I have a GPO Spectra 1.5-9x32 that so far I have been pleasantly surprised with across the board. The eye relief is every bit the advertised 4 inches.I got this GPO spectra on my mod 70 classic super express in .375 I got no complaints so far
Best of both worlds…Swaro Z8i 1-8x24. Of course, everything at a price.I am torn between a 1-5 or a 2-8 for versatility.
I'd love to have a Swaro or similar. Especially with 1 or 1.5 x on the low end and 8 or 10 on the high end for versatility. Not in my money cards yet.Best of both worlds…Swaro Z8i 1-8x24. Of course, everything at a price.
My alternate picks would be the Trijicon and Schmidt & Bender with 1-6x24 and mounted in QD rings.
Excuse me while I get some popcorn to watch the replies to this one!Some of these fancy scopes ... should come equipped with a defibrillator in case hunter falls and bangs it up. I just cannot justify spending that kind of money for a tool I intend to use hard. But I guess for some folks hunting is not supposed to be hard. Personally, I don't enjoy hunting unless it's challenging.
That would be an excellent choice if it fits. I had one once, before I knew about extended bases/mounts, and upon taking it home I realized it wouldn't fit my Model 70 Safari. I returned it without ever mounting it. But I agree it's an excellent choice. Very good glass clarity for the money (I think better than VX-2 or Freedom), and good eye relief.No talk of the Monarch 2.5-10?
Do you buy a majority of your tools at Harbor Freight?Some of these fancy scopes ... should come equipped with a defibrillator in case hunter falls and bangs it up. I just cannot justify spending that kind of money for a tool I intend to use hard. But I guess for some folks hunting is not supposed to be hard. Personally, I don't enjoy hunting unless it's challenging.
Do you buy a majority of your tools at Harbor Freight?
This cheap Weaver K3 + Weaver rings and bases served me very well through more than 40 years of extremely hard hunting on a WWII Springfield, including end over end down the mountain on my horse. I'd probably have kept it in service on the 404 I built last year but not enough eye relief and I've only got one eye remaining that's usable.Nailed it. Spend as much on the optic as the gun. You’re sol if the scope fails, equally SOL if it fogs or lacks clarity.
You can buy a used premium scope for the same price as most of the cheap Chinese and entry level Leupolds suggested on this site.
Some people just work hard to make their own bad luck.
I hear you , my optical vice is Steiner binoculars and a vintage leupold 2-8 compact on my 375Ruger, otherwise it’s Burris scopes , I just can’t justify spending $1700-$2000 for a new aluminum tube Swarovski, it’s a P.T Barnham thing with some of these new scopes . ( sheep & pronghorn hunting imo requires good binoculars and spotter)Some of these fancy scopes ... should come equipped with a defibrillator in case hunter falls and bangs it up. I just cannot justify spending that kind of money for a tool I intend to use hard. But I guess for some folks hunting is not supposed to be hard. Personally, I don't enjoy hunting unless it's challenging.
I'll have you know I built that rifle in my laundry room, not the garage. Get it right!Scopes on my dangerous game rifles:
375 H&H has a 1.7-10 x42 Meopta with illuminated 4 reticle
416 Rem has 1-6 Trijicon with the green triangle post with dual illumination.
470 Double rifle had a Trijicon RMR
So far all have held zero perfectly despite some pretty serious field use.
If someone else want to build a rifle in their garage from a parts bin and put a discount scope from ebay on it, I could care less. But I like what I have for my purposes.
Had no issues finding a charging bull buffalo at close range with the Trijicon 1-6. That certainly boosted my confidence on my next buffalo encounter.
I have only killed hogs with the 375.
The double has killed lion and buffao.
The 416 has been used on kudu,zebra and buffalo.
Your mileage may vary.
I concur with @375Fox, for years I ran a 1.5x5 Leupold, now I have a VX5 in 2x10 on my .375H&H. Over the past couple of hunts I have taken shots on hartebeest out at 200 yards and I was thankful for the 10x magnification. Then again, I am 62 and do not see as well as when I was 32. Leupold also has a VX3 in 2.5x8.I had a vx3 1.5-5 and swapped to a vx5 2-10. I lost nothing on the low power but gained a lot in the clarity and extra power to 10x. I’ve taken several animals out to 300+ yards using the 375 as a one gun safari and don’t agree with strictly using a low power scope on 375 anymore.
There is a slightly used one still for sale on AH. There isn’t a better seller to buy from.
For Sale 3- Leupold VX5 Scopes
I have three great condition Leupold scopes for sale. Trying raise some last minute safari funds. 1. Leupold VX5 HD 2-10x42 Duplex, NON FireDot NON CDS. Was on 7x57 range shot only. Box and papers. $775 shipped 2. Leupold VX5 2-10-42 HD Duplex NON CDS NON FireDot. Was on 375 HH, Range...www.africahunting.com
Wow, I never knew that. So if I bought an $800 Remington, an $800 scope would be fine, but it would be a no-go on my $1500 Winchester. That makes sense, I actually get it.Nailed it. Spend as much on the optic as the gun. You’re sol if the scope fails, equally SOL if it fogs or lacks clarity.
Sorry. I don’t think that Harbor Freight is in Canada. Point made—Is that a Mastercraft drill (i.e. the Harbor Freight of Canada)?Do you buy a majority of your tools at Harbor Freight?
Mastercraft yes, but I didn't buy that corded drill at Canadian Tire. Pawnshop goods. I'm not sure a brand new Rigid cordless would have done a better job putting the hole in that stock for reinforcement rod. Same pawnshop sold me a dandy Rigid power saw for $40 and a like new Milwaukee plunge router for $60. Second hand store on the other side of town yielded a heavy duty Delta radial arm saw on a great old stand @ $75. And my dad willed me his 1950s Shopsmith. Can't beat that price! I did buy a brand new Rigid contractor table saw at Home Depot after cutting off the end of my thumb with a crappy old junker. My wife made me do it. She came home from work to find the police in the garage looking for meat while I was driving (pickup with stick shift) to the hospital. I had told our fifteen year-old daughter to find the piece of thumb and send it to the ER in a cab but she didn't have the stomach for it I guess. Wife said get a new saw or a divorce lawyer. Well, okay. If you insist. I was happy to let her blame the saw instead of me ... but it was my fault. You can drive down the wrong side of the freeway in a Rolls Royce and get killed just as dead if you were in a Kia.Sorry. I don’t think that Harbor Freight is in Canada. Point made—Is that a Mastercraft drill (i.e. the Harbor Freight of Canada)?
There is nothing wrong with being frugal. I just don’t understand why you would assert someone is doing it the easy way by having quality equipment.
With airfare, trophy fees, and animals that can kill you etc., I would much rather have the best quality components with me for the task at hand.