My .500 is very close to completion and I need to make up my mind on a scope.
I have been thinking of a S&B 1.5x6 with an L9 reticle. Only problem is that the tube on this scope is very short and may not work.
Otherwise, I'm thinking of a S&B or Swarovski 1.25x4.
Any and all insights on scoping this rifle would be appreciated.
DMC

As I mentioned in my e-mail, I'd recomend the Leupold M8 2.5X compact, get it from Premier Reticles and have them fit a 4a reticle, and click turrets. It'll make a superb backup scope if you go to a low powered variable in the future.

Dave,
I have two words for you: eye relief! If your scope doesn't have enough of it, you run a serious risk of getting smacked in the head.
You're not going to be shooting at long-range (are you?), so magnification becomes secondary to eye relief.

George

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Shoot straight, shoot often, but by all means, use enough gun!

Keep your mounts as LOW as possible. Avoid high rings like the plague. I've gone so far on all my heavy rifles to grind bolt handles down to be able to clear the scope with the lowest possible mounts. The second major suggestion is get maximum eye relief. Leupolds,S&B, swarovski all make good scopes that will take the pounding.
Frankly, I actually have been playing with adding a second barrel mounted scope base for a LER scope set up as a scout scope. So far this has worked out incredibly well on my test mule 450 Ackley. The set-up is extremely fast to get on target with and there is absolutely no worry about scope bite even in the advent of an awkward hunting situation.-Rob

Thanks guys,
I went with a Leupold 1.5-5, non-illuminated.
It has better eye relief than others.

Paul, thanks alot. I will order another 1.5-5 set the way you mentioned. It will make a fine combination and I can use the first one as a spare.

George, no long range, just GS FN's and woodleighs. That is until Mike Brady considers tooling up for .510's.

Robgunbuilder, Butch is using special Talley mounts machined into the bridges so it should be pretty low.
DMC

If one must have a scope on a 500 that will be used at under 50 yds. 95% of the time then take Pauls advise and get the 2.5X Leupold compact...The 500's rip the guts out of them rest of those scopes, except for those who hang the 500's on the wall...Most scopes will give up the ghost about 250 rounds or less....

Atkinsons law dictates all scopes will go bad when one is being charged....

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Ray Atkinson

ray@atkinsonhunting.com
atkinsonhunting.com

Ray and Paul are right. The 2.5x Leupold is nearly indestructible. Just got back from the Yukon a few days ago and my gun and I got the crap beat out of us on snowmobiles for 10 days. That scope can really survive anything! Call Premier Reticles and order the reticle of your choice with the coin click adjustments.

JohnTheGreek