Hello All,
I frequent the HA sight quite a bit, but it's my first time here in quite some time.
Well, my dear old dad went out and bought a 416wby, and as luck hasa it, it's not equipped with iron sights. It is tapped for a scope, so he wants to tap it. I'm thinking leupold, but I don't know if their shotgun scopes hold up better than their low power VARI-X III scope. Anyone have any practical experience with this? Thanks,
Trigger

I have a Leupold 1-4x in a fixed Warne mount on my .416 Wby. I have not experienced any problems at all with this combination, so I can recommend it without hesitation. // J.G

Trigger,

This will get different answers and this occurs because of various standards and degree of testing and scopes from different batches.

So far the best scopes I have seen are Leupold fixed powers, that have given trouble and have been sent back to Leupold. When returned they are usually very good.

The two best individual scopes I have seen were a pair of Redfield 6Xs. But two scopes does not mean much.

The majority of scopes most of the time, do not really give trouble for hunting purposes. It is when they are on a very accurate rifle and put on paper that you see any problems.

Sometimes a scope can be a cause for flyers, but the gun itself is also doing the same and so you get compensating errors. So all looks OK.

But mount the same scope on a benchrest 270, and you might see problems show up as the gun is not providing any compensating errors.

Mike

Trigger,
One thing to remember about shotgun scopes is that their parallax is set at 75 yards, instead of 150 yards like most rifle scopes.

I use a Burris 2.5x on my .470 Capstick, which is the only gun I own that has recoil close to a .416 Weatherby.

Leupold used to make a 2.5x and 3x; that might work for your dad, too. If he insists on a variable, I'd point him at a 1.75x-6xE, or my favorite, a 2.5x-8x.

Eye relief will be a critical factor with a rifle that has heavy recoil, so check that specification very closely.

George

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

I am very fond of the Leupold M8 2.5x compact, especially after Premier Reticles fits one of there 4a reticles. There are undoubtedly brighter scopes, more magnification, and certainly more exspensive ones, but I don't know of any scope that is more robust, nor offers the 5" of eye relief. It is also relatively light, so doesn't put as much strain on the mounts and rings as a larger, heavier scope.

It looks like i've got to try to find the best of 3 worlds. Eye relief, durability, and sight picture. Quite honestly, this rifle will probably never see anything off of the continental U.S., but dad can't stand having a rifle in the rack that he can't shoot, so he wants to scope it. Then he hands it to me and tells me to sight it in.
Once it's sighted in, in the cabinet it goes.
I'm thinking a fixed scope has less moving parts, so less can break.
George S, what does it mean by parallax being set at 75 yds, instead of 150? I've never understood that concept.
Thanks for the input guys,
Trigger

TH,

Paralex is the point at which, as you look through the scope, your head position will not change where the reticle is on the target.

If you look through your scope at a close range target, and move your head, you should see the center of the reticle move relative to what you are aiming at, it also happens at longer ranges.

I have no problem shooting MOA with the 2.5 scope, but my eyes are a bit better then most. The leupold M8 6X is an outstanding scope if you contemplate longer shots, but I think you'll like the 2.5x just fine.

No doubt, use a Leupold Vari XIII 1,5-5!!
I have one on my 460 WBY, and one at my 416 Taylor. I think this is one of the most proper scopes for these calibers. Light, long eye relief, and solid.
Never had any problem with any of them.

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Shoot well, and hit hard.

Arild.

I would put a Leupold M8 2.5X on it and have a backup scope, either another of the same or the Leupold Vari-X III 1.5X-5X. Or forget the second scope and put iron sights on it for backup. If the gun is to see any field use, I would prefer the 2.5X and express sights, and a barrel band swivel base.

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Happiness is a warm double.
RAB

A fellow on this forum that goes by the name of stonecreek uses 2-7 VX11 leupolds on his heavy kickers and swears by them. He convinced me to get one as I could not afford the 1.5-5 VX111. I have since mounted the scope and it has excellent eye relief and on 2 I can shoot with both eyes open. I am yet to test the combination out so I can not lay testimony to the scopes performance personannly but I will post if it fails. Funnily enough I have more doubts about my cz mounts failing than the scope. The VX11 2-7 is well priced and has good optics.

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My 460 Wby uses a Leupold Vari-X III 1.5-5X. After more than 300 rounds spanning 1.5 years, it has been perfect. Many of those rounds were 8100 ft-lb, 600 gr loads without the muzzle break! Not only is it a tough scope, it has excellent eye relief.

Enjoy sighting that monster in,
Shawn

VariIII 1.5-5 on my .460WM. Must have 300 rnds through it with nary a problem. Cobalt