Would you use a DG rifle with no back up iron sights? All mine have them but I am taking a loaner from a big rifle company that does not have any (it's a .416 RM). Zeiss scope. I know it probably really doesn't matter but I am interested in thoughts?

I would insist on having a backup scope in rings (with extra bases, just in case).

George

I'm the wrong person to ask. I carry two scopes both on QD rings, both sighted in -- and my rifles have irons. I tend to be a bit OCD.

George and I think alike.

I would add that I also always carry a backup rifle that while usually of a lighter calibre, is sufficient to handle the heaviest game I'm hunting. It too has irons. I don't always carry a spare scope for the backup rifle -- see, I'm making progress.

My two DG rifles are under construction, one each in .423 caliber and one in .500 caliber using the .338 Lapua Magnum as the parent case. Both are being constructed with iron sights. Rifle scopes will be the primary sights for both rifles; scopes are mounted with QR rings, each rifle has a backup scope, and all four scopes have been cross match mounted by my gunsmith. Guess that is a little OCD but that’s the way they are.

Yeah I think the same more or less. Me I have all QD scopes and irons. I guess I may need a backup scope

Capoward, what an awesome idea! That would be ideal if you were having two rifles built simultaneously. If I did that, however, I'd only carry three scopes. Again, more progress.

I still wash my hands twice, double check my chamber/safety, and check my belt to make sure I have enough softs and solids to accomodate a small war.

Belt and suspenders for me! 2 scopes in Talley rings and irons. If I was going to hunt with a rifle with no provision for irons I would at least have a back-up scope in QD mounts.

quote:

Originally posted by lavaca:
Capoward, what an awesome idea! That would be ideal if you were having two rifles built simultaneously. If I did that, however, I'd only carry three scopes. Again, more progress.

I still wash my hands twice, double check my chamber/safety, and check my belt to make sure I have enough softs and solids to accomodate a small war.

Well part of the reason for the four scopes is that I have 1.5-8x32s for mounting on both rifles with a 2-10x40 backup for the .423 rifle and a 1-4x22 as a backup for the .500 rifle. But the bases were custom manufactured/custom installed on both rifles so that the ring spacing is exactly identical for both rifles, then the QD rings were cross matched so that once mounted on the scopes then all scopes will perfectly match both rifles.

But for a hunting trips... One rifle with one backup scope... Two rifles on a domestic hunt with two backup scopes... Two rifles on a foreign hunt with one backup scope... Figure that pretty covers things.

Question!

How many times has anyone had to use their backup scopes?

465H&H

Once in Mozambique when a brand new (pre-Leupold) Redfield came apart.
For what it's worth though I have broken a lot more iron sights than scopes.

To date never - but then I'm just getting back into rifle hunting after being away for years due to family and work obligations. That said, work in particular and life in general has taught me that fubar happens at the most inopportune time so when practical always have a backup of the critical parts/things whose loss could, perhaps would, ruin an otherwise successful outing/trip...

I have also guided a couple dall sheep hunters fall and break their scopes - so it can happen.
My backup scope is one of the little 6.5 oz 2 1/2x Leupold already mounted and sighted in.

Go over to the African hunting reports forum and read what happens when a scope/mount failure occurs.

I've never had to switch scopes because of a malfunction, but have done so. Like Capoward, my backup is usually a higher magnification scope and I've switched once the hunt became strictly a plainsgame hunt.

quote:

Originally posted by aliveincc:
Go over to the African hunting reports forum and read what happens when a scope/mount failure occurs.

Which thead?

quote:

Originally posted by 458Win:
I have also guided a couple dall sheep hunters fall and break their scopes - so it can happen.
My backup scope is one of the little 6.5 oz 2 1/2x Leupold already mounted and sighted in.

Phil,

I assume this is your backup scope?

http://www.leupold.com/hunting...ultralight-2-5x20mm/

Just picked up the McMillan .416 and has talley bases. I will get another set of rings and throw an accupoint 1.25-4 I have laying around and sight it in for backup. The scope is a zeiss 1.5x6 victory HT illuminated seem like a good scope LOL. But I will feel better with a backup.

Capo, 3 generations, 21 days in the Selous

quote:

Which thead?

Which thead?
It's Three generations in the Selous or something like that. Quite recent. They had some Talley rings fail.

Thanks guys, I found the thread... Very interesting to have multiple sets of rings cracking/breaking at exactly the same place.