I’m planning to order a 9.3x74R double later this year. From what I’ve read on this board it likely will be a Chapuis. I want to have it regulated with a scope. I plan the scope to be a Leupold 1.75-6x32 VX-III and may get 2 with different reticles. One for fast work when range is expected to be 150 yards or less and one for NA hunting if ranges may get long. In the past I have used plain crosshairs (old Weaver K-4), German #1 (pre-war Zeiss on drilling in claw mounts), and standard duplex on everything else.

The duplex is the most precise, but the German #1 (looks like a slat out of a picket fence with the sharp point at the aiming point) looks like it would be very fast up close and I have no problems putting good groups on paper with it at 100 yards or killing whitetails at reasonable range.

Most recommendations I’ve read here in other posts center on either a heavy duplex reticle or the German #4 reticle. The heavy duplex looks like a good compromise, but the German #4 (which to be honest I’ve only seen in pictures) looks like the worst of all possible worlds. The pictures I have seen of the #4 show the heavy part of the posts all stopping very much further from center than a duplex. Only perhaps half way to center from the edge of the field of view. This looks useless. Please explain why it is a good choice for a dangerous game scope and why a German #1 is not? Also, if I am going to get 2 scopes as mentioned above, what should the two reticle choices be? Before joining this forum I had assumed the two would be a German #1 for up close and fast and a standard duplex for farther out. Now I’m not so sure.

I also wouldn’t mind having at least one illuminated reticle for low light (baited cats?) but don’t like the small objective of Leupold’s 1x5 and their 3.5-10x50 is just too much scope for the uses I see for a 9.3x74R double. Too bad they don’t offer an illuminated reticle in the 1.75-6. I know some of the high dollar Euro scopes are available in a low powered variable with big objective (maybe too big) but I understand that they are about 4x the cost of a Leupold and their high weight and need for higher mounts to clear their objectives would compromise my chance of getting the rifle to also regulate with iron sights.

Brazos_Jack

Jack, I think your are over thinking this. Pick a scope & reticle YOU like. I've had guys tell me this or that are "the best" & when I have tried them, don't like them. So pick what you want & I would suggest staying w/ only one scope for familiarity. I like the std. duplex after trying the heavy & the German #4 & the post. A lighted reticle is not a bad idea, played w/ one abit, but I agree, I can't find a scope that offers one that I like or am willing to pay $1K for.

Pick one you like..I like the std. duplex, its the best hunting reticle going IMO..The big heavy cross hairs cover too much animal for some shots IMO...I also like a dot and just a plain medium cross hair...It really doesn't make much difference to me..

I would use a No.4 reticle with a fine crosshair on everything. Great in the brush and fine in the middle for long shots.

Brazos_Jack,
I had a chance to play with a Leupold VX-3 Scope 30mm Tube 1.5-5x 20mm Metric Illuminated German #4 Reticle that we had on a Chapuis at the gun show this weekend. I had enough time when it was slow to try different settings ect. I think this is one you should look at. The spacing in the #4 Reticle gives a fine cross hair for really precise aiming or with the illumination turned all the way up is almost like a red dot sight. You need to look through one as the pictures don’t do it justice.
Bill

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?s...id=637342&t=11082005

After using a verity of Reticles my preference is for the German No#4. The #4 has heavy posts almost all the way to the center on the bottom and sides so you tend to use these for lining up game and only use the fine lines for precise shooting at small game , distant game or targets.
During twilight the close heavy posts are often all that can be seen.
#4 should not be mixed up with #4A which is similar to the #7 where the heavy posts are to far apart to be of use.

I have 2 scopes that i like a lot.

A German # 1 you speak of of. It is in a old German fixed power 6X . It is by far the best low light non lighted set up I have. It is set to shoot 2" high at 100. Once the distance gets to the point that hold over becomes needed, its a little course.
I have a old Burris that has a tapered post with a flat top and a fine cross hair down about 2 moa. On my 416 it is set 1" high at 200 and is dead on at 300 at the cross hair. It was deadly on plains game out to 350 yards.

JD

Ozhunter,

What you describe as German #4A is what Leupold calls a regular #4 according to this picture from their site:

http://www2.leupold.com/products/reticles.htm

Your description of the #4 sounds more like what Leupold calls their "Post & Duplex".

Is this correct or are the pictures of reticles on Leupold's site not what they really look like? I probably will have to order the scope without seeing it and so from several peoples descriptions versus the Leupold site pictures, I'm confused.

From some comments here, I had thought of getting a 1.75x6 and an illuminated reticle 1x5, both with #4 reticle. But if the pics are accurate, the "Post & Duplex" looks like what I want and it is not available in an illuminated reticle.

Brazos Jack

I think that you must get what you find best for your own use. The "picket post" reticule is really meant for targets six feet tall and three feet wide (figure it out) and, in theory a well set up 'scope ON A RIFLE FITTED TO YOU should "centre" automatically when you raise your rifle.

That, ideally, you use with both eyes opn.

So that the 'scope almost merely gives you a magnified image of what will be the point of impact of your bullet. I would actually say GET YOUR DR FITTED AS YOU WOULD A SHOTGUN. By a company that is competent to fit DRs and knows the difference between a fitting for a DR as against a fitting for a double shotgun.

In a well set up and 'scoped DR if properly done the reticule therefore then becomes almost irrelevant. For that reason the least intrusive to the sight picture is the best. Crosshairs like on a Weaver K-4 offer that at close range. Add a small illuminated "dot" for your night work. You should not need it as it should merely serve, again, to confirm that you have mounted the gun correctly and so everything is "on".

quote:

Originally posted by Bill Cooley:
Brazos_Jack,
I had a chance to play with a Leupold VX-3 Scope 30mm Tube 1.5-5x 20mm Metric Illuminated German #4 Reticle that we had on a Chapuis at the gun show this weekend. I had enough time when it was slow to try different settings ect. I think this is one you should look at. The spacing in the #4 Reticle gives a fine cross hair for really precise aiming or with the illumination turned all the way up is almost like a red dot sight. You need to look through one as the pictures don’t do it justice.
Bill

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?s...id=637342&t=11082005

Bill,
Any issues with the brightness of the illuminated dot on this scope?
Thanks

quote:

Originally posted by Brazos Jack:
Ozhunter,

What you describe as German #4A is what Leupold calls a regular #4 according to this picture from their site:

http://www2.leupold.com/products/reticles.htm

Your description of the #4 sounds more like what Leupold calls their "Post & Duplex".

Is this correct or are the pictures of reticles on Leupold's site not what they really look like? I probably will have to order the scope without seeing it and so from several peoples descriptions versus the Leupold site pictures, I'm confused.

From some comments here, I had thought of getting a 1.75x6 and an illuminated reticle 1x5, both with #4 reticle. But if the pics are accurate, the "Post & Duplex" looks like what I want and it is not available in an illuminated reticle.

Brazos Jack

Yes the Leopold "Post & Duplex" looks the same as the S&B German #4.

I vote for the #1

quote:

Originally posted by dogcat:

quote:

Originally posted by Bill Cooley:
Brazos_Jack,
I had a chance to play with a Leupold VX-3 Scope 30mm Tube 1.5-5x 20mm Metric Illuminated German #4 Reticle that we had on a Chapuis at the gun show this weekend. I had enough time when it was slow to try different settings ect. I think this is one you should look at. The spacing in the #4 Reticle gives a fine cross hair for really precise aiming or with the illumination turned all the way up is almost like a red dot sight. You need to look through one as the pictures don’t do it justice.
Bill

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?s...id=637342&t=11082005

Bill,
Any issues with the brightness of the illuminated dot on this scope?
Thanks

dogcat,
I had no problem with the brightness of the illuminated reticle. You have about 11 different settings from something that may be visible only in near darkness to quite bright. You can always just turn it off if you don’t want to use this feature. I am thinking about one for my .375 H&H or one of the Lotts.

Brazos Jack
Where in Texas are you? I think it would be worth a road trip to Cabellas to look through some scopes.
Bill

quote:

Brazos Jack
Where in Texas are you? I think it would be worth a road trip to Cabellas to look through some scopes.
Bill

Bill,

I live in Tyler but work in Saudi Arabia about 10-1/2 months a year.

I won't be back in Tyler until December, but will be in Houston for a quick 1-1/2 week trip in August.

Where is the Cabellas you're talking about and will they stock Leupolds with German #1, German #4, and Leupold Post & Duplex Reticles?

Brazos Jack

I have an older Redfield 2-7X with a Post and Crosshair on my 375 H+H mag. Very quick to pick up even in dim light once you get used to it. It is very close to the Leupold Post and Duplex mentioned in a previous post.

Another option if you like a post reticle would be the Trijicon. That fiberoptic/tritium tip works just like a red-dot, with no batteries to worry about.

If you buy a Leupie and decide you want a different reticle (reticule), they'll change it for you for $60.

Jack

I have a 9,3x74R Chapuis.
When I first got it, I mounted a Leupold 2.5-8 with the heavy duplex.
It fits the double perfectly, I highly recommend the heavy duplex, I have them in a 1.5-5 a 1.75-6 and a 6x42 as well.

On my first safari the PH recommended I get a scope with an illuminated reticle for leopard and lion over bait.

I got an extra set of rings and mounted a Swarovski 1.5-6x42 with the illuminated circle dot reticle.

I like the Swaro scope so much it is now the primary and the Leupold is the back up.

My Chapuis is one of my favorite hunting rifles.
Your plan of 2 scopes for your Chapuis is a good one.

I highly recommend a scope with an illuminated reticle.

Brazos Jack....nearest Cabella's to Houston is at Buda, about halfway between Austin and San Antonio on I35....probably a 2 hour drive each way, maybe a little less. I think you can go to the cabella's web site and get a store email to find out if they have what you are interested in seeing. You might also find the scopes you want to look at at Carter's Country, Bass Pro, or collectors firearms, Brileys....all in Houston.

Has anyone had any experience with the AccuPoint 1.25-4x24 with German #4 Crosshair and Amber Dot? At first glance it looks like a possibly good combination.

The company says it stands up to heavy recoil very well with no repair returns on any of the AccuPoints. But I'd like real-world confirmation of that.

HI Brazos Jack,
Why don't you look into the 2.5 to 8 power scopes. They are very good up close on 2.5 and are more scope than you will need with the 9.3 by 74R. I have a couple and the standard cross hairs work great. I also have 1.5 to 5 Leupold scopes with the heavy cross hairs and you really don't want that set up for long distance shots.
They now have so many choices out there. I just bought a 2.5 to 16 Bushnell in the 6500 series with the 30mm tube. It is an awesome scope. Check out what the new technology has to offer in the low to mid powers.
Best of luck
Dave

JPenn,

I’ll have to check with Collectors on Richmond and the Carter Country on west I-10 between 610 and the Beltway next time I’m there. I’ve done business with both before. I’ve also done business with the Carter Country in South Houston, but would be really surprised to find a Euro style reticle there.

470 Mbogo,

I actually have a Leupold 2.5-8 somewhere that I use to have on a .270 Ruger No. 1. But I’d much rather be able to crank down from 2.5x to 1.5x or 1.75x on a 9.3x74r double than to feel a need to crank the power up over 5x or 6x.

Brazos Jack

BJ I have the Leupold illuminated with the German 4 config that combination is great in day and late evenings... It will not be your last one either..

Mike