Hi Gentlemen,
I've just bought a CZ550 in .505 Gibbs. I want to scope it, preferably with a Euro 1.1-4 or 1.5-5. Will the Euro scopes handle the recoil or am I better to stick with a Leupold. I like Leupolds, and have them on most of my American rifles but I have a thing for Euro scopes.

You may want to ask around and see what brand of mounts and scopes the boys with scope sighted CZ 505's are using. I have heard stories of the rings breaking under recoil with a heavy scopes.

Thanks,
I've had a .458 (BRNO 602) before and no issues but I know the .505 will have a bit more push to it. I'll see what feedback I get here then ask about rings in the big bore section. I had Lynx (B-Square) QR rings on my Brno. Not sure what way I'll go this time.

Bump. Anyone? I think it might have been Ray who thought the euro stuff mightn't be so suitable for the big calibres.

There are a few manufacturer and they are not all the same - but doubtless I could tell You that the Swarovski scopes will handle with the recoil of big game cartridges !

hudu505

Zeiss, S&B and Swaro will handle the recoil have you thought about installing a reflex sight Zeiss or Doctor?

Cheers

I use Swarovski 1.25-4x24mm scopes on my .416 Rigby and .458 Lott. In steel Talley QD rings. No problems to date after many, many rounds fired and several safaris.

I do use a fixed Leupold 2.5x on my .500 A2, however. Also in steel Talley QDs. It's all I really need. Very light and compact, too.

I think it is fair to say that S&B is one of the strongest it not The strongest rifle scope ever made !

IMO you'd be better off with a fixed power scope such as a Leupold FXII or FX3. The FX3 6x42 is one of the brightest, toughest scopes on the planet. Fixed powers are inherently more durable than variables.

Thanks but I dont see a 6x on a .505 as particulary practical. I do heed what you say on Fixed power scopes though. They are undoubtedly tougher.

Just buy a S&B Zenith 1.1-4x24 and it will last a lifetime.

quote:

Originally posted by Ingvar J. Kristjansson:
Just buy a S&B Zenith 1.1-4x24 and it will last a lifetime.

that one has no true 1,0x power - which is realy helpfull in shooting with 2 eyes open! I would go with a REAL 1,0x power only - especially for DG!

I can shoot 1.5x with both eyes open with no trouble. I think the mounts are a real concern too with hard kickers. Any aluminum quick release mounts are likely to be trouble IMHO.

Ok it seems no one has dismissed any of the euro glass as being too fragile. ive been offerd a new zeiss 1.1-4 at the right price. i shall see how she goes. i have some 600gn solids at 2250 fps plus the 120+ gns of powder to kick start the show so I should get to find out pretty quickly. if its no good...... Thats what warrenty is for :-)

So get a 4x

quote:

Originally posted by hdu505:
Thanks but I dont see a 6x on a .505 as particulary practical. I do heed what you say on Fixed power scopes though. They are undoubtedly tougher.

Thanks,
Not required for Australian Hunting. I have a 2-7 on my .416 and unless I'm shooting steel plates at a range, it never gets above 3x. I had a 1.5-5 on my .458 and I never needed more than the 1.5 You guys must do some different hunting over there. The sight acquisition time with a 4x scope on a DG rifle in thick stuff doesnt make much sense to me. Where I hunt here, even my .338 deer rifle never gets above 3x.

You pretty much asked what would handle the recoil best, and be most reliable. Fixed powers scopes are best at that. You don't like the answer so use whatever you want. Killing game with a 4x at 10 yards isn't that hard.

No i asked if euroscopes will handle the recoil.. Not what magnification is best. the2 .5x leopuld is a sensible fixed power suggestion for the hunting I do. A 6power isnt. i do appreciate the feedback though. :-)

You want the lightest, strongest scope you can find. The almost dictates a top quality fixed power scope from Zeiss, Schmidt and Bender or Swaro.
The problem is that nobody makes them except S&B and they start a 6X.
I'd probably go with the Schmidt & Bender 1-8x24 Zenith 30mm Riflescope. Good enough for the USMC .... good enough for me.

Leupold builds good scopes but......

I think the simple answer to your question is "Yes."

You have supplied the rest of the answer yourslf.

Knowing that not all scopes of the same model from the same maker are identical performers, just make sure whatever you try has a good warranty. That way if you get one of the unexpectably frail scopes which EVERY maker unintentionally cranks out once in a while, you won't have lost enough money to fret about.

Thank you gentlemen.

Putting a Leupold VX6 1X6 on a 505 Gibbs and 600 OK. The optics are crystal clear and the Illuminated reticle can be had in many different reticles and formats.

Have several Swarofski and S&B scopes, and for 40% of the price, the Leupold is very close to quality of the euro's.

quote:

Originally posted by scubapro:
...Swarovski scopes will handle...the recoil of big game cartridges!

I have a Swaro 1-6x24 EE on my .505 Gibbs, with steel rings. No problems with 300+ rounds!

quote:

Originally posted by hdu505:
Ok it seems no one has dismissed any of the euro glass as being too fragile. ive been offerd a new zeiss 1.1-4 at the right price. i shall see how she goes. i have some 600gn solids at 2250 fps plus the 120+ gns of powder to kick start the show so I should get to find out pretty quickly. if its no good...... Thats what warrenty is for :-)

so : is the scope handled well ?

swaro Z6 and PH with coil spring erector will handle it......... S&B will handle it

Swarovskis seem to have a big reputation but I would be surprised if you had much trouble with any of the European scopes obviously designed for dangerous game, such as Zeiss and Nickel.

I've had a Khales Helia 27 on my .338 magnum for over 30 years and it has never let me down - not surprising considering the heroic resistance of the click stops. However, I heard once that someone kicked the reticle out of one by mounting it on an ultra-light 9.3x62.

Get a Swaro or Kahles.

IF there is a problem, just state the caliber and round count ... they´ll gladly fix it ...

I am sure, a Swaro or Kahles will hold up better than a Leupi ... won´t guarantee for Zeiss ...

Hermann

I believe in fixed power scopes on the big bore thumpers. They are not varmit rifles.

Once you get to the .458 Lott and above, even the best variables can be expected to be problematic. I use fixed one or 2.5 powered scopes on my big bores.