Scope Help - Ruger Hawkeye African 35 Whelen

[NDWoods]

Got mine back from glass bedding. Installed new trigger spring, extended floorplate, and rolled her over to get the scope mounted.
It was at this point that I noticed for the first time how far back the rear sight is. I cannot mount the planned VX6 3-18 without using rings so high my chin will be on the stock. SO disappointed.
I obviously can go LPVO but this will be mostly deer and pigs where a larger objective will be appreciated in low light.

What have others used for scopes other than super tall rings or a LPVO?

 

[Hedge774]

With a 40mm objective, the furnished medium rings worked very well on my .338 WM and .375 R. Both are VX 3's.

 

[BonUm16]

I have a Leupold VX-lll 2.5-8x36mm on my African 9.3. Ruger rings- #3 in front, #4 in rear. I believe that pairing is as low as you can go with Ruger rings.

 

[NDWoods]

Thank you sir.

Any other scopes you African guys have found to be an ideal pairing?

 

[MontanaPat]

I put a VX5HD 2-10x42 on mine this summer, I bought Alaska Arms QD 30mm rings for it that are the standard medium height. They work great with that scope on my Hawkeye 35 Whelen

 

[NDWoods]

I appreciate the replies. I ordered a GPO compact scope today. Good reviews so I will be interested to see how it looks, tracks, and holds up.

 

[quandary]

I just got a Mark 4HD 2.5-10 for my 35 Whelen.

 

[Hedge774]

I just picked mine up Friday. My rifle that is. Let us know how you like the scope. I think you'll be pleased. Maybe you can recommend it for me!

 

[Hedge774]

I'd like to hear more about the GPO gear as well!

 

[NDWoods]

I am surprised that Mark4HD did not have the same issue at 12.5 inches.

The GPO compact is too compact. The rings will not go far apart enough on the scope to get to the bases. It is not even close.

Scope looks good though. I like how the brightness knob for the center dot just scrolls through the brightness rather than hard click settings. I had not considered that before but immediately liked it. I will find something else to put it on.

I think the Swaro Z5+ 2-10 will be close as it is not a super long scope. I have one I will try next. Otherwise, I will just move a 1-10 LPVO to it for now and see what I can come up with over the next year.

 

[MontanaGrant]

If I may which gpo compact did you get?

On my Africans I’ve mounted 2-7 leupold compacts. Just barely enough tube length to reach both rings. 3-9 would be better but like the compactness of the 2-7.

 

[BFaucett]

Just a general note: When trying to fit a shorter scope don't forget that Ruger makes offset rings (or at least they used to; I haven't checked lately). Here's my Ruger M77 Mk II .338 Win Mag with a Leupold Vari-X III 2.5-8x36mm scope.

Just trying to be helpful... Cheers! Bob F.

 

[NDWoods]

My apologies to quandary. His 12.5 inch scope is just fine. The issue with the 3-18 is that last inch at 13.5 inches.

I put my Swaro Z5i+2-10 on the rifle and it looks fantastic. It will stay on the rifle. Mission accomplished!

As to the GPO, it is a total bust. I ordered the CENTURI 3-12x44i Super Compact. I put it on a pic rail base rifle and the ring space on the tube is so short, it mounts super far forward of your eye mounted to its extreme rearward position. It does not have extended eye relief, so it is very far away from your eye and I cannot get full view on max power even moving my head way more forward than what anyone would consider natural or comfortable.

I have no idea what use any grown man would have for this scope on a fixed stock rifle. Now I have to see if I can return it.