I have a 500 A2 and need a scope with Decent FOV,which can handle the recoil, i had a 2.5 Leupold u/light but field of view was no good for a big game rifle [IMO]im looking at the Nightforce 1-4 ,there is a Nickel Big game scope but its over 2K ugh ! ,id like to increase the rifle versatility with a scope, i had a Kahles in talley mounts, but could stop it slipping no matter how tight the screws and levers ,the scope also started to give problems with adjustments thanks for any ideas from more experienced Big bore users

The Leupold 1.5-5 is hard to beat. At 1.5 it doesn't really magnify much and focuses down to about 10ft. At 5X it is as much magnification as you will ever need on a big bore and it is light enough that it shouldn't move under recoil with proper ring mounting. Plus you get Leupold's no questions asked lifetime warranty

The field of view on that Leupold 2.5x scope is 39.5 feet @ 100 yards.

Were you looking for a larger FOV or a smaller one?

George

quote:

Originally posted by tankhunter:
I had a Kahles in talley mounts, but could (not) stop it slipping no matter how tight the screws and levers ,the scope also started to give problems with adjustments thanks for any ideas from more experienced Big bore users

Did you try putting rosin on the bottom rings before setting the scope in them? Another gimmick which works is to put small strips of 400 or 600-grit emergy cloth in the bottom rings and setting the scope in place atop them.

Both are easily removable, unlike epoxying the scope into the rings....which will also often work.

The only scope that will hold up under heavy shooting on big bores is the Leupold 2.5 compact. The adjustment are under the outside adjustments and not up front as in most scopes. I have trashed so many high dollar scopes on big bores that I could fill a grocery cart full..They destroy most scopes for folks that shoot over 300 rounds per year and the scope rattle like a bb in a boxcar with dislodged parts. Most folks don't shoot the big kickers enough to know what works and what doesn't..Most big big bores are gun closet queens, and thats where they belong for most, self included. That said, they are good killers for sure, but IMO limited to elephant and unnecessarily powerful for buff and hippo, but its all fun and games and if thats your thing and you can handle the recoil then have at it.

On the big 500s I still prefer the shallow V irons as the big 500s are not ment for long range shooting anyway and irons don't leave you whistling who'd a thought it when a buff is off the crown of your barrel.

A good Williams receiver sight also suits me as the adjustments don't get monkied with in safari camps, and they are fast on target..

I put a 2.5 Leupold compact on my 505 Gibbs, after advice from a few people on this forum. I have probably shot around 300 rounds since then, got a couple of running pigs at close range (around 30 yards), and I find the field of view excellent. It was a great choice and has plenty of eye relief for the hard kickers.

Try the Leupold 1-4x20 Shotgun scope. On 1x you can shoot with both eyes open and they are affordable. Parrallax is set at 75 yards, perfect for that first DG shot.

I've had one on my 9.3x62 and now it is on my .416 Rigby without problems.

The custom shop can fit click adjustment turrets and different reticles.

The Leupold 1-4 is not atrue 1x - just a marketing gimmick! I recall that they may be as much as 1.6x instead.
Anything other than true 1x will slow you down trying to shoot both eyes open as the images will be different to each eye. I can vouch for this from a lot of experience.
The Swaro extended eye relief 1-6 [ a true 1x] would be an option.
The rings /mounts are the most important after a quality scope to ensure the scope doesn't move with heavy recoil.
Many people ignore this critical fact - the tactical style rings with triple clamp screws may not be pretty but they get the job done.
APB

quote:

Originally posted by APB:
The Leupold 1-4 is not atrue 1x - just a marketing gimmick! I recall that they may be as much as 1.6x instead.

APB

They are indeed 1.6 on the low setting. Leupold do themselves a disservice by only making this plain in the specifications, rather than the scope's description.

The 1-4 and the old 3X will crash at around 250 rounds in a 500...They are perfect for anything up to a .458 Win. but not a 458 LOtt or any 500. I have ruined several of both. It has to do with where the adjustments are located inside the scope I am told..I have not been able to trash the 2.5 compact Leupold..but I still believe the big 500s are iron sight guns to be used at under 100 yards. If your eyes are aging then get new glasses. I have seen too many cookies cut in foreheads while shooting at game with the ultra big bores and I mean big deep ugly cookies, mostly on uphill shots or rested shots.

Anyone have any experience with the new 30 mm
Trijicon 1-4. Dont have a 500 plus gun but I put one on a Dakota 76 in
416 Rigby and no problems so far after about
200 rounds. I most like the illuminated post
style with no batteries. Used Talley QD rings
and no problems returning to zero. Appears to be a true one power and Trijicon has a good warranty to boot.

Good shooting and hunting.

Tetonka

My 2 cents. On my 416 wby I first sight in a leupold 1.5-5 using warne qd mounts. I remove this scope and then sight in a nightforce on warne qd mounts. Now when out of the country I have a back up scope of reasonalbe cost that can be switched out if needed. I also have back up iron sights on the rifle. I like to be prepared. I also take a small amount of accraglass and a few steel pins with me to repair damage to the non metal parts of the stock ect if any dammage occured. It is better to be prepared with an extra scope sine no matter how good the scope S*^ happens

Thanks tetonka I have been considering adding a trijicon for leopard if I ever go for one but have no experience with them

I've never broken a Leupold 2.5x. I've had them on the hardest kickers ever built. Have you practiced keeping both eyes open and just bringing the gun scope into your field of view? This technique really helps. I've never felt the need for anything more than a 2.5x on a Stopper and to be honest actually prefer open sights and offhand shooting out to 50 yards. -Rob

Hello thanks for comments ,i wanted to increase the versatility of it by haveing a QD scope possibly with lighter loads for when it has the scope, although i have fired it about 60 times off the bench with scope, after which the scope gave up .I just expected the 2.5 Leupold to have a Larger field of view .Taking two guns overseas can be a bit of a hassle and just wanted to take one gun future and only took one last time but used PHs lighter rifle as mine did not have the scope[due to failure and not enough time to get another ] in future .Sorry i dont know what rosin is ? Well it does spend most of its time in gun safe as im not a PH and im not made of money so i cant hunt as often as i would like with it ,and will be sometime now before i get another opportunity.i will have another look at the 2.5 Thanks