I have an old style (made in El Paso, TX) Weaver 2.5x scope with the post reticle. I mounted it on my Ruger 416 Rigby and I'm thinking of using it as a back up scope for my upcoming buffalo/plainsgame hunt is Zim.

Is this scope up to the task? Will it hold up to the recoil gereated by the .416 Rigby?

I really like this scope, so I do not want to damage it.

Does anyone have experience using these older fixed power Weaver scopes on Big Bores?

Thanks.

Tim

The late Finn Aagard used a Weaver K2.5 on his .375H&H for many years. While the .416 Rigby kicks quite a bit more, I would expect the scope to hold up.

If you want to avoid possible damage to the scope, buy a Leupold 2.5x (or 3x) instead.

George

I used them for years on various big bores without incident except in cold and damp climates where they tended to fog.

I think that in a hot dry climate like most of Africa and even in the somewhat humid areas of Africa, that it would work fine, but I wouldn't guarentee it..

My old Weaver K1.5 (also with post reticle) survived quite a few sub-zero Wood Bison hunts in the Northwest Territories on my .404, besides about 1000 rounds in "plinking"(!) over thirty years. Those years also involved a lot of brush-breaking in 4WD vehicles, which can be hard on a scope too. The K1.5 has a field of view like looking out my picture window!

My .416 Rigby carries another El Paso Weaver, a K3 with post, which came to me on a Springfield rifle bequeathed from a deceased Uncle who hunted hard in Michigan's UP for many decades. This scope is soldiering-on in fine fashion, too.

I don't believe you'll regret using the Weaver. Take normal care, and it should do all right. Enjoy your hunt.

Regards from BruceB (aka Bren Mk1)

Shumba,

I am unsure what rigby you have but the 2.5x's work fine on my cz magnum action with warne and talley's.

Thanks guys. I will at least sight it in for a few rounds and see how it holds up.

The idea about getting a Leupold 2.5x fixed scope is probable a good one. However, I find those scopes to almost be too short for mounting on a large action.

I may try to pick one up and try it out.

Tim

Shumba, I have had exellent service from the E#l Paso steel-tubed Weavers, some on heavy-recoiling rifles, like a 7 pound Ruger No. 1 .45/70 firing a 400-grain bullet @ 2270 FPS MV (57 ft/lb of recoil) And, like you, I prefer a post in a dangerous game scope!

I used the Weaver 2.5 & K-3's on heavy stuff a lot in the '50's through the '70's. I had a K-3 on the .416 when I got it made up. then I got a Champlin .416 with a Redfield 2x7 and quickly went to a Weaver C series. No problems. Also used a K-3 on a .378 Wea. for years as well as K 2.5's on Model 70 .375's. I had a K-1 (B series I think) on a .424 OKH (I wonder how many of those are in use today? Full length, blown out mag case, a high pressure .404!) and a .458 or two. Not one failure. I never experienced any fogging and I used them on many hunts in B. C. during that time. I'd buy a good K-l B or C series today for a heavy if I could find one! I like Leupolds glass, but Weaver eye relief and adjustments are far better in my opinion. So, you take some and give up some!

I am not positive how old the one I have is-- as I bought it used at a gunshow in the early 80's. But it has lasted on a .460 Weatherby Mag. It was mounted in 1984 and has been used 1500+ rounds with no problems.

I don't understand that, as I have seen so many Weaver scopes fog up in incliment weather that I can't even count the number of times it has happened...Thats all we had for many years and everybody used Weavers in my early years and as close as last year I had a hunter from Texas whos scope fogged up in an Idaho winter hunt...

Understand, the fogging in most cases could have been prevented if they had left the guns outside at night or had they not held them in the warm pickup, but by the same token the Leupolds didn't fog under the same circumstances...The gas will leak out of the old weavers in about 6 months according to Dick Shaw, Bill Weavers manager back in the 50s and 60s....

I don't know about the new generation of Weavers, I only have one 2.5X on my grandsons 222 and it seems to be doing pretty well so far, and it sure is clear as a bell......