Posted 25 November 2006 04:33
I have a 375 Whitworth H & H that will be utilized for buffalo hunting. I want to know from your personnal experiences what is the most clear and durable scope that you have used and what you would recommend. I am looking to utilize a detachable set of rings.

Thanks in advance,

Bill

Leupold Vari-X III 2.5x-8x in Leupold QR or Talley QD rings.

George

Schmidt Bender 1.5-6 X 42. Simply the best.

Leupold 1.5 x 5 30MM with Illuminated reticle.

1.75X6 Leupold. It really does it all with all the magnification and FOV you need. It is light weight and extremely durable. The 2.5X8 would be my second choice for all the same reasons as the 1.75X6. The 1.5X5 is very popular but it lacks light gathering ability at higher magnification. It is not an all-around scope.

Mark

I have a DR fitted with the 1.5-6x42 S&B and a bolt rifle fitted with the 1.5-5 30mm Leupold with the illuminated reticle.

The 1.5-5 Luepy is a decent scope made usable in low light by the illuminated reticle.

The S&B is frankly as good as it gets ... but at a princely price. Wish I could afford another.

The 1.75-6 Leupy just might be a very decent compromise at a reasonable price.

One of my DGRs (.375 H&H) carries a Leupold 2x8 Vari-X III and the other DGR (another .375 H&H) carries a Leupold 1.75x6 Vari-X III. The other two DGRs are scope free for obvious reasons ( .470 NE Double Rifle and .458 Lott).

I have the Leup 1.5-5 on a couple of 375s, 416s and a 458 Lott. It IS a rugged scope that has served me well but I really like the larger objectives of the 1.75-6 and 2.5-8 Leups. The 1.5-5 mounts up just fine on magnum actions, the other scopes just don't have the ring spacing required on some actions. I am thinking of trying some offset rings in order to use a 2.5-8 on my RSM 416 Rigby and 458 Lott.

My eyes aren't what they were, and I can really tell a difference between the 1.5-5 and a 2.5-8 in "resolving power". In shadows and lower light the 2.5-8 is just MUCH clearer to me...I can make out the target where with the 1.5-5 it is murky. If you have better vision than I do (which I hope) the 1.5-5 will be great. For me it isn't the magnification but which scope lets me SEE the target!

For this next year I am thinking of putting a 3.5-10-40 Leup on my RSM Lott for the digger squirrels. It ain't DG but it is a lot of fun and good practice.

Whichever scope you decide on set it propperly forward with good eye relief

John

The best?

Schmidt und Bender. No doubt.

Get one of their low power variables, with an illuminated reticle. Be ready to spend about two grand.

For .375 H&H (or5 simmilar)- 1.5-6x42 Swarovski or Schmidt & Bender, bigger calibers 1.25-4 x24 of the mentioned brand names. I hate illuminted reticles, as I live in Africa, and has never seen the need for them as we generally may not shoot at night. However, I have shot a ot of problem animals at night time, without illuminated reticles, and have never found a lack of seeing the reticle. Also, I have culled 1000's of springbok & blesbok at night, and have never found my 2.5-10 x42 Swarovski lacking. While I own Swarovski and S&B scopes, I prefer the Swarovski as their finish is better and much more durable. The optics is the same- extreme quality- and better that Zeiss, and infinitely better than the best Leupold. (which, BTW I will never buy again...)

quote:

Originally posted by Karl S:
<snip>

- and better that Zeiss, and infinitely better than the best Leupold. (which, BTW I will never buy again...)

Better than Zeiss? Really?

With just two exceptions [both S&B's in German claw mounts] ALL my rifles are topped with Zeiss fixed power scopes. I've never owned a Leupold, so I cannot comment on that brand.

Not saying that Zeiss is the best! I will accept someone saying that brand X is " ...as good as Zeiss..." but "..better than Zeiss..."? No, that I can't leave unchallenged. Karl, can you give facts on which you base that statement?

In good hunting.

Andrew McLaren

quote:

Originally posted by DC300:
Schmidt Bender 1.5-6 X 42. Simply the best.

ozhunter

quote:

Karl, can you give facts on which you base that statement?

Andrew, I am of course talking about the new generation of Zeiss scopes. My opinion after comparing them against S&B and Swarovski scopes, both on the target range and also during a cull (night) and during dusk. Focus on Zeiss and Leupold could not be ajusted as sharp as the other 2 brands.

Haven't yet bought one because they just came out: Schmidt & Bender 1.1-4X24 with the Flashdot N° 2 reticle. Check out the S&B web site for details.

Schmidt & Bender, Hertell & Reuss and K. Zeiss low power (variable).
Bases and rings QD: only AEW (I used AEW QD in all my DG rifles and in various plain game rifle too)
Sorry for my bud English.
Regards.
Hector

Schmidt & Bender 1.1-4x24 Zenith with a nr 7 Flashdot reticle. I bought one some months ago, and am extremely pleased with it.

(In reality, the adjustable red dot is not as large as it appears in this picture. And when the dot is off, the regular thin crosshairs in the middle remain there like a normal scope)

I've been researching scopes for new rifle and price is not important. I keep coming back to Leupold,decent optics(not the best)light weight,great eye relief and super reliability in the field. Also, unbeaten warranty amd customer service not to mention American made. The VX III 1.75X6 is hard to beat for a DG rifle.

I have no problem w/ Leup. quality at least w/ the VXIII line. My .404j wears a 1.5x5 & has almost 400rds to date w/o a problem. I have a 1.75x6 I am saving for a .375h&h. Zeiss & S&B are great scope but come w/ add'l. size & weight. Best if you can see/handle several models you are interested in.

Trijicon 1.25-4x Accupoint - illuminated reticle (illuminated 24/7 without batteries or on/off switches), clear optics and a very long eye relief.

just back from my buffalo hunt. Schmidt and bender all the way!

MR: Can you expand a bit on the S&B when compared to a similar Swaro? thanks, jorge

I thought that you all would be interested in this. I was reading an article about Leupold the other day, in I believe in the "Huntin' Fool" Magazine that just arrived. Leupold had tested one of their 1.5x5 Vari-X III's for recoil, as they do with all of them before they are shipped out. Only this one had been left on the machine by mistake for a long period of time. When they discovered it, I think that it had gone through the equivalent of 285,000 shots. The guy that discovered it then took it off and went and hunted elk with it, got an elk and put it back on the recoil machine to continue testing it to see when it would fail, since it had already been through an unbelievable number of recoil test shots. It survived to approximately 785,000 shots before it eventually failed.

jorge,

I have several of each brand, and I rate the S&B and Swaro scopes at Nos. 1 and 2, respectively.

Reasons: (1) I think the S&Bs are just a bit clearer and brighter; (2) the S&Bs have a better illuminated reticle set up - handier adjustment with the third turret and wider range of brightness settings (11 brightness levels); and (3) the S&Bs seem more robust - or at least they have been for me - I had a 1.25-4x24mm Swaro break on me, but none of my S&Bs has had a problem yet.

Still, as I say, I have several Swaros and like them very much. The S&Bs are just marginally better across the board, and when looking at the illumination feature, significantly better, IMHO.

MR: Thanks. I'm looking to scope a project rifle in 450 Dakota. I really do believe the Leupold VXIII 1.5X5 is the toughest scope out there, but it's really too short for such a long action. I have one on my 416 Rigy and it barely fits. I've also read or been told the 30mm scopes tend to "slip" more in heavy kickers due to increased weight. I can appreciate the light transmission qualities of the scopes you mentioned (I love my Swaros), but for a 450, hunting in low light is not that important. I'm also looking for a used Leupold 3X scope. jorge

quote:

Originally posted by Use Enough Gun:
I thought that you all would be interested in this. I was reading an article about Leupold the other day, in I believe in the "Huntin' Fool" Magazine that just arrived. Leupold had tested one of their 1.5x5 Vari-X III's for recoil, as they do with all of them before they are shipped out. Only this one had been left on the machine by mistake for a long period of time. When they discovered it, I think that it had gone through the equivalent of 285,000 shots. The guy that discovered it then took it off and went and hunted elk with it, got an elk and put it back on the recoil machine to continue testing it to see when it would fail, since it had already been through an unbelievable number of recoil test shots. It survived to approximately 785,000 shots before it eventually failed.

Great, mine lasted about 300 before the erectors needed work.

quote:

Originally posted by MARK H. YOUNG:
1.75X6 Leupold. It really does it all with all the magnification and FOV you need. It is light weight and extremely durable. The 2.5X8 would be my second choice for all the same reasons as the 1.75X6. The 1.5X5 is very popular but it lacks light gathering ability at higher magnification. It is not an all-around scope.Mark

What he said.

I have had the Leupold 1.75 X 6 VX III on a 416 Rem Mag for many years.

jorge, I forgot reason No. (4): I really like that Battue, or No. 24, reticle for DG. It is very fast to center on the target and both S&B and Swaro offer it in their DG scope lines.

Also, I use 30mm scopes on my .458 Lott, both of my .416s and both of my .375s, and none of them has slipped yet. These are all low power variables (1.25-4 or 1.5-6) with aluminum alloy tubes and are surprisingly light in weight.

The Swaro that broke was mounted on my .416 Rigby. It didn't slip, but the reticle erectors went haywire and stopped responding to adjustments.

Use whatever you can see through the best. I like Leupolds and my eyes cannot tell the difference between a Leupold and a Swarovski. Use what you have confidence in.

JohnHunt: Leupold fixed it for free right? Or replaced it? Have you had any problems since then? What caliber were you using it on?

Yes they fixed it for free and even gave me a new reticle (illuminated german #4 just wasnt' well executed IMHO).

This experience soured me on the Leupold QR rings as well.

I don't have any rounds through it since getting it back as I shipped the whole thing to NECG for EAW mounts... and a really cool Masterpiece banded front site

It is a Win M70 375H&H

Yes, I don't like the Leupold QR rings. I had them break on me and they sent me a new set. I didn't put them back on the gun. They were pot metal. However, I have not had any problems with my 30+ Leupolds including the two on two of my four DGR's. Just wanted to ask you about your experience though. Two of my four DGR's are Winchester Model 70 .375's as well, and one carries a 1.75x6 Vari-X III and the other a 2x8 Vari-X III. Thanks. UEG

Leupold VX III 1.5-6X x 32. They are light weight, durable and reasonably priced.

I use a 2.5X Leupold Compact with heavy duplex. Lightweight (means inertia during recoil doesn't effect it as much), lots of eye relief, is very compact and it works very well in low light conditions. I've no need for a variable given the close range and/or the size of animals shot with my rifle.

Larry Gibson

My Sako Safari wears a S&B 1.5 x 6 when optics are the answer.

Have two of the Leupold 1.5x5 and two of the Nikon 1.5x4 and firm believer in Leupolds, but must say the Nikons have stood up under near 75 rounds of stout 458 Lott and no problems to date. I take the Ruger RSM's to local range a lot and have tried both brands at various levels of natural light and my Leupolds offer no better view than the Nikons at near dark conditions. My plans on trip to hunt in Africa are some couple years away yet and more shooting to be done and will see if the Nikons hold up over time. I use the Ruger rings and find them very strong.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by whm7753:
Posted 25 November 2006 04:33
I have a 375 Whitworth H & H that will be utilized for buffalo hunting. I want to know from your personnal experiences what is the most clear and durable scope that you have used and what you would recommend. I am looking to utilize a detachable set of rings."


Schmidt Bender 1.5-6 X 42. I sure like mine on my Pre-64 Mod. 70 in .458, BUT even on that action you have to use extended rings as the tube is too short. I didn't realize how bright a sccope could be until I got it. It has the heavy (and I mean heavy)recticle at the edge and thinner in middle on 3 of the wires (horzontal and bottom. I got it on a Fred Wells LH Mag action and of course it was even worse for adjustment.

Ive got a 1.75X6 Leupold some where around here that I had intened to use. Again, they are too short to adjust on most actions with normal rings.

I have a 1.5 x 5X Lup on a double .470, okay I guess for what it is doing, but in bad light it is badly out classed. Sure not the best for Leopard in Zim if you are night hunting Mr Spotted cat.

I tried a Burris 1.75 x 5 on one trip. Tried to shoot some hyena at night. Terrible, terrible. I'd sell that one cheap!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

3x Leupolds have always worked well enough for me. On a smaller action I'd like a 1.75-6x but on my rifles they don't fit.

I have the following scopes on my GD rifles.
On my 9,3 double and a 375 Blaser R 93 the Swarovski 1.5-6x42 with the illuminated circle dot reticle. On my 450/400 double rifle, and my drilling I have the S&B 1.1-4 with the flashdot reticle. I also have the S&B 1.5-6x42 with the flash dot reticle.

The 1.5-4 Swarovski with illuminated circle dot reticle would also be a good choice.
I would look at these 4 scopes and get the one you like the best.

Some people like the circle dot reticle some do not.

On a 375 I tend to favor the 1.5-6'x42's, in a 40+ calibre the 1.1-4 gets my choice.