Need a scope for my CZ 550 .404 Jeffery

[rookhawk]

A swarovski z6i 1-6x24mm EE (Extended Eye Relief) is the gold standard. No longer made. You'll drop $4k on an illuminated one, around $3k in a non-illuminated. 5" of eye relief and quick target acquisition is what makes it better than any other optic ever created for this task. Obviously, low or extra low rings to give you the same cheek weld as iron sights as well.

 

[One Day...]

A swarovski z6i 1-6x24mm EE (Extended Eye Relief) is the gold standard. No longer made. You'll drop $4k on an illuminated one, around $3k in a non-illuminated. 5" of eye relief and quick target acquisition is what makes it better than any other optic ever created for this task. Obviously, low or extra low rings to give you the same cheek weld as iron sights as well.

I agree on the Swarovski z6i 1-6x24mm EE (Extended Eye Relief) having reached cult status, but the eye relief is not 5", it is 3.75", which is still the longest, I believe, that was ever offered.

Since we are talking best-of-the-best, based on personal use with both, I still rank the Leica Magnus 1-6.3x24 ahead of the Swarovski z6i 1-6x24mm EE in glass quality, although it does have a 0.25" shorter eye relief (3.5"). Mine is on my .458 Lott and has proved so far indestructible through 3 of the Big 5, and has - so far - never bit me under recoil

Swaro 1-6, Schmidt & Bender Zenith 1-4, even one of the older S&B Klassics in 1-4, can't go wrong with either, you could go 1-8 straight tube from the aforementioned manufacturers, but I feel they aren't worth the difference in price.

+1 on Schmidt & Bender Zenith 1.1-4 x 24, also in the best-of-the-best category, with also a 3.5" eye relief, and Lord knows I still love my old Schmidt & Bender 1.25 - 4 x 20 Biebertal Wetzlar on my Dumoulin .338 Win Mag. Although it is dated now (it only has a 20 mm objective vs. 24 mm for all modern scopes), back in the days (1980's) it was THE reference.

I got myself a Kahles for my .404 and I am very happy with it

KAHLES: Riflescopes

www.kahles.at

+1 also on the Kahles, which was purchased by Swarovski in 1974 and became their military brand (like Zeiss has Hensoldt). They are now also using the brand in the civilian market but it is not as well known in the US as the others (Zeiss, Swaro, Leica, S&B).

And since we are touching on other European manufacturers, I would also include Steiner and Meopta in the brands worth looking at.

In my extensive experience, quality is not necessarily assured with a high price tag.

I think that you may have wanted to say that quality can also be had with a lower price tag.

I actually agree that the quality available nowadays in inexpensive scopes is absolutely amazing, especially compared to what was available even at a much higher price point only a few decades ago.

But this being said, I would say that barring the occasional fluke, quality IS assured with a high price tag - assuming the high price tag is associated with the leading brands discussed in this thread - and I will add that when it comes to optics (scopes & binoculars) "one does not know what one does not know" about the quality difference until one has the opportunity to try side by side prime optics and lesser optics, especially at dawn or dusk. The experience is generally eye opening (pun fully intended).

This does not mean that one cannot hunt, and be wildly successful, with a modern $500 rifle and a modern $300 scope, because these are likely better than what was generally available to our fathers, if only thanks to CNC machining... but best-in-class rifles (e.g. Blaser R8) and best-in-class glass (e.g. Zeiss, Swaro, Leica, S&B, etc.) are leaps & bounds ahead of the lower price offerings in terms of materials quality, precision manufacturing, quality control, etc.

 

[rifletuner]

I agree on the Swarovski z6i 1-6x24mm EE (Extended Eye Relief) having reached cult status, but the eye relief is not 5", it is 3.75", which is still the longest, I believe, that was ever offered.

View attachment 621457

Since we are talking best-of-the-best, based on personal use with both, I still rank the Leica Magnus 1-6.3x24 ahead of the Swarovski z6i 1-6x24mm EE in glass quality, although it does have a 0.25" shorter eye relief (3.5"). Mine is on my .458 Lott and has proved so far indestructible through 3 of the Big 5, and has - so far - never bit me under recoil

View attachment 621459

View attachment 621462



+1 on Schmidt & Bender Zenith 1.1-4 x 24, also in the best-of-the-best category, with also a 3.5" eye relief, and Lord knows I still love my old Schmidt & Bender 1.25 - 4 x 20 Biebertal Wetzlar on my Dumoulin .338 Win Mag. Although it is dated now (it only has a 20 mm objective vs. 24 mm for all modern scopes), back in the days (1980's) it was THE reference.

View attachment 621463


+1 also on the Kahles, which was purchased by Swarovski in 1974 and became their military brand (like Zeiss has Hensoldt). They are now also using the brand in the civilian market but it is not as well known in the US as the others (Zeiss, Swaro, Leica, S&B).

And since we are touching on other European manufacturers, I would also include Steiner and Meopta in the brands worth looking at.



I think that you may have wanted to say that quality can also be had with a lower price tag.

I actually agree that the quality available nowadays in inexpensive scopes is absolutely amazing, especially compared to what was available even at a much higher price point only a few decades ago.

But this being said, I would say that barring the occasional fluke, quality IS assured with a high price tag - assuming the high price tag is associated with the leading brands discussed in this thread - and I will add that when it comes to optics (scopes & binoculars) "one does not know what one does not know" about the quality difference until one has the opportunity to try side by side prime optics and lesser optics, especially at dawn or dusk. The experience is generally eye opening (pun fully intended).

This does not mean that one cannot hunt, and be wildly successful, with a modern $500 rifle and a modern $300 scope, because these are likely better than what was generally available to our fathers, but modern rifles (e.g. Blaser R8) and modern glass (e.g. (Zeiss, Swaro, Leica, S&B, etc.) are leaps & bounds ahead in terms of quality, precision, etc. if only thanks to CNC machining...

Sorry, but the source you are quoting for the Swaro 1-6 EE is wrong. They are listing the specs for the standard eye relief on the 1-6, not the EE. The Eye relief on the EE model is 120mm, or 4.8".

Source for the below screenshot is if you want to read it in full https://www.opticsplanet.com/swarovski-z6-1-6x24-sr--rail-riflescope-ee-4-cd-reticle.html

 

[One Day...]

Thank you. I stand happily corrected

 

[Tanks]

I will be heading out to Zimbabwe with CMS safaris for my first dangerous game hunt and i am looking for some guidance on what scope to mount on my 404. I will be using it on my first elephant hunt and possibly a dugga boy if the opportunity arises.

I am not looking to "break the bank" but please all suggestions are welcome. And if any one has a scope they are looking to sell i too would be interested.

Trijicon RMR red dot, 1MOA. Don’t need a scope. I have shot several elephants and buffalo with CMS using a red dot.

 

[rookhawk]

Sorry, but the source you are quoting for the Swaro 1-6 EE is wrong. They are listing the specs for the standard eye relief on the 1-6, not the EE. The Eye relief on the EE model is 120mm, or 4.8".

Source for the below screenshot is if you want to read it in full https://www.opticsplanet.com/swarovski-z6-1-6x24-sr--rail-riflescope-ee-4-cd-reticle.html

Correct. Standard Z6 is 3.8”, but the EE models are 4.8” of eye relief.

 

[aminkus]

I agree on the Swarovski z6i 1-6x24mm EE (Extended Eye Relief) having reached cult status, but the eye relief is not 5", it is 3.75", which is still the longest, I believe, that was ever offered.

View attachment 621457

Since we are talking best-of-the-best, based on personal use with both, I still rank the Leica Magnus 1-6.3x24 ahead of the Swarovski z6i 1-6x24mm EE in glass quality, although it does have a 0.25" shorter eye relief (3.5"). Mine is on my .458 Lott and has proved so far indestructible through 3 of the Big 5, and has - so far - never bit me under recoil

View attachment 621459

View attachment 621462



+1 on Schmidt & Bender Zenith 1.1-4 x 24, also in the best-of-the-best category, with also a 3.5" eye relief, and Lord knows I still love my old Schmidt & Bender 1.25 - 4 x 20 Biebertal Wetzlar on my Dumoulin .338 Win Mag. Although it is dated now (it only has a 20 mm objective vs. 24 mm for all modern scopes), back in the days (1980's) it was THE reference.

View attachment 621463


+1 also on the Kahles, which was purchased by Swarovski in 1974 and became their military brand (like Zeiss has Hensoldt). They are now also using the brand in the civilian market but it is not as well known in the US as the others (Zeiss, Swaro, Leica, S&B).

And since we are touching on other European manufacturers, I would also include Steiner and Meopta in the brands worth looking at.



I think that you may have wanted to say that quality can also be had with a lower price tag.

I actually agree that the quality available nowadays in inexpensive scopes is absolutely amazing, especially compared to what was available even at a much higher price point only a few decades ago.

But this being said, I would say that barring the occasional fluke, quality IS assured with a high price tag - assuming the high price tag is associated with the leading brands discussed in this thread - and I will add that when it comes to optics (scopes & binoculars) "one does not know what one does not know" about the quality difference until one has the opportunity to try side by side prime optics and lesser optics, especially at dawn or dusk. The experience is generally eye opening (pun fully intended).

This does not mean that one cannot hunt, and be wildly successful, with a modern $500 rifle and a modern $300 scope, because these are likely better than what was generally available to our fathers, but modern rifles (e.g. Blaser R8) and modern glass (e.g. (Zeiss, Swaro, Leica, S&B, etc.) are leaps & bounds ahead in terms of quality, precision, etc. if only thanks to CNC machining...

Thank you very much I am leaning towards the Lecia

 

[Hilux01]

My eyesight have also made me go towards a Aimpoint Micro H-2 first as Iron Sights just not good enough any longer.
Great field of view and will be putting it through its strides in Aug - however zero magnification could be a concern for some

 

[Aussie_Hunter]

I have a Leupold VX3-HD 1.5-5 in Talley rings on my CZ 550 in 458 Lott, very happy with the setup. Perfect bolt clearance and still get a good cheekweld on the stock.

 

[wvfred]

My 416 has a 1x6 VX6 Leupold on it and has served me very well on two safaris and a lot of practice shooting.I also have a V4 Zeiss 1x4 and a V6 1x6 that I really like but the Leupold is hard to beat for the price.I'm not sure Zeiss still makes the V4 1x4 anymore.

 

[BryceM]

I went with a Leupold VX-3 1.5x5x20 with Talley QD rings on my CZ550 in .416 Rigby. Worked well for buff and ele 2 years ago on a 2-shot safari. Can’t wait to do it again. Remember to keep the thing on 1.5 power at all times. If you need more magnification, there will be plenty of time to set it up.

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

Cant go wrong with a Leupold!
VX-3HD 1.5-5X20 CDS-ZL ILLUM. FIREDOT TWILIGHT HUNTER or
VX-3HD 1.5-5X20 CDS-ZL DUPLEX
Excellent glass, perfect for close up dangerous game encounters.

Enjoy the hunt.

Great advice. You might also find an older used Vari-X III 1-4, 1.5-5, or 2-7 on eBay.

If you’ve got a little more budget the Leupold VX5 1-5 & VX6 1-6 are even better options. @Mark Biggerstaff normally has some deals for AH members that will shock you if you call or PM him.

Zeiss or Trijicon are also good options and start getting into similar price points as the VX5 & VX6

 

[HACT07]

You can get a far better optics in a fixed power 4x or 6x scope that will look great on that rifle. At the high end of your budget take a look at a Leupold FX-II in 4 or 6 power. Weaver K series scopes will run about $200 and have outstanding quality. The Sighton S2 4x and Burris Timberline 4x are also fantastic bargains.

 

[rifletuner]

You can get a far better optics in a fixed power 4x or 6x scope that will look great on that rifle. At the high end of your budget take a look at a Leupold FX-II in 4 or 6 power. Weaver K series scopes will run about $200 and have outstanding quality. The Sighton S2 4x and Burris Timberline 4x are also fantastic bargains.

Its up to you how you chose to scope your own rifles, but there is no way I would mount a fixed 4 power scope on a 404, let alone a fixed 6x. It would be totally unsuitable for the way I would use the rifle. I have a fixed 2.5 on my 416 Rem and that works okay. But I much prefer a low power variable on my larger bore cartridge rifles.

 

[Atticus]

I really like the Alaska Arms QD rings and a Nikon monarch 1-5x20 on my CZ 404.

 

[Doug3006]

I went with a Leupold VX-3 1.5x5x20 with Talley QD rings on my CZ550 in .416 Rigby. Worked well for buff and ele 2 years ago on a 2-shot safari. Can’t wait to do it again. Remember to keep the thing on 1.5 power at all times. If you need more magnification, there will be plenty of time to set it up.

View attachment 621993

Easily my favorite DG scope. Simple as can be. Clear. Precise windage and elevation controls. The current version from Leupold have clicky things and geegaws that are of dubious value on a DG scope. In a set of Warne or Talley detachable rings, which when detached allow the use of the iron sights, one has all the optics needed to do anything worth doing. Now I’ll return to sipping a tall glass of 15 Stars Sherry Cask Finished Bourbon and dreaming of Africa.

 

[skydiver386]

I like the Leupold VXR 1.24-4, and I have one on my CZ550 in .375 H&H. Sad part is they've discontinued that line of scopes. I've got a few new in the box I'm hoarding for upcoming projects.

 

[sniper7]

I’m a swaro z8i guy myself. Amazing scopes. Love the small dot for tighter shots and quick eye acquisition.
I also really like trijicon. Recently sold a rifle that the new owner didn’t want the scope. It is practically brand new. Trijicon credo HX 1-8x28 with tally 34mm QD rings.
I’m putting it up for sale for $1100. Have the box and the rings box. Taken on one trip to Africa but looks brand new. If you are interested send me a pm.

 

[hyipl]

Leica Visus on a mauser M 03 in 404 jeffery

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I agree on the Swarovski z6i 1-6x24mm EE (Extended Eye Relief) having reached cult status, but the eye relief is not 5", it is 3.75", which is still the longest, I believe, that was ever offered.

View attachment 621457

Since we are talking best-of-the-best, based on personal use with both, I still rank the Leica Magnus 1-6.3x24 ahead of the Swarovski z6i 1-6x24mm EE in glass quality, although it does have a 0.25" shorter eye relief (3.5"). Mine is on my .458 Lott and has proved so far indestructible through 3 of the Big 5, and has - so far - never bit me under recoil

View attachment 621459

View attachment 621462



+1 on Schmidt & Bender Zenith 1.1-4 x 24, also in the best-of-the-best category, with also a 3.5" eye relief, and Lord knows I still love my old Schmidt & Bender 1.25 - 4 x 20 Biebertal Wetzlar on my Dumoulin .338 Win Mag. Although it is dated now (it only has a 20 mm objective vs. 24 mm for all modern scopes), back in the days (1980's) it was THE reference.

View attachment 621463


+1 also on the Kahles, which was purchased by Swarovski in 1974 and became their military brand (like Zeiss has Hensoldt). They are now also using the brand in the civilian market but it is not as well known in the US as the others (Zeiss, Swaro, Leica, S&B).

And since we are touching on other European manufacturers, I would also include Steiner and Meopta in the brands worth looking at.



I think that you may have wanted to say that quality can also be had with a lower price tag.

I actually agree that the quality available nowadays in inexpensive scopes is absolutely amazing, especially compared to what was available even at a much higher price point only a few decades ago.

But this being said, I would say that barring the occasional fluke, quality IS assured with a high price tag - assuming the high price tag is associated with the leading brands discussed in this thread - and I will add that when it comes to optics (scopes & binoculars) "one does not know what one does not know" about the quality difference until one has the opportunity to try side by side prime optics and lesser optics, especially at dawn or dusk. The experience is generally eye opening (pun fully intended).

This does not mean that one cannot hunt, and be wildly successful, with a modern $500 rifle and a modern $300 scope, because these are likely better than what was generally available to our fathers, if only thanks to CNC machining... but best-in-class rifles (e.g. Blaser R8) and best-in-class glass (e.g. Zeiss, Swaro, Leica, S&B, etc.) are leaps & bounds ahead of the lower price offerings in terms of materials quality, precision manufacturing, quality control, etc.

Yep, dead is dead. If the quality control, precision manufacturing, and materials quality of a modern $300 scope are good enough to put an animal down at 250 yards, that's good enough for me. I may not be able to shoot a buck's eye out at 100 yards with my WWII Springfield, but it will hit him in the head if I do my job (if I wanted to shoot him in the head). There is this idea that one can never have too much "quality." I don't buy it (pun fully intended). Should I drive a Bentley to work when a Chevy will get me there on time just as well? Maybe a good quality ( = just less than "excellent") $300 scope sitting on a fancy $10K rifle would look a little goofy ... but not to the dead buffalo. The PH who gets paid when client puts a critter in the salt will be pleased as punch, no matter what's sitting on top of the rifle. The gang around the campfire at night may think the setup is not up to their standards. So what? Dead buff is a dead buff.