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need advice on scope for 416 rigby
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I started to post this in the optics or big bore rifle section but I really want input from anyone who might have been through this before and hunts DG. I have a 416 rigby, cz 550 african safari rifle. I was looking for a scope for it and I ran into a problem with finding a scope with a long enough tube length to fit the rings on the rifle unless I go with a 30 mm or smaller diamiter. I was hoping for larger diameter for better low light situations. It is not like I am going to take a 200 yard shot with a 416 so I do not need a 6 by 24X scope, just with older eyes open sights are getting tougher and slower for me. I have written and sent emails to CZ with no response and the same to customer services at Leopold, Nikon, Zeiss and Bushnell. Living in rural Texas with no real gun shops or gunsmiths leaves me without any professional input. Help! I will look at the Dallas Safari club but I need some of AR members advice before then, thanks, wes


you can make more money, you can not make more time
 
Posts: 786 | Location: Mexia Texas | Registered: 07 July 2006Reply With Quote
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I would put a 1.5 X 5 Leupold VX-III if it were I.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
J. Lane Easter, DVM

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No state commands such fierce pride and loyalty. Lesser mortals are pitied for their misfortune in not being born in Texas.— Queen Elizabeth II on her visit to Texas in May, 1991.
 
Posts: 38890 | Location: Gainesville, TX | Registered: 24 December 2006Reply With Quote
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Swarovski Z6i 1-6*24 EE
http://www.opticsplanet.net/pr...e-ee-cd-reticle.html

Or without the (i). I have the 1.7-10 and i love it on my 375.
 
Posts: 2638 | Location: North | Registered: 24 May 2007Reply With Quote
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+1
 
Posts: 73 | Location: Oklahoma | Registered: 18 February 2003Reply With Quote
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quote:
Originally posted by A.Dahlgren:
Swarovski Z6i 1-6*24 EE
http://www.opticsplanet.net/pr...e-ee-cd-reticle.html


Yackman
 
Posts: 582 | Location: Searcy,AR | Registered: 23 February 2003Reply With Quote
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I used a Leupold 4x compact in Warne rings and was pleased with the results.


Yackman
 
Posts: 582 | Location: Searcy,AR | Registered: 23 February 2003Reply With Quote
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A Leupold VX III 1.75 X 6 sits on top of my M70 416 Rem Mag. Great combo thumb


Jim "Bwana Umfundi"
NRA



 
Posts: 3014 | Location: State Of Jefferson | Registered: 27 March 2002Reply With Quote
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I know the problem well. I got a great deal on a Schmidt&Bender 1.5-6 and found I couldn't mount it on my 416 Rigby when I got it home!
I am using a Kahles 1.5-6X42, which is OK, but I'd like a little more eye relief. I am waiting to see the new Bushnell 6500 Elite in 1.5-8. The factory claims 6 inches of eye relief, and 6 inches of mounting space as well.
 
Posts: 1981 | Location: South Dakota | Registered: 22 August 2004Reply With Quote
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I am having a 416 Rigby built and am going to use two scopes on it.

The Swarofski Z6I 1X6EE with the illuminated circle dot reticle, and also the Swarofski Z6I 1.7X10 with illuminated 4AI reticle.

I have the 1,7X10 on my 375H&H and it was great on close up shots as well as out to 300 yards.

If one scope was to be used it would be the 1.7X10. Great scope, great clarity and the illuminated dot really helps in pin pointing your hold and shot.

The eyes aren't what they used to be and the extra magnification helps. Also great for low light.
 
Posts: 2180 | Location: Rancho Cucamonga, Ca. | Registered: 20 February 2008Reply With Quote
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I've had a CZ in 516 Rigby for about three years now. Marvelous rifle for anything in the world. I put a Leupold VX-III 2.5-8X x36mm in Talley QR rings on it when I got home. It has survived over 500 rounds of factory-equivalent loads with no ill effects to date. It works, that's about all I can ask...

Rich
 
Posts: 23062 | Location: SW Idaho | Registered: 19 December 2005Reply With Quote
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My old 416 Rigby was built on a Brevex action, which like yours is quite long. Mounting the short, low powered 1" scopes was just about impossible. I ended up using a fixed 3x Leupold and the problems were solved. Plenty of tube length, plenty of power too, for the game I hunted with it. It made four safaris and accounted for multiple buffalo, lion and a number of plains species with shots out to 200yds. Keeping a large and often times heavy scope in place on a big bore can be difficult...just a word of warning!
 
Posts: 1148 | Location: The Hunting Fields | Registered: 22 May 2002Reply With Quote
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quote:
Originally posted by ledvm:
I would put a 1.5 X 5 Leupold VX-III if it were I.


ditto


-------------------------------
Will / Once you've been amongst them, there is no such thing as too much gun.
---------------------------------------
and, God Bless John Wayne. NRA Benefactor, GOA, NAGR
_________________________

"Elephant and Elephant Guns" $99 shipped.
“Hunting Africa's Dangerous Game" $20 shipped.

red.dirt.elephant@gmail.com
_________________________

If anything be of note, let it be he was once an elephant hunter, hoping to wind up where elephant hunters go.

 
Posts: 19399 | Location: Ocala Flats | Registered: 22 May 2002Reply With Quote
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I have the same rifle and have a Leupold 1.5x5 scope on it with a heavy duplex. Another scope to consider that will fit and not break the bank is a Zeiss Conquest 2.5x8 scope. It can be had for about $350. The 1 inch section of the Zeiss tube is 6 inches long so you have a great deal of latitude positioning the scope for your eye. The 416 can reach out pretty far for plains game and the 2.5x8 will take advantage of that feature. Good luck!
 
Posts: 3073 | Location: Pittsburgh, PA | Registered: 11 November 2004Reply With Quote
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A Leupold VX III 1.75 X 6


That's the exact scope I have on my Davenport Rigby and it has served me well!


On the plains of hesitation lie the bleached bones of ten thousand, who on the dawn of victory lay down their weary heads resting, and there resting, died.

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Or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch...
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Posts: 7573 | Location: Victoria, Texas | Registered: 30 March 2003Reply With Quote
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Swarovski 1-6 EE. If you want the Illuminated reticle, go for it, but in my experience, if its light enough to be hunting, the glass is bright enough without it. I've used the #4, and had no problems.

I put an illuminated reticle on the gun I was using for leopard, and that did help when we were hunting at night, as I could get on the scope before the light was turned on, and it did work quite well, but I don't think I really NEEDED it.

I do think the various 30 mm tube scopes that I've seen are generally brighter than the 1" models, and I've never had as good of luck with the Leupolds as I have with the Swarovski stuff.
 
Posts: 11446 | Location: Minnesota USA | Registered: 15 June 2007Reply With Quote
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The VX III 1.5-5 or 1.3/4-6 would do the job and stand up well to the recoil.

I have a 1.5-5 on my 416 Rem. and a 13/4-6 on my 375 and either is great but the 1.5-5 may come nearer to fitting with most rings. I also have a swaro Z6 and a habicht but both are large scopes and their strong suits are not required in a DG application and the extra bulk is a nuisance in that environment. Either way it's a cool problem to have and there is almost no wrong answer. It's really what YOU like!

Adrian
 
Posts: 414 | Location: Tennille, Ga | Registered: 29 December 2006Reply With Quote
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I'm still using the same Leupold 1.5 x 5 X 20 Matte scope on my second 416 Rigby and have over 500 rounds through rifles the scope has sat on and it is still perfect in everyway.

Made two trips to Africa and 6 countries and two trips to Canada as well as several in the "lower 48".

Regards,


The display of PURE POWER is nothing short of AWESOME !

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Posts: 327 | Location: The Beautiful Sandhills of America | Registered: 29 January 2006Reply With Quote
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Swarovski Z6, 1-6x42, with or without illumination reticle is the best choice for your appliaction.


Karl Stumpfe
Ndumo Hunting Safaris www.huntingsafaris.net
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P.O. Box 1667, Katima Mulilo, Namibia
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Posts: 1340 | Location: Namibia, Caprivi | Registered: 11 September 2005Reply With Quote
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my 550 416 rigby has a 1" leupold vxII 1-4... that seems to work fine, i used B Square steel rings as i couldn't find any QDs at the time.


"one of the most common african animals is the common coolerbok(or coleman's coolerbok). Many have been domesticated and can be found in hunting camps, lodges and in the back of vehicles."
 
Posts: 252 | Location: Singapore | Registered: 26 April 2004Reply With Quote
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as important as the scope itself is a sturdy mount and good rings , ..the .416 is no slouch when it comes to recoil and i have seen a lot of mount failings ..

with that calibre the highest magnification you will need is not much over 4 power.


"The greatest threat to our wildlife is the thought that someone else will save it”

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Posts: 1201 | Location: South Africa  | Registered: 04 March 2005Reply With Quote
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Another consideration is the long eye-piece of some brand of scopes. Those are just begging to give you smileys on a forehead, especially for guys like me that crawl the stock.

Leupold 1.5-5X. It's the gold standard and nothing has changed that.


-------------------------------
Will / Once you've been amongst them, there is no such thing as too much gun.
---------------------------------------
and, God Bless John Wayne. NRA Benefactor, GOA, NAGR
_________________________

"Elephant and Elephant Guns" $99 shipped.
“Hunting Africa's Dangerous Game" $20 shipped.

red.dirt.elephant@gmail.com
_________________________

If anything be of note, let it be he was once an elephant hunter, hoping to wind up where elephant hunters go.

 
Posts: 19399 | Location: Ocala Flats | Registered: 22 May 2002Reply With Quote
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I have a 1.5x5 Leupold on my CZ 416 Rigby and with its long eye relief it is perfect.


BUTCH

C'est Tout Bon
(It is all good)
 
Posts: 1932 | Location: Lafayette, LA | Registered: 05 October 2007Reply With Quote
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Another vote for the Leupold Vari-X III in 1.5-5 heavy duplex.

I mounted this scope on my Steyr .458 Win Mag and put many rounds through the rifle whilw working up loads. Then it went to Zimbabwe & back in 2002, survived a couple of moves after that, and when I shot it again after nearly 7 years, POI had not changed at all.

I also have the scope in Warne rings but can't recall the last time I took it off.
 
Posts: 69 | Location: Atlanta | Registered: 02 July 2009Reply With Quote
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My CZ .416 wears a Zeiss Diavara-C 1.5X4.5, 1" tube. It's got a long enough tube for eye relief adjustment for anyone from Tattoo to Lurch.
 
Posts: 2921 | Location: Canada | Registered: 07 March 2001Reply With Quote
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quote:
Originally posted by JBoutfishn:
A Leupold VX III 1.75 X 6 sits on top of my M70 416 Rem Mag. Great combo thumb


I have the same on my 375 H&H. If you want to spend more money go with the Swaroski or a Zeiss but I think the Leupold will do the job fine.
As far as mounts I have had no trouble with Leupolds QD, Talley work fine also.


NRA Life
DRSS
Searcy 470 NE

The poster formerly known as Uglystick
 
Posts: 512 | Location: New Mexico USA | Registered: 06 March 2005Reply With Quote
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Seems like I am using the same as many others.
Leupold 1.5x5 on my Ruger .416 Rigby. Works great.
Bill
 
Posts: 1091 | Location: Salt Lake City, Utah, USA | Registered: 19 March 2002Reply With Quote
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Thanks,,, Being able to get all the advice from the experience of the hunters here is what makes AR so beneficial to me. I do not have to trial and error this situation. Thanks for the input. wes


you can make more money, you can not make more time
 
Posts: 786 | Location: Mexia Texas | Registered: 07 July 2006Reply With Quote
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I also have the leupold VariX III 1.5-5x20 with QD rings. But, be careful tightening down the front rings as they rest awfully close to the front lens.

I've had to send back the same scope on my Model 70 375 as moisture gathered and dried on the inside of the front lens. I'm guessing that is because I tighened it down to much.

Leupold fixed it for free and rushed it back. All within 5 days as I was headed on safari. Great customer service!!!


"There are worse memorials to a life well-lived than a pair of elephant tusks." Robert Ruark
 
Posts: 4782 | Location: Story, WY / San Carlos, Sonora, MX | Registered: 29 May 2002Reply With Quote
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quote:
Originally posted by Will:
quote:
Originally posted by ledvm:
I would put a 1.5 X 5 Leupold VX-III if it were I.


ditto


Me, too, since I have one on my M70 .375 and one is going onto my .458 Win. Hard to beat.
 
Posts: 11729 | Location: Florida | Registered: 25 October 2006Reply With Quote
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I have one on my .458 Lott, so why not? Big Grin
 
Posts: 18597 | Registered: 04 April 2005Reply With Quote
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Put a ghost ring on it. Scopes are fore snipers.


Russ Gould - Whitworth Arms LLC
BigfiveHQ.com, Large Calibers and African Safaris
Doublegunhq.com, Fine English, American and German Double Rifles and Shotguns
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Posts: 2936 | Location: Texas | Registered: 07 June 2003Reply With Quote
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I use a Swarovski 1.25-4x24mm variable on mine.

With back up irons.


Mike

Wilderness is my cathedral, and hunting is my prayer.
 
Posts: 13928 | Location: New England | Registered: 06 June 2003Reply With Quote
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My .416 Rigby wears a Zeiss Conquest 2.5-8. Perfect!
 
Posts: 2627 | Location: Where the pine trees touch the sky | Registered: 06 December 2006Reply With Quote
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I have about five of the Leupold 1.5-5 scopes, which I have used over the past decades and I love 'em, but for your application my vote would second the fixed (M-8) 3X Leupold suggestion made by "John S". They are no longer made and have a cult following for DG rifles because of their dead solid toughness, long tube and perfect magnification, (which actually falls a little below 3X). I have two of them and there is something to be said for eliminating the variable machinery.

They can still be found on Ebay with a "Leupold M-8" search. That being said, all of the above posts look like good advice.
 
Posts: 10 | Registered: 12 November 2009Reply With Quote
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quote:
Originally posted by JBoutfishn:
A Leupold VX III 1.75 X 6 sits on top of my M70 416 Rem Mag. Great combo thumb


For anyone that knows, without getting into ring extensions, what do you use to mount "short ring spacing" scopes such as Leupold 2.5-8 or a 2-7 on a Mod 70 or MRC? The only scopes I can mount on my MRC's are a 20mm objective, or a 1.75-6 (all my scopes are & will be Leupold)

Thanks


Rod

--------------------------------
"A hunter should not choose the cal, cartridge, and bullet that will kill an animal when everything is right; rather, he should choose ones that will kill the most efficiently when everything goes wrong"
Bob Hagel
 
Posts: 977 | Location: Alberta, Canada. | Registered: 10 May 2005Reply With Quote
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Like so many others, I recommend the scope with the lowest power option, one that goes as low as 1.5X. This will make some elephant shots (at close range) possible, but not all. Often enough you will be charged in heavy cover. There will be no time to wonder what part of the animal you are aiming at in the scope. That is why I would suggest a quick-disconnect scope mount. Hunting in heavy brush or trees for dangerous game will be a lot safer if you are able to take the scope off easily. Training yourself to shoot with the scope off can be a life saver, and you will surprise yourself how accurate the open sights are.


That which is not impossible is compulsory
 
Posts: 161 | Location: Arkansas | Registered: 16 May 2006Reply With Quote
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quote:
Originally posted by Bill 5248:
Like so many others, I recommend the scope with the lowest power option, one that goes as low as 1.5X. This will make some elephant shots (at close range) possible, but not all. Often enough you will be charged in heavy cover. There will be no time to wonder what part of the animal you are aiming at in the scope. That is why I would suggest a quick-disconnect scope mount. Hunting in heavy brush or trees for dangerous game will be a lot safer if you are able to take the scope off easily. Training yourself to shoot with the scope off can be a life saver, and you will surprise yourself how accurate the open sights are.



That is supposed to go w/o saying, but sort of needs to be repeated every day! Smiler


-------------------------------
Will / Once you've been amongst them, there is no such thing as too much gun.
---------------------------------------
and, God Bless John Wayne. NRA Benefactor, GOA, NAGR
_________________________

"Elephant and Elephant Guns" $99 shipped.
“Hunting Africa's Dangerous Game" $20 shipped.

red.dirt.elephant@gmail.com
_________________________

If anything be of note, let it be he was once an elephant hunter, hoping to wind up where elephant hunters go.

 
Posts: 19399 | Location: Ocala Flats | Registered: 22 May 2002Reply With Quote
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I think that a Leupy 2.5x8 is the perfect scope for a 375/416 class gun ,if it can span the ejection port with its smaller tube length.

quick disconnect rings if you are really in the sh!T knife and it has enough magnification to reach out and touch something way out there (Which is the strong suit of the medium bores.)

The 1.75 by 6 has a very a small amount of windage and elevation adjustment which makes mounting problematic on a few of the guns I have tried it on - they also have a smaller eyebox.

I personally feel that the 1.5 x 5 doesn't really have the magnification to take advantage of the reach offered by the medium bores, I know that many here would disagree but I know for me @ 200 yards I shoot alot better with the extra magnification. It is also somewhat lacking in the low light situations one sometimes finds one self in.

I have tried a swaro 1.7x10 z6, a 1.75 x6 leupy, 1.5x5 leupy, 3x9 zeiss conquest and have come to the conclusion that:

All in all I don't think there is a better match out there than a 2.5 x 8 on a medium bore.
 
Posts: 171 | Location: ontario canada | Registered: 12 February 2005Reply With Quote
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I have Leupold VX III 1.75 X 6 on my CZ 550 with Talley Quick Detach. Works just fine.


The danger of civilization, of course, is that you will piss away your life on nonsense
 
Posts: 782 | Location: Baltimore, MD | Registered: 22 July 2005Reply With Quote
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I have the VX III 1.75 X 6 -- on a 416 and a 2.5 X 8 on the 375 for the same reasons as noted above -- both are in Talley detach rings and bases ---- I also have a 1 X 5 Leupold illuminated - mounted in Talley detachable rings that I take along as a spare -- just in case --- never have had to use it but it is ready when needed.


OMG!-- my bow is "pull-push feed" - how dreadfully embarrasing!!!!!
 
Posts: 933 | Location: 8K Ft in Colorado | Registered: 10 December 2005Reply With Quote
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