jimbo1972
AH veteran
Thoughts on 2x12x42 vs 1x6x24 for a combo plains game DG Scope? This will be on a 375 H&H Blaser R8. Either one will be a Leupold VX6HD with Fire dot. DG will be mostly Buffalo
Right now going to be using 260 grain Accubond for Whitetails to get used to hunting with this Blaser. Probably go with 300 Tsx for AfricaFacing this exact same question myself. I’m planning on going with the 2-12 for versatility. I habitually shoot with both eyes open, which has me leaning this way.
Philip Glass’ videos and comments on this forum were convincing.
On the other hand, I’d think about your intended common use. If it’s primarily buffalo - 1-6, if it’s primarily plains game with the occasional buffalo (my situation, not 100% I will hunt buffalo) 2-12.
Good luck!
PS. What ammo are you using? I’ve only been able to source Barnes 300 gr TSX which has a good reputation, though there is also some Hornady DGX available in my area. Hopefully both shoot accurately enough.
I don’t have the numbers in front of me but I bet the field of view on the 2-12x42 is just as large as the 1-5x24 and there’s nothing bad about having the option of 12x magnification for sighting in and for a few longer shots.My first scope (in 1960) was a fixed 4X on a .308 and it was used in everything from raccoons near the chicken coop and woodchucks in the pasture to moose in Newfoundland and elk in Colorado. Thought that nothing could be better. My most recent scope is a Leupold VX35HD 1-5 on an R8 in .458 Lott which went to Zimbabwe for Buffalo. I found the 1X exceptionally quick and the 5X sufficient for longer shots at a few baboon. I don’t think you need the 12X to make good longer shots.
I've hunted all my big game with 4x...Thoughts on 2x12x42 vs 1x6x24 for a combo plains game DG Scope? This will be on a 375 H&H Blaser R8. Either one will be a Leupold VX6HD with Fire dot. DG will be mostly Buffalo
Thoughts on 2x12x42 vs 1x6x24 for a combo plains game DG Scope? This will be on a 375 H&H Blaser R8. Either one will be a Leupold VX6HD with Fire dot. DG will be mostly Buffalo
Quick math explanation because people get lost in the topic of light gathering in scopes. You know, you have to get a big 50mm scope because of light gathering, etc?
A typical male over the age of 40 has a maximum pupil dilation of around 6mm. (A young kid with great vision might reach almost 8mm).
So, let’s work the math. A 1-6x24mm optic set at 6x is transmitted 6/24=4mm. But at 4x, you are literally getting all the light through an optic that your over-40 years pupil is going to take in anyway for those low-light situations.
What is the average shooting distance for low-light, dawn/dusk hunting? A leopard blind is typically set at 70 yards. Dangerous game hunting of all types, in aggregate, in the Boddington study found the average shot distance was 38 yards. 38 yards taking in all of those extreme distance shots on Buffalo past 100 yards, you’re still at 38 yard average.
So for DG hunting you’re probably setting your power to 1x and an absolute max of 3x magnification for those 10 yard to 120 yard shots. Your light gathering with a 1-6x24mm set at 3x is passing 8mm of light gathering yet your eyes can only absorb 6mm best-case. Light gathering even on the 1-6x24mm is wasted.
The scenarios that come up in hunting where someone needs a 40mm or 50mm exit objective lens, or a 7x-12x zoom range are very, very rare. The consumer’s false belief they need it is why they are common, not because they are actually solving a problem.