I am going to put my 2-7 leupold (currently on my .416) on my .375 when I get it and am going to place either a 1-4x leupold or a 2.5x leupold in warne fixed mounts on my .416.

I have had very positive experiences with the 2.5x on my .585 & 45/70 rifles, and have never owned a 1-4 leupold yet.

I the .416 Rigby better suited to a 2.5x compact or the 1-4 leupold ?? I will soley be shooting woodeligh 410 gr bullets in it. The 1-4x leupold is $100AUS dearer, do you get $100 more perfromance over the 2.5x ??

Regards PC.

PC,
Both fit the role... I've got a 1-4 on my 416 rem, a 1.75x5 on my 376 steyr, and mike wears a 2.5 on his 450 marlin... all hold up well.

the 1-4 seems like the right choice for my 416, but since I usually keep is at 1... The 2.5 will be brighter, and might have been the better choice.

Jeffe

PC,

The 2.5x will be more durable than the 1-4. The adjustment mechanism of a variable is its weak spot and a heavy recoiling rifle will really take it to task. I toasted a 4-12 Leupold on my .458 win mag. My personal preference would be for a 2.5x on the 416.

By the way, my dad's CZ brand scope mounts rattled loose on his cz550 416 after only 50-60 rounds. I think I will be getting him a pair of Talleys to avoid the problem in the future.

Since the .416 will usually be used at 50-100 yrds the 2.5X is the way to go. They can take an unbelievable pounding. God I know that's true! Another pricey option is the swarovski 1.25-6X PH scope. They also seem to stand up really well.-Rob

PC,

Take a look at the Leupold VARI-X III 1.75-6x32 E with Heavy Duplex prior to making your final decision. Good low end power and a little more magnification that could come in handy.

2.5x without a doubt! As my father used to say . . . "keep it simple stupid".
These scopes are effectively recoil proof and I have beat the hell out of mine repeatedly in landcruisers and on snowmobiles without any problems.

Best Regards,

JohnTheGreek

I've used all of the above mentioned variables on my heavy rifles and used the 2.5X Compact on my .505, last buff hunt. I have one complaint with the 2.5X in that the resolution is poor on dark skinned animals in the absence of a contrasting background, especially so, with the sun behind the animal. I love the tough, inexpensive little scope but, for me, the search continues. I made a comparison using one of my 2.5x8 Leupolds and with the setting on 2.5, the image was superior to that of the 2.5X Compact, under similar conditions. I would jump at the chance to get a "standard" model 2.5 X with better optics and hope Leupold elects to offer one.
Oh, almost forgot, I'd go with the Leupold VARI-X III 1.75-6x32 E on the Rigby, if not the 2.5x8.

[ 12-11-2002, 00:09: Message edited by: Nickudu ]

I really like my 1x4 Leupold with the tapered post and crosshair. Look at www.premierreticles.com
I have one on my 9.3x62 and my .404 Jeffery. The tapered post solves any problem of not being able to see the crosshairs on dark game. I find that I can shoot targets with the tapered post about as well as I can a crosshair, btw. On game, you just put the post on the shoulder, pull the trigger and down it goes.
I have had NO problems with Leupolds having problems with the adjustable feature, regardless of the recoil.

Another suggestion... I have a 2.5 Leupold with HEAVY crosshairs on my .458. I find no problem with the coarseness of the sights, particularly since I'll never shoot the rifle farther than 100 yards, I'm sure.

I also have a 1.75x6 Leupold. I would get heavy crosshairs or a post if I were going to use it for DG hunting. The standard crosshairs can get lost in the light if shooting toward the sun in the evening.

JudgeG,

You beat me to the punch. www.premierreticles.com is fabulous and will a scope, built to pretty much any specs, in the mail in a day or two. I also like the heavy post reticle as it does alleviate any problems when dealing with dark-skinned game.

Best Regards,

JohnTheGreek

PC,

I use a 1.1-4X Kahles on my .416 Rigby. I kept it on 2X at all times, except when we were walking in the long grass and danger could be near. My shots at each BUFF were 60 and 80 yards at that power.

With you choices, I would suspect that the 2.5X would be the better choice of the two with the heavy crosshairs, for reasons mentioned: better light gathering & durability. I feel that both would be fine, but you wanted to make a selection.

All the best,

SAM

Thanks gentlemen,

2.5x compact it is going to be !! Rugged is as Rugged does....did Forest Gump Say That

I would put a 2.5x on my .375 as well but I will be taking longer shots on average with that rifle.

If I want the right answers I neally always find them here on this forum.

500 interesting about those CZ mounts rattling apart !! I beleive your a proponent of fixed rather than deatchable mounts am I correct !!

Thanks everyone.

PC,

You won't regret getting this scope. Call premier reticles as their customer service is impeccable and thier quality is fantastic. I installed click adjustments and the German post reticle on mine and have been VEEERRY happy with it. For the money, this scope can't be beat!

Regards,

JohnTheGreek

John & others whom are reccomending the German #4 I live in Australia and it would be a royal pain the ass trying to get it fitted this way, my other two 2.5x compact have the standard recticle that it omes with and it seems to work. I think it may be a little thicker than say your regular duplex found on 3-9's etc.

Thanks for all your help.

PC,
Didn't noticed that you lived in Australia. You can buy the scope from Premier reticles fitted with that reticle and they will ship it to you. I don't know what kind of BS you will have to deal with with customs and all that but you might check out their web-site anyway.

Regards,

JohnTheGreek

I like the 2.5 on big bores and demand it on them if they have a muzzle brake because it can take it.....but on a 416 I would opt for the 1x4 Leupold, it is a great scope...

Then again I have a draw full of old 3X Leupolds and that just still may be the best dangerous game scope ever....I could live with a 3x on any gun I own for shots at any reasonable range or at least up to 400 yards.

PC

If it was me I would go for the 1-4x on the Rigby. A 1x scope is really great. And 4x for longer plains game shots. But a 2.5x is good too.

I agree with Judge and JohnTG. I use a 1.75-6x Leopold on my 375 AND it has a post cross bar reticle. The 1.75x is still too much magnification for true 2 eye open shooting though and not what I was aiming for. But the 6x times is good for longer shots eg jackals.

You can get post cross bar reticles in Australia. It just takes a bit of effort.

My first was a Weaver 4x and a special order.

My second was a non-extended tube 1.75-6x Leupold which was a special order through the previous importer (?) Keith Herron who gave me a hard time about not returning the scope if I didn't like it. How many times do you have to tell the person you WANT it?

The third was an extended tube 1.75-6x Leopold which was from a company in Queensland which supplies scopes with custom reticles. The importer who I won't name, this time claimed "they don't make those reticles anymore" even though they are listed on the Leupold website. Terrible service.

This one is a complete FAILURE and the reticle moves around under recoil of a 375. Took me a lot of rounds to work this out prior to my last safari as the mounts were a problem as well. Put new mounts and the non-extended Leupold on the 375 and hey presto and accurate sighted in rifle again. Will send it back to Leupold to see if they can fix it and also insert a thinner reticle.

I like reticle no. 2 the best on the premierscopes site which is the same as my Weaver (tapered post cross hair). Good for low light, still as accurate as a duplex (I shot sub 1/3 groups with it) and fast as well.

Good luck on your project.

[ 12-13-2002, 12:28: Message edited by: NitroX ]

Thanks for the tip Nitro, it seems we have a neally equal followers for the 1-4 & the 2.5x. I have not placed my final order yet as I still have about half of my rifle to pay for yet. when thats paid I will place my order for the scope.