I went to the range today to sight in my 1.5x5 Leupold VX3 which I have had fitted to my 505 Gibbs with quick detatchable mounts. I got a nasty scope cut. I have had those before after getting a bit careless, but in this instance I held the rifle properly, and so I have come to the conclusion that I need a scope with about an inch more eye relief. The Leupold has 3.7" at 5x, and 4.4" at 1.5x. So may I ask those of you who have more experience, what would you recommend. I would prefer to stick with 1" tubes, otherwise I will need new mounts as well. I am open to a fixed power scope but it would need to be no bigger than a 3x.

What about the Leupy FX-II 2.5x20mm Ultralight ?

4.9 inches of eye relief.

I had the quarter rib dovetailed for Talley mounts on a couple big rifles to mount an EER scope "scout style". I don't like the look, but function it good, and you use them with both eyes open..a help on a DGR. If you're getting cut with your Gibbs in a controlled range situation, imagine what you could do in some contorted field-shooting position.

I'm with Biebs and have a 2x20 Leupold EER scope in the scout position on the .404. Never have to worry about scope cuts, quick to align and also has the advantage of leaving the action clear for charging the magazine if ever in a hurry.

My inclination would be to go to a beaded front and a large apeture or ghost ring in the back, and forget the scope.

I have a 510 Wells--I had JD at SSK put a forward T'SOB on it, Leupold EER Scout Scope. Field of view is not great, but it does shoot well, and it has handled the recoil so far.
Michael

quote:

had the quarter rib dovetailed for Talley mounts on a couple big rifles to mount an EER scope "scout style

this is what im planning on doing on mine.... i'd like a 1-4.5x.... 1" tube....

Thanks everyone, it looks like the scout scope might be a goer. I will check it out the details and see if it is what I am looking for.

your LOP is the problem, not the scope.

you got long arms? long skinny neck? I started making ALL my own stocks after a pair of scope cuts, from that same scope, as a result of the gun being to short ... nothing to do with the scope, per se

Leupold 2.5X compact. Tons of eye relief and you really dont need more on a 505 Gibbs anyway. They dont break either. You sure your not crawling the stock either?-Rob -Rob

I think some of the othere are on the right track...LOP matters a lot! Heavy hitters need anywhere btwn 1/2-1" beyond your "normal"

4" eye relief should do it under almost any circumstance.

I once used a Kahles 3-1/4" eye relief on a 500 Jeff. Got about 10 nasty cuts (Being a slow learner)

Went to S&B..shoulda done that in the first place!..not to knock Kahles...GREAT scope..up to maybe 375

quote:

Originally posted by 338User:
I went to the range today to sight in my 1.5x5 Leupold VX3 which I have had fitted to my 505 Gibbs with quick detatchable mounts. I got a nasty scope cut. I have had those before after getting a bit careless, but in this instance I held the rifle properly, and so I have come to the conclusion that I need a scope with about an inch more eye relief. The Leupold has 3.7" at 5x, and 4.4" at 1.5x. So may I ask those of you who have more experience, what would you recommend. I would prefer to stick with 1" tubes, otherwise I will need new mounts as well. I am open to a fixed power scope but it would need to be no bigger than a 3x.

I'd check stock length and for an oldere Weaver K-1 or K2.5 or the older luepold 2.5's

338User,

Your best bet is naked, no scope. The .416 with a 400 grain bullet @ 2400 fps with a scope is about the limit.

I agree with the LOP too short crowd. I have never had a problem with Leupold 1-4 which has the same eye relief as your scope. Rifles have been 458 Win Mag, 500 A2, & 500 AHR (Improved Jeffery). I have several people shoot these rifles over the years and no issue with them either, even though none of them had shot anything larger than a 338 Win mag and most nothing larger than a 30-06. Is this rifle a CZ? The CZ LOP is too damned short unless you are 5"6" or so with narrow shoulders and short arms (read built like a woman).

I got kissed once but never bled, and it was with a 1.5-5X Leupold also! Just got too relaxed practicing offhand with a .416 Rigby.

2.5X Leupold is the answer.
Push it as far forward as possible, in the rings.
Get used to not craning your neck and crawling the stock for the full field of view.
Still way better than the severely limited field of view of a scout scope.

I use factory stocks, but get the LOP right by adding a slip-on pad, sometimes with a hard rubber spacer
(cut from a discarded take-off factory pad of hard rubber)
to fit inside the slip-on, between the factory butt pad and the slip-on pad.
To fine tune the LOP.
Getting a real wood spacer added to permanently fine tune the LOP requires a stock refinish.

RIP

I can't see your point of using a scope in the "normal" position set forward and then not using the full field of view. At least with a scout scope you do not have to adjust your head on the stock, just bring the rifle up and the view is all there especially with the Leupold 2x20mm where there is no larger objective lense to obscure the field of view. Both eyes open gives you plenty of field of view just like a shotgun on moving targets and for precision shooting on standing targets or the bench closing one eye is an option. No concerns over recoil or stock crawling when testing out loads on the bench.

Quite happy with my scout setup and much preferred than open sights. I also like the feature of being able to charge the magazine easier than with a scope fully over top. But then I'm a lefty so this feature is probably of greater help to me than for a right hander?

I went to the range again today, competed in the big game rifle comp. Came second in the group 1 (using the Gibbs which is a group 3 rifle), this time I had the scope pushed fully forward. I can get a full sight picture with it set on 3x, but no higher. It still touched me twice (but no cuts). I had my length of pull increased recently. It is set up so that with my elbow at 90 deg and my trigger finger on the trigger, the butt rests against my bicep. From what I understand, any longer and you may not be able to shoulder the rifle quickly (as it may hang up on clothing). I don't think LOP is the issue. I probably made the wrong choice in scope, and for this rifle I don't really need a 5x magnification, so I will try the Leupold 2.5x28 IER scout scope, and if that works I will be happy. I need a scope because my eyes are no longer good enough to use open sight in anything but good daylight. With the scope set on 3x today I shot a 9 ring group at 100yards, and I can't do that with open sights. It is no problem though, I am having a 416 Rigby built, and I can keep the 1.5x5 scope for that.
Thanks for all your suggestions.

No scope at all is the best scope for a .505 Gibbs!

If yur eyes can't handle an express sight -try a ghostring sight instead.


My .505 Gibbs:

husky

Very nice gun, love the lines to it, really classic. Very similar to mine except mine has
the leather cheek piece in built into the stock.

Who built it, what's the background to it ?

quote:

Originally posted by 338User:
It still touched me twice (but no cuts). From what I understand, any longer and you may not be able to shoulder the rifle quickly (as it may hang up on clothing). I don't think LOP is the issue.

The ultimate fast handlers are the Win94 lever rifles ... and they're made with a short LOP. Longer does slow you down but it helps absorb recoil. I think the Brits had a style of shooting where the gun was thrown forward and then brought back to the shoulder ... hence the longer LOP on their big riles. Talk with Geoff Slee (if you haven't already) at the BGRC shoot as he makes stocks. It sounds like your 'fitting' a stock for length like you would a shotgun, for me that would come up too short on a rifle with recoil.

If the scope is touching you get rid of it ... NOW! Been there, done that, it will bite you hard one day and shatter your confidence. I'm a shocker for getting excited and stock crawling by throwing my head forward ... I rarely do it when 'trying out' a stock for fit.

The 2.5x Leupold (compact) is the best scope for strength and eye relief. Just a bugger to get perched correctly on a really long action.
Cheers...
Con
PS: Second place in a Group 1 competition with a 505Gibbs is a bloody good effort!

hay; 338 user who made your gibbs

The Swarofski Z6 1X6 ee has 4.7" of eye relief. Going to use this scope on 505 Gibbs I'am having built. Currently have it on 375 Flanged, like it a lot.

How about the Bushnell 6500 in 1.25x8 x32mm. Advertised with 6" of eye relief and has lots of FOV at 1.25power. It has a 30mm tube but rings are lots cheaper than the new stock some are suggesting. The low power Trijcon (I think it is 1.25x4.5x32mm)has something like 5" of eye relief. It is very light and it stood up to the torture test that Safari Club gave dangerous game scopes a few years ago. The test was brutal and actually broken the base screws and bent the one piece base. It was reported to be very fast to use with the lighted reticle.

I have one of those trijicon 1.25x4s -- nice scope, and VERY long eye relief.

My 404J Mauser setup and will allow tight clover leafs with cast bullets at 50m.

Suppose I should show off the result. .375" 50m group 350gr cast gas check.

For a scope I use the Safari Scope 1 3/4 X 5 by
Burris. I Really like this scope. Its very clear.

quote:

Originally posted by stradling:
hay; 338 user who made your gibbs

The late Fred Wells made my Gibbs. I had Rob Blomfield (Sunshine Coast Gunsmithing) do all the bits and peices since. This included cutting the rear sight, adding 3/4 inch to the stock, and fitting Smithson QD scope mounts, (see them at http://www.smithson-gunmaker.com/guns.htm). I will post a picture when I get my camera working again.

I went to the gun shop today, just to have a look at what scopes were available. They had one 2.5x20mm Leupold compact scope second hand, but in perfect condition. I thought it must have been a sign, so I bought it. I mounted it on my Gibbs tonight, and I get an extra 0.8 inches eye relief, clear sight picture, very neat looking scope. I will try it out on the weekend, and report back.

Finally someone listens! You will be very happy with your choice. -Rob

quote:

Originally posted by Robgunbuilder:
Finally someone listens! You will be very happy with your choice. -Rob

Not wrong ... I keep one always handy for use on heavy kickers. I only wish they extended the front tube like the old x3 Leupold.
Cheers...
Con

quote:

Originally posted by Robgunbuilder:
Finally someone listens! You will be very happy with your choice. -Rob

For once.

You can only put your view based on experience
and then let them decide !!!!


He will be happy, they are a great scope.


Con - I have a collection of "OLD Leupy" low power scopes just for that purpose - although now with the price coming down, not sure it was a good move !!!

My .585 Nyati has just caused a 2.5x to mud its unders, I am thinking of trying a 1-4 NXS with NPR 1 reticle, I KNOW they will handle the recoil.

quote:

Originally posted by PC:
My .585 Nyati has just caused a 2.5x to mud its unders, I am thinking of trying a 1-4 NXS with NPR 1 reticle, I KNOW they will handle the recoil.

I was going to try the NF scope. Would be interested in your thoughts.

quote:

Originally posted by 500N:
I was going to try the NF scope. Would be interested in your thoughts.

A little ways off yet 500N before I buy a replacement scope for it have a couple olf rigs in the works will need to be fixed up first. But youd be safe buying one, I run a 2.5-10x24 on a .308 that will get tranferred to my .416 Rigby in due course as I want to run a 3.5-15 NXS on the .308. There a tougher scope than Leupold. Eye releif is one thing that would need to be checked but thats fine if the stock fits you well I think (as long as its not a 3" eye relief scope)

Hi everyone, I went to the range today, sighted in my new 2.5 x 20 compact Leupold. I am very happy with it. I has a decent field of view, and it is pretty easy to find your aiming point even at 100 yards, so it will be perfect for hunting. It didn't come anywhere near my forehead, so the eye relief is fine. Many thanks for your suggestions

338User

Good to hear you have got a setup to suit your needs. Any chance of a photo?

Yes Eagle27, I will post a few photos, in a couple of days. Its a good setup, and I needed something I could be sure won't wack me in the head. It was a pretty hard hit. I had a bit of a nose bleed every morning for the next four days (it is fine now), so the blow must have inflamed my sinus cavity, as well as cutting my forehead.

Great will look forward to your photos.

Really nice 505 Gibbs for sale on our Trademe site here in NZ. I've pasted the details below. Good photos of it on Trademe too. Looking at NZ$10,000. Would buy it myself just for fun if I had the dosh.
Cheers

Custom 505 Gibbs .
McGowan Barrel
AAA select stock...magnificent timber.
French Walnut
Bruno Magnum action.

This is a magnificent rifle that has only fired 58 rounds in its entire life.The complete rifle took 800 hours labour as the stock was hand made from a blank..
It comes with dies,projectiles numerous new shells.

I have shot a few different 500 Nitro Doubles, as well as a 500 Jeffery and a 505 Gibbs bolt rifles...

Personally I would not mount a scope on one of them in the conventional way.

Sooner or later it will tag you IMHO.

A Scout Scope or eagle27's solution is the scoped answer.

Also a Docter Optic would be a great choice.