Need advice on scope for my first safari rifle

[Surgeon1]

I usually only use Swarovski for Africa but 5 years ago I discovered Trijicon Credo 1-8x 28 (they now make a 1-10) It is a 34mm tube with an amazing reticule (green or red) in a circular tactical type! It's a true 1-8 power and with the lighted reticule you can shoot with both eyes open like a Red Dot. Discovered these while shooting 3-gun competition with other competitors who were using them, they have great glass and are very rugged. I have one on my 416 Rigby and one one 375.
For my plains game 300's a Swaro Z6i is a favorite.
But a Leopard hunt in Zim had me on the look for my best lowlight scope and to my surprise after comparing all the different scoped I had in daylight to dark comparison the winner in my eye and
2 buddies over 3 days was the Leica Amplus 6 2.5-15X56 total up everyone's opinion thru the power ranges it came out on top.....took it to Zim and shot a big cat 2years ago in very low light conditions.
So now the Amplus 6 is my favorite scope, and I've got several in various configurations for several hunting applications. The last 2 African trips my 300 has a 2.5-15x50 and its top notch!
I do a fair amount of long-range shooting/hunting and I think Nightforce is the best there but not for Africa.
I'm back to Uganda in February and it will be the same 3 gun battery as this year:
375 H&H Trijicon Credo 1-8
300 Mag Leica Amplus 2.5-15x50
Heym 450-400

 

[Laniarius]

The length of action vs scope didn’t occur to me. Thank you.

For me, I like the back of the scope to be a bit farther back than most. I also prefer not to cover the action with a rail to keep it less obstructed for reloading, but some say that concern is over rated. I tried a VX-5 2-10 on my Model 70, but even with extension rings I couldn't mount the scope far back enough for my cheek weld.

Without a rail, and with extension rings, I found that a Leupold 2-7 won't fit. A 2.5-8 will fit but it's too far forward for me.

With a rail you could make pretty much any scope fit and mount it exactly where you need it.

I have now settled on a Leupold Patrol 6HD. The straight tube lets me mount it far back enough, and I like having a little more magnification, up to 6x. Most people with a 2-10 or similar don't have a problem getting a proper mount without a rail.

A VX-5 2-10 or similar works for most people and is a great all around option. I've haven't tried a new Bushnell Elite 2.5-10x40 but they have 4" eye relief and would be a good lower budget option.