so I can have the time to save for the Swaro scope. I could always use this as a back up after I get a higher quality scope. At 18 oz the Burris is pretty heavy though. What do you guys think?

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Edited by bulldog563 (21/02/06 02:24 PM)

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bulldog563
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Re: Scope Suggestions for Africa. [Re: bulldog563]
      #50457 - 21/02/06 02:26 PM

The scope is normally 320 and the spotter is around 140. A spotter that only goes up to 24X seems a little under powered for a spotting scope especially when my Swarovski EL's with the doubler are at 20X.

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JPK
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Reged: 31/08/04
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Re: Scope Suggestions for Africa. [Re: bulldog563]
      #50465 - 21/02/06 02:59 PM

That scope is way, way to much for practical feild use,IMO.

Mike416Rigby has the better range. If it were me I would look for the S&B or Swarovski 1.5x6x42 or so. Zeiss also has a scope in this range. All 30mm tubes. I would look into these scopes only if I knew I'd be leopard ( or lion or black bear over bait) hunting soon. If I could swing the $'s I'd also go with the illuminated reticle, its an option on one of these brands and included on one or both of the others.

If $'s were a concern, or the leopard hunt wasn't imminent then I'd go with the Leupold 1 3/4x6x32. I'm not sure this one isn't the one to go with anyway. If you feel you just need more power than I'd go with the Leupold 2.5x8x36.

I really beleive the Leupold scopes are great scopes. Great eye releif for your 338 and great price for the performance. To me, you really need a specific reason not to buy Leupold - like the leopard, lion, bear hunt, read dark out - to even consider another brand.

JPK

JPK

Edited by JPK (21/02/06 03:03 PM)

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bulldog563
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Re: Scope Suggestions for Africa. [Re: JPK]
      #50486 - 21/02/06 06:38 PM

Yeah, you are right. 4.5-14 doesn't really fit with what I need to do with it. I will be going Leopard hunting most likely in '08, but maybe in '07. This will mainly be a PG rifle with an Elk, Bear(stalked) and/or Moose thrown in over the next few years.

I do want a max power of around 9-10 because I want this to be my hunting rifle that can reach out to 350 or so if need be.

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Safarischorsch
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Re: Scope Suggestions for Africa. [Re: bulldog563]
      #50487 - 21/02/06 07:47 PM

I would vote for the Zeiss Diavari

2,5-10x42 illuminated, if you like.

Look here can not find it on the uS-webpage...


http://www.zeiss.de/C12567A80033D63E/Contents-Frame/C9852FF96DF85B2441256A6900437B6F

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bulldog563
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Re: Scope Suggestions for Africa. [Re: Safarischorsch]
      #50491 - 21/02/06 10:40 PM

With the Zeiss coming in at 2100 for the 2.5-10X42 illuminated I would rather get the identical Swarovski for 1800. Why is the Zeiss more? I would have thought it would less. I have heard of problems with Zeiss scopes. I haven't heard of a single problem with Swaro's.

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markhyoung
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Re: Scope Suggestions for Africa. [Re: bulldog563]
      #50524 - 22/02/06 08:25 AM

Bulldog

I've shot a 338 over the years probably more than any other caliber. I've also tried everything from 1.5x5-3.5x10 in variables and 3x-6x fixed powers on a 338. In my mind the 2.5x8 Leupold that has been suggested to you is the best bet. It has more than enough magification to handle any long shot, a wide enough field for hunting in the forest and plenty of light gathering ability for twilight leopards. It also is much lighter than its European couterparts.

Mark

--------------------
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ADAM CLEMENTS SAFARI TRACKERS INC.
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zimhunter
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Re: Scope Suggestions for Africa. [Re: bulldog563]
      #50588 - 23/02/06 04:07 AM

I am 72 years old nearsighted all my life and have made it to Africa 8 times. With that said I have used Leupold scopes for years. Mostly the 1.5x5 Vari-XIII. I have these on all my heavy rifles ie 375's (I have 5) and 416 Rigby's(I have 2) not to brag but just to show my belief in the scope. I also have a Swarovski 1.5x4.5 that I have used once. To be perfectly honest I don't SEE the superiority of the Swarovski in scopes. Lest you think I don't like Swarovski I own 10x42 and 10x50 Swarovski binoculars and would not use any other brand and have used Swarovski Binoculars for many years. I just don't think the scope prices reflect THAT much improvement over the Leupold. The Binoculars are in my estimation equal to any Leitz or Ziess and comparably priced. Their EL's are superior to all and I would have them but cannot get them to come close enough together.That however is only MY opinion and is worth only that.

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500grains
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Reged: 16/02/04
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Re: Scope Suggestions for Africa. [Re: zimhunter]
      #50594 - 23/02/06 05:01 AM

I would get a Leupold 2.5-8.

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Boomer
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Reged: 13/04/05
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Re: Scope Suggestions for Africa. [Re: 500grains]
      #50641 - 23/02/06 01:17 PM

I'll add another vote for the Leupolds - probably a 1.75-6X. Make sure you get a reticle you can see against a dark background.

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allenday
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Re: Scope Suggestions for Africa. [Re: bulldog563]
      #50680 - 24/02/06 02:19 AM

I have a matched pair of 338 Win. Mag. rifles, and I've got Leupold 2.5-8x scopes on both of them. I think that this is the ideal 338 Winchester scope, with plenty of eye-relief, and all of the field of view and magnification (on both ends of the scale) that you can put to use with this cartridge.

I have the standard Leupold Duplex reticle in both of these scope, but I had Premier Reticles add a single 400 yd. stadia wire, which is calibrated for my 250 gr. Nosler handload. Works great!

AD

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bulldog563
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Re: Scope Suggestions for Africa. [Re: allenday]
      #50683 - 24/02/06 02:46 AM

Thanks all for the advice. I think I will go with your suggestion of the 2.5-8.

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Ndumo
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Re: Scope Suggestions for Africa. [Re: bulldog563]
      #50715 - 24/02/06 06:41 AM

bulldog
Get the Swarovski's. There is no better scope. I do not like Leopolds, as i always have trouble focusing them correctly. i own 5 swarovski scopes, and 2 binos, of which one is the 2.5-10x42 model you mentioned (without illuminating reticle). IMO it is the most verisetile scope money can buy.

--------------------
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Ndumo Hunting Safaris (Pty) Ltd.
karl@huntingsafaris.net
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bulldog563
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Re: Scope Suggestions for Africa. [Re: Ndumo]
      #50722 - 24/02/06 07:28 AM

I do really like the Swaro's especially the PV-N. 2.5-10X42

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NitroXAdministrator
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Re: Scope Suggestions for Africa. [Re: bulldog563]
      #50750 - 24/02/06 01:22 PM

I would go for the Swarovski's as well, if you can afford them. I use mainly Leupold's at the moment because they are cheaper but would upgrade immediately if $$$ permited.



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John aka NitroX

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bulldog563
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Re: Scope Suggestions for Africa. [Re: NitroX]
      #50760 - 24/02/06 03:01 PM

Honestly it will be a little hard to fork out 1800 for a scope. That would be more then the rifle I am putting it on! I really want one though and if a good used one came on the market I would be all over it. Maybe I will get the Leupold and if I end up seeing a Swaro for a good price and/or I need something with a lighted reticle in the future the Leupold will be relegated to back-up duty. Right now there is a Leupold LPS 1.5-6X40 on ebay. Depending on the price it may be pretty tempting.

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Edited by bulldog563 (24/02/06 05:52 PM)

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bulldog563
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Re: Scope Suggestions for Africa. [Re: bulldog563]
      #50762 - 24/02/06 03:05 PM

The LPS just sold via Buy It Now. I am actually kind of glad as I may have done something stupid.

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