I have decided on a Leupold VX-III 1.5-5x20mm to go on top of my .416 Rigby, the question is which reticle do I go for?

Leupold offer the Duplex, Heavy Duplex and German #4. I will shoot majority plains game, I know I don't need a .416 for plains game but it is a hell-of-a lot of fun . If I am lucky I will shoot 2 or 3 buff with this rifle. What do you suggest?

i'd use the standard duplex

I would second buthloc.

I thought a lot of Europeans liked the heavy post? I looked through my Ph's rifle which had this reticule and thought it had advantages for quick pick up. Ditto the heavy reticule. Perhaps not suited for precision shooting, but then, I'm not sure the 416 was meant for that.
Peter.

While I like the German post, and have it in several scopes many people do not.

Im my Leupold big game hunting scopes I get the Heavy Duplex.
I have them in a 1.5-5, my wifes 1.75-8, in a 2.5-8, and in a fixed 6x42.

I was hunting with a buddy 2 days ago. He was suing his Marlin 45/70 with the Leupold shotgun scope with the Heavy Duplex that I had suggested he get.

After shooting a coyote in heavy brush at anbout 40 yards, he commented to me how he really liked the Heavy Duplex, and would never get another Leupold big game hunting scope with out it.

I bhighly recommend the Heavy Duplex.

I had a 2.5x Leupold with heavy duplex on my .416, and have recenty swapped it out for a 1.75-6X with the same reticle. For actually hunting the heavy reticle is great, for trying to shoot little tiny groups at the range not as good.

I really, really like the heavy duplex for thick brush or close shots. If the shots are going to be in the 200+ yard range, then I like the fine duplex (or Zeiss Z plex or mildot).

I like the standard duplex, its plenty heavy and I have never had a problem with it under any circumstances.

It also has the advantage of being able to hold over at long range..I don't like any scope that covers up too much landscape.

I also like the Leupold dot and the old standard cross hairs.

Eighter a HD or a German#4.

The #4 is a genius that it have the heavy vertical and horisontal posts, and the fine cross hairs in the middle.
Exellent for quick shots in thick bush / close / bad light, and pin point accuracy with the fine cross hairs for longer shots.

The #4 sort of work like a gosth ring the way it draws the eye to the center of the reticle.
In my humble opinion one of the best reticels ever invented for big game hunting.

German no#4

I believe the #4 is better at moving game and for other reasons expressed above. I also like the top of the sight picture to be "open" for a better overall view of the animal and surroundings. MUFASA

quote:

Originally posted by Die Ou Jagter:
I would second buthloc.

I would "third" butchloc.

I have a VX 111 1.75-6X on my M70 chambered in .375 H & H. It has a heavy duplex reticle.

I believe I will pitch in with the German #4 boys.
I have Leupolds with both Heavy and standard duplex but long ago someone got me to try the 2.5 -8 with the German 4 and I found you can get on moving game easy with the bigger horizontal part. I just level them up and pull the trigger. I figure if they are between the thick they are between the thin. If I need to shoot some P dog or somthing there is still the fine cross in the middle. Everyone I have introduced the scope to like it no end.
See you all in Reno on Wed!
Better tomorrows,
Mims

One more vote for the #4. I have transitioned over the years, and now all but my dedicated varmint rigs carry this reticle. Works great for centering itself without thought, but appears to be very "clean", or not have much in the center to distract the eye.

This doesn't sound very articulate, and most scopes probably "center themselves", but it sure seems to work the best for me.

Ihave both the Heavy Duplex and the #4. I purchased the heavy duplex for my .375, originally for use on Alaska salmon streams for big bear, wanting the ease of perception in low light. It has worked very well both in Alaska and Africa.

I have the #4 in a Zeiss Conquest on a .300. After hunting with it, I feel it is a better solution than the HD in that the top is more open.

I now use a Khales with an illuminated reticle that looks a lot like the #4, and like it a lot.

I have the 1.5-5x20 on my .375 with the #4. I really like it. I also have other Leupolds with the duplex and heavy duplex. I think target acquisiton is quicker with the #4.

I am curious as to how those of you with experience feel about the post that Trijicon uses. I just got one from the classifieds, and am intrigued. I shoot standard red dots and it's an easy transition for me. But my opinion is based on experience shooting buffalo that I are pictures that I cut from magazines. They hold still, are out in the open, all hits are instantly fatal, and not one has ever charged.
Bfly

I like the No.4 so much I would like to have all my rifles switched over to this reticle. It is fine in the middle for long range, very heavy posts for the brush or in poor light.

i have the heavy duplex on my 375 and used it for plains game out to 220 yds (kudu) with no problems.

Thank-you all for the advice. It looks like the majority would go for the #4 - in my mind it was either the #4 or the heavy - but I am now heavily leaning to the #4. As soon as it is mounted I will post some pictures.

quote:

Originally posted by dogcat:

quote:

Originally posted by Die Ou Jagter:
I would second buthloc.

I would "third" butchloc.

I would miunus -four.

I have leupold scopes with all three of these reticles. Of the three my favorite, by far, is the german #4. My least favorite is the heavy duplex. If I had it to do over again all my hunting scopes would have #4 reticles.