I finally traded to the rifle I wanted; went from a Wood Mauser M03 with a 243 and 308 barrel to a new M03 Extreme in 375 H&H (standard profile barrel). I kept my existing 8x68s barrel.

I'd like to go with one scope only. Multi-zero would be nice, but not necessary.

Question:
Which scope should I get that will serve both rifles from dangerous game to plainsgame

Choices:
Zeiss Duralyt 2-8x42
Leupold VX-6 1-6x24
Leupold VX-6 2-12x42
Minox ZA 5 1.5-8x32
Other - Specificy

 

I would look for a small Zeiss Victory, Swarovski Z6 (?) or other high-quality German/Austrian scope.

You might find an old Pecar 1-4 somewhere and fluke a spare reticle. In theory you could have one reticle set for each barrel, if they come with separate turrets. Whatever you do, it sounds like a complicated business. With a Mauser 66 or db rifle you could always have two separate scopes mounted on the barrels, with much greater expectation of success.

I would not go for either the Zeiss Duralyt or Leupold VX-6 as the ones I've seen have too much 'tunnel vision' - not something you want on a rifle for dangerous game.

Using one scope for an 8x68 and 375H&H barrel I suggest Swaro Z6 1.7-10x42 or S&B 1-8x24

quote:

Originally posted by Ingvar J. Kristjansson:
Using one scope for an 8x68 and 375H&H barrel I suggest Swaro Z6 1.7-10x42 or S&B 1-8x24

Yes, these are the two scopes I was thinking would be the best option, but damn are they expensive.

I'd be better off to go with two scopes for that price. Either Leupold VX-6 in 1-6x24 and 2-12x42 OR Zeiss Duralyt in 1.2-5x32 and 3-15x50.

quote:

Originally posted by Austin Hunter:

quote:

Originally posted by Ingvar J. Kristjansson:
Using one scope for an 8x68 and 375H&H barrel I suggest Swaro Z6 1.7-10x42 or S&B 1-8x24

Yes, these are the two scopes I was thinking would be the best option, but damn are they expensive.

I'd be better off to go with two scopes for that price. Either Leupold VX-6 in 1-6x24 and 2-12x42 OR Zeiss Duralyt in 1.2-5x32 and 3-15x50.

I think a pair of Zeiss Duralyt is a great idea ! 1.2-5x32 (for the 375 H&H) and 3-12x50 (for 8x68) and you also save a lot of money

Yeah, I never liked the eye relief on the Leupold's; my Zeiss, Burris, and Weaver scopes are more forgiving.

I might start with the Duralyt 2-8. My scope on my current 375 is 1.75-5 and I used it to shoot a Buffalo at 28 yards and a Lechwe at 350 yards; so I don't think I loose much going from 1.75 to 2; and I pick a lot up going from 5 to 8 on the top. For really long range shooting, I'd be using my 7mm Mag or 300 RUM.

And, if I find I need two scopes, I can buy the 1.2-6 and the 3-12; and put the 2-8 on something else.

I do like the idea of German glass on a German rifle better than say Weaver or Leupold. But I really love all of the Weaver scopes I have.

I wouldn't dismiss Weaver too soon for your purposes. The Weaver Super Slam ['European', at least] 1-5x24 has reticle movement for about $800 and might be just the thing for a .375. You might need a separate scope and mount for the other barrel, though, unless you're willing to have the crosswires walk out of centre.

I really like the Leupold VX-6's. The 2-12 should handle all the range you need with both the 8mm and the 375...congrats on getting what you want.

I would much prefer to have 2 scopes for 2 barrels.

The scope is the weakest link in the system. I would also know the amount of adjustment necessary to use either scope for either barrel.

I have several rifles set up with 2 scopes, and a red dot.

On an 8x68 I would want at least 10 power, but not too big an objective, nothing larger that 42mm.

On a 375 H&H I would want at least 6 power, and a low of 2x or less.

I much prefer illuminated reticles. Ones that you can see in bright daylight.

I agree - I like smaller objectives. My favorite scope has a 38mm objective. My largest is a Zeiss with a 44mm and that's about max for me. I think 40-42mm is a good comprise.

I think I'm going to go with two scopes to avoid the adjustment issues and have a backup one.

probably going to sell my 300 RUM and pull the Zeiss 3.5-10x44 off of it for the 8x68 and then get a Duralyt in either the 1.2-5 or 2-8 for the 375

Swaro Z6 TDS in 1.7-10 or 2-12

Had two DG hunts with my M03 African and 375 barrel. Used a rail mounted 1-4 S&B Zenith with Flash dot. Accounted for all of my plains game too. My second barrel and scope never made it out of the case.

definetly a Swarovski scope !!!

and for what You mentioned: Z6i 1,7-10x42 or 2-12x50
jsut my 2 cents...

Well, I traded out the 8x68 barrel for a 300 Weatherby (and sold my 300 RUM).

I'm down to the following choices:

Leupold VX-6 1-6x42 and 2-12x42

or

Zeiss HD5 2-10x42 and 3-15x42


Or

Leica ER 2.5-10x42 and 3.5-14x42

Cost are the same on the scopes, but the Leupold has a 30mm tube. I have never liked the eye relief tolerance on Leupold's (you have to be just right), but the the VX-6 was a significant improvement IMHO versus other Leupold scopes I have used before.

I have not had a chance to look through the HD5s or Leica's yet.

I ruled the Duralyts out because of the 50mm Objective on the higher power scope for the Weatherby.

quote:

Zeiss HD5 2-10x42 and 3-15x42

Personally I would definitely choose the Zeiss HD5 pair

Tha dark horse here is the Leica ER 2,5-10x42.
30 mm body, exeptionally good glass, constant 100 mm/4" eye relief, and non magnyfying reticle.
1/4 MOA cliks.

Can be had with the #4 A or my favourite, the #1 reticle.
It has the Aqua Dura coating (much like the Lotutec that Zeiss use).
This is one heck of a quality scope and I´m surprised that it is not more spoken of??

I´m a happy user and this one sits on my 375 Ruger Africa

Nice!

For my 375 H&H barrel I just ordered a Zeiss Victory Diavari 1.5-6x42mm T* with a #8 reticle. Got the last one from Eurooptic for $1,249.99 - no tax, includes S&H. New, not a demo.

That's a heck of deal.

I'll be bringing a Mauser M03 to Africa in June for a 2-Buff hunt. I plan to use my 416 barrel with a Swaro 1x4 with ILL circle-dot reticle.

quote:

Originally posted by Biebs:
I'll be bringing a Mauser M03 to Africa in June for a 2-Buff hunt. I plan to use my 416 barrel with a Swaro 1x4 with ILL circle-dot reticle.

Sound s like a brilliant choice! Good Luck Biebs...!

And ordered a Zeiss Victory Diavari 2.5-10x42 for the 300 WB barrel.

And bought some Swaro EL 10x42 last night.

All around upgrade.

Swaro Z 6 i, 1,7 - 10 x 42.

Hermann

You don't say at what range you expect to shoot. If $$$ are not a concern, get the Swaro.
But, a good 1.5-6 will probably be enough.
Bang for the buck - a Conquest 1.8-5.5x38. Hi end - Schmidt and Bender 1.5-6x42