What is everyone's opinions of the trijicon illuminated scopes for the heavier thumpers?

You are entering unknown and expensive territory. Most scopes don't last long on big bores unless specifically constructed fort them. Anything over a .416 Rigby and your in for problems. What we know is that night force and the Leupold compacts as well as the 1.5x5 variables survive as well as the low power Zeiss and swarovski scopes. Eventually everything breaks. It's a round count issue. My guess is on a Lott or bigger the trijicon won't last long. Your free to do the experiment and tell us about your experience. By 500 rds you will know the truth. -Rob

As Rob said.

Any particular reason you want a Trijicon ?

Do they have a particular recticle that you like that others don't ?

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Thank you for the input Rob. I appreciate it.

500N, It was just the first brand that popped into my head. I really like the idea of the illuminated reticle. Although I will definitely stick to the lower powers.

I bought a Trijicon 1x4 with a 30MM tube for my 416 Rigby. When I received it, I was very impressed but instead put it on a 9.3x62. It is a very heavy scope and I had concerns about it moving under recoil of a big bore. I would get the 1 inch tube scope if for a big gun. I would be curious if anyone has field experience with the 30 MM tubes on big bores.

My .50BMG competition guns all use Nighforce 30mm scopes with Badger rings mounted as low as possible. The rings are lapped and some lapping compound is left in the rings so that when they are torqued down, NOTHING MOVES. Those scopes have actually outlived a barrel on those guns each. One Nightforce eventualy broke at about 2000 rds.
I dont see any issue with 30mm vs 1 inch tubes, its more in the scope construction and the rings. Use the biggest/ largest width rings you can get on any gun over a .416 Rigby and at least you'll eliminate one major problem factor.
Personally, on hunting guns I like the Leupold 2.5X compact. I shoot with both eyes open and bring the gun up into what I'm looking at. The leupold 2.5X has never failed me. You really dont need more magnification than that for a 50 yrd gun. -Rob

quote:

Originally posted by alxndrsalmndr:
Thank you for the input Rob. I appreciate it.

500N, It was just the first brand that popped into my head. I really like the idea of the illuminated reticle. Although I will definitely stick to the lower powers.

No worries. The Illuminated recticle on TJ'S are good, no question about that. The Military use them a fair bit.

Were you thinking of the Illuminated Triangle reticle or one of the others ?

I agree re the "heavy" part.

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I agree with everything said above, just wanted to add the Aimpoint T-1 or H-1 Micro to the mix. They are very small, low, lightweight and have a 5 year battery life. I have two, one on my 870 Vang Comp that has been on for the last three years (on as red dot illuminated) and one that has bounced from my 500 Jeffery, to my lott, to my 50 Beowulf, and has never missed a beat.

I know you did not ask about a red dot, but just wanted to put that out there, 4 moa dot, very very fast target acquisition and damn near bullet proof.

The link below has an Aimpoint T-1 on an M-4, just an idea of the abuse they can withstand.

https://danieldefense.com/TortureTest

I have a trijicon with a green triangle reticle on a 416 Rigby. Over one hundred rounds with no problems. Very good for low light on elephants and buffalo. Also used it on a leopard hunt but did not shoot one-less gun is probably better but the scope was ideal.

Not to hijack the thread but Rob the 416 I have is a CZ so ring options are limited. I have a one inch scope in Talleys on it now.

I have a 1.25x4 trijicon with the amber recticle on my 458 win mag...about 100 rounds and no issues. Love the scope - quick acquisition and very clear.

quote:

Originally posted by 500N:

quote:

Originally posted by alxndrsalmndr:
Thank you for the input Rob. I appreciate it.

500N, It was just the first brand that popped into my head. I really like the idea of the illuminated reticle. Although I will definitely stick to the lower powers.

No worries. The Illuminated recticle on TJ'S are good, no question about that. The Military use them a fair bit.

Were you thinking of the Illuminated Triangle reticle or one of the others ?

I agree re the "heavy" part.

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I was looking at that one, but I want to look through one before I purchase it just because its so different than what I've used before.

quote:

Not to hijack the thread but Rob the 416 I have is a CZ so ring options are limited. I have a one inch scope in Talleys on it now.

I hope the quot worked. I'm looking at a CZ. How have you liked those rings?

I've had a 1.75X6 Leupold on my 458WM and one on my 458 Lott with a couple of hundred rounds each so far and no problems.

I have a 1.25-4x on my 470 and the 1-4x on my 458 Lott both with red triangles. 200+ rounds no issues. Very quick target aquisition and in low power can be used with both eyes open.

I have the 1.25X4 with red triangle on my 416 Rigby. About 100 rounds through it since putting this scope on and no problems at all. Have 2 3x9 Trijicons on other smaller rifles, 300H&H and 270 Win, and find all 3 to be excellent scopes.

When you guys with the Lotts hit 500 rds,let us know how they worked out.-Rob

Rob is 110% spot on! The big bores from the horrible 458 Lott and up are scope busters..but most of the big guns in the real world, don't get shot enough, and folks are happy as a pig in s---t with em.....

I know one thing for sure, I have never seen a mega bore rifle with the bore shot out!

I have a few real big bores, but I shoot them with iron sights because I have trashed too many high dollar scopes on them and I also much because prefer to use the irons on big tough animals when the ranges are up close, and when I'm in the thick stuff looking for them, thats what big bores and irons sights are designed for, otherwise I don't need that kind of a hammer..

The 375 or 9.3x62 will do just fine at extended ranges like a hundred yards give or take 25 yards. If that bothers you then the .416, 404s will handle any situation, both up close and way out yonder.

I have spent 65 years trying all this stuff both ways, and the above is what I have concluded for myself, but to each his own and some may come up with a better solution for themselves, but I doubt it and a different conclusion may be only temporary or good until things go South, it did with me!

One more thing, a practiced point shooter, not even using his irons, shooting instinctively, armed with a big 45 or 50 or even a 404 Jefferys or 450-400 is in good hands for sure when your in the short rows..A failed scope is a technilogical disaster in that situation.

I dont have Rays level of experience but I've sure busted one heck of a lot of scopes in my time. Unless a scope meets the test of time, they better have a really great repair service. God knows Leupold and I are on a first name basis. BTW they are great and repaired many of my scopes. I
BTW I too prefer iron sights on a big bore. After all they are used at 50 yrds or less usually.-Rob

There is a scene in The Shawshank Redemption where Billy is telling Andy how many prisons he has done time in. Andy responds by saying that maybe he needs a new line of work as he doesn't seem to be a very good thief!

Rob, I mean absolutely no disrespect. Honest. But if you and Leupold are on a first name basis, maybe we need to think of a new standard for scoped rifles of 458 Lott and larger! Maybe on these recoil monsters, the standard should be the Nightforce! Much more expensive I know. It's possible however, that is what is required.

But I digress as I am in total agreement with you and Ray concerning a preference for iron sights with true big bores!

Todd- I certainly hope your remarks were made in jest!
It would be fair to say that I have probably more REAL not IMAGINED TRIGGER TIME behind .458 and up hunting level guns than almost anyone here. This doesn't count time behind the trigger in the Military either. I have IN-FACT burned barrels out on more than one .50BMG class gun and that takes THOUSANDS of rounds, so you figure out if I'm qualified to speak about scopes weaknesses or not! I frankly don't care!
The point is, Ray and I and others here have learned what works and what doesn't the HARD way because no one took the time to help us, and I'm trying to share that knowledge. I just get sick of reading the posts here about why my gun won't shoot anymore mostly from folks who don't read or are comprehension challenged and oh so desperately want to believe that the scope of their choice is the best of the best!. You do what you want. I'll still be shooting.-Rob

After rereading an earlier post, I decided to change this response.

Rob, did you or did you not, in your post state that you are on a first name basis with the Leupold repair service? From that statement, I inferred that if that is the case, maybe the Leupolds are not the best scope for heavy recoiling rifles.

Did you or did you not, in your earlier post on this thread, state that you have shot out a barrel on a 50 BMG competition gun before having issues with a Nightforce scope? From that, I inferred that maybe the Nightforce is the better scope for heavy recoiling rifles.

Where in my post, did I state that I have a different idea of scope choice than what you stated. Yes, I stated in an earlier post that I have a Trijicon on my 416 Rigby. But show me where I said my choice was better than yours. I didn't say it. Also, the Rigby has significantly less recoil than the Lott and larger rifles. If I'm not mistaken, we are talking about the suitability of scopes on the larger bores, not the Rigby.

I think I ended my post stating that I'm in total agreement with you and Ray concerning a preference for iron sights with true big bore rifles.

My opening statement was concerning the suitability of Leupold scopes derived from your comment! Nothing more, nothing less. Never did I question your or Ray's expertise or experience. I was simply asking whether or not you would consider the Nightforce a better scope than the Leupold.

Why the hostile attitude?

Todd

Please, everyone respond, if you have reached 1000 rounds in your scoped rifle in caliber .404 and upward, let us know your results. I earnestly want to know, besides the rotator cuff issues.

quote:

Originally posted by mdstewart:
Please, everyone respond, if you have reached 1000 rounds in your scoped rifle in caliber .404 and upward, let us know your results. I earnestly want to know, besides the rotator cuff issues.

I have a Swaro 1.25-4 nearing the 500 round mark on a combo of 458WM and 416RM. Before getting on the 40 calibers, it did several hundred rounds and three safaris on a 375H&H.

No problems yet . . . touch wood.

The point I'm making is that eventually nearly everything breaks. Its a function of the number of rounds and the type of recoil Impulse the gun has. Some calibers seem to be worse than others. Combining a hard kicking, light weight gun with a Big heavy scope with crappy rings will usually break things in a hurry. Nobody advertises, for use on .458 Lotts and above!
Some scopes fail faster than others. Leupolds break, Swarovski's break, Zeiss break, and yes, I've had all of them break, some lasted way longer than others, but few of the expensive ones failed after only a few (<100) shots. When I hunted in Africa, my confidence was so high I always took a spare scope. Shit happens. The scopes that were specifically designed for high recoil guns usually last longer, Those that are not usually dont last very long at all. I only recommend what I personally know works. As I said, if the Trijicons hold -up to 500 rds, then they are a good scope. We will see. -Rob

Sorry Rob, I seem to have edited my post while you were typing. I'm sorry about that.

I'm not trying to get into a pissing contest with you.

Todd

I've got a .375H&H with well over 1000 rounds through it with the same 1.75x6 leupold on it. No problems so far.

Anything bigger than that wears iron sights. Those include a .404 Jeffery, a .470NE and a .458 Lott.

I've got a newer 1.75x6 that has crapped on me twice now on normal .30-06 level stuff.

Go figure.

Todd- No problems! Sometimes its too easy to read things into posts that are not there. I have no issues with folks with different opinions.
Some guns like the .600NE should never have a scope on them period. They break really fast when they crack just once into someones skull.
My 12GaFH NEF has a leupold 2.5X compact on it and I'm really really careful how I hold it. Death Grip! So far its never hit me, but I've seen others get wacked really hard despite the long eye relief.
Usually .375 and .416 class guns don't break well made scopes too frequently, although it does happen. Yup open sights are definately the way to go. could not agree more. Looks like some red dots will hold-up too. Thats a great option. -Rob

Rob...