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Dangerous Game Rifle Scope |
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Whale
Optics Apprentice Joined: October/04/2015 Location: NYC Status: Offline Points: 180 |
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Posted: October/08/2015 at 17:02 |
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I asked this question to several mods. One suggested that I also ask the collective hive. So here it is:
I need a dangerous game rifle scope for a .416 rifle. I will be traveling to Africa to hunt cape buffalo, hippo and possibly crocodile. A Professional hunter in Africa recommended the Leupold VX-3 1.5-5x20. He stated that it is a very popular hunting scope. More important is my ability to shoot the rifle. I visited the local store and conversed with the salesman who tried selling me the Leupold VX-6 1-6x24 over the VX-3. Claiming it was a much better deal. However, a once in a life time safari shouldn't be compromised, and the Schmidt & Bender Zenith 1.1-5x24 was the best. In fact the best scopes are the European because of the optics. What have you used on safari? Any suggestions? Thanks. Charles |
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Kickboxer
MODERATOR Moderator Joined: February/13/2008 Status: Offline Points: 23679 |
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Charles, welcome to OT. There are several variants of .416, all with differing recoil characteristics. Which is yours? Below is not all the available calibers: rifle weight recoil energy recoil velocity
As far as the VX-3 1.5-5… I believe it is a very good scope for DG hunting, widely used and respected. I would own one. The VX-6 is supposed to be superior, but I can only say that the ones I've looked through appear to have better glass. SImilar in feel to the VX-3. S&B is a fine scope… without a "random quality flaw" (unlikely in this caliber of scope) I seriously doubt it would fail you… definitely Alpha glass, great mechanicals. Zeiss makes a 1.1-4 DG scope Victory. Miuch like the S&B quality, but PRICEY. However, no one wants to skip when it comes to dangerous game. If money is no object, get one of the Alpha scopes, if you are looking at value, badly as I hate to say it, the Leupolds look pretty good. A fixed power somewhere between 2x and 4x would be my personal choice for the animals you mentioned. The ranges you are likely to encounter those animals… 4x is plenty. 2x to 2.5x has been touted as "all you ever need". A charging cape buffalo isn't going to give you time to adjust down… just in case you somehow got bumped to a higher power. Sounds like a fun trip… Qapla' batlh je...
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Opinion,untempered by fact,is ignorance.
There are some who do not fear death... for they are more afraid of not really living |
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Whale
Optics Apprentice Joined: October/04/2015 Location: NYC Status: Offline Points: 180 |
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.416 Remington Magnum
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Kickboxer
MODERATOR Moderator Joined: February/13/2008 Status: Offline Points: 23679 |
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Nice caliber. I wouldn't be afraid to use the Leupold. As I said it is a well respected, much used DG scope. It is a good value. Not the best glass, better than moderate. Leupold is what Leupold is…
Would I prefer Zeiss or S&B… sure.
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Opinion,untempered by fact,is ignorance.
There are some who do not fear death... for they are more afraid of not really living |
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Whale
Optics Apprentice Joined: October/04/2015 Location: NYC Status: Offline Points: 180 |
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Looking at the Schmidt & Bender Stratos 1.1-5x24 and the Steiner Nighthunter Xtreme 1-5x24. I did not like the reticle of the Zeiss Victory HT 1.1-4x24. I gravitate towards the German #4 style. |
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Whale
Optics Apprentice Joined: October/04/2015 Location: NYC Status: Offline Points: 180 |
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Next week if I take a day off from work. I found a store that has the Leupold VX-6, Steiner Xtreme and one other in stock. If I tell them ahead they will hold it and let me compare them in the evening. Professional hunter informed me that I didn't need low light/night scope. This type of hunting will be done during daylight hours.
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Kickboxer
MODERATOR Moderator Joined: February/13/2008 Status: Offline Points: 23679 |
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Yes, I can see leaning toward the #4, but the #40 Zeiss reticle is a #4 with an illuminated red dot.... I am actually more partial to the #1, but it is hard to find in a scope I like. I have a Kahles ZF84 on my FNH FNAR. Personally, the ones you mention above, I would go with the S&B. Steiner is good, though. Just my preference.
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Opinion,untempered by fact,is ignorance.
There are some who do not fear death... for they are more afraid of not really living |
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Son of Ed
Chuck Norris Joined: June/18/2011 Location: TEXAS Status: Offline Points: 122167 |
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I actually used an el cheapo 4X Simmons believe it or not. It worked on a 300 Win Mag..
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Visit the Ed Show
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SVT_Tactical
MODERATOR Chief Sackscratch Joined: December/17/2009 Location: NorthCackalacky Status: Offline Points: 31233 |
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I still think the Trijicon 1-4 Accupoint would make a good DG scope...... super quick to pick up the reticle.
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"Most folks are about as happy as they make their minds up to be" - Abraham Lincoln
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tahqua
MODERATOR Have You Driven A Ford Lately? Joined: March/27/2006 Location: Michigan, USA Status: Offline Points: 9042 |
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I have the 1.5-5x20 as a back up in Talley QD's for my .375 H&H. It is a fine scope. My primary is a Kahles 1.1-4x24 with a 4A. It is a fantastic scope.
You can't go wrong with the Zenith, use one on a 30.06 Cooper in 1.5-6x42 with #7 reticle. Great optics and reticle.............
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Doug
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supertool73
Optics God Superstool Joined: January/03/2008 Status: Offline Points: 11814 |
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Great scopes and i love mine. But may be a bit short on eye relief for the bigger kickers. |
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Lifetime warranty and excellent customer service don't mean a thing when your gun fails during a zombie attack.
"A Liberal is a person who will give away everything they don't own." |
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cheaptrick
MODERATOR Joined: September/27/2004 Location: South Carolina Status: Offline Points: 20844 |
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What a brilliant Moderator. Dare I say... jeenious.
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If at first you don't secede...try..try again.
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Son of Ed
Chuck Norris Joined: June/18/2011 Location: TEXAS Status: Offline Points: 122167 |
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......it takes a village.....
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Visit the Ed Show
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cheaptrick
MODERATOR Joined: September/27/2004 Location: South Carolina Status: Offline Points: 20844 |
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An excellent comment. Don't forget the rings. Talley's are tits.
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If at first you don't secede...try..try again.
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Son of Ed
Chuck Norris Joined: June/18/2011 Location: TEXAS Status: Offline Points: 122167 |
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( How about open sights for Dangerous Game?....)
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Visit the Ed Show
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Whale
Optics Apprentice Joined: October/04/2015 Location: NYC Status: Offline Points: 180 |
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Thanks Cheaptrick for your advice. Also, thank you to all of the other moderators and forum members for your suggestions.
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cheaptrick
MODERATOR Joined: September/27/2004 Location: South Carolina Status: Offline Points: 20844 |
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Your welcome.
I was sure the forum members could help you as they have done MANY times, for many people before you. Optics Talk is a very unique place. I'm honored to be associated with it.
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If at first you don't secede...try..try again.
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budperm
Optics Retard show me your sheep!! Joined: January/01/2009 Location: Pennsylvania Status: Offline Points: 31710 |
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Yes it does!!!! My question is why do we always seem to end up with the run-aways.....
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"Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading".
--Thomas Jefferson |
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Peddler
Optics God Joined: July/04/2012 Location: Oswego,NY Status: Offline Points: 13526 |
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I have a Nikon 2-7 X 32 on my DG Kimber Squirrel rifle. Works great!
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When you are dead, you don't know you are dead.It is difficult only for others.
It is the same when you are stupid. |
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Kickboxer
MODERATOR Moderator Joined: February/13/2008 Status: Offline Points: 23679 |
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I like iron sights on big guns… I have a few that are still "scopeless"
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Opinion,untempered by fact,is ignorance.
There are some who do not fear death... for they are more afraid of not really living |
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