Safari Optics question - Objective diameter

[Backyardsniper]

I'm about to start looking for a scope to run on my safari rifles when they do have a scope on them. I hope to shoot primarily with Irons but I will run a pre zeroed scope in QD rings. I see a lot of the scopes that are popular seem to be the straight tube syle with a a 28ish mm objective. Is there just really no need for a larger diameter objective for light gathering. I'm going to assume most of the shooting is done well after daylight? Not a lot of very first light/last light shooting like with whitetail and such? I have a scopes that would work well for PG hunts but this will be to go on my 416 or 375 in the event that I need to run a scope while hunting DG.
I assume any of the Swaro, Zeiss, Trijicon in the 1-6, or 1-4 range are pretty much the go to on this?

 

[Wishfulthinker580]

@One Day... had a good post on the subject

30mm vs. 1 Inch scope tubes?

I have 1” scopes on all of my rifles for the hunting I’ve done in North America forever. I’ve read here a lot where 30mm tubes are recommended? Are they worth the extra weight and/or better for lower powered scopes? I’m asking because I have a .375 and .416 I’m wanting to put scopes on. Thanks!

www.africahunting.com

 

[BourbonTrail]

I just bought a Meopta Optika6 for my 416. It shows up today. 1-6x24mm with a 30mm tube and illuminated #4 reticle. I will let you know how it is, but I have only heard good things.

Swaro, Kahles, S&B, Leica, Leupold VX-6HD, Trijicon are the usual suspects for DG hunting. Leopard/Lion baited hunts may leave a larger objective to be desired, but it seems like other DG (elephant/buff/rhino) are all shot with better light to avoid in the dark follow ups. If you are ok with 1.5-1.7x as lowest power, you can find a bigger objective.

 

[Philip Glass]

I'm about to start looking for a scope to run on my safari rifles when they do have a scope on them. I hope to shoot primarily with Irons but I will run a pre zeroed scope in QD rings. I see a lot of the scopes that are popular seem to be the straight tube syle with a a 28ish mm objective. Is there just really no need for a larger diameter objective for light gathering. I'm going to assume most of the shooting is done well after daylight? Not a lot of very first light/last light shooting like with whitetail and such? I have a scopes that would work well for PG hunts but this will be to go on my 416 or 375 in the event that I need to run a scope while hunting DG.
I assume any of the Swaro, Zeiss, Trijicon in the 1-6, or 1-4 range are pretty much the go to on this?

I’ve had both types of scopes. The smaller objective serves little purpose as far as I’m concerned now. I have a Leopold VX6 2-12x and Swaro Z8 1.3-13 on my .375’s now. These are far more versatile and what are you really losing as far as field of view? Nothing and you are gaining more reach and versatility with these scopes over the little straight tube.

 

[Backyardsniper]

I

I’ve had both types of scopes. The smaller objective serves little purpose as far as I’m concerned now. I have a Leopold VX6 2-12x and Swaro Z8 1.3-13 on my .375’s now. These are far more versatile and what are you really losing as far as field of view? Nothing and you are gaining more reach and versatility with these scopes over the little straight tube.

Eye eyeballing those swaro's in the 1.3-10 range. Looks like a heck of a scope. Will they fit on a CZ? You know how the CZ's are with the tube length and such.

 

[Rare Breed]

I’ve had both types of scopes. The smaller objective serves little purpose as far as I’m concerned now. I have a Leopold VX6 2-12x and Swaro Z8 1.3-13 on my .375’s now. These are far more versatile and what are you really losing as far as field of view? Nothing and you are gaining more reach and versatility with these scopes over the little straight tube.

+1

 

[RTG]

For the range I would engage with a .375 HH, the Swaro Z8i 1-8x24 is perfect. If using it for dangerous game the clean 1x optic is more important than the long range observation benefits of larger scopes.

 

[WAB]

I’ve got an embarrassing number of scopes. Scopes I have run on medium and heavy rifles are:

Swarovski Z8 1-8x24
Swarovski Z6 ee 1-6x24
Swarovski Z6 1.7-10x42
Trijicon Accupoint 3-9x42
Leupold VX6 1-6x24
Leupold VX3 2.5-8x36

I have never had a Safari situation where light gathering was an issue (haven’t been leopard hunting). I have had situations where fast target acquisition was critical. Hence for me, scope positioning trumps all, and scope positioning can be challenging with QD mounts. This tends to send me toward the straight tube scopes. Of the ones I have used, the Z6 1-6x24 ee is the standout. I actually find it brighter than the Z8 1-8x24.

If I were
Planning a leopard hunt, I’d probably go with a Z6 1.7-10x42 with an illuminated 4a reticle.

 

[ARod]

I'm about to start looking for a scope to run on my safari rifles when they do have a scope on them. I hope to shoot primarily with Irons but I will run a pre zeroed scope in QD rings. I see a lot of the scopes that are popular seem to be the straight tube syle with a a 28ish mm objective. Is there just really no need for a larger diameter objective for light gathering. I'm going to assume most of the shooting is done well after daylight? Not a lot of very first light/last light shooting like with whitetail and such? I have a scopes that would work well for PG hunts but this will be to go on my 416 or 375 in the event that I need to run a scope while hunting DG.
I assume any of the Swaro, Zeiss, Trijicon in the 1-6, or 1-4 range are pretty much the go to on this?

For dangerous game hunting, low magnification is really important. A 1 x 7 power or the like, is perfect. The shots will be less than 80 yards. The bush is thick and animals will be hard to spot if the field of view is too narrow.

For plains game a different set up for shots up too 400 yards should be considered. I took 2 rifles to Africa and was glad I did.
Lol like Leupold and trust them enough to have them on all my rifles. Their technical support in the USA is amazing.
Hope that helps!
-Langosta

 

[CBH Australia]

I’ve got an embarrassing number of scopes. Scopes I have run on medium and heavy rifles are:

Swarovski Z8 1-8x24
Swarovski Z6 ee 1-6x24
Swarovski Z6 1.7-10x42
Trijicon Accupoint 3-9x42
Leupold VX6 1-6x24
Leupold VX3 2.5-8x36

I have never had a Safari situation where light gathering was an issue (haven’t been leopard hunting). I have had situations where fast target acquisition was critical. Hence for me, scope positioning trumps all, and scope positioning can be challenging with QD mounts. This tends to send me toward the straight tube scopes. Of the ones I have used, the Z6 1-6x24 ee is the standout. I actually find it brighter than the Z8 1-8x24.

If I were
Planning a leopard hunt, I’d probably go with a Z6 1.7-10x42 with an illuminated 4a reticle.

You could reword that as an "enviable collection of scopes"

Nice selection.

 

[Backyardsniper]

Swarovski Z6 Rifle Scope 30mm Tube 1.7-10x 42mm 1/10 Mil Adjustments

The Swarovski Z6 Rifle Scope features 6x zoom which is 50% greater range than most other rifle scopes offer. This allows for more flexibility with a...

www.midwayusa.com

What's your thoughts on this scope for DG. Would the 1.7 low end cost too much in field of view vs a straight 1x on the low end?

 

[WAB]

Excellent scope. I have one with the BRH reticle on my .325. I would not hesitate to use it on buffalo if you can get it positioned correctly for eye relief. As mentioned above, if you intend to use QD mounts your degrees of freedom in scope positioning are reduced and it can become a challenge.