I bit the bullet and sent my 375 Ruger to Wayne at AHR for the "upgrade"...Barrel Band, 1/4 Rib, Banded Front Sight, and of course a fancy stock.

Currently, the gun has a 1.5x6x24 Burris Signature Select with the Electro Dot Reticle but I am thinking I want a little more objective for an upcoming Leopard hunt. I would also like a lighted reticle/dot. I am considering just upgrading this scope with a 1.5x6x40 Burris Signature Select or going to the Trijicon 3x9x40 with the lighted post. I don't mind spending a little money on the scope but I don't want to spring for a $2000+Swarovski either. Any thoughts for me out there?

quote:

Originally posted by archer_375:
I bit the bullet and sent my 375 Ruger to Wayne at AHR for the "upgrade"...Barrel Band, 1/4 Rib, Banded Front Sight, and of course a fancy stock.

Currently, the gun has a 1.5x6x24 Burris Signature Select with the Electro Dot Reticle but I am thinking I want a little more objective for an upcoming Leopard hunt. I would also like a lighted reticle/dot. I am considering just upgrading this scope with a 1.5x6x40 Burris Signature Select or going to the Trijicon 3x9x40 with the lighted post. I don't might spending a little money on the scope but I don't want to spring for a $2000+Swarovski either. Any thoughts for me out there?

The Trijicons i looked at rely on ambient light to "light up" the reticle i would think something with artificial illumination plus intensity control would be preferable.

I actually ordered a Trijicon with the "dot" and could never see the dot. Everyone I've talked to says the post is much better, but that brings up a good question...Will the post still glow past dark? I am thinking no.

quote:

Originally posted by archer_375:
I actually ordered a Trijicon with the "dot" and could never see the dot. Everyone I've talked to says the post is much better, but that brings up a good question...Will the post still glow past dark? I am thinking no.

when examining 3-12x56? i covered that "window" with my finger and am pretty sure illumination was caput. Question becomes how much ambient light is enough to make it useful.

That would eliminate the Trijicon from my choices. I've actually really liked the Burris Signature Select. Is there anything else out there worth looking at in that $450-$650 price range?

You can get a good deal on an illuminated Schmidt 1.5-6x42 if you really look for it. Good stuff.

I would look for light weight (less stress on rings during recoil cycle) good blend of long eye relief and large field of view plus variable illumination control. Reticle in second image plane is nice as
it's size does not increase when you zoom in. Reticle in first image plane helps in poor light conditions but you don't want to see big blob of reticle when shooting at longer range at smaller target during daytime.

fisn't the Sig-Select a 1.6-6x42? Dysexlic typing?

http://burrisoptics.com/sigselect1.html#15x6x

Anyway, if you're stepping up for more light compared to the SigSelect (which isn't bad if it's the 42mm objective), then the real option is to go whole-hog.

CameralandNY has a very viable option:

http://www.cameralandny.com/op...?page=zeissvmv521711

Zeiss Victory 1.5-6x42 e-dot (#0 VariPoint) is the right move for the least buck.

The simple truth is that to do better means going Big Euro...which means big $$$.

Given that Leopard hunts are what, under 100 yards? No point going big power for that.

If you want a "one-scope" rifle, I personally would look at the 2.5-10x40 Zeiss/Swaro with an e-Dot #4.

What I can say is that e-dots are evil good in low light conditions. My .375 H&H wears a 2.5-10x40 EuroDiamond e-Dot #4. I truly can't wait until I get out to do some more Piggin' this year in Texas. Piggies are gonna get hit by a Bus.

And before I forget, Good Luck on the Hunt!

No, not dyslexic...My current scope is a scope they no longer offer, a 1.5x6x24. Looking at the new model 1.5x6 x 40.

ryan...the Schmidts are awesome, but they are over the $2000 mark as well. What kind of pricing have you seen?

I own a Trijicon with the red triangle post. It lights up brilliant red in sunlight, bright red in shade, and it does light up with even a small amount of sunlight. If it gets pitch black, the post still lights up red from the tritium, but it is much duller, so it doesn't effect your night vision. And if you don't want the red glow, there is adjustment where you can block the light from getting to the fiber optics. I got mine for $500 new off ebay

I will say that the crosshars with a dot are barrely noticable. If you want the cross hairs, I wouldn't go with trijicon, but the triangle one is awsome. and you can aim very precise with the tip of the triangle. The only thing it is more difficult with is if you have to do a lot of hold over (300+ yards)

quote:

Originally posted by archer_375:
ryan...the Schmidts are awesome, but they are over the $2000 mark as well. What kind of pricing have you seen?

Without illumination, under $1500, with, a little more. I just picked up a Kahles for maybe $750, it's not a Schmidt but it will do. And I got a 3-12 Schmidt without illumination for $1000. The hard part is getting illumination for a decent price as those rarely go on sale.

Looking around at new scopes it's 1700 for the unilluminated and 2300 with illumination. I know it hurts, but you aren't going to find a better scope.

I agree, if I am going to spend $2K plus, it would be a Schmidt and Bender but I have a hard time justifying it when I've had such great luck with Leupold's and the Burris.

I have shot a búnch of critters - leopard included - using a Leupold VX3 2,5-8 X 36 scope. I am sure that scope will serve your needs as well..

Take a look at the Nightforce scopes. They are very durable although a little heavy. I bought a 2.5x10x32 for a little under $1200. Visit their web site and you will be impressed. I have a S&B and they are super but not a grand better.

bushnell firefly scope, in the 3200 series ... just need a little squeeze led to charge it for hours

quote:

Originally posted by RyanB:

quote:

Originally posted by archer_375:
ryan...the Schmidts are awesome, but they are over the $2000 mark as well. What kind of pricing have you seen?

Without illumination, under $1500, with, a little more. I just picked up a Kahles for maybe $750, it's not a Schmidt but it will do. And I got a 3-12 Schmidt without illumination for $1000. The hard part is getting illumination for a decent price as those rarely go on sale.

Looking around at new scopes it's 1700 for the unilluminated and 2300 with illumination. I know it hurts, but you aren't going to find a better scope.

Several years back I picked up Kahles Helia C 1.5-6x42. This optic has excellent blend of eye relief, FOV, weight, optical quality and price. This was when Kahles was not owned by Swarovski in those "dark" pre-illumination era days.

Does anybody have any experience with the Burris line?

I have the Kahles 1.5-6 with ill dot on my 375H&H. I paid around $1500 for it 3 years ago. Very happy with it although it originally had the circle dot reticule but I found that too busy so sent it back for the dot. BTW I don't mind spending as much on optics as I do on my firearms. You can't shoot what you can't see.

Not finding much "middle" ground with Illuminated scopes. It's either $2000 Plus or $650 and less.

I am not talking about putting a cheap scope on this rifle, but really don't want to spend $2000 either. The only thing I am coming up with in the illumination department without going high dollar is Burris. I don't think I am interested in scopes that use ambient light like the Trijicon or the Bushnell Fire Fly. Am I missing any? Getting really close to pulling the trigger on one of the three choices from Burris....Signature, Euro Diamond or the new SixX.

I put a 2x7 kahles on mine. perfect scope for it IMO. Worked great in Namibia last month. In all fairness, it never came off 7 power, though