O.K., Some discussions have convinced me to possibly scope my new .416 Rem mag Model 70. I am thinking about a 1-4 Leupold vari x-II with the German post reticle using either Talley or Leupold QD rings and bases. Do you boys think this scope will stand up to the recoil of the .416 as well as the wet weather of Northern Zim. in November? Lookin for some advice here, Ray!
Posts: 4697 | Location: North Africa and North America | Registered: 05 July 2001
You may find this post offers little so you may wish to disregard it. That said, I have a 1X4 Leupold VARXII on my 500 AHR (105 rounds so far). Prior to that it spent time on a 458 Win Mag for about 1500 rounds. I have the heavy duplex reticle not the German post. To date zero issues. If I were you (and I am happy I am not) I would get the Leupold.
Todd E
[This message has been edited by Todd E (edited 10-05-2001).]
I have a win.70 in 416 rem.Have fired several hundred rounds and haven't lost zero yet.Scope is leupold 2.5 compact mounted with leupold 2 piece Q.R. base and low rings.
On the contrary, this is a subject in which I believe you have very much to offer. What say we get back to business of shooting at LARGE African critters rather than one another on the other threads? Thanks for the info!
JohnTheGreek
Posts: 4697 | Location: North Africa and North America | Registered: 05 July 2001
I have a Leupold Vari-XII on my .416T. So far it has only had 30 rounds put through it so I can't testify whether it will stand the constant pounding, but I am very optimistic. See my post on .416 Load results to see a pic of the rifle if you like.
I am pleased with the functionality of the scope. I think 1-4X more than adequately covers all practical uses for the .416 cartridge (DG to plains game to larger NA game).
And its a Leupold. I can't see it not handling wet weather in any standard hunting clime. If it stands up in Alaska, it should handle Zim. But I look forward to hearing Ray's take on that, never having been to Zim myself.
FWIW, Canuck
Posts: 7123 | Location: The Rock (southern V.I.) | Registered: 27 February 2001
I have about 700 rounds of 416 RemMag through an M70 with a 1.75-6 VX-III. No problems with the scope, but I had to go to #8x40 screws after the #6x48s broke.
I think the Vari X-II would serve you well. I also believe that a Vari X-III would do fine, but there do seem to be more reports of recoil-induced failures with the more expensive III's than with the more economical II's. As far as optical quality, there is so little difference in them as to be indistinguishable in field use.
By the way, I would be a bit dubious of any quick detachable mount, especially on a heavy-recoiling rifle. Many good fixed mounts can be removed almost as quickly with only a coin, if removal is really necessary. And if removal is necessary (due to a fogged or damaged scope, etc.) you ain't gonna be putting it back on any time soon anyway. Dismounting the scope for transportation or packing or whatever is a really good way to loose the scope, and taking the scope on and off in response to "changing" shooting conditions (like stopping a tyranasaurus charge in 16-foot tall bamboo) will assure that you have the wrong sighting equipment at the right time, or that your zero has crept off enough to negate the accuracy advantage of the scope.
Q.D. mounts represent a level of "sophistication" that just introduces one more system that can go wrong.
[This message has been edited by Stonecreek (edited 10-05-2001).]
Posts: 13280 | Location: Henly, TX, USA | Registered: 04 April 2001
In response to the durability and return to zero question that's been posed regarding the quick detachable mount system,I suppose murphy's law can play tricks on us almost anywhere but I've personally found the leupold Q.R. setup to be a good one.Approximately 1200 rounds or so between a 416 rem,458 win & 460 wby and exactly zero problems so far.The fact that I lean strongly towards compact fixed power scopes may be a factor.I'm not really sure about this but theoretically the lesser weight of the scope could result in less stress to the mounting system during recoil.At any rate,I can report good luck with it.
No 416 experience, but have a V-III 1.75x6 that I really like on a 375HH. I use the Leupold QR system on that rifle (and several others) and have come to really like it. It allows me to take a back-up second scope (be prepared!)pre-sighted for that rifle. Never had to use it but it's there just in case. The only drawback of the QR system is the bases end up being a little high and can block view of the bottom portion of the rear sight (the un-important portion).
The QRW's bases have a lower profile. I have much less experience with this set-up. A PH pal uses them on his Harris Talon chambered in .460 Weatherby, with the same Leupold scope you are talking about. This rifle is light in weight and the recoil is brisk indeed. It's subjected to rough use and plenty of shooting and there have been no problems at all with the Leupold scope and the QRW mounts. He's putting the same set-up on a .500 A2.
Put it on your .416 and go hunting!
------------------ "shoot 'em if you got 'em!"
Posts: 3300 | Location: Western Slope Colorado, USA | Registered: 17 August 2001
John, The 1x4 Leupold is my choice for the 375, 416 Rem., 404 etc.. providing you do not have a KDF or some such recoil reducer on it...
However, on ocassions the 416 will trash about any scope after 250 rounds, but Leupold will fix it free of charge...The 2.5X compact is the foolproff scope..
I have not had many problems with the 416 but the 458 Lott and 505 Gibbs have given me hell with scopes...
Ray...The leupold 2.5 compact is the scope on all three of the rifles I mentioned in my earlier post.You referred to it as the foolproof scope.I've not had any problems with either of the three so far.Am I just lucky?
See my "Field Report" thread you may find it interesting. I was actually laughing at the range this morning because this was the scope that refused to die!
I was using the Burris Signature Zee rings. These are steel, fit weaver-style bases, and have Delrin "eyeballs" that let the scope self-align. The scope was unmarked and unharmed after the rear screws sheared.
The only bad thing is that they don't come in Low, only Med and High.
They dismount with a coin and return absolutely to zero.
[QUOTE]Originally posted by JohnTheGreek: Hi John, I've been really happy with my Leupold 1.5 to 5 Vari X111. It's been on my 450 Ackley, 416 Rigby, 416 Taylor and my 470 Mbogo. This combination adds up to over 1000 rounds with no problems. 470 Mbogo
I'm leaving for Africa in 6 days and I just broke my Leupold VIII 1.5-5x 20mm for the 3rd time. It is mounted in Talley rings & bases on my Win. M70 in .458 Win Mag.
Leupold has been great about fixing the scope and shipping it back. However, due to my critical timing, they are sending me a "loaner" scope for my hunt. They are sending a fixed 2.5x scope which the Leupold tech also described as foolproof. I think that I just got a bad scope and I'm hoping the fixed 2.5x holds up for my buffalo hunt. Worse case is I go to iron sights, which I now have adjusted to hit dead on at 50 yards.
Posts: 1430 | Location: California | Registered: 21 February 2001
I think I am going buy the 1-4x or 2.5x Leupold with a German post reticle from premier reticles. These guys are closing out their Vari-X II scopes right now if anyone is interested. I think they wanted about $250 for a 1-4x with custom reticle in matte finish. Their scopes are apparently shipped from their facility in less than 2 days. Very nice for those of us who love to wait until the last minute eh!
Thanks again,
JohnTheGreek
Posts: 4697 | Location: North Africa and North America | Registered: 05 July 2001
Henry...In good lighting,I don't think it matters.But in poor lighting,iron sights don't do well for me,particularly if shooting in a hurry.This doesn't apply when ranges are measured in feet rather than yards but 50 yards seems like a long way in some circumstances.
Jagtip, You can't hurt that 2.5 Leupold compact..I have not had any problems with the 1x4 on my 416 and its been on the gun for 4 years.
I would just as soon have iron sights on all my Buffalo, elephant and Lion guns, if fact I prefer them. I always have one of the camp staff carry a scope or a scoped rifle in case I see a Kudu 300 yds away or need to thread the needle through some brush at longer ranges on whatever...Just a precaution.
Shot the 416Rem this morning with the nifty new 2.5x Leupold. Looks and shoots great so far. The post reticle seems to be very fast and has a great old world sort of feel to it! Can't wait to initiate the whole package in zim next week!
JohnTheGreek
Posts: 4697 | Location: North Africa and North America | Registered: 05 July 2001
Hi. Leupold scopes are an exellent choice on heavy calibers, i think. I have fallen in love with Leupold XIII 1,5-5, with German No.4 recticle. I have 3 of theme. One on my Brno 602 chambered in 460WBY, one on my Mauser M98 in 416T, and one on my Brno combi in 7x57R/Ga12. Never had any problems with the cold norwegian autumn -moisture or the recoil forces. The long eyerelief is good to have to, then it comes to fast shoots!! AND the last good thing is that it makes a CLEAN CUT in your eyebrow, because of the sharp edge around the ocular. Belive me.....i've tryed it some days ago, with my "lightweight" 416T!! (I'm a new member in the red halfmoon club)
------------------ Shoot well, and hit hard.
Arild.
Posts: 736 | Location: In the deep Norwegian woods. | Registered: 22 May 2002
