$1k budget for Scope

[ryno111]

Another vote for the Maven (go with the rs1.2 if you can find an extra few dollars).

 

[375Fox]

If it is possible to keep the shots 200y and under I would probably try to keep the scope as simple as possible.

It’s very possible but not ideal. There are a lot of different landscapes in Africa and in south Africa. Anytime I go hunting I’m prepared to take a shot from 10 to 300 yards. I’ve taken further but it was always a discussion with PH how I felt. I’ve done entire safaris and never taken a shot over 100 yards and I’ve done safaris where every shot was over 200 yards. Your PH’s goal is to get you in close as he can for a good shot, but sometimes you just can’t. Most shots I’ve taken have been between 100 and 200. I use simple 10x scopes without range dials. I generally sight in for +2/2.5 at 100 and learn the holdover.

 

[Hogpatrol]

How many of these off brand scopes are going to be around in five or more years?

 

[dneaster3]

You've already received a lot of good suggestions here. The Leupold VX5HD series is king of the ~$1000 hunting scopes market, and deservedly so.

If you choose to use the CDS dial system, @Fatback has some for sale and has a solid reputation as a seller here on AH.
If you want the capped (non-CDS) turrets I have one available in the classifieds.

 

[375Fox]

How many of these off brand scopes are going to be around in five or more years?

No one knows and they are a hard resell as well. Leupold, Trijicon, Swarovski you can resell very easily if it’s not the scope you thought you wanted. I expect I’ll likely be giving away my Maven scope as a gift after a hunt some day.

 

[Hillcountry63]

Trijicon all day long, they are top quality and bomb proof.

 

[Ridge Runner]

What brand 30-06? Bergara B14 Hunter
Does the rifle require a one piece or two piece base? Either (I believe)
What eye relief are you wanting? Normal (3-5)
What tube diameter are you most interested in getting? 1" or 30mm
What is your max objective diameter? 44mm
Do you require low, med, high mount rings? Low
Are you wanting 1/8" or 1/4" inch click adjustments? 1/4
What type cross hair do you prefer? ie mil dot, fine medium, fire dot, "Christmas" tree, etc. Medium
Lighted, multi color lighted, or plain recticle? Plain reticle or similar to Firedot
First or Second Focal Plane? ??? I dont understand this
Bullet Drop Compensation? Looking for suggestions vs Adjustable Turret

With a 44mm, depending on the scope length and your eyerelief, you will most likely require medium rings with either 1" or 30mm tube.

I will suggest EuroOptics, Osprey Global, Hawke, Vortex, and Leupold, with a 30mm tube low mag of 2x and high mag of 12x, 14x, 16x

________________________________________________

How often do you shoot out to 3-400? It might be a consideration in magnification but it’s a personal preference too.

I used these numbers wanting to make sure I would be good for future Africa hunts? I have never been (yet) but from videos I do on occasion see guys shooting this far. I am, at home, a 100 yards or less guy. Typical whitetail hunts in my woods or probably even closer to 50 yards or less. Am I way off in my thinking? What ranges do you guys typically experience?

At home, hunting and shooting whitetail deer, with a firearm about 8 inches from muzzle with a 4", 357 mag revolver out to +/- 150 yards with my 30-06. Typically 30 to 80 yards in the woods. On the lake bottom easily out to 125-150 yards.

In Africa, longest attempted shot 600+ yards, the guesstimate range around 800 yards, shot angle guesstimate ~10° to ~15°, my range finder maxed out at 600, the shot was about a foot high over the bushbuck's shoulder, cheat sheet only went to 400 yards. Longest successful shot 359 yards, on an impala. Closest shot ~15 - 20 feet maybe, shooting 1 of 2 yellowtail mongoose.

Typically 40 to 80 yards in the bush and 80 to +/- 200 yards in open terrain.

My old eyes aren’t as sharpe as my younger eyes were so I use: DG rifle scopes 1-10x, 2.5 - 12x, PG scopes 3 -12x, 4-16x