Hello fellow AR members. I have been thinking about what a "dangerous game scope" is and I decided to ask the pro's what they use. So, I want to know what scope you use on your DG rifle? Is it a fixed power or a variable? Is it a Leupold or a Swarovski or something else? What model is it? I would love to hear any details of the scope you use.

Swarovski PH scopes. 30mm tube. 1.25 or 1.5 magnification on lowest setting. Circle dot reticle. Almost like a reflex/red dot sight at low mag. Super fast and super functional.

Far from a pro, but I use Swaro, S&B and Kahles low range variables when I want a variable.

They've all worked just fine.

By low range, I mean low end mag of 1.1 to 1.5x and high end of 4 to 6x. That's good for shots from spitting distance out to as far as I want to shoot.

I use the Leupold fixed 2.5x when I don't want or need a variable, but need some low end magnification.

A tougher scope would be hard to find.

I use these scopes on 9.3, .375, .416, .458 and .500 caliber rifles.

Reticles include Leupold heavy duplex, German No. 4, Swaro circle dot and S&B flashdot illuminated.

Again, all have worked just fine.

Swarovski Z6i 1.7-10x42

Had a Leupold 1.5-4.5 on the .375 but I noticed I never took it off 1.5x......Switched it for a Pentax 2.5x, not sure why, we'll see how that works.

Shot my leopard with a 9,3x74r and a 4x straight-tube Burris, but it was seriously lacking in night-time light gathering ability

The .470 operates off a 57-year-old Mark I eyeball.

Leupold 2x compact in QD rings on my .416 bolt gun.

Ultra tough scope with great field of view for up close!

Leupold VXIII 1.75-6X for all my variables
Leupold M8-2.5x for fixed scopes

My partner prefers Leupold VXIII 2.5-8X for the 375H&H

Again; Leupold. Your in America. If you need repairs your Leupold gets fixed in America. Their newer VX-7 series is on par with anyone's, has a lifetime warranty and they will overnight you a replacement while yours is being fixed if your in a hurry. I do not work for Leupold, nor receive compensation, I'm just a customer like you. I spent many years in wholesale and retail sporting goods and met many gun mfrs. They all told me the same: Leupold and with just reason, especially on the big bores. Anything can happen to any product, but I have too many disappointed friends and clients who had to return their foreign optics and it takes a little patience. Please note, I'm in no way saying X, Y or Z scopes aren't great, just an observation of years hunting and listening.
LDK

Far from an expert but my 375 wears a 1.5-6 Kahles with cross hairs and an illuminated dot or a Leupold 1.5-5 both on Talley quick change rings.

Took my Leupold off my .416Rigby and replaced with Swarovski PH....a Lion could tell you why ....but three days later, he ended up dead...with my .375RUM which still has its Leupold....

I'm just a guy with one safari under his belt, but I did have a meaningful experience involving scope brightness.

I have a 1-6X24mm Swarovski Z6i on my .375 Ruger, and I found myself wishing I had the 1.7-10x42mm when I shot a leopard during the last minute or so of light this year. It was right on the edge of being too dark for the scope, but my PH could see the cat just fine through his 10X Leica binos.

But if I weren't hunting cats, I think the 1-6x Swarovski or the 1.5-5x Leupold would be fine. Both scopes are very durable, with great lenses and reliable adjustments.

Why any U.S. hunter would buy a German or Japanese scope simply doesn't make any sense to me. Never has. You can't get a better warranty or quality.

All my rifles wear Leupold scopes. First one went on a Browning BAR .300WM in 1974 and it's still there. All my big bore bolt guns - .375H&H, .416Rem, .458Lott - have hunted Africa and all have Leupold scopes in their QR mounts/rings. The two biggest both have the 1.5-5x illuminated circle-dot reticle in 30mm tubes. They have hunted in sub-zero to 120F degree conditions in dust, rain and snow and have been rolled on by horses, submerged in water and otherwise submitted to all the bumps and bruises of rough hunting and travel around the world. I have never had one fail or loose zero and have never needed to return one for warranty work.

You can spend more or less for a non-American scope, but you can't get better quality or service anywhere.

I agree with LionHunter 100%.

The talk of scopes always goes to service and warranty. FWIW, Swarovski repairs its scopes and binos in Rhode Island in the good ol USA.

I've sent them four scopes and one bino in the last year. All have had new lenses put in, nitrogen recharged, new eye cups, etc at NO CHARGE TO ME. They even paid the return shipping. Following the repair, they were good as new or, in the case of the binos, better than new with new glass and the newer style of twist out eyecups.

quote:

he talk of scopes always goes to service and warranty. FWIW, Swarovski repairs its scopes and binos in Rhode Island in the good ol USA.

I've sent them four scopes and one bino in the last year. All have had new lenses put in, nitrogen recharged, new eye cups, etc at NO CHARGE TO ME.

perhaps with a different make you wouldnt have had to send them all back as many times as you did

LH, all my rifles, except one have Leupolds and I trust them explicitly....the one that has a Swarovski PH has one because the Leupold failed----the only time I have ever had a Leupold fail...maybe my fault....I got my .416Rigby just before my first DG hunt and did not have time to order and receive and mount a new Leupold...took a VXII 3x9 off a rifle and mounted....it reliably killed my first three Buffalo....but it slowly after years of use, after 3 or 4 shots would start to creep low...I did not recognize it was a scope problem, not an airline or bouncing around in the bakkie problem until I hit a broadside Lion at 80 yds in the leg. It would not hold verticle after a few shots. We shot it at on site range. (I had shot several times at home range)...had to adjust up some at 50yds. The PH then shot it, his step son shot it and the lead tracker shot it---he was off but none of the rest of the shots and we laffed at him! I then killed a bait cow Buff but took 3 shots to finish. Horizontal remained on. I now realize the particular scope was not designed for what I was doing with it but my Swarovski does not move no matter how many rounds or how baggage handlers treat it!
My son now has the "failed" scope on his
AR knock off and it holds zero so it must have been my mistake....ever make one yourself?

DG scope = low magnification large tube for light transmission and brightness 30mm tube, at least a 40mm bell, high end magnification 6X, and yes a illuminated reticle.
Most importantly one has to be able to shoot with both eyes open, a must... Works with practice

Mike

I certainly did not say, nor was I implying, that Leupolds have not failed. Anything made by man will fail, sooner or later, re: space shuttles!

I once bought a used 7mm Rem with a Leupold 6x on it. Couldn't get it to shoot and sent the scope back to the factory (also sent the rifle back to Ruger); Leupold completely re-furbished it and returned it in short order without charge. I had a pair of Leupold mini Gold Ring binos I bought around 1975 and after 30+ years the individual focus mechanism began to become difficult to manipulate due to many hunts in dusty conditions over the years. Sent them back and Leupold completely cleaned and re-furbished them without charge.

I've tried other scopes and compared the european makes. Just don't see any reason to spend $300 - $500+ more for a euro scope. BTW, aside from my old Leupold 9x25 mini binos, I do use Leica binos in 8x30 and 10x42 and consider them arguably the best in the world.

I failed the second grade....got more whippings than "A's"
The Leupold on my .22-250 aint no cheaper than a Euro!!!

Guys, I'm not asking for reccomendations for a DG scope I am asking what you use.

I use the Leupold 1.5 X 5 on both my 458 Lott and on my 450 X 400( Talley removable). On my two .375's, a Leupold 2.5 X 8 or a Leupold 3.5 X 10. On the .470 NE-no scope.

quote:

Originally posted by Christian Snyder:
Guys, I'm not asking for reccomendations for a DG scope I am asking what you use.

Leupold 2x EER scope in semi scout position on Mauser 404J for last 30 years.

quote:

Originally posted by Christian Snyder:
Hello fellow AR members. I have been thinking about what a "dangerous game scope" is and I decided to ask the pro's what they use. So, I want to know what scope you use on your DG rifle? Is it a fixed power or a variable? Is it a Leupold or a Swarovski or something else? What model is it? I would love to hear any details of the scope you use.

I have used Leupold 1.5 – 5 x 20 VX III scopes on my .458 Lott
DG rifles on nearly one dozen safaris and never experienced any
problems. I like the Leupolds long eye relief on hard recoiling rifles…


Cheers, Hans

quote:

Originally posted by safari-lawyer:
The talk of scopes always goes to service and warranty. FWIW, Swarovski repairs its scopes and binos in Rhode Island in the good ol USA.

I've sent them four scopes and one bino in the last year. All have had new lenses put in, nitrogen recharged, new eye cups, etc at NO CHARGE TO ME. They even paid the return shipping. Following the repair, they were good as new or, in the case of the binos, better than new with new glass and the newer style of twist out eyecups.

Amen! The big three get used up here in Alaska quite a bit, so you hear a lot of stories from the different companies. I've heard Leica is so/so with their warranty (I have ultravid HD binnos). Friends have Swaro.....well everything and they say Swaro takes care of/fixes everything (have a swaro scope on my coming sheep rifle). Ziess I don't have any first or second hand experience. That said I've used leupold most of my life up until now, but I wouldn't hesitate to buy Swaro due to customer service.

If you're asking what's a great DG scope I'd ask what are you hunting? Not all DG is created equal.

Brett

I have 1.5x5 VXIII Leupold heavy duplex scopes on 5 DG rifles in calibers .458 Lott, (2).458 WM, 416 Rigby, 404 Jeffery.

I have 2.5x8 or 1.75x6 Leupolds on 3 different .375 H&H rifles.

All have Talley QD system except Ruger Lott and CZ Rigby, and one of the .375s.

I have never had a new Leupold fail, but I have purchased used ones in need of repair. Leupold always fixed them quick and free.

I have sold several Swaros because I hate the short eye relief and the enlarging reticle.

I typically use Leupold scopes but have one or two Euro scopes.
That said for dangerous type game, quick acquisition may be as important as a quality maker. IMO nothing gets you on a target quicker than a DOT reticle. Keep all the other trash out of the sight picture. It draws your eye directly to the point of contact.
Leupolds Circle DOT reticle offering is tops in my book for FAST close acquisition and if you like it illuminated, they offer that option as well. Put the DOT where you want the bullet to land and pull the trigger. Make sure you gun is is sighted in

EZ

My own personal choice for the loaner is a Swarovski 1.5 -6 x 42 but quite honestly, I don't think there's a heck of a lot to choose between the top makes.

What I think is more important is the light gathering capability at the business end. Again this is all about personal choice but to me, as it's quite common to get the best shooting opporunities close to first or last light, the straight tube scopes are obviously a big handicap at those moments......and even more of a handicap in a leopard blind.

FWIW, my Swarovski has been on several rifles over the years, has taken no end of punishment and is still as good as new.

Steve,

Have you had that 1.5 X 6 X 42 on a big bore? Just curious as to how it holds up on something like a 416 Rigby, 458 WM or Lott. Have always heard the heavier scopes are more prone to failure due to their mass being moved so quickly on hard recoiling guns tears them up. The reason most folks use a lighter scope on the big guns. I have a like scope on a 375 but have resisted on larger guns. I would agree on the light gathering capacity. Thought about putting one on a 416 some time back.

EZ

quote:

Originally posted by shakari:
My own personal choice for the loaner is a Swarovski 1.5 -6 x 42 but quite honestly, I don't think there's a heck of a lot to choose between the top makes.

What I think is more important is the light gathering capability at the business end. Again this is all about personal choice but to me, as it's quite common to get the best shooting opporunities close to first or last light, the straight tube scopes are obviously a big handicap at those moments......and even more of a handicap in a leopard blind.

FWIW, my Swarovski has been on several rifles over the years, has taken no end of punishment and is still as good as new.

Leupold

I figured Leupold would win by leaps and bounds. I love their scopes and their warranty. My dad just sent back a scope that had been on a rifle since the '60s and they repaired it FREE OF CHARGE! It is an old fixed 4X and it is working great since they fixed it.

Eezridr,

Yup, I've had it on a .404 Jeffery for several years and it's never given a moments problem.

I have a Burris 1x4 "shot-gun" scope on my 9.2x62, it's a 8 pound rig so recoil is noticable. Burris no longer makes this scope, figures.

At 1x it has 22+ inches of eye relief and you can pick up a target before you have the rifle at the shoulder. At 4x it has about 6 inches of eye relief. I gave one of the 4 scopes I have to my PH in Namibia and he put it on his 375 and absolutely loves it. I put one on a Marlin 45-70 guide for a while and it worked perfectly, full house loads with that little rifle were brutal, so the scope will probably work on a 458. I also used one on a 44 revlover for a bit (at 1x) and it held up fine. I've never had a problem with them holding zero or shaking loose.

Ten safairis, plus Alaska, plus Kyrgystan, Austrlia, etc. Leupold 1.5 x 4.5 for dangerous and plains game. I have 3 1.5's x 5 and a 1.5 x 5 30 mm IL for leopard. I use a 4.5 x 14 for alpine hunting.

The Leupies are lighter, made of aluminium, therefore are more likely to stay on the rifle. Very important.

Christian, thanks for the question. I do use a low power heavy reticle Leupold on the .416 for DG. But, as BEGNO alludes to, you need to think about a quick detach system so you can lose the scope in a hurry. It is safer not to go after elephant (or wounded buffalo, etc.) with scopes. They just complicate the sight picture and add critical seconds to a situation which will will require urgent decisions and quick reflexes. When you are dealing with dangerous game, consider no scope at all if you predict close-in work. See you. Bill

First safari for buffalo my 375 had a Leupold 1.5/5 20mm scope on it. It broke a few months before the safari. An internal lens came loose. Leupold fixed it and sent it back within a couple of weeks. I replaced it shortly after that hunt because it was so dim in low light conditions.

The next five safaris all the rifles have had Leupold fixed power scopes, either M8-6 or M8-4 scopes. My 375 has had a 6 power scope on it for the last five safaris.

quote:

Originally posted by Michael Robinson:
By low range, I mean low end mag of 1.1 to 1.5x and high end of 4 to 6x. That's good for shots from spitting distance out to as far as I want to shoot.

Hard to go wrong with this. I use a 1x-4x and have shot game at long distances, numerous times, with the scope on 4x.