What one scope could you hunt anything with….

[CBeck]

I know I’m making this more complicated than needs be. I have scopes in 4-12, 3-9, 2.5-10 and never needed more. However all this started with that damn illuminated reticle. I like it on the new scope and want one on this .280 as well.

My intent is to have 2 nearly identical rifles, both Hawkeye Africans, just different calibers 375 and 280…..

I had about settled on the Leupold 3-15 but the European scope on the 375 has a magnification ring that turns one way to increase and the Leupold turns the opposite direction…..if the idea is to have 2 identical rifles, i think its a bad Idea….lol

Am I nitpicking??

So now Im leaning to the GPO 2-16 but sure hate the illumination switch sticks out so far on the left of the rifle..

Someone slap some sense into me…..

 

[375Ruger416]

If you went with a Swaro 1-8, go with a 2-10 https://www.swarovskioptik.com/ca/e...le-scopes/z5-i-plus/z5i-plus/z5i-plus-2-10x42 Or a Z6i 1.7-10. All you’ll ever need. Both have illuminated dots. The Leupold 2-10 or 2-12 is great too. The only reason to consider a 3-15 or a 3-18 is if you want parallax adjustment, which is not needed for normal hunting ranges but is a matter of preference.

I shoot to 500m plus for practice with my 2.5-10 night force on my 6.5 PRC. I like my 3.6-18 for shooting to 1000 on my 300 PRC. For hunting in Namibia, I think I turned my magnification up to 8 for a 270 m shot on a baboon. Everything else was lower power for on 7 other game animals. Good thing I was packing a 3.6-18 power scope…

Bottom line, a 2-10 ish power range will do everything you want it to. If you want a little more magnification and a parallax adjustment go for it, but it will be more useful at the range than for hunting.

 

[Rubberhead]

My two big game rifles currently have a 2.5-8x and 1.5-5x scopes. And, the 2.5-8x is only a back-up and a loaner that I haven't used in years.

 

[CBeck]

I bit the bullet and went ahead and ordered theGerman precision optics SPECTRA 8X 2-16x44i G4i… Thanks to @Philip Glass I can’t shake the notion that even though I’ve never used that much magnification if modern technology allows me to have it why not put it on there?​

SPECTRA 8X 2-16x44i - GPO USA

This mid-sized 8X super-zoom scope is the most versatile GPO riflescope ever made and will make those other European brands stand up and take notice. Extreme magnification range and a 44mm objective lens make this scope moderately sized to fit well on any magnum rifle and to be used in any...

gpo-usa.com

 

[WI-2021]

Not a rheostat. That would drain the battery in a very short time. It will be an electronic switch that goes on and off very quickly, as used by the Australian spotlight company Lightforce—founder and owner of Nightforce
Optics—for many a year.

Thanks for the clarification. My electronics knowledge is limited, and rather outdated.

 

[WI-2021]

I bit the bullet and went ahead and ordered theGerman precision optics SPECTRA 8X 2-16x44i G4i… Thanks to @Philip Glass I can’t shake the notion that even though I’ve never used that much magnification if modern technology allows me to have it why not put it on there?​

SPECTRA 8X 2-16x44i - GPO USA

This mid-sized 8X super-zoom scope is the most versatile GPO riflescope ever made and will make those other European brands stand up and take notice. Extreme magnification range and a 44mm objective lens make this scope moderately sized to fit well on any magnum rifle and to be used in any...

gpo-usa.com

Please let us know how you like it. Based on my limited experience with GPO, I expect it will meet or exceed your expectations.

 

[Tug]

Two scopes come to mind that imho cover nearly all the bases. As mentioned earlier the Swarovski 1,7-10x42. The is also a similar offering from Meopta, the R2 in 1,7-10x42. Both scopes have illuminated reticles, something that these days once you’ve used one you are sold on them.

I think Swarovski is buying the glass the scope from Meopta i bet if you compared the specs they would be the same. Both companies have a lot of scopes with the same specs.

Z6i 2.5-15X44MM? optika 6 2.5-15X44MM?

On another note what do people think about 3-18x50mm, for a 375 h&h? It would be paired with iron sights and QD tally rings. My eyes can't see far distances well at all and probably will get worse.

 

[ZG47]

I think Swarovski is buying the glass the scope from Meopta i bet if you compared the specs they would be the same. Both companies have a lot of scopes with the same specs.

Z6i 2.5-15X44MM? optika 6 2.5-15X44MM?

On another note what do people think about 3-18x50mm, for a 375 h&h? It would be paired with iron sights and QD tally rings. My eyes can't see far distances well at all and probably will get worse.

If your eyes are getting worse … I suggest that you go for a good quality optic with 3x zoom ratio and fixed parallax. There is no such thing as a ‘free lunch’ with optics. Greater zoom ratios make the eye muscles work harder. Extra lenses and/or elements—doublets and triplets—reduce light transmission. That is why a camera zoom lens with macro capability will always have a higher minimum F stop than the equivalent zoom lens without macro capability.
Leupold and Swarovski both offer scopes with 3x zoom ratio. There is a reason why hunters in the 50 plus age range prefer low power fixed scopes for bush hunting and 3x zoom-range scopes such as 2-7x, 3-9x and 3.5-10x scopes for open country hunting. They provide good images and do not wear out the optical muscles, when hunting in the field.

 

[rookhawk]

Anything? The no longer made Swarovski 1-6x24mm EE will do everything, with every caliber, out to about 350 yards on deer sized game and up. Giving up the EE option (and the valuable 5" of eye relief for large bores) the no longer made Swarovski 1-8x24mm illuminated 30mm tube model is suitable for any possible hunting that can be done out to reasonable distances <400 yards.

Honorable mention, the no longer made, affordable Swarovski 3-9x36mm is enough optic for anything out to 400 yards.

Look at any botched hunting video (most of them) and you'll notice it isn't the optics can't shoot far enough, its they are fidgeting and turning dials trying to find the animal that is too close. All the commotion and hesitation ruined a super opportunity. That's where the 1-2-3x on the low end becomes so precious and under appreciated.

 

[WyoBull]

If only one scope I would take a quality 3-9 40mm with a fine duplex reticle.

 

[CBeck]

I think Swarovski is buying the glass the scope from Meopta i bet if you compared the specs they would be the same. Both companies have a lot of scopes with the same specs.

Z6i 2.5-15X44MM? optika 6 2.5-15X44MM?

On another note what do people think about 3-18x50mm, for a 375 h&h? It would be paired with iron sights and QD tally rings. My eyes can't see far distances well at all and probably will get worse.

if you havent watched it @Philip Glass made a nice video on scopes for dangerous game rifles

 

[CBeck]

Anything? The no longer made Swarovski 1-6x24mm EE will do everything, with every caliber, out to about 350 yards on deer sized game and up. Giving up the EE option (and the valuable 5" of eye relief for large bores) the no longer made Swarovski 1-8x24mm illuminated 30mm tube model is suitable for any possible hunting that can be done out to reasonable distances <400 yards.

Honorable mention, the no longer made, affordable Swarovski 3-9x36mm is enough optic for anything out to 400 yards.

Look at any botched hunting video (most of them) and you'll notice it isn't the optics can't shoot far enough, its they are fidgeting and turning dials trying to find the animal that is too close. All the commotion and hesitation ruined a super opportunity. That's where the 1-2-3x on the low end becomes so precious and under appreciated.

I agree with the 1- optics....I have several Japan made weaver superslam dangerous game scopes 1-5 that I absolute love. But, damn that illuminated reticle Ive grown fond of. So, sadly, Im replacing them. Ive found that 8x is about the sweet spot for me from field positions without introducing too much wobble.

But, with modern technology, having that 2-16 range is possible....so why not I suppose. There is still a part of me that wishes I had opted for the GPO 1.5-9x32 I initially picked. I think its a nearly perfect optic.

The biggest challenge has been finding models that meet my Idea of a proper scope. No huge objective, no tactical reticles, compact capped turrets and looks correct on the rifle its mounted to.

Reading your post on Swarovski, I couldnt agree more. Sadly the tactical, long range shooters have taken the market and the manufacturers are following quickly behind. I was considering selling the 1-5's I am replacing, but belive I will keep them in light of market trends.

 

[0002S]

Has anyone had to use Swarovski's warranty? I haven't.

I have used Zeiss and Leupold. Both were excellent. Leupold is superb. But I had to use them.

YMMV

 

[Bandera]

VX-5 2-10 with Firedot and CDS. They also make a version minus the CDS and Dot
On the 2 power target is clear at up close distance.
No need for mildots or parallax adjustment.

 

[375Ruger416]

I think Swarovski is buying the glass the scope from Meopta i bet if you compared the specs they would be the same. Both companies have a lot of scopes with the same specs.

Z6i 2.5-15X44MM? optika 6 2.5-15X44MM?

On another note what do people think about 3-18x50mm, for a 375 h&h? It would be paired with iron sights and QD tally rings. My eyes can't see far distances well at all and probably will get worse.

I’ve got a Leupold VX6 3-18x50 and a 1-6. Both great scopes, but the one without adjustable parallax is much quicker to get behind and get a clear picture. I’m putting the 1-6 on my 375 but I considered a 2-12. Mainly because I decided to use the two I’ve already got, rather than buy another scope.

I’d recommend something with fixed parallax in the 2-10 or 2-12 range from Leupold, Swarovski or another quality manufacturer if you want more magnification. Better low end and better field of view on max power. Ideally, you’d get a chance to look behind both but it’s what I’d recommend. I also believe the comments about light handling and ease on your eyes with lower magnification range scopes. A 5 or 6 x magnification range is pretty well figured out at this point.

 

[bowjijohn]

Dare I suggest that the one that rules them all …

is the iron sight

Somehow we all managed with open sights and none of us starved

 

[TrickDef]

What is everyone's thoughts on the 1-6 or 1-8 Eotech Vudu? With the Eotech Donut Reticle on 1x Power and the Precision Reticle on 6x or 8x, it seems like it would be a great option.

 

[odonata]

Of all the scopes I own, I think the ones I like the most are:

Schmidt & Bender 1.5-8x42 Stratos
Swarovski z6 1.7-10x42
Minox ZA5 1.5-8x32

So it's kind of easy to tell what my favorite all-around range is. Most of my zooms start low.

 

[Mark Biggerstaff]

I just handled and looked thru the Leica Fortis 1.8-12x42i. Thinking that will be my next purchase. Really clear and has capped turrets, no CDS dials.

 

[ZG47]

Leupold and Swarovski both offer scopes with 3x zoom ratio.

Correction to the above. I should have typed Kahles i.e., their Helia 3 range and NOT Swarovski.