Ended up finding a 30mm Swarovski PH 2.5 - 10 x 42 with illuminated reticle at a decent price.

Thanks for all the suggestions.

I have a .416 Hoffman topped by a Leupold 1.5x5 set in claw mounts that I like very much. With the claw mount, I have the ability to use the scope, which is fine for buffalo, and can quickly remove it to use open sights if the situation warrants it.

On a Botsawana hunt years ago, we were tracking lions on foot in the north and each time we'd follow them onto a heavily vegetated patch I'd remove the scope. As soon as we broke back into more open country, it'd go right back on. I ended up shooting the lion at about 100 yards out in short grass with the scope on.

Personally, I think the claw mount is at least as important as the choice of scope. It provides the ultimate in versatility.

quote:

Originally posted by Frostbit:
Ended up finding a 30mm Swarovski PH 2.5 - 10 x 42 with illuminated reticle at a decent price.

Thanks for all the suggestions.

A FINE CHOICE. I have one on my 340 Wby w/o the ill. For my buffalo I used the Leupold 1.5x5X20 with the HD. Worked great. jorge

I always figured that FOV was all that mattered on a DG scope. Last year in Tanzania, we tracked a herd onto a heavily wooded hillside. The PH (Pierre Von Tonder..great PH!)spotted part of a Buff through a gap in the leaves at 45 yards. I put up my rifle at 1.5X, and could only see darkness, no detail, beyond the branches. I turned up the power (Leupold LPS 1.75x6x42 on a Rifles Inc 460 G&A) and could clearly make out the head and chest of the Buff. Make a clean kill shot on the animal. Live and learn!

Had a 1.5 X 5 X 20 on a 416 Rigby for my buffalo. Would have given anything for the 3X12X50 on the 375 H&H. Buffalo shot at 200 yards. Hard to pick him out of the herd with a 5 power scope. Caught the buffalo out in the open in the swamps of Mozambique. The next day my father shot his at 100 yards with the 375.

I have a 1.7X10 Swarofski Z6I with the 4A illuminated reticle on my AHR 375H&H. The clarity and wide magnification range make it a perfect scope for plains game as well as for Leopard or Cape Buffalo.

I also have the Swarofski Z6 1X6 Extended eye relief with the Illuminated Circle Dot reticle on my 375 Flanged and will put the same scope on my soon to be completed 416 Rigby.

The Swarofski scopes are great for their clarity and their extended eye relief of close to 5". The illuminated reticle can be adjusted from low to high with an additional adjustment for each intensity from low to high. This quick adjustment capability would adapt to any situation encountered.

The price is rather high, but you can't beat their quality and scope adaptability to different scenarios.