Guys,

I have a very nice CZ 550 in /416 Rigby with all of the necessary bedding and so on done to it. Have a 2.5 x leupold Compact scope mounted on it now ... works fine at moderate ranges.

Rifle is likely to go to Africa next May and I would like to put a 1.5-5x variable on it and take the 2.5 as a back up. A little higher magnification would be helpful at times.

Is the 1.5-5 Leupold VX III likely to stand up to the .416 recoil?

Thanks!

Yes,yes. Kevin "Doctari" Robertson recommended it as the best scope on a .416 Rigby for the tourist hunter of buffalo, in his _Perfect Shot_ book. That is what I took on a .416 to kill a buffalo in Botswana. One shot. Excellent optics for a .416.

Hi Mike,
I shot a 416 Rigby for a four year period and found the best scope to be the 2.5 to 8 Leupold VariX 3. The Rigby can be a very flat shooting cartridge with 350 grain bullets and at 2.5 you already know what it looks like. I never had a scope problem and shot 400 grain bullets to 2650 fps. I also have a 1.5 to 5 Leupold and personally I think the Rigby calls for a bit more. My 1.5 to 5 has the heavy duplex cross hairs and does cover a fair amount of target at two hundred yards but is perfect to 100 or 150 yards. Good luck with your choice.
Dave

[ 08-20-2003, 07:52: Message edited by: 470 Mbogo ]

I have a 2.5x compact on my Rigby and I feel I am good to 150-200 yards with it, 99% of my shots would never further than 150-200 yards any way with anything I am likely to shoot with my .416.

Personally I would leave the 2.5x on as it's so tough and simple.

I have kind of decided that above .375 H&H I like lower powered fixed scopes.

Guys,

Thanks for the comments.

Anyone try the 1.5 x 5x VX III with illuminated reticle on a heavy recoiling rifle? They have been discontinued and are available cheaper than normal several places.

Would help at dawn and dusk?

[ 08-20-2003, 19:48: Message edited by: mstarling ]