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tophet1
.400 member

Reged: 15/09/07
Posts: 1873
Loc: NSW, Australia

What scope do you use ?
#88746 - 12/11/07 06:49 AM

I'm off to southern Africa next year and was wondering what scope you all use on which calibre rifle ? I'm leaning towards a fixed 4x or 6x on a 7x57 or .30-06 for light plains game. Please let me know what you have used.

Here in Australia I more often match the rifle and scope to the terrain and method of hunting I'm doing rather than the game.

Your input is valued.

Cheers

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shakari
.400 member

Reged: 09/02/03
Posts: 1107
Loc: South Africa

Re: What scope do you use ? [Re: tophet1]
#88747 - 12/11/07 07:00 AM

Southern Africa is a very large place and has many types of terrain, bush and eco-systems. Shooting ranges can be anything from real 'in your face' such as is often found in Zululand all the way through to the Kalahari and other areas where shooting ranges could easily be 400 yards. - If you could tell us where and what you plan to hunt, you might get more accurate advice.

--------------------
Steve "Shakari" Robinson
Kuduland Safaris (Africa) Ltd
info@kuduland.com
www.kuduland.com

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tophet1
.400 member

Reged: 15/09/07
Posts: 1873
Loc: NSW, Australia

Re: What scope do you use ? [Re: shakari]
#88748 - 12/11/07 08:13 AM

Planning is in the early stages but hopefully we will be hunting in Zim around the Gwaii or near Kariba (close to the Tiger fish too .... ). That would make the flora mopane bush, however I anticipate shots over vlei's as well. I don't like shooting over more than about 150 metres.

If we can't get there it will be Namibia where as you stated, I beleive the shots can be much longer and I have a couple of variable Kahles scopes that will handle that.

I'm just hopeing to find out what people have used there.

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Ripp
.577 member

Reged: 19/02/07
Posts: 16072
Loc: Montana, USA

Re: What scope do you use ? [Re: tophet1]
#88752 - 12/11/07 09:33 AM

If you are hunting in Zim and the shots will be closer I would think your choice of a fixed 4 or 6 would work fine--if you are buying a variable I would go with a 2.5 to 8 or 3 to 9 or even the 3.5 to 10 which would work perfectly fine even in longer shots in Namibia--

One the plains game hunts I have done I used a 4.5 to 14 --shot excess of 50 plus animals with no problems what so ever... if I went back that is my "go to gun" and would probably use it again..

Make sure it is good quality glass--all the new higher end scopes seem to hold up pretty well.. personally I like Leupold, Swarovski and Schmidt/Bender...those would be my only choices..

Good luck---this is all part of the experience and makes it all that much more enjoyable..

Ripp

--------------------
ALL MEN DIE, BUT FEW MEN TRULY LIVE..

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hoppdoc
.400 member

Reged: 02/03/06
Posts: 1791
Loc: Southeastern USA

Re: What scope do you use ? [Re: Ripp]
#88759 - 12/11/07 11:38 AM

I agree with Ripp

I used a 3.5x 10 Zeiss conquest on a 338 for PG with no problems whatsoever out to 270 yards.Others say they are not so fond of this scope due to breakage. Mine's great!

A Leupold 1.75x6 or 2.5x8 VariX 3 would be a dandy,light weight, and reasonably priced.They are reasonably tough scopes.

If I could choose any scope and scope weight wasn't an issue I would use a Swarovski 3x12 with the TDS feature for longer shots but that is just my personal preference.If I am going to be walking all day I'll pass on the TDS scope.I would want a lighter quality scope on a lightweight 300 Mag. That should work just fine for PG.

Edited by hoppdoc (12/11/07 11:44 AM)

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Ripp
.577 member

Reged: 19/02/07
Posts: 16072
Loc: Montana, USA

Re: What scope do you use ? [Re: hoppdoc]
#88765 - 12/11/07 01:12 PM

Quote:

I agree with Ripp--

Never thought I would live to see the day..

Ripp

--------------------
ALL MEN DIE, BUT FEW MEN TRULY LIVE..

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ozhunter
.400 member

Reged: 18/08/04
Posts: 1692
Loc: Sydney, Australia

Re: What scope do you use ? [Re: Ripp]
#88783 - 12/11/07 04:52 PM

On most of my hunts to Africa I have used Schmidt&Bender 1.1-6x42 or 4x36 scopes on 9.3x62 rifles.
This set up is ideal for most of Africa's Bush Veldt.

In Zimbabwe its best to be prepared for any game. Thats why I like the 9.3Mauser. It is great for the light and medium sized game and will work on the big stuff.

Edited by ozhunter (12/11/07 05:41 PM)

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allenday
.333 member

Reged: 18/04/04
Posts: 318

Re: What scope do you use ? [Re: tophet1]
#88840 - 13/11/07 01:21 AM

I have a 2.5-8x Leupold on my 338 Win. Mag., which is the main rifle I hunt with these days for everything from Texas whitetails to elk, plus African plainsgame. I used it for a full gamut of plainsgame in Zimbabwe last year, and I'll use it for the full range of plainsgame plus leopard in Zambia next year.

I consider that 2.5-8x Leupold to be just about the ideal all-around scope, and it's not much bigger than a fix 4x or 6x scope is, plus it's tough, compact, features excellent optics, and it sits nice and low on the rifle. It has a wide field of view at the 2.5x setting, plenty of non-critical eye-relief, and you can crank it up to 8x for shots up to 400 yds. or so in the unlikely event that you need to take a long poke at something. It's a hard scope to improve upon for African plainsgame use or for just about any use anywhere..........

AD

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Tatume
.400 member

Reged: 09/06/07
Posts: 1091
Loc: Gloucester, Va USA

Re: What scope do you use ? [Re: allenday]
#88843 - 13/11/07 01:30 AM

Quote:

I have a 2.5-8x Leupold on my 338 Win. Mag ... It's a hard scope to improve upon for African plainsgame use or for just about any use anywhere. AD

AD, I concur. I have three of them on my favorite rifles, and I'm about to order another. The Leupold VX-III 2.5-8x scopes are the best all-around hunting scopes I've ever owned.

Take care, Tom

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xausa
.400 member

Reged: 07/03/07
Posts: 2037
Loc: Tennessee, USA

Re: What scope do you use ? [Re: allenday]
#88852 - 13/11/07 02:16 AM

When the NRA conducted a short experiment four years ago by allowing scoped rifles at the National Matches for across the course high power events, the Leupold 2 1/2-8X VariXIII was my choice.

I had it fitted with target knobs and a one minute dot and shot it at the 2 1/2X setting standing at 200 yards, 4X rapid fire sitting at 200 yards, 6X rapid fire prone at 300 yards and 8X for the 600 yard slow fire prone stage.

It worked to perfection, with reliable and repeatable sight settings, and the low profile was ideal for standing, since it provided minimum wind resistance on those windy days at Camp Perry. I would not hesitate to recommend it for a medium bore hunting rifle like the .308 Winchester Model 70 I used it on, or any of the medium bore Magnums.

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Ripp
.577 member

Reged: 19/02/07
Posts: 16072
Loc: Montana, USA

Re: What scope do you use ? [Re: xausa]
#88856 - 13/11/07 02:32 AM

In the last article in SCI--the Leupolds were the most impressive as to eye relief. Which is a very helpful on heavier rifles..

Ripp

--------------------
ALL MEN DIE, BUT FEW MEN TRULY LIVE..

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tophet1
.400 member

Reged: 15/09/07
Posts: 1873
Loc: NSW, Australia

Re: What scope do you use ? [Re: Ripp]
#88870 - 13/11/07 08:23 AM

Haha.... a light goes on. The Leupold 2.5-8x36. I didn't even consider it and thank you all for posting.

I have been looking at high end quality, lower magnifications variables and low power fixed scopes but couldn't find a quality scope with light weight under 400 grams to maintain rifle balance AND long eye relief for mounting on a Ruger No.1.

Please keep posting as I am still interested in hearing what has been used.

Cheers

Edited by tophet1 (13/11/07 08:39 AM)

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hoppdoc
.400 member

Reged: 02/03/06
Posts: 1791
Loc: Southeastern USA

Re: What scope do you use ? [Re: Ripp]
#88897 - 13/11/07 02:59 PM

Quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I agree with Ripp--

Never thought I would live to see the day..

Ripp

Hey!! Ripp, I agree with you far more than I disagree!!

And I was hoping you would close a deal on that Champlin Army Navy 500NE Double. I can only dream but I would love to see one of the forum members here get that beauty!!
Looking at it constantly can be positively aggravating!! It needs a good home with a hunter!!

--------------------
An armed man is a citizen of his country, an unarmed man just a subject.

Edited by hoppdoc (13/11/07 03:01 PM)

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Ripp
.577 member

Reged: 19/02/07
Posts: 16072
Loc: Montana, USA

Re: What scope do you use ? [Re: hoppdoc]
#88918 - 14/11/07 12:20 AM

Have visited with a fellow forum member of this site--all is not as it appears with that gun--

Having said that..I have the big hunt coming up soon.. already have a english double --soooo... if it means being able to fill more tags in Africa or having another double--I'll take Africa...

I do agree--I would LOVE to have a 500 Double--in my opinion, the perfect double at that..

Ripp

--------------------
ALL MEN DIE, BUT FEW MEN TRULY LIVE..

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mikeh416Rigby
.450 member

Reged: 24/02/03
Posts: 6051
Loc: The beautiful Oley Valley, PA....

Re: What scope do you use ? [Re: tophet1]
#88941 - 14/11/07 08:45 AM

On all of my rifles 30 caliber and under, I use 2 1/2 X 8s. On my 375s I use 1 3/4 X 6s, and on my 416 I use a 1.5 X 20. Every scope is a Leupold.

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Nakihunter
.375 member

Reged: 13/10/07
Posts: 588
Loc: New Zealand

Re: What scope do you use ? [Re: mikeh416Rigby]
#88943 - 14/11/07 10:25 AM

I have owned a few Leupolds in 4X, 1.5-4X on my 358 Win & another will go on the 9.3X62 Simson, 2-7, 3-9 etc. I have just got a 2.5-8X VX3 with Boone & Crockett reticle & put it on my Kimber 7mm08. This has been a huge help & I got a great group at 300 yrs with 3 shots in the bull & 2 more about 3 inches apart. I also have a Swarovski 2.5-10X on my Sako 280 Ackey Imp & that is just perfect! I compared the scopes with a friend who has a 4.5-14 VX3 with B&C reticle - just on dark at 200 to 300 yards, we could see the cross hairs on black cows in the paddock through the Swarovski but not the Leupold!.

I sent a 2-7X back to Leupold as it had a chipped lens caused by carrying on a metal pack frame & they charged me $50 for the lens but did all the other work for free, including replacing some internal parts, seals & freeing up the adjustments.

--------------------
Always shoot through the target & not just at it.

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Ripp
.577 member

Reged: 19/02/07
Posts: 16072
Loc: Montana, USA

Re: What scope do you use ? [Re: Nakihunter]
#88971 - 14/11/07 11:20 PM

Quote:

I compared the scopes with a friend who has a 4.5-14 VX3 with B&C reticle - just on dark at 200 to 300 yards, we could see the cross hairs on black cows in the paddock through the Swarovski but not the Leupold!.

I sent a 2-7X back to Leupold as it had a chipped lens caused by carrying on a metal pack frame & they charged me $50 for the lens but did all the other work for free, including replacing some internal parts, seals & freeing up the adjustments.

I think that speaks highly of both companies--have had trouble with 2 in my lifetime--both sent back and repaired free--Swaovski and Leupold...

as to the darkness test--I would think the Swarovski would gather light a bit better as one is spending up to 3 times what you would for the Swarovski..Having said that--I also have both and if I was going into the blind to wait for a leopard I would probably use a Swarovski for that reason.

Ripp

--------------------
ALL MEN DIE, BUT FEW MEN TRULY LIVE..

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