12 May 2004, 13:37
mstarlingImportance of a Spare Scope?
Guys,
Am leaving on a plains game safari Wednesday of next week. Second scope on the .375 started to act up. No time to get repaired. Both scopes are Zeiss Conquest 3-9x40 MCs.
Only rifle I have left in the safe with two scopes is a CZ 550 in .416 Rigby. Have a 1.5-5 Leupold VX III and a 2.5x Leupold Compact already on rings and close to sighted-in. It shoots 350 Barnes Xs very well.
So ... what's my best decision:
1) Take the .375 H&H and not worry about the second scope, or
2) Load for the .416 and take it.
I have a 4457 for the Rigby and would just need to redo the SAP311. Is this fella too much gun to take?
12 May 2004, 13:44
LHowellmstarling
Take the .375. One scope should be enough, but, could you mount and zero the 1.5-5 Leupold from the Rigby as a back up?
Les
12 May 2004, 13:47
mstarlingCan't move the scope as I don't have a set of 30mm rings for the mounts on the .375. No time to get them in with certainty and get the sight-in done properly. Guess I should have thought of that some time ago.
Take both the 416 and 375.
Another alternative is a lighter caliber and the 375. You didn't say what type of plains game your hunting. However, you'll probably be able to take most, if not all your plains game with a 30'06 or 300 win mag class rifle.
I usually alway's take a spare rifle with scope on a hunting trip. What if something other than the scope acts up.
Just a thought...
Take Care,
-Steve
12 May 2004, 14:23
mstarlingOther rifle already going is a 9.3x62 CZ 550 American with a 2.5-8 Leupold VariX III. Shoots very well from bench, kneeling, and sticks. Using 286 gr Nosler Partitions in it.
Just thought it wise to take at least one rifle with two scopes just in case.
Well Ive had scopes crap out on me.(fogged up ,cross hair went missing,parralax got huge,wouldnt hold zero)so I like to have a spare scope zeroed in a spare set of rings. With my leupold QRW rings and bases ,it returns to close enough to zero when I swap to different scopes and only takes a minute and no tools.
On the other hand ,Ive had an extractor broken(caused by brother in law loading way too hot and sticking cases), bullet stuck in rifling ,by me accidentley leaving powder out, stock broken on unreinforced 458 stock. So sometimes a spare rifle would be good as well.
One thing I have done is to get my main hunting rifles with weaver bases and to get the bases spaced apart the same amount so that I can swap a scope off another gun ,though zero is usualy a little out.
12 May 2004, 16:05
AtkinsonI never take a spare scope, but I wouldn't own a gun without iron sights! I usually take a couple of rifles and both will be capable of whatever comes along...
Save ourself a lot of greif. Take the spere. At about a pound weight it will be worth its weight if something goes wrong. Trust me on this. If you don't need it bring it back or give it as a tip. Why would you spend all that money and not insure that all bases are covered. They don't sell scopes just anywhere in Africa. Just my perspective on the issue.
13 May 2004, 14:35
Russell E. TaylorAlong the lines of taking a spare scope, what mounts do you recommend, with the idea of holding up to recoil AND holding the zero of the scope before it was detached? I'm considering a couple of QD setups for one or two of my big-game rifles.
Thanks, folks.
Russ
13 May 2004, 15:06
Sheldon CharronRussel. Use Warne or Talleys. They are both very tough and work great. Leupold QRW's are okay but stay away from the QR's. I have had two sets tank out on my .338 Win. After repeated removal the lugs wore and the levers would turn 360 degrees without tightening up enough to avoid coming loose and flipping up under recoil.