The Accurate Reloading Forums
Scope a big bore
30 October 2004, 00:15
Fergus_BaileyScope a big bore
Guys
I have a 458 Ackley and have tried to scope it in the past, but cant find anything with enough eye relief. With 400gn bullets, the recoil does not cause a problem - with 500gn bullets, I get scope eyebrow every time. I have tried a Leupold 1.5-5 and a Zeiss variable, but no luck with either.
I dont like iron sights or forward mounted scopes like the scout scopes, but would like to find a low magnification scope - fixed or variable - with enough eye relief for the big kickers. Any suggestions?
Thanks
Fergus
Fergus,
I use the leupold 2.5x compact on my .458 lott and .585 with no drama's....check that you have enough lop in your stock and also I assume your not a stock crawler ??
Regards PC.
30 October 2004, 04:23
GeorgeSFergus,
I have a Burris 2.5x on my .470 Capstick, and it provides plenty of eye relief for me. There is also the Burris 1.5x and Leupold 2.5x, which should fit the bill.
George
30 October 2004, 09:22
OldsargeI fail to see the difference between a low-power scope and a ghost-ring peep. I don't like "irons", either if you mean express sights but peeps are
the sighting method for big boomers, IMO.
30 October 2004, 04:15
FjoldThe longest eye relief that I found on name brand scopes is on the VX-II, 2x7 (not the compact). Check Leupold's website, I think it has almost 1/2" longer eye relief than the VX-III's 1x5 and 1.5x6.
30 October 2004, 09:10
fredj338Another vote for the little Leup/ 2.5.
30 October 2004, 09:10
JefferyDenmarkWell Bwana
If you do not mind going the extra streach then get the Nickel Magnum 1.5-6x30 it has a 12,5 cm (4.9 in.) eye relief! and the quality of the Zeiss

It is furthermore made for the Mauser actions and Safari rifles. This is it
http://www.gerhardt-optik.de/en/products/scopes/m15660.htmlCheers,
Andr�
30 October 2004, 12:40
Fergus_BaileyQuote:
The difference is magnification, light transmission, and for many, better target acquisition (superimposing the cross-hairs over the target rather than obscuring the target).
George, that is exactly my reason. I have tried a "ghost ring" peep, but still dont find it as quick or as useful as a scope. I took my 450 Ack to Zambia with irons and when I came across a buff in long grass (60 yards away), I had to ask the guide which end as the head so I knew where to place the shot. I dont think I would have needed to ask that if I was looking through a scope. Also, I just do not find sight picture acquisition on game with any iron sight to be as intuitive as a scope.
Fergus
30 October 2004, 12:45
Fergus_BaileyGuys
Thanks for all the suggestions. I will try to get a look at the fixed Leupolds and Burris. Not all of these are available here, but I will see what I can find.
Fergus
30 October 2004, 09:04
MikelravyI have two of the Leupold scopes Fjold mentions on hard kickers and haven't been bit yet. I also have a similar VX 1 which seems to be just as good for less money.
30 October 2004, 17:13
JKSFergus,
As PC said check your LOP and gun mount. I have Leupold 1.5-5s on a 416 Rigby and 458 Lott and am fine even with field postions and prone (with the Rigby, haven't tried prone with the Lott...yet). Hope you find the answer as scope bite with the big stuff is surely not a good time.
John
30 October 2004, 09:40
lawndartYikes!
That Nickel scope costs three times what I paid for my 416 Rigby rifle!
31 October 2004, 05:12
hacksawtomYou guys will laugh, but I found and use old Weaver 2.5X scopes with a post reticle on my boomers. Super long eye relief, so I don't get it again, again, and again, like has happened through out my shooting life. I've only got about 400-500 rounds thru my .458 Winchester Magnum and my .416 Rigby and they both have held up.
01 November 2004, 16:03
465dbkThese 2.5X Compact Leupolds that you guys are using, they are the Shotgun scopes I see in the catalog?
01 November 2004, 17:08
lawndartIt is the M8 2.5x20 Compact. For everyone that ends up on a Rigby, another 500 are sold to shotgun hunters back east, so they market it as a shotgun scope.
JCN
01 November 2004, 17:22
AtkinsonI still like the Leupold 3X for a DGR...and the 1x4 varible....The 2.5X compact is the strongest scope on todays market and can take the recoil, thats its advantage...
With such big bores as the Lott and Ackley and up, I still like iron sights, either shallow V or Ghost ring peep...Mostly I hunt in Tanzania and in high grass where shots are within 75 yards for the most part with an ocassional long shot tossed in to keep me on my toes, but a Buffalo is a heck of a big target with about 2.5 feet or better of kill zone, I think anyone should be able to plant one in a target of that size at about any reasonalbe range......
I like a scope on my 416 Rem and 404s and smaller, usually a 3X or a 1.5x5 or 1x4...
01 November 2004, 18:13
Frans DiepstratenQuote:
You guys will laugh, but I found and use old Weaver 2.5X scopes with a post reticle on my boomers.
Really? I just had one mounted on my kids' .22. Maybe I should reconsider that...
Frans