I have narrowed my scope selection down to either the Leupold 1.5 x 5 or the European (30mm) 1.25 to 4.
Opinions as the best choice would be appreciated.

I may add iron sights also but at this point the scope would be it

i used a burris x4 short mag scope on my ruger No1, still going strong. 1-5 leupy would make sighting in easier. has your rifle got iron sights?

snowwolfe

I used a Burris 1.75 -5 fullfield for a number of years on my own Lott, it worked fine, later it was replaced by a Habicht 1.25-4 PV, another top quality scope, either of these or the Leupold you mention should serve you well, the main consideration will probably be one of sufficient eye relief

I have 50 year old eyes and I would still go with the Leupold. Great eye relief, you can mount it closer to the action than a 30mm and the weight of the Leupold compared to most Euro 30mm's is much lighter thus it will be much less likely to move in the rings during recoil, you are talking about a 458 Lott, not a 375. Also if you ever have a problem with the scope Leupold will replace or fix it no problems, the Euro's might do the same but expect months before you get a replacement.

FWIW, I just noticed that Sportsman's Guide has Meopta scopes now. There's a couple of models suitable for big bores.

Our European friends speak pretty highly of them but I don't know if these are competitive prices. Anyone know?

quote:

Originally posted by Snowwolfe:
I have narrowed my scope selection down to either the Leupold 1.5 x 5 or the European (30mm) 1.25 to 4.
Opinions as the best choice would be appreciated.

I may add iron sights also but at this point the scope would be it

I have several of the European brands, and I find the eye relief, and weight to be a drawbacks when compared to the Leupold scopes. The excess weight causes two things, one is, it is more prone to slide in the rings on a heavy recoiling rifle, and two, on a double rifle is more prone to effect the regulation because of the change in the recoil arch effecting the barrel time, needed to shoot to regulation.

Any stopping rifle without proper irons sights, and a scope in quality QD rings, and bases is not a complete rifle in my view. These items are only less important than the quick silver positive feeding of a well tuned CRF rifle.

Leuplod makes their 1.5-5 VERI x III scope with a German No 4 reticle, with a illuminated apex of the reticle, that is also a 30MM tubed scope. This scope is a "cover all" for use on a DGR, because it can be used in very poor light, the large tube gathers a lot of light, and the eye relief lets the scope be mounted forward, and very low, so that there is little conflict in stock design so as to use both irons, and scope. The German post is easy to pick up quickly for snap shooting! Another thing is the QD bases you pick can negate the use of the irons, if your not careful. The bases must be low enough to give an unrestricted view of the irons over them.

A rifle to be used for dangerous game is a specialty rifle, and to be a proper DGR, it must take advantage of everything available to be right!

Leupold's web site lists both scopes as having 4.4 inches of eye relief. The 1.5x5 is less than one ounce lighter.
Same basic price for both.
Has anyone here tried the Leupold European on a DGR?

I cant find mention of any 30mm scope in the 1.5x5 range. Could you post a URL?

Leupold 1.5x5 works well for me, plenty of eye relief and field of view:

Leupold 2.5x compact (regular eye relief, NOT scout scope), still available from www.dnrsports.com. It is the most reliable scope made.

I used a FX-11-2.5x22mm. It had the longest eye relief that I could find and is supposed to be very tough. Mine will last for ever if I don't shoot it.
Butch

I'm with 500 grs the Leupold 2.5X compact has held up to some VERY HARD kicking guns. I've never broken one and I've succeeded in breaking almost every other scope at least once! BTW make sure your open sights work!-Rob

I have the 2.5x compact on mine and think it's the right choice for a lott.

Better hurry up and buy it as they are no longer being made. jorge

quote:

Originally posted by Snowwolfe:
Leupold's web site lists both scopes as having 4.4 inches of eye relief. The 1.5x5 is less than one ounce lighter.
Same basic price for both.
Has anyone here tried the Leupold European on a DGR?

I cant find mention of any 30mm scope in the 1.5x5 range. Could you post a URL?

The scope I was posying about is a special order scope and is listed under the Illuminated customs. The price is around $550 US set up with the German No4 reticle, and only comes in 30MM! Give them a call, to get in contact with someone in the custom dept! Jorge, who posts here my have the number for them, his came in about 5 days when he ordered it!

2 1/2 Leupold compacts are hell for tough and fit on long actioned 458 Lotts. Also, for what it's worth, rumor has it Leupold is considering re-introducing a 3x next year.

Unfortunately DNR informed me they do not have the Leupold 2.5's.
I may go the 1.5x5 route for the time being. Thank you to everyone who offered advice.

quote:

Originally posted by 500grains:
Leupold 2.5x compact (regular eye relief, NOT scout scope), still available from www.dnrsports.com. It is the most reliable scope made.

I have one as a back up for my 1.5x5 on my .404j. I doubt it will ever let go.Check e-bay, they'll show up from time to time.

They still have the FXII 2.5x20 listed.
Butch

quote:

Originally posted by Snowwolfe:
I have narrowed my scope selection down to either the Leupold 1.5 x 5 or the European (30mm) 1.25 to 4.
Opinions as the best choice would be appreciated.

I may add iron sights also but at this point the scope would be it

I have a 1.25X4 S&B on my 416 Rigby and it's the Cat's Ass.........

quote:

Originally posted by butchlambert:
They still have the FXII 2.5x20 listed.
Butch

Thanks Butch, you are correct. They do have them. But the idiots want $45 to ship it to me in Alaska. I wont pay that

Gentlemen,

Did you say that the LEU 2.5X compact is no more?? If so, does this mean that it will be revampt or does this mean the toughest scope LEU makes for a big bore rifle is gone. Sad.

GVA

Mac,

I have the Leupold scope you mention on my Rigby with a 2.5x Compact (fitted with an aftermarket A4 reticle). The are mounted in Leupold QRW mounts as the rifle has a rail between the bridges. Both have worked very, very well. Sadly, Premier Reticles no longer does Leupold scopes.

Snow wolfe
Check your PMs.
Butch

After reviewing all the advice I have decided to go with the Leupold 1.5 x 5 VX III with the #4 German post. Thanks to everyone who offered an opinion.