I know I'm going to take some jeers/reprisals for proposing the question, but here goes.
What scopes out there handle big bore recoil (with/without muzzle brakes) the best? I'm looking particularly at higher powered scopes ie. 4-10, 4.5-14, 3.5-12, etc. Also, Leupold - Zeiss - Nightforce scopes are excluded from discussion.
I define 'Budget scopes' such as Sightron, Simmons, Weaver, Burris, Nikon, etc in the $150-350 range.
I'm looking for a higher power scope for my .510 JAB as the 1.5-5 power Leupold isn't up to snuff on 200+ yd shots.
I don't think there is any such critter. A few years ago, I was asked by a partner to go in halves on a Barrett Semi-Auto in the A2 model. I told him at the time that I doubted that just any old scope would work. I guess after 4 scopes later, he finally decided to get the bigboy done up by Springfield that was specifically made for 50 BMG's. Since this critter is in Nevada, I can't just go outside to the safe and look it up to check out what scope it is. The problem with all the other scopes was that the innards would break and you wouldn't be able to see a thing.
Contact each of those manufacturers and ask them DIRECTLY, which of their scopes can withstand the recoil of your rifle (once you've calculated its recoil).
I know that the Zeiss Diavari-ZA will (if the recoil of your .510JAB is anything like that of my .470 Capstick), and I expect the tactical scopes produced by Leupold, Swarovski, and Schmidt & Bender will, but those other brands...
George
Posts: 14623 | Location: San Antonio, TX | Registered: 22 May 2001
Best to go with a fixed power scope on a big bore. I have two .458 Lotts that destroyed Swarovskis, S&B's and four
(4)Leupold LPS scopes. Leupold swore that their LPS scopes
could take the recoil of the Lott but after they repaired the fourth scope they suggested that I should try one of their fixed power compact shotgun scopes. End of scope problems on all my big bores.
Ed
Posts: 151 | Location: Hartford, CT USA | Registered: 05 December 2000
In my estimation, with a lot of shooting with high recoil big bores, .338 at 2500 fps and above, they all will eventually fail. My cheaper scopes are on 22-250 and .223 calibers. I bought a Tasco, 6-20x special order scope for my .340 Wea, but have no problems yet, but I am not confident.
My advice go with Leupold, their optics in a 1 inch tube are not great for light gathering, but they are hell for stout. Never had one fail and they are on my rifles up to .500.
Good Shooting! dak
Posts: 495 | Location: USA | Registered: 25 December 2003
Here is what works on big bore rifles (up to and including 585 nyati):
2.5x Leupold compact
6x36mm Leupold
Not only does the 2.5x hold up, it is also cheap! I think they run $180 these days. The 6x is pretty reasonable too. I used the 6x to work up loads on the 585 nyati and it was splendid. The 2.5x is for practice and hunting.
Posts: 18352 | Location: Salt Lake City, Utah USA | Registered: 20 April 2002
I have a Weaver 1-3 and at least its cheap. I have only shoot about 30 rounds 500grainers @ 2350-2400fps in a 5 kg rifle. Perhaps a fixed power Weaver will hold up..?
Please report your findings.
Posts: 240 | Location: Finland | Registered: 16 July 2002
Quote: I know I'm going to take some jeers/reprisals for proposing the question, but here goes.
What scopes out there handle big bore recoil (with/without muzzle brakes) the best? I'm looking particularly at higher powered scopes ie. 4-10, 4.5-14, 3.5-12, etc. Also, Leupold - Zeiss - Nightforce scopes are excluded from discussion.
I define 'Budget scopes' such as Sightron, Simmons, Weaver, Burris, Nikon, etc in the $150-350 range.
I'm looking for a higher power scope for my .510 JAB as the 1.5-5 power Leupold isn't up to snuff on 200+ yd shots.
BMG
I see that Barrett is putting a Bushnell 3200 Elite 10x40 mil-dot,on there package deals now. i also shoot a 50bmg, I use a NXS but tried a BSA 6-24 mil-dot and it wouldn't hold a zero.
Posts: 207 | Location: South Central Montana | Registered: 10 January 2004
BMG, I used to shoot cheap scopes on everything I owned (simmons, tasco, bushnell, etc..), thinking that: "I could buy another rifle for the price of a good scope". After years of hunting with them, I came to the conclusion that even if they don't break, you still can't see through them worth a darn. They have cheap glass that distorts the image around the edges, can't see anything at dusk or dawn, can't clearly judge a rack on a deer, etc...etc...etc. I have replaced ALL of them over the years with Zeiss, Swarovski, Leupold, and Springfield. This was a huge investment considering the number of rifles and took 4 years of buying scopes instead of new guns. I will never go back!!! Consider that a good scope holds its value, like a good rifle. Nobody goes out looking for a good deal on a cheap scope. Its easy to justify the cost if you think about it??? Ghost
Does anyone have any experience with some of the scopes designed for shotguns or muzzloaders? It seems to me these would stand a better chance than a traditional rifle scope (in the brands mentioned in the first post) of holding up to the recoil of a big bore.
Thanks, Washougal Chris
Posts: 116 | Location: Washougal, WA | Registered: 26 December 2003
Does anyone have any experience with some of the scopes designed for shotguns or muzzloaders? It seems to me these would stand a better chance than a traditional rifle scope (in the brands mentioned in the first post) of holding up to the recoil of a big bore.
Thanks, Washougal Chris
Why? For the most part, the only differences I've seen are parallax set at 75yds. instead of the usual 150yds., sometimes a thicker reticle is used, and eye relief may or may not be greater (in the case of the IER scopes).
George
Posts: 14623 | Location: San Antonio, TX | Registered: 22 May 2001
I have a Leupold 1x4 on my 458Lott. Also have 2.5 Leupold fixed ,its very tough,paid $240 for it. Don't buy a cheap scope,it will break under heavy recoil. You don't need high magnification for 1000lbs. plus size animals.
Quote: 2.5 Leupold compacts hold up extremely well to major calibers even .700 and beyond. 4 inches of eye relief is good and $180 is even better!-Rob
Rob,
I thought it was 5" of eye relief? If you get it from Premier Reticles, you can have click turrets added for minimal cost, and I'd also advise the 4a reticle.
Posts: 7213 | Location: Alaska | Registered: 27 February 2001
I know some people like the 4A reticle, but I don't. To me it's kind of like those goofy European hogback stocks with the triangular-shaped cheekpiece. I also don't like cars with the spare tire mounted on top of the engine.
Posts: 18352 | Location: Salt Lake City, Utah USA | Registered: 20 April 2002
IMHO.
