Best reticle foe africa

Russ16

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Let’s set aside the discussion of specific scopes and just talk about reticles.

if you’re putting a new scope on a .375 that will be used for Buffalo, larger plains game and possibly other targets of opportunity. What reticle are you going with? Let’s assume a low is power variable say 1-4 to 1-6 range.

How important do you view it being illuminated?

I’ve always gone with a traditional duplex save one inherited rifle with an old Lee Dot scope. But lately I’ve been looking at the German #4 and post with triangle reticles.

What do you like and what do you see as the benefits and negatives if the different versions in your experience.
 
For the places I hunt in South Africa, a typical duplex reticle achieves everything I need... Ive taken exactly 1 shot over 300 yards in South Africa over the course of 7 safaris.. I typically zero everything for 200 yards.. so 300 yards isnt a hard shot to make even without the benefit of anything "fancy" to support it..

I prefer less complicated reticles over all the different BDC designs..

I could see where an illuminated reticle might provide an advantage in some situations (black target like a buff or a sable.. or in the very early morning or very late evening).. but for me, I havent seen one of those situations yet where I felt like I needed it (although several of my rifles wear leupolds with firedots)..
 
I’d prefer a standard duplex no illumination. I like simple scopes. I’ve found you lose the ability to judge horns on an animal long before you lose the ability to accurately shoot at it.
 
German #4 (or 4c) with an illuminated center dot.
1732217001681.png


It was helpful on a late evening shot.
 
For LPVO I prefer a clean duplex reticle, illuminated is nice to have if the need arises, but not necessary especially if you buy quality glass.
 
On Buff or any dark colored game, an illuminated reticle is a wonderful thing. The Firedot Duplex is my favorite and every hunting rifle I own has one.

download.png
 
I like a standard duplex.

Not heavy.
No illumination.
 
On Buff or any dark colored game, an illuminated reticle is a wonderful thing. The Firedot Duplex is my favorite and every hunting rifle I own has one.

View attachment 648898
The old Leupold Circle Firedot is my favorite with this Athlon second. Circle gives a speedier centering.
 

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I love the Leupold firedots in their duplex. That, however, pretty much mandates you choose VX5s at least. They have some moonscopes in the VX3 line, but they pulled the firedots from the lower grade lines.

Trijicon triangle posts (green or red) are very fast. I have one in amber, but don't like it as much.
 
German number 4 with illuminated dot center. All I use anywhere on any of my rifles for any big game.
 
I love the Leupold firedots in their duplex. That, however, pretty much mandates you choose VX5s at least. They have some moonscopes in the VX3 line, but they pulled the firedots from the lower grade lines.

Trijicon triangle posts (green or red) are very fast. I have one in amber, but don't like it as much.
Everything is either pricier or discontinued. The precision/tactical scopes have decent reticles but weight a ton.... 25-30+ ounces. Pushing too much mass for a heavy caliber rifle.
 
All of my rifles that carry scopes have a duplex recital.

I am so used to them I wouldn't want to be in a situation where I started to question where the bullet was going to go.

I don't like lighted recitals just for the simple reason I like to keep it simple, and I have seen electronics fail way too many times. Granted you can fall back on the crosshairs but most will try and figure out what is wrong and that moment of indecision could be a huge difference.
 
All of my rifles that carry scopes have a duplex recital.

I am so used to them I wouldn't want to be in a situation where I started to question where the bullet was going to go.

I don't like lighted recitals just for the simple reason I like to keep it simple, and I have seen electronics fail way too many times. Granted you can fall back on the crosshairs but most will try and figure out what is wrong and that moment of indecision could be a huge difference.
I wasn't a fan of illuminated reticles but they have their place with dark backgrounds. The light pipe/tritium reticles avoid the batteries. I agree that you have an ingrained "memory" using your scopes that is worth keeping.
 

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