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Shooting & Reloading - Mausers, Big Bores and others >> Big Bore Rifles
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Sharptail
.224 member


Reged: 11/11/05
Posts: 6
Loc: Edmonton, Ab., Ca.
Scope and rings question
      #41216 - 11/11/05 05:15 AM

The rifle is a CZ 550 Safari in .375 H&H, and is equipped with (factory) express sights. The scope (at least for now) is a Leupold VX III 1.5-5x20mm with heavy duplex (non - illuminated) recticle.

While I am fully confident that the Leupold is strong enough and reliable enough for the job, I worry about its light gathering capability at dawn and dusk (here I can hunt from a half hour before sunrise until a half hour after sunset). All shooting will be done at 250 meters or less. The Schmidt & Bender Zenith 1.1–4 x 24 offers 4 mm of additional aperture, but at considerable additional expense (3X the Leupold). A number of other manufacturers offer 24 mm objectives, many illuminated, which I do not favour. Will the additional light provided by 4 mm more aperture be noticeable, given the hours in which I am allowed to shoot? Do you have any advice for me, should I decide to replace the Leupold?

My next question, and the one with the most immediate concern, is: which rings to use to mount the VX III? CZ, Leupold, Warne and Talley are all available to me. Since I would like to retain the use of the express sights for backup, a quick release system of some sort may be desireable. Will the Warne or Talley systems really retain a zero once removed? Are the QR systems reliable? Would it be better to forget the QR systems altogether and simply carry an Allen wrench in order to remove the scope? I would like to use the 19mm dovetail on the 550 and not worry about installing other bases, such as the Leupold QR system seems to require. With the aluminium tube of the Leupold, is it better to have aluminium or steel rings? Temperatures here during the hunting season can vary between +20 to -30 C.

I appreciate any information and opinions you may have to offer on any of the above questions. Thank you in advance for your input.

Sharptail

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NitroXAdministrator
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Reged: 25/12/02
Posts: 40603
Loc: Barossa Valley, South Australi...
Re: Scope and rings question [Re: Sharptail]
      #41390 - 12/11/05 09:22 PM

BTT - post shifted on request of the member

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John aka NitroX

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Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
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briscoelab
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Reged: 11/11/05
Posts: 3
Re: Scope and rings question [Re: Sharptail]
      #41855 - 18/11/05 05:55 AM

The added 4mm will do you no real good with the power range that you are working with. This is because of the size of the exit diamater of the light beam. At those magnifications and objective size, it is already at or near the maximum that your eye can use... assuming a few things about how dialated your eye will be during the ambient light situations when hunting. If you were hunting at night, then you could easily gain by having a larger objective.

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SAHUNT
Sponsor


Reged: 27/12/04
Posts: 900
Loc: Centurion, RSA
Re: Scope and rings question [Re: briscoelab]
      #41895 - 18/11/05 11:58 PM

I agree, something else that must be kept in mind. If you shoot a animal late in the afternoon and you must follow it up, you might end up losing it. I do not know the toughness of the animals you hunt, but I had a couple of experiences where I shot a animal and it took of( most African species does that), the one was found 20 m from where I shot it underneath a bush. If it was too dark I would have missed it completely and it would have been jackal food. I personally prefer to stop hunting about half a hour before sunset. If a real crazy critter happens to cross my way, well it all depends what it is, if it is a hog I will have a go.



--------------------
Life is how you pass the time between hunting trips.
Sometimes I do not express myself properly in the English language, please forgive me, I am just a boertjie.
Jaco Human
jacohu@mweb.co.za
SA Hunting Experience

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DarylS
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Reged: 10/08/05
Posts: 27650
Loc: Beautiful British Columbia, Ca...
Re: Scope and rings question [Re: Sharptail]
      #41910 - 19/11/05 07:28 AM

The VariX 3 should be just fine at 2X for poor-light conditions. All you have to do is to try it out in the light conditions you are questioning. Afterall, you're the one using it.
: Other scopes for this are the Bushnel Elite 3200 or 4200 in low powers. They are usually brighter yet than the Leupolds and are actually tested on a .375H&H.
: I've never had trouble with either on heavy kickers. My present .375 has a straight power 2X Leuopold which is also perfect for large calibres for big game shooting.

--------------------
Daryl


"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V

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Sharptail
.224 member


Reged: 11/11/05
Posts: 6
Loc: Edmonton, Ab., Ca.
Re: Scope and rings question [Re: Sharptail]
      #42022 - 21/11/05 07:54 AM

Gentlemen, thank you. I believe that I will be happy with the VX III. I would still like to try a back - to - back comparison with the S&B, but I am experiencing difficulty finding anyone who will loan me one!

Sahunt, I agree with you re: shooting at the edge of legal light. My concern is that in the event of having to track and dispatch a wounded animal, every minute of visibility can be important.

Does anyone have an opinion with regards to the quick detachable rings?

Sharptail

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Scott
.275 member


Reged: 11/01/05
Posts: 89
Loc: Florida, USA
Re: Scope and rings question [Re: Sharptail]
      #42030 - 21/11/05 09:46 AM

I have a VX III 1.75x6 on my 375 HH with standard Leupold rings and their two piece bases. I have never had a problem with the rings or bases. My 375 does not have iron sights.

I have the Leupold QR bases and rings (30MM) on my 458 Lott and have not had any problem with them either. I have an Aimpoint red dot scope on the Lott.

I also use the QR rings and bases on my muzzel loader with great success. I have a S&B 6x on the muzzel loader. I can say that I am not sure the scope is 3 times better than the VX III based on the price.

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