Best reticle for africa

[Russ16]

Let’s set aside the discussion of specific scopes and just talk about reticles.

if you’re putting a new scope on a .375 that will be used for Buffalo, larger plains game and possibly other targets of opportunity. What reticle are you going with? Let’s assume a low is power variable say 1-4 to 1-6 range.

How important do you view it being illuminated?

I’ve always gone with a traditional duplex save one inherited rifle with an old Lee Dot scope. But lately I’ve been looking at the German #4 and post with triangle reticles.

What do you like and what do you see as the benefits and negatives if the different versions in your experience.

 

[mdwest]

For the places I hunt in South Africa, a typical duplex reticle achieves everything I need... Ive taken exactly 1 shot over 300 yards in South Africa over the course of 7 safaris.. I typically zero everything for 200 yards.. so 300 yards isnt a hard shot to make even without the benefit of anything "fancy" to support it..

I prefer less complicated reticles over all the different BDC designs..

I could see where an illuminated reticle might provide an advantage in some situations (black target like a buff or a sable.. or in the very early morning or very late evening).. but for me, I havent seen one of those situations yet where I felt like I needed it (although several of my rifles wear leupolds with firedots)..

 

[375Fox]

I’d prefer a standard duplex no illumination. I like simple scopes. I’ve found you lose the ability to judge horns on an animal long before you lose the ability to accurately shoot at it.

 

[BourbonTrail]

German #4 (or 4c) with an illuminated center dot.

It was helpful on a late evening shot.

 

[Goat416]

For LPVO I prefer a clean duplex reticle, illuminated is nice to have if the need arises, but not necessary especially if you buy quality glass.

 

[skydiver386]

On Buff or any dark colored game, an illuminated reticle is a wonderful thing. The Firedot Duplex is my favorite and every hunting rifle I own has one.

 

[Safari Dave]

I like a standard duplex.

Not heavy.
No illumination.

 

[Sika98k]

German #4 (or 4c) with an illuminated center dot.
View attachment 648889

It was helpful on a late evening shot.

That would be my favorite reticle also.

 

[DrBob]

On Buff or any dark colored game, an illuminated reticle is a wonderful thing. The Firedot Duplex is my favorite and every hunting rifle I own has one.

View attachment 648898

The old Leupold Circle Firedot is my favorite with this Athlon second. Circle gives a speedier centering.

 

[USMA84DAB]

I love the Leupold firedots in their duplex. That, however, pretty much mandates you choose VX5s at least. They have some moonscopes in the VX3 line, but they pulled the firedots from the lower grade lines.

Trijicon triangle posts (green or red) are very fast. I have one in amber, but don't like it as much.

 

[Red Leg]

German number 4 with illuminated dot center. All I use anywhere on any of my rifles for any big game.

 

[DrBob]

I love the Leupold firedots in their duplex. That, however, pretty much mandates you choose VX5s at least. They have some moonscopes in the VX3 line, but they pulled the firedots from the lower grade lines.

Trijicon triangle posts (green or red) are very fast. I have one in amber, but don't like it as much.

Everything is either pricier or discontinued. The precision/tactical scopes have decent reticles but weight a ton.... 25-30+ ounces. Pushing too much mass for a heavy caliber rifle.

 

[JimP]

All of my rifles that carry scopes have a duplex recital.

I am so used to them I wouldn't want to be in a situation where I started to question where the bullet was going to go.

I don't like lighted recitals just for the simple reason I like to keep it simple, and I have seen electronics fail way too many times. Granted you can fall back on the crosshairs but most will try and figure out what is wrong and that moment of indecision could be a huge difference.

 

[DrBob]

All of my rifles that carry scopes have a duplex recital.

I am so used to them I wouldn't want to be in a situation where I started to question where the bullet was going to go.

I don't like lighted recitals just for the simple reason I like to keep it simple, and I have seen electronics fail way too many times. Granted you can fall back on the crosshairs but most will try and figure out what is wrong and that moment of indecision could be a huge difference.

I wasn't a fan of illuminated reticles but they have their place with dark backgrounds. The light pipe/tritium reticles avoid the batteries. I agree that you have an ingrained "memory" using your scopes that is worth keeping.

 

[Velo Dog]

Fellow Hunters and Rifle Grumps,

My favorite reticule for hoofed game is the waaay out of style, standard cross wires, (aka: plain, old fashioned crosshairs).

Presently, I am on the precipice of turning 72 years of age and I began hunting hoofed game at age 15 years.
So far I have never needed a lighted reticule of any description, for any reason, while hunting 4 footed game.
Therefore, I have no interest whatsoever in such things, none, zero, zip, nada.
For me personally, the less gagets and gimmicks, the better, ESPECIALLY battery powered ones.

NOTE:
The most dangerous animal on earth, walks upright, on its hind legs, like we do and can solve complex problems in less than a second.
For this critter, I do prefer nuclear ampule type, glow in the dark sights.
Battery powered contraptions can kiss my wire haired terrier’s bottom.

—> Your mileage may vary. <—

Speaking of unwanted gadgetry on hunting rifles, I don’t even care for variable power rifle scopes.

A simple but sturdy, 4x scope with plain cross wires, has been 100% adequate, for most of my big game hunting.
I do confess to having used other than 4x scopes at times over my life, including various iron sights, and scopes of higher magnification and of LOWER magnification as well.
But more than likely, I could have made the same shots via a 4x scope, no worries.

I’m still referring to hoofed game, no further than about 400 meters / yards maximum, from field positions, not small rodents and pest birds such as starlings, etc., from bench rest and sand bags.
For those tiny targets, I readily admit that comfortable rifle scope magnification for me personally, begins somewhere around 10x.
And for same, I like fine cross wires with 1/4 MOA dot for said tiny pest shooting.

Well anywhooo, now I am even boring myself.
Therefore, I will close here.

Stay on that front sight,
Velo Dog.

 

[Mark R]

I use either #4 illuminated or not and standard duplex reticles. I also use the KISS principle.
My favourite for Africa is #4 with illuminated dot.

 

[CZDiesel]

I’m basically with everyone else lol The German #4 or the Leupold firedot!

 

[Wyatt Smith]

I really like the German No. 1 post. However I don’t have any scopes equipped with one.
I would have to choose between the classic duplex or the No.4. I probably like the duplex better. At one time I knew the distance between the “thick” parts of the duplex on my VX-2 at various power levels and could guess range pretty well, or know the exact hold over at a given distance by adjusting the power level.
I say duplex is my favorite.

 

[Luvthunt]

I really like the German No. 1 post. However I don’t have any scopes equipped with one.
I would have to choose between the classic duplex or the No.4. I probably like the duplex better. At one time I knew the distance between the “thick” parts of the duplex on my VX-2 at various power levels and could guess range pretty well, or know the exact hold over at a given distance by adjusting the power level.
I say duplex is my favorite.

Plus one. The #4 is a great reticle with a plain duplex next. Never had an illuminated so cannnot comment on that.

 

[Lumaberpat]

A simple but sturdy, 4x scope with plain cross wires, has been 100% adequate, for most of my big game hunting.

What scope of this description do you prefer?
I’ve been looking and can’t find much that’s not either an ACOG or cheaply made (aka includes mounting hardware for an sks).