Scope suggestions please

[Velo Dog]

Well i have had a few guys in class have a couple problems with the last couple they ordered. one of them had a messed up reticle. Not a different one than they ordered but the reticle was not complete and another wouldn't hold zero. So i am just a little nervous even though I know every company has a few slip past QC

Parsons,

At the moment, on www.gunsinternational.com, there is a Swarovski Nova Habicht 1.5 to 5 power 1" tube 20mm forward lens, duplex, posted for sale by James Wayne Firearms (Texas) for $795.
(For your .375)?

And a Schmidt & Bender Summit 2.5 to 10 power 1" tube, 40 mm bell, A9 reticule (busy looking) listed as well there, posted by Udacha Sales (also in Texas) for $1050.
(For your .300)?

As mentioned earlier, I prefer a fixed 4 power for 99% of my bolt action center fire rifles for Africa and N. America both.
However, those two scopes are seemingly good buys if you are interested in variable power ones.
That particular model of Swarovski is difficult to find at any price, to put it mildly.

Best Regards,
Velo Dog.

 

[Parsons]

thanks for the link i will check them out. was hoping to go true 1 power so could easily shoot both eyes open on lowest setting. not sure if you can on a 1.5 power or not never checked

 

[Velo Dog]

Your caliber choices would work just fine. I personally use a 7mm Rem Mag, but a gent I know that easily has killed more Coues deer than I'm sure most hunters will ever see, he's still hunting at 70 plus years old, has killed most of his with a 6mm.

A 10X scope however would not be my choice. While it can and most certainly has been done, this would be in my mind crossing the fine line to the realm of what can versus what should be done. Coues hunting is a glassing game where you sit on one side of a canyon and cover the other side with binoculars....back and forth, back and forth...using 15X minimum binoculars mounted on a tri-pod. In the earlier thus warmer seasons, you'll cover the same spot on a thick hillside any number of times and then suddenly on your umpteenth pass across some particular spot you'll see something different. If it's a buck you want, you'll then very carefully mark the spot by checking above/below and left/right, because the next challenge is finding that same spot with your rifle scope. Once you find the spot, you then need to find the deer. Can it be done on 10X? Perhaps, but I'll continue to use my 6.5-20x scope. 20x on a Coues deer at 300 yards is not overkill.

Sometimes you'll catch a Coues out in the open and it's not as difficult as I just described. But when they drift into the live oaks, the recipe is patience and good strong glass.

PHOENIX PHIL,

Wow.
Thanks for that.
I learned more about Coues Deer hunting just now than I had known previously in my lifetime.
That is very interesting.
So as not to steal this thread any further than I already have, I suspect that you will never need any of that equipment or technique in Africa.
Thanks Again for the education, I appreciated it.

Kind Regards,
Velo Dog.

 

[Velo Dog]

thanks for the link i will check them out. was hoping to go true 1 power so could easily shoot both eyes open on lowest setting. not sure if you can on a 1.5 power or not never checked

Parsons,

You're welcome any time.
Yes, shooting with both eyes open is no problem at all with a 1.5x scope.
I doubt you will even notice the miniscule 1/2 power difference over the 1 power.
I learned to shoot running jack rabbits with an old Leupold straight 3x (on an early Ruger M77 in .257 Roberts) with both eyes open.
Dry practiced it regularly at home and it soon became reflexive.

Cheers,
Velo Dog.

 

[Parsons]

alright awesome. does swar still make the scope u linked? I wasnt sure if I would be able to find the specs and all that on it and what it ran new.

 

[Velo Dog]

alright awesome. does swar still make the scope u linked? I wasnt sure if I would be able to find the specs and all that on it and what it ran new.

I suspect they no longer make that one, because I have not even seen a used one very often in recent years.
Was surprised to see that one for sale, and in excellent condition.
Usually they don't last long on any web site or gun show table.
I just looked at www.swarovskioptik.com and they do not list it any more.
Hopefully someone in this forum will know for sure.
I am only taking my best guess from the above mentioned things.

 

[Parsons]

I looked up some info on the scope. it is about 20 years old and they say that it may have some oddball size for rings and make it difficult to find proper rings for.

 

[Velo Dog]

I looked up some info on the scope. it is about 20 years old and they say that it may have some oddball size for rings and make it difficult to find proper rings for.

Parsons,

I had no idea that model takes an odd ring size.
Perhaps 26mm?
Does your Gunsmith Instructor have the means to make 26mm rings or adapt 1" to 26mm?
No problemo either way.
If you don't want it, someone will bag it soon.
Not like it's going to gather much dust.
I have a couple scopes I am looking to get rifles for and am not much on variables anyway, otherwise I would buy it.
They have an awesome reputation.
If I run into any more good deals on scopes for your two rifles, I will post the info.

Cheers,
Velo Dog.

 

[Parsons]

I am sure we could adapt scope rings to work. I will do some more research on the scope and if its gone there is always another scope. Like I said I really appreciate you looking that up for me.

 

[Velo Dog]

I am sure we could adapt scope rings to work. I will do some more research on the scope and if its gone there is always another scope. Like I said I really appreciate you looking that up for me.

Rogerthat and thank you for letting the rest of us live vicariously through your rifle building and pending safari.

 

[enysse]

The only thing I didn't like about those early Swarovski scopes is the 3 inch eye relief. I keep mentioning eye relief because I've never been pounded by a scope yet, practically everyone I know has a story to tell though. Leupold is excellent in that regard. I know the new Swarovski scopes are better at that but for for the price they should.
Further off the topic, I do own Swarovski binoculars and they are plain SUPERIOR to anything on the market. I think a EXCELLENT pair of binoculars is a must have for a hunt. You can cut corners on the scope but the binoculars will make or break a hunt. With a good pair of binoculars you will see things the normal person can't. It has made a ton of difference on a safari hunt for me. I trust what I see through my binoculars despite what any PH or outfitter will tell me. And it can also make you a better client because you can see what your PH might see with his or her binoculars. You can't hunt what you don't see and you might end up shooting the wrong animal too.

 

[Stocky]

I'd also check the weight of the older EU scopes. Many of them use leaded glass which, although great optically, weigh about twice as much as more recent models.

 

[CAustin]

I just got back fro South Africa and used the Lupeold VX 6 with the custom dial system on my new Ruger Guide Gun in 416. Dead on accurate shot placement. You can order the scope on EBay and save a lot however I don't recommend it as you need a gunsmith to measure the distance from the scope center to the center of the bore. It's a critical measurement to get the CDS to work properly. It has a 120 foot view side to side on zero magnification and 20 feet at full power. Your favorite gun shop can order and mount it for you for around $1000.

 

[Parsons]

Thanks for the replies guys. Sorry it had been awhile I was at the beach longer than expected. I will probably end up going leupold scopes just because of the deal I can get on them and all your alls positive reviews. I think I have also found a mauser to buy if the guy sends me pictures of the action out of the stock and it looks clean with no rust.

Thanks for mentioning binoculars I wouldn't have even considered taking those with me.

Glad the VX6 worked good for you CA I will probably order two of them here soon.

 

[CAustin]

Parsons you will not be sorry when you get the VX 6. I took a Cape Buffalo and a Lioness with it. The clarity is outstanding. Even my PH was impressed. Good hunting!

 

[Parsons]

Awesome sounds like I have made up my mind on scopes. Seems no one here has anything bad to say about them.

 

[tarbe]

I have owned a dozen Leupolds, along with Swarovski and most of the more common brands.

I just bought a VX-6 2-12x illuminated for my .300 H&H. The VX-3 2.5-8 currently on it will become the spare.

I almost bought a Swarovski ZX6i, but the difference in price will get me some extra hunting. I doubt I will regret the decision. The Leupold is a pretty darn good scope, and I know first hand how stellar the customer support is from Leupold. I had an old M8 2X EER let go at 20 below zero on a .357 Herrett (after about 1,000 brutal rounds) and they fixed it free and had it back to me in less than a week.

 

[Parsons]

wow that is good CS. Glad to hear that

 

[tarbe]

wow that is good CS. Glad to hear that

I don't know of anyone better than Leupold when it comes to standing behind their products.

Tim