My Take on Dangerous Game Scopes

[Rafiki]

There is a dramatic difference in scope quality at twilight. That difference has been important to me on a number of late afternoon and early morning hunts. With respect to this topic, It would appear your "style" won't permit you to ever hunt a leopard.

Nope, not interested in leopard. I know that's an elusive critter best baited in a tree and ambushed from a hide. Got plenty of Whitetails though, when light got low and about ready to head out of the woods; majority with iron sights.

 

[0002S]

Maybe, probably, I'll take your word for that. Personally I wouldn't put myself in a situation where it's insufficiently light that any possible difference in the 2 scopes is a concern, just not my style.

With better glass the light isn't insufficient. It lets you start earlier and hunt later. Noticeable on both ends.

Hunter A, "Take a look at these amazingly good, Euro Brand, top end, $3k+ binoculars, I just got. Wow what a difference they make"

Hunter A, "All I need is my trusty 1997 VAR-XIII 1-4x. I don't see the need"

 

[WAB]

Actually no, you will not in most cases change anything on the shot. You will wait until he is feeding and has stopped perfectly broadside on the branch you want him on. I don't mean to zoom in too far. I shot my last one from 100 yards so I was glad to have the VERSATILITY to be able to zoom in a bit more than a normal shot.
Like many hunts around the world, you just don't know until you do it! It is grueling yet exhilarating at the same time.

I take a different approach on shots which works well for me. As stated, I am sure your approach works well for you.

I agree with your point on the hunt. I didn’t know I would become addicted to Coues deer until I did it! I knew I would love red stag, but was absolutely blown away being in the middle of four roaring stags this year in Romania.

Tight lines and straight shots!

 

[Manny R]

Here is a video where I discuss my journey in finding the ultimate DG scope. Bombs away!

Phillip ,
I just purchased a .375 for my next hunt in Africa. I would wish to use my 470NE Double within 50-100 yds for Lion and possible Hippo. If my shot is over 100yds I would use my .375 up to maximum distance of 300 yds on other Game.
Finally here is my question.... I am a big supporter of Swarovski rifle scopes,bino & spotting scopes.
I would like to know your opinion of the Swarovski Z6i 1.7-10x42 which is about $1,000 less than the Z8i 1.7- 13.3x42

 

[Daisy]

How about a 6x?

BTW, what is this app? Looks pretty useful.

‎SBC - Ballistic Calculator app

‎#1st ballistics App for Apple Watch. External Ballistic Calculator is aimed towards recreational long range shooters. Works with large caliber and airguns. It helps shooters calculate hold overs, and scope settings necessary for long range shots. Available for iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch...

apps.apple.com

Best I’ve found since strelok pro got banned.

 

[Daisy]

It's seems to be more like measuring dicks.

That’s so true. It probably isn’t much better but if I don’t buy the “best” I often continue to want it. Fault of mine.

 

[WyoBull]

‎SBC - Ballistic Calculator app

‎#1st ballistics App for Apple Watch. External Ballistic Calculator is aimed towards recreational long range shooters. Works with large caliber and airguns. It helps shooters calculate hold overs, and scope settings necessary for long range shots. Available for iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch...

apps.apple.com

Best I’ve found since strelok pro got banned.

I have been using Strelock Pro for years and did not know anything about the app getting banned. What is the back story?

 

[Daisy]

I have been using Strelock Pro for years and did not know anything about the app getting banned. What is the back story?

Russian. Got banned at start of Ukraine shit.

It still works but no updates for last year and a half.

 

[Daisy]

6x. Not much better. Used 4x because he said he rarely goes above that.

I think this place can be deceiving. We are all crazy and think of this all the time. Lots of people don’t shoot daily, don’t reload, have only a few rifles, etc.

In my opinion, those people would be better served by using a 1.7-13.3x in Africa, even if Buffalo was on the menu.

Just because you can make a shot doesn’t mean it’s not better to use more magnification. On a settled shot I just can’t see 6x being better than 13.3x at 300 yards.

 

[375Fox]

6x. Not much better. Used 4x because he said he rarely goes above that.

I think this place can be deceiving. We are all crazy and think of this all the time. Lots of people don’t shoot daily, don’t reload, have only a few rifles, etc.

In my opinion, those people would be better served by using a 1.7-13.3x in Africa, even if Buffalo was on the menu.

Just because you can make a shot doesn’t mean it’s not better to use more magnification. On a settled shot I just can’t see 6x being better than 13.3x at 300 yards.

View attachment 574559

You should try shooting at range on lower power at 100 and 300 yards you might surprise yourself. I like the confidence higher magnification gives, but I’ve realized it isn’t necessary. My groups at the range don’t change at those ranges. I still want the flexibility of higher power, but knowing it makes little difference might change your mindset.

 

[Daisy]

You should try shooting at range on lower power at 100 and 300 yards you might surprise yourself. I like the confidence higher magnification gives, but I’ve realized it isn’t necessary. My groups at the range don’t change at those ranges. I still want the flexibility of higher power, but knowing it makes little difference might change your mindset.

I shoot a ton my man. I went through the whole use the minimal magnification you can get by with thing.

For me, the more the better. And, my opinion only, for 90% of hunters that don’t eat and breathe this stuff it’s better for them too.

Remember this was started by Philip. Is there anyone here with more in the field experience than him? At my range most have moved away from trying to shoot with the least amount if magnification they can. Especially with 8x and 10x scope out there now that give you both ends of the spectrum.

This probably started when If you wanted low end magnification for up close work you had to use a 1-3 or 1-4x. We don’t live in that world now. You can have both. 1-10. 1.5-15x.

I don’t drive a Prius. I drive a v8. I rarely use the high end, but by God I’m glad it’s there when I need it.

 

[Daisy]

You should try shooting at range on lower power at 100 and 300 yards you might surprise yourself. I like the confidence higher magnification gives, but I’ve realized it isn’t necessary. My groups at the range don’t change at those ranges. I still want the flexibility of higher power, but knowing it makes little difference might change your mindset.

and I agree most of the time it’s not necessary. I don’t have a shot on my farm over 250.

There are places in Africa though, because parcels are so big, you could have a 25 yard shot and a 400 yard shot in the same day.

 

[Forrest Halley]

You should try shooting at range on lower power at 100 and 300 yards you might surprise yourself. I like the confidence higher magnification gives, but I’ve realized it isn’t necessary. My groups at the range don’t change at those ranges. I still want the flexibility of higher power, but knowing it makes little difference might change your mindset.

You should shoot at your highest and lowest power on the range and check for repeatable accuracy. I recently found I had a problem with my high powered scope for my .375.

The biggest advantage I have seen with lowered powers over higher comes in tracking the follow up shot. I do much better with lower power and larger FOV.

 

[Tanks]

...
Finally here is my question.... I am a big supporter of Swarovski rifle scopes,bino & spotting scopes.
I would like to know your opinion of the Swarovski Z6i 1.7-10x42 which is about $1,000 less than the Z8i 1.7- 13.3x42

I have a Z61 1.7-10x42 on my 9.3x74R double and Rigby will be putting the same on my .450/400 double barrels.

I have been very happy with that scope. Also, even at 200+ yards I never went above 7X, so the extra 3X is not a big deal.

 

[375Fox]

I shoot a ton my man. I went through the whole use the minimal magnification you can get by with thing.

For me, the more the better. And, my opinion only, for 90% of hunters that don’t eat and breathe this stuff it’s better for them too.

Remember this was started by Philip. Is there anyone here with more in the field experience than him? At my range most have moved away from trying to shoot with the least amount if magnification they can. Especially with 8x and 10x scope out there now that give you both ends of the spectrum.

This probably started when If you wanted low end magnification for up close work you had to use a 1-3 or 1-4x. We don’t live in that world now. You can have both. 1-10. 1.5-15x.

I don’t drive a Prius. I drive a v8. I rarely use the high end, but by God I’m glad it’s there when I need it.

If you read my posts you’ll see I upgraded my scope to a 2-10 for the versatility on a 375 H&H. However, you asked this question and is why I gave the response I did. Too many people don’t have the confidence to shoot with a 4x or 5x scope at 300 yards and think they need more magnification so they never try, but I can’t tell the difference from my groups at the range even though the level of detail in 5x isn’t the same so I have no problem taking a 300 yard shot on an animal with a 4x-6x scope and I have in the past.

 

[375Fox]

Remember this was started by Philip. Is there anyone here with more in the field experience than him?

There is a lot of experience in this forum (and inexperience as well). It’s important to balance it out. It’s all an opinion. All PHs have different opinions when you ask. Most hunters do as well. Everyone has different experience that causes them to think they way they do. For myself I’ve done 11 African safaris in 5 countries. 9 European hunts in 5 countries, New Zealand and Australia, and a few guided hunts in North America. Philip has a lot of experience but there are countries and regions he hasn’t hunted in other members here have and countries he’s hunted in others haven’t.

 

[pc3]

what is peoples thoughts on the Z8 1.7-13x42 on a cz .416 Rigby ?

Will it fit on a cz 550 magnum ?

 

[375Fox]

what is peoples thoughts on the Z8 1.7-13x42 on a cz .416 Rigby ?

Will it fit on a cz 550 magnum ?

Take a look at Mark Biggerstaff’s comments on post #52 on this thread

 

[pc3]

Take a look at Mark Biggerstaff’s comments on post #52 on this thread

Thankyou...I had read that but I'm interested in if the scope would actually "fit" on the large cz550 safari magnum...e.g is the tube long enough before the objective bell. The Z8 1-8 and exos 1-8 will be fine with the straight tube.

 

[0002S]

Thankyou...I had read that but I'm interested in if the scope would actually "fit" on the large cz550 safari magnum...e.g is the tube long enough before the objective bell. The Z8 1-8 and exos 1-8 will be fine with the straight tube.

Yes it should (42mm front) with medium rings (maybe even low). At 1.7x you will probably see the folding leafs and front sight, at the lower, as you zoom out they will disappear.