OK all you 9.3x62 shooters: mine arrived today. But I haven't decided what scope to put on it. What did you pick and why?

I am not fond of 1.5x5 Leupolds. Had a few situations where it's lack of brightness in low light situations cost me missed opportunities at trophies. So brightness matters to me.

I need long eye relief because I need a long LOP.

I like my 3x9 Zeiss Conquest. Has anyone seen/tried the new lower power Conquests?

On my 9,3x74R double I have a 1.5-6x42 Swarovski with the illuminated circle dot reticle.
If you are using the rifle for DG I like the 1.5 power for very close shooting.
6 power is enough for deer sized game as far as 300 yards.
I have the same scope on a couple of Blaser R93 375 H&H's. It has priven to be a great scope.

FN-Browning o/u, 9,3x74R + Swarovski PV 1,5-4x24 (circle-dot battue reticle) in claw mounts

Blaser R93, 9,3x62 + Swarovski PVI -2 1,5-4x24 (illuminated reticle 4)

K98 Scout, 9,3x62 + Leupold 2X EER

Pick optimal parameters like FOV vs. ER, reticle type in a given price range and make your choice accordingly. For North American hunting something variable 1x-9---x36 to x42 at 11-14oz in $300 to $500 price range should do nicely. I have Leupold, Nickel, Baush & Lomb 'Elite', Kahles, vintage Meopta, luv em all.
PS. Be sure to pick something FULLY MULTI-COATED (objective lens surface will look dark giving no reflections) for optimal light transmission.

AK I have a 9.3x64 on a mauser98 action. It is scoped with a Baush & Lomb 2x7 in Warne rings. I find the B&L to be very bright,even brighter than my Leopolds. That will no doubt irritate some. The Warne rings are rock solid. At 2x there is an excellent field of view and I find 7x ample for the extended range the 9.3x64 is capable of. Perfect combo for me. Hope that helps.

I have a Nikon Monarch Gold 1.75-6x on my CZ in 9.3x62 and like it as well as anything. To my way of thinking, this is the right magnification for the caliber, its only disadvantage is weight. 6x on the top side will work farther than you will hit game with a 9.3x62, as a matter of fact I've flattened a few coyotes at 250 or so with mind and 286's.

I have a leupold 2.5x scout scope on my 9.3x62 also. DOn't underestimate the lower magnification scopes I shot my moose last year at 280 yards with my scout 9.3. Another really nice scope to look into is the Leupold 2.5-8x36 VXIII and the Euro 30mm 2-7, I also like thier plain jane 2-7 Leupold VXII.

I put one of the new 4 power Leupolds on mine
so far I like it. Seemed well suited for the
range of the cartridge. And fixed power Leupolds seem to have no problems.

Andre, I handled a 9,3x74R Browning O/U the other day, I have handled them before, but I thought about you.
They are nice rifles... If your eyes are like this 8, instead of like this 00.

Sorry, could not resist.... They are nice rifles.
You and I seem to be in the Minority on scoped doubles.

I may be Tar and Feathered at the up comming DRSS hunt as I will unvail my newly scoped British 450/400 3 1/4".

They already want to burn me at the stake because I love the Blaser R 93.
I am going to take one down there and let them shoot it. I should have some converts.
Once you shoot one you really appreciate them.

A 1.5-6x42 is what I use and recommend for the 9.3x62.
ozhunter

quote:

Originally posted by ozhunter:
A 1.5-6x42 is what I use and recommend for the 9.3x62.
ozhunter

Agreed. That is what I'm putting on mine.

I have a leupold 2-7x33 Vari X11 (old model) on mine and I find it very good, could be a cost effective alternative very similar to magnifications mentioned and a tough scope, was on my .416 for over 100 rounds.

I have the Leupold 2.5-8x36 on my CZ550. Lots of good ideas already and I'd certainly look at the lower power Zeiss Conquest scopes.

Phil

Depending on what your hunting is like, you might also consider a Schmidt & Bender 1.1-4x24 Zenith.

NE 450 No2,
My 9,3's are used for running shots (drive hunting). This is the acid test in terms of fast and accurate shooting at varying distances where the target has to be led most of the time. Here the scope shines and I have made many converts who used to miss a lot over open sights (focusing on the fleeing animal instead of on the front sight is a common and natural mistake). Once they had learned to sight through a scope, they immediately knew where the reticle was pointing and their score went up pretty soon. To these converts, I always gave 2 pieces of advice:
1. practice dry firing at home. Shoulder your rifle and snap shoot at a thumbtack in the wall. It's disastrous to start with but you'll improve quite quickly once your muscle memory comes into play and automatically brings the ocular in front of your aiming eye when you shoulder the rifle. Shoot with both eyes open, stay focused on the target (don't go looking after it through the scope…) and bring the scope on it;
2. resist taking the scope on/off, whatever the distance. Do all your shooting with the scope.
Seems simple? It is, but you have to do some homework…

I'm not posting this for you, NE 450 No2, for you know already. I'm addressing doubting Tomas's, who're in for a pleasant surprise if they care to give it a try before bashing.

About, my O/U. While I like S/S too, I'm finding an advantage in a double that handles and balances the very same as my Browning shotguns, despite my having O-O eyes

On my 9.3x62 and my 9.3x74R Encore, I have Leupold 2x7 VXII in the shotgun version, which has the heavy cross hairs, and is set up for parrallex at 75 yds. I live in South East Alaska, where long shots are not usual, although I did take a deer with this combo at over 200 yards, with no difficulty at all from the scope. Usually I set the scope at the lowest power, since most of the time, although I'm deer hunting, my mind is always on the possibility of an encounter with a coastal brown bear - up close.

Anyway, I am sure there are better scopes, but I have tried several, including the 30mm European scopes, and the only one I like better is the 2.5x8 VXII Leupold. My problem is that I have way too many rifles, and the cost of the premium scopes is really a problem. One or two scopes - no problem - fifteen scopes - a problem.

I haven't found a 30mm that I like yet, no matter what the price. I like the 30mm scopes, but weight and cost has been a deterrant to me. Once, I bought a high dollar 30mm scope and very carefully tested it against a 2.5x8 Leupold, and the 1.5x5 Leupold, and satisfied myself, with my own eyes that the Leupold offered more distinction in low light. In other words, I could more clearly make out greater detail of whatever I was looking at, in very dim light conditions, with the Leupold. This was not a Swarovski - Leupold comparison. If that had been the case, perhaps the results would have been different. But as I remember, the Leupold is several ounces lighter than the Swarovski and I can buy three or maybe more Leupolds for the price of one Swarovski.

About two years ago Midway sent out one of those email specials offering the Leupold 2x7 VXII Shotgun scope at about $200 each. This was right at the time Leupold discontinued this scope in the VXII. I already had two of them, and liked them very much, and I had paid close to $275 for each of them. So, I made a quick decision, and called midway and bought all they had left. So, I believe I have enough to fit on all my rifles, and some of my projects in the future too.

Leupold still offers the 2x7 shotgun scope, but it's not the VXII, yet it is still a good scope. If a person just had to have a VXII with heavy cross hairs, or any style wanted, the custom shop will put whatever retical you want in the scope, at a reasonable price. They also make heavy reticals in the 2.5x8 and the 3x9, and the 1.5x5, etc.

Another thing - I learned the merits of good flip-up scope covers, hunting here in the rain and fog. When I first moved here, I noticed my hunting friends using the Butler-Creek flip up covers. I had always thought they were hokey, but the condensation and just plain water was so bad on my scope - not from the inside, but on the outside - that I bought some covers, and now really believe in them. Leupold came out with their own quality version, and they work great, but are far more expensive than the Butler Creek versions, which work just fine.

No, I'm not a Leupold or Butler Creek salesman.

I want to learn more from the experiences of others on this subject of low light, quick pointing scopes.

Particularly, I have been thinking of trying one of the quality made red dot scopes for the type of hunting I do - low light, thick bush, possibly dangerous game.

It seems to me if these scopes are good for military and police work, why wouldn't they be good for hunting use too?

KB

I have a LPS 2.5x10 on mine. I bought a 1.5x6x42 LPS for $499 and had my gunsmith mount it when he built my rifle. It died during barrel break in. He sent the 1.5x6 back to Leupold for repair and they sent the 2.5x10 back in it's place. I like it-it's clear and has plenty of magnification.

I'm leaning toward something in the 1.5x6 range. The lower end will be fine for dangerous game including big bears while 6xshould fe fine for any distance i'd use this gun for.

...I have settled on 2 scopes for my 9,3 that I put on according to situation - Zeiss Victory Diavari 3 - 12 x 56 T* - best in dusky situation and a Docter VZF 1-4x24 for driven hunts and tracking...If I would look for one scope - no doubt 1,5-6x42

I have Leupold 2.5-8x on a 9,3x62 CZ American. Good combination for up to middle ranges in good light.

My Chapuis 9,3x74R wears a 1.5-6x42 Schmidt&Bender. This is a great scope for lower light conditions ... but not cheap!

The 9,3s are terrifically effective calibers. Enjoy!

Andre,
I "picked" on you because I know you are like me, one if the "Enlightened Few" , a scoped double AND a Blaser R 93 user.

Scopes...
I have, Leupold 1.5-5, 1.75-6, and 2.5-8. My favorite reticle for them is the Heavy Duplex.
They are good scopes....
However they pale in comparision to the S&B 1.1-6 or the Swarovski 1.5-6x42.

For hunting I have an old Burris 1x4 shotgun scope (22 inches of eye relief at 1x and 5 inches at 4x) Fastest scope on target I've ever used. They quit making them but I've got two. Works fine for the type of stuff I do, black timber elk, bear. Also worked very well in bushveld conditions. I had 3 of them at the time and gave one to my PH to put on his 375.

I'm doing some load testing now so I've got a 3x9 on it. I think that would work fine actually. But for best effect a high end low power variable with lots of eye relief would be my pick.

I`ve got an 2,5-8 leupold on my oberndorf 9,3x62 in an leupold QR mount.Its the ultimat soloution for me on bear, boar and moose hunt.

On my cz 550 9.3x62 I use a leupold 2-7x33 Vari X 11 (old style) it serves me well.

I have a Leupold M8-4X on a CZ 550 FS 9.3x62 with Warne mounts. The rifle is to be used primarily for African plains game. The 4X magnification is okay for most situations and the scope is a nice size for a compact rifle.

You might want to consider the Leupy 1.75-6x it's very good value for money, the 2.5-8x is a little brighter. The 9.3 is not a long range cartridge and I have only once ever wound the magnification up to 6x on my 1.75-6x to take a deer at about 225 yards.
I didn't think, "this is a 6x shot". I just wound the magnification up and fired.
With magnifications higher than 6x a scope, in my view, should be x56,which is, I think, too big. Others may not agree.
I have a Swaro 3-9x36 which is wonderful at 4-7x, but is none too good at 9x, at which, eye relief is demanding. I'm quite happy to have a 4-7x working range, but would not buy another scope with greater than 6 power to be used on anyhing other than a small game rifle.
Just my 2c worth.
Cheers.

My 9.3x74R double wears the 1.5-6 Kahles 30mm scope in a pivot mount. My other barrels for this rifle (500/416) have a S&B 1.1-4 on them.

Love a scoped double. I've taken Cape Bufalo with the 416 with the scope on. Glad to have it when hunting the thick woods where a shot would have been tricky with the irons only. Ended up shooting him in the swamps and left the scope on for exact placement of the shot. Very comfortable.

Used the 9.3 double to take bushbuck over there and several deer here including some shots at moving game. It is fast becoming my favorite "light" rifle.

My 9.3x62 bolt rifle has a Kahles 2-7 on it and has been used for Gemsbok at 275 yards and several other types of PG from 15 - 200 yards.

Those medium power scopes work well with the 9.3s.

Tony (NE 450 No 2) is right. Many scoff at scopes on doubles. I think they are a great asset. I practice with both and use the scope the most.

Good luck.

Mike

Leupold VXIII -- 1.75 - 6x 32mm heavy duplex.

Good light gathering, reticle you can see in the woods, the power you need with the objective you can use. Not excessively "big".

I have one on my 45/70 Ruger No. 1, 45/70 for Roosevelt Elk in the coastal woods of Oregon.

-- And at about $400 it's not an arm and leg.

Look at Saeed's guns. ALL Leupold scopes.

I´m very satisfied with my Kahles Helia Compact 2-6X, 42mm and illuminated dot. The rifle has seen action in SA, Namibia and Finland and has never let me down (Husky original M98 with a new stock).

I've narrowed my choice down to either a fixed, conventional 2.5x Leupold or the 2x Aimpoint w/ 2 MOA reticle. The current generation of Aimpoint have a 50k (yes, 50,000) hour battery life and have proven rugged enough in the Sandbox.

You don't need more magnification, you need to get closer or spend more time practicing from field positions.

quote:

Originally posted by MolonLabe416:
I've narrowed my choice down to either a fixed, conventional 2.5x Leupold or the 2x Aimpoint w/ 2 MOA reticle. The current generation of Aimpoint have a 50k (yes, 50,000) hour battery life and have proven rugged enough in the Sandbox.

You don't need more magnification, you need to get closer or spend more time practicing from field positions.

Steve how bright is your Aimpoint?....I have an older model Aimpoint Red Dot O power and was always disappointed in it's brightness...What is the model # of yours?...thanks

It depends on the load. For 232- and 250-gr. bullets moving fast, scope it like you'd scope a 338. If you use exclusively 286-gr. bullets, something like 4x is a good call.


Okie John

I prefer a 9.3X62 rifle to be trim and light, factors such as scope size, weight and mount height are as important to me as brightness.

As far as brightness is concerned, my eyes are good enough to use a 5mm exit pupil. The simple math for exit pupil and twilight factor shows the brightest settings for each of the following LEU scopes:

3-9x40: @ 8X = 5mm exit pupil & 17.89 twilight factor.

2.5-8X36: @ 7X = 5.14mm exit & 15.87 twilight.

1.5-6X42: @ 6X = 7mm exit & 15.87 twilight.

2-7X33: @ 6.5X = 5.08mm exit & 14.65 twilight.

4X33: @ 4X = 8.25mm exit & 11.49 twilight.

1.5-5X20: @ 4X = 5mm exit & 8.94 twilight.

1-4X20: @ 4X = 5mm exit & 8.94 twilight.

I own at least one of each of the above scopes. As you can see by the numbers, the 1.5-5X20 is no way near as bright as the 1.5-6X42. For that matter, the 1.5-5X20 is actually no brighter than the 1-4X20 save for slightly better optics. But even so, my 1-4X20 w/ Heavy Duplex is far easier to see in last light than my 1.5-5X20 w/ German #4. Even the standard 4X33 is a bright scope but it has a very narrow field of view as compared to the 1-4X20.

I was hitting an 8" steel plate off hand at 200yds testing my friend's newly finished 9.3X62 Mauser w/ iron sights. I thought it would be a crime against nature to ruin this rifle w/ a scope but my friend put a 2-7X33 on it and thinks it's perfect. So in the end, your use of the rifle plays a big role in choosing the best scope for you.

GVA

I put a Leupold 2X7 European30 on my 9.3X62. I figured it would be good for close work and with 7X it should have enough power to reach as far as the cartridge is good for.

In all honesty though, I'm in the middle of selling my house and haven't had time to shoot the rifle since it's completion. I've finally gotten all this madness behind me and I plan on giving the rifle a good work out this coming weekend. Gun season opens in 3 weeks and I really wanted to use it for opening day.

Terry

Terry,
Beatuful rifle !!!

My 9,3x62 has a 1,5-6x42 30mm Kahles with illuminated circle dot and works great.

L

Your selection will be based on more than eye relief or people's opinion. The two most important issues are what and how you will hunt. That's purely up to you, and only you will be comfortable with the magnification.

As a starting point, there is the 4x Leupold. Four inches of eye relief. Quality product. Great company behind it. Simple and durable and a good value, new or used.

It's up to you, not us. Good luck. Get a set of low Talley rings too. Bullet proof rig.

I originally stuck a Sightron 1.5-6x42 on my CZ 9.3 but the F.O.V. sucked so I scrapped it. It currently wears a IOR/Valdada 4x32 and I doubt I'll ever change it. It's crystal clear, fits the gun well and is enough magnification for the cartridge. These are damn good European scopes for the money.

It's the Aimpoint 9000 L. The older sights don't compare to the current generation across the board.

By brightness are you referring to dot brightness? It's pleny bright enough for full noon use and of course excellent in low light. I've had no issues.

I also have extensive trigger time behind the Comp M3 which has no magnification. They do make a 3x module that can be mounted behind the Comp M3. Quick detachable. Gives you a flexible platform, though it would be hard to mount on a conventional sporting rifle and would not be pretty. Works great on the intended M4 platform.

If you mean bright as in optical quality of the glass its more than adequate for the task, though not Zeiss bright.

quote:

Originally posted by MolonLabe416:
It's the Aimpoint 9000 L. The older sights don't compare to the current generation across the board.

By brightness are you referring to dot brightness? It's pleny bright enough for full noon use and of course excellent in low light. I've had no issues.

I also have extensive trigger time behind the Comp M3 which has no magnification. They do make a 3x module that can be mounted behind the Comp M3. Quick detachable. Gives you a flexible platform, though it would be hard to mount on a conventional sporting rifle and would not be pretty. Works great on the intended M4 platform.

If you mean bright as in optical quality of the glass its more than adequate for the task, though not Zeiss bright.

Thanks Steve...yes I was referring to the optical brightness...sounds like the Aimpoint would work....

There is no other way.

1,5x is good for al close shots, both eyes open and in all terrain.

6x means that you can use the full capacity of the 250 grains bullets trajectory and shoot out to 200 yards.

The X42 lens means if you get a Ziess, Swarowski, Khales or other high grade optics that you can hunt late in the evening, early mornings and take shoots that othervise would have to been passed over.

Best regards Chris

quote:

Originally posted by ozhunter:
A 1.5-6x42 is what I use and recommend for the 9.3x62.
ozhunter