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The Accurate Reloading Forums THE ACCURATE RELOADING.COM FORUMS Hunting African Big Game Hunting Scope for BuffaloGo | New | Find | Notify | Tools | Reply | |
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I am about to scope my 375 Ruger. Reading posts on this site there seems to be support for using illuminated reticles particularly if the buffalo is in dark bush. My choice is between a Leica 2.5-10x42 with an illuminated 4a or the same scope with a picket post. I have both scopes already. Is there a preference for either reticle? Mark | ||
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I don't want a 2.5x scope for buffalo, I prefer my Zeiss 1.1-4x24. With a 2.5x scope you won't find the bull quick enough when he comes as fast as a train. | |||
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| Administrator |
In dark bush you need a clear scope to show you what to avoid in the brush. In all my years of hunting, I have never come across an occasion where I wanted an illuminated scope. | |||
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The problem with the Leica ER scopes is that the reticle is so thin! The ERi, with the illuminated dot, is better and the Visus is better still with a heavier crosshair. The problem with a 375 is that it is so versatile you end up using it on a lot more stuff than just a buff! But I still don't need 10x to do that. Six power is enough. To me, something about 1.5-6x42 with a heavy reticle is about perfect. | |||
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I have used this same scope, Leica ERi with a 4A on my first two safari's and will use them again this summer. I like a bit more power and don't usually have a problem finding the target in the scope. Giraffe to Klipsringer, with a couple Buffalo and a large eland in there, worked great on all of them. Nice to have some extra for a longer shot on plains game. If you use a quick detach ring you can just take the scope off for a follow up if needed. Leica makes some great glass. | |||
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It's really your preference. Perform the following two tests with each scope mounted on the rifle. 1) With your rifle tucked in into your shoulder but muzzle depressed (aka low ready) scan your back yard for a "target" at about 10 meters, snap the rifle up to fire position and see how quickly you can identify your cross hairs/picket point and have them on-target. 2) With your rifle essentially the same position but butt off your shoulder scan your back yard for a "target" at about 10 meters, mount the rifle quickly up to fire position and see how quickly you can identify your cross hairs/picket point and have them on-target. Those two will give you a good idea of how your eyes work with the reticles. All the better if you can do it in an area that has some brush. Mike Legistine actu quod scripsi? Never under estimate the internet community's ability to reply to your post with their personal rant about their tangentially related, single occurrence issue.  What I have learned on AR, since 2001: 1. The proper answer to: Where is the best place in town to get a steak dinner? is…You should go to Mel's Diner and get the fried chicken. 2. Big game animals can tell the difference between .015 of an inch in diameter, 15 grains of bullet weight, and 150 fps. 3. There is a difference in the performance of two identical projectiles launched at the same velocity if they came from different cartridges. 4. While a double rifle is the perfect DGR, every 375HH bolt gun needs to be modified to carry at least 5 down. 5. While a floor plate and detachable box magazine both use a mechanical latch, only the floor plate latch is reliable. Disregard the fact that every modern military rifle uses a detachable box magazine. 6. The Remington 700 is unreliable regardless of the fact it is the basis of the USMC M40 sniper rifle for 40+ years with no changes to the receiver or extractor and is the choice of more military and law enforcement sniper units than any other rifle. 7. PF actions are not suitable for a DGR and it is irrelevant that the M1, M14, M16, & AK47 which were designed for hunting men that can shoot back are all PF actions. 8. 95 deg F in Africa is different than 95 deg F in TX or CA and that is why you must worry about ammunition temperature in Africa (even though most safaris take place in winter) but not in TX or in CA. 9. The size of a ding in a gun's finish doesn't matter, what matters is whether it’s a safe ding or not. 10. 1 in a row is a trend, 2 in a row is statistically significant, and 3 in a row is an irrefutable fact. 11. Never buy a WSM or RCM cartridge for a safari rifle or your go to rifle in the USA because if they lose your ammo you can't find replacement ammo but don't worry 280 Rem, 338-06, 35 Whelen, and all Weatherby cartridges abound in Africa and back country stores. 12. A well hit animal can run 75 yds. in the open and suddenly drop with no initial blood trail, but the one I shot from 200 yds. away that ran 10 yds. and disappeared into a thicket and was not found was lost because the bullet penciled thru. I am 100% certain of this even though I have no physical evidence. 13. A 300 Win Mag is a 500 yard elk cartridge but a 308 Win is not a 300 yard elk cartridge even though the same bullet is travelling at the same velocity at those respective distances. | |||
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IMHO 2.5 is a bit high for follow up of wounded game. After trying a 1.5-5, 2.5-8 and 1.5-6 with illuminated reticle, I much prefer the 1.5-6 with illumination. Usually leave it set on 3X for hunting as it allows for seeing branches and stuff but still gives adequate FOV. Turn it down for follow ups which allows instant acquisition of targets and the illumination helps and never encountered any need for higher than 6X (longest shot was a wildebeest at 350 yards). Have gun- Will travel The value of a trophy is computed directly in terms of personal investment in its acquisition. Robert Ruark | |||
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I've only killed 3 buff, but my Leo 1-5x with duplex reticles did everything I ever wanted. I have always used Leo detachable mounts, although I've never had to remove the scope. The way I look at it, 5x should be enough for any of the longer shots I might take with a DG rifle, and having 1x is very handy in the thick stuff for whacking a buffalo at close range (although for a wounded buff I would probably remove the scope). JMO BH63 Hunting buff is better than sex! | |||
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While not needed for most all buffalo hunting, the illuminated reticle works better in poor lighting. I’m not really familiar with that scope, but I’ve got illuminated reticles on all my DG rifles. 95% of the time I don’t turn around the illumination on. I do like the #4 illuminated reticle in my rifles (mostly I have Swarovski 1.7-10’s) so if you have both, I’d put the illuminated one on. | |||
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My sample size is only one, but last year I had my Kimber Caprivi with a Leupold VX-6 1-6x scope with their Firedot illuminated reticle. I found that in the late afternoon in the mopane shade, it was challenging to pick up the center of the reticle against those coal-black bulls. When Guy Whittall set me up on a termite mound and that lovely old bull finally turned broadside to me about 50 yards away, I could see that little red dot glowing 1/3 of the way up the chest on the line of his left front leg. It was wonderfully comforting to have that visual confirmation as I broke the shot. My son and I will be back at Humani in July, and we'll both be after buffalo with Caprivi rifles and those Firedot Leupold reticles. We'll turn those reticles on in the afternoon or anytime the light is less than bright. | |||
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I have a Leupold 1.5-5 on my 416 Hoffman, in claw mounts so that I can quickly go to open sights if following up wounded DG. I recently bought a 375 H&H for my son, for an upcoming buffalo hunt which will be his first DG Hunt. We’ve pretty much settled on a Trijicon 3-9 with illuminated reticle. It’ll also be in QD mounts with the open sights set for 50 yards. It’ll be interesting to see how he/we like it. | |||
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My .375 H&H wears a Leupold VX6 1-6. A great and rugged scope I love. I have shot 3 Cape Buff, the closest at 37 yds and fired follow up shots at all, and both approaching and departing shots. In all situations the scope was set at either 3 or 4 X. There was no problem at all acquiring any of these buff in the scope. I had thought I might have to adjust the power setting relative to distance I would shoot from but in reality that didn't really happen on Buff. When you are going in on that final stalk and know the sticks will go up at any moment there is much more to focus on than fiddling with the scopes magnification. I have only used the scope on 6X for shooting plains game or baboons further out there. To date I don't think I've needed illumination but at 61 am aware of weakening eyesight. I have just bought a Swarovski illuminated model ( 1.7 - 10 X ) I will try. It will be interesting to see the comparison. At least with this approach if the illumination doesn't offer any advantage it doesn't have to be switched on but I'm expecting it will get some use. Hunting.... it's not everything, it's the only thing. | |||
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Well gentlemen it is hard to tell someone else which scope to use on cape buffalo, simply because you have no idea of the condition of his/her eyesight of the person asking. In my case I have developed macular degeneration in my right eye, and I am right handed, so with a rifle my sighting eye is my right eye. For me, I can see the lighted dot center of the crosshair, or the tip of a post, and with both eyes open, the lighted tip of post will remain, but the left eye sees the crosshair. For in close, this gives me the best I can get with my condition. My scope, a Trijicon 21-3g, has a green dot at the conjunction of the cross hair, and the power is 1.25-4-24 and at 4X it is fine for long shots, but turned down to 1.25X for in close it shows any twigs or branches that are in the way of the target. I got this scope as a very generous gift from an old and dear friend who understood my vision plight. That scope was a perfect one for my eye condition. ……………………………………………………...   ....Mac >>>===(x)===> MacD37, ...and DUGABOY1 DRSS Charter member "If I die today, I've had a life well spent, for I've been to see the Elephant, and smelled the smoke of Africa!"~ME 1982 Hands of Old Elmer Keith  | |||
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Mark, I'd use the one with the post reticle. I have a Trijicon with the amber post and think it is the best reticle I've used on safari for any purpose. Mark MARK H. YOUNG MARK'S EXCLUSIVE ADVENTURES 7094 Oakleigh Dr. Las Vegas, NV 89110 Office 702-848-1693 Cell, Whats App, Signal 307-250-1156 PREFERRED E-mail markttc@msn.com Website: myexclusiveadventures.com Skype: markhyhunter Check us out on https://www.facebook.com/pages...ures/627027353990716 | |||
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| One of Us |
I like the Swaro Z6i in 1-6. It's a true one power on the low end and if you crank it down and turn on the lights, you've got a red dot, which is faster than irons. | |||
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This question is sure one that requires one of those 'it depends' answers. Eyesight considerations have been mentioned and certainly are a factor. Then you have general terrain, vegetation, daylight and seasonal conditions you should expect in the area and time you are hunting. I've only taken two Buffalo so don't weigh my experience very heavily, but after quite a bit of thought, I committed to claw mounted Leupold VXIII 1.5x5 duplex with a pre-zeroed spare for my 450/400. I spent a lot time practicing on sticks at fifty and a hundred yards, plus some checking to see how things worked at two hundred. My buffalo were taken with initial shots at 20, maybe 25 yards. TOTAL - that's about 10 apiece. And with the cover we were tracking through, I was glad that by the time I got the shots the scope had been in my hip pocket for quite some time... If I were going back tomorrow, I'd start with the same setup. Good hunting, | |||
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trijicon 1x6 | |||
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I was very happy with a Swarovski Z6i 1-6xEE with the illuminated CDI reticle for my 2 buff in 2017. I'll most likely be taking the same rifle after moose this fall. | |||
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On my recent hunt I used the Swarovski Z6i in 1.7-10 . Worked great. | |||
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 I have only shot one buffalo. It was about 5 minutes before dark. I used a Trijicon 1x-4x with green post. I would not have taken that shot with regular reticles. I like this scope on my .375 H&H because 4x power is enough for 100 yard shots and when set at 1x I can shoot it with both eyes open like a reflex sight. It is very fast!USMC Retired DSC Life Member SCI Life Member NRA Life Member | |||
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Whatever you prefer for optics, you need to be sure you mount it securely. A setup like this will handle anything, from tiniest red-dot or peep with one-clamp attachment, to widest, heaviest, and longest optics you dare to lug, with 3 or 4 rings for the gargantuan scopes:   J-B-Welding and 8x40-ing is a great comfort. Torque the main mounting nuts to at least 65 inch-pounds. Carry the Quick-Detachable-QD lever in your pocket, a pocket socket wrench.  Don't like the ejection port cover at the top? Just take a hacksaw to it before installing it. A recoil stop made from a screw into the bottom of the rail and abutting the rear of the receiver ring at front of action may be glass bedded there. If you cannot find a properly low Picatinny you can make your own with other custom features:  Rip ... | |||
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Thank you for your replies. I chose the Leica 2.5x10 scopes because I have them already. It’s interesting that people such as Finn Aargaard , Phil Shoemaker and our host Saeed all hunt dangerous game with 2.5x power. I will use the scope with the post reticle as it’s a heavy reticle and worked very well on plains game. As mentioned my eyesight is an issue, I’m about to turn 69 , wear bifocals and have early cataracts in my dominant eye. I will not be using open sights! | |||
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If you can handle general anesthesia, the cataract implant surgery is a snap and you'll wish you had it done sooner. Mine have been in both eyes for 24 years. The only con is night lights can cause rays.. a bit of a distraction.
Life itself is a gift. Live it up if you can. | |||
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The vast amount of my buffalo were hunted with a 3X Leupold or 4X Leupold..Longest shots Ive made was one at almost 300 and anther at 225, the rest and that is many were within 50 to perhaps 100 yards..The long shots were stunts of sorts.. Ray Atkinson Atkinson Hunting Adventures 10 Ward Lane, Filer, Idaho, 83328 208-731-4120 rayatkinsonhunting@gmail.com | |||
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