Tactical scopes for Dangerous Game and "boomers"

[BourbonTrail]

Quality questions aside:

I found this image of the scope with the illumination on…it definitely gets your attention better than when it is off, but I worry about what happens if the illumination is inoperable and you are trying to sort cape buff under a tree (thanks @Red Leg ). Those are very fine subtensions would probably prove slow to acquire in a black on black situation (I struggle with irons for this reason on black highlighter targets). Also, I don’t know about the blue color. My 0.02.

 

[Philip Glass]

I have been wondering about the utility of these 1x6x24 or 1x8x24 type "tactical" scopes for use on dangerous games rifles. Virtually all are illuminated and they are all meant for quick target acquisition.

An example would be this Lucid Optics L7 1x6x24. One distinctive thing about this sight is that the illumination is blue and not red or green.

My primary fear is that these types scopes may not be designed to stand up to the recoil of anything above .308.

https://www.lucidoptics.com/rifle-scope/#L7

View attachment 442267

Bad idea. These are junk. If you‘re in the DG world then you need a DG scope from a top brand with top glass. Dangerous game means something, remember?
these smaller 1-6 type scopes everyone seems to want to put on their bigger rifles lack versatility. If it’s a .416+ then ok but if it’s a .375 you want a scope with more versatility.
Philip

 

[Philip Glass]

I’m with RL on this one. The very last thing you want on a DG scope is a cluttered reticle. Don’t need holdovers for a target that close. Nothing more complicated than a German #4 with a central illuminated dot for me.

Agree

 

[Philip Glass]

Circle dot is the most complex reticle I would consider. Swaro Z8i is a good option as you can switch it between the plain dot and circle dot.

Yes I have a Z8 with that feature. It came in handy when conditions changed on a recent Safari.

 

[revturbo9967]

Bad idea. These are junk. If you‘re in the DG world then you need a DG scope from a top brand with top glass. Dangerous game means something, remember?
these smaller 1-6 type scopes everyone seems to want to put on their bigger rifles lack versatility. If it’s a .416+ then ok but if it’s a .375 you want a scope with more versatility.
Philip

Versatility is key. The Swaro 1.7-10 is what I’ve been eyeballing to fill this category

 

[BC.Pat]

I have a RSM , in 375 with a Schmidt & Bender PM11 short dot on it with a P3L reticle that I've hunted with; with out issue. Its just a simple cross hair.
I think the recital and magnification are the real determining factors.

Pat

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

I have a tactical Leupold on my Marlin 30-30, but when you get to DG use a recognised DG scope. For me that is the Leica Magnus 1-6.3 x 24. With the red dot on you don't even notice the reticle, but if you were out of battery at a critical moment the reticle is really bold and simple. Leica glass is the brightest and clearest I have ever seen, expensive but worth it.

 

[Tokoloshe Safaris]

Quality questions aside:

I found this image of the scope with the illumination on…it definitely gets your attention better than when it is off, but I worry about what happens if the illumination is inoperable and you are trying to sort cape buff under a tree (thanks @Red Leg ). Those are very fine subtensions would probably prove slow to acquire in a black on black situation (I struggle with irons for this reason on black highlighter targets). Also, I don’t know about the blue color. My 0.02.

View attachment 442327

I know nothing about the quality of that scope, but if I had to take a leopard on a bait at night. This definitely would not be the "color" I would choose. Red dot, great.

 

[WAB]

Bad idea. These are junk. If you‘re in the DG world then you need a DG scope from a top brand with top glass. Dangerous game means something, remember?
these smaller 1-6 type scopes everyone seems to want to put on their bigger rifles lack versatility. If it’s a .416+ then ok but if it’s a .375 you want a scope with more versatility.
Philip

Straight tube scopes offer lower and more flexible mounting options. IMO this results in better rifle handling and faster target acquisition.

Higher magnification can be nice but I don’t find it offers any real advantage on an antelope sized target 400 yards and in. Does a 6x scope actually cost you any hits on an 8” plate at 400? I don’t find that it does.

 

[spike.t]

I have found that a that medium to higher quality 24mm objectives do quite well for me. I shoot closer distances, but have not had an issue.
I do acknowledge from my on use, given same quality lens / coatings the 42mm’s give me a bit more, and support more magnification.
I have 24mm objectives in straight tubes scopes of 1-4, 1-5, 1-6 types, the low ends vary from 1 to 1.1. To my eyes, about 4.5 is the maximum useful in the low light. This has been consistent with the 1-5’s and 1-6’s for my eye, including the higher dollar scopes.

I have never used a high end 20mm objective scope. The Kahles 1.1-4x24mm gave me an eye opening realization of 24mm objective. I now have high dollar ones, but those Kahles give up little to nothing when comparing them. I will say the same regarding the Kahles 1.5-6x42’s.

I will add it seems the Leupold HD5, 1-5x24 has pretty damn good glass also. No rounds fired with it. But quite a bit of comparisons.

Only used those kahles 1-4x24 on the various rigby 416 rifles I had ...and a kahles 2.2-9x42 on my 300 win mag....but that was last century ..great scopes ..never had a problem...the 300 fell out of the cruiser...no doors and scope landed on running board ...bit of a dent...never thought to check it ..shot lion the next day with it...zero hadn't moved at all....

 

[Tanks]

I recently purchased a NightForce Atacr 1-8x24 scope. So far, I like it. It is very well built and robust. The reticle in high magnifications is busy (blue lines in the pic are not in the reticle) as @Red Leg mentioned, but that is not when I would be looking for a quick shot (relatively speaking). In lower magnifications it is not busy at all.

 

[ldmay375]

Only used those kahles 1-4x24 on the various rigby 416 rifles I had ...and a kahles 2.2-9x42 on my 300 win mag....but that was last century ..great scopes ..never had a problem...the 300 fell out of the cruiser...no doors and scope landed on running board ...bit of a dent...never thought to check it ..shot lion the next day with it...zero hadn't moved at all....

Last Century ? Last Century you say !! My, my how they fly by !! LOL

Had there been a consistent importer of the Kahles Helia C line, my scope experimentation would have stopped with this scope line. Of course, after importation/distribution was squared away, the Kahles’ available were more a tactical line.
In the early part of this century, I considered the Kahles Helia C, equal in optical function to the Zeiss Victory but about $500 less in cost. To me, they still hang in there with the newer top dog scopes. I don’t feel underprivileged. I have bought a couple from the used market.

 

[revturbo9967]

I recently purchased a NightForce Atacr 1-8x24 scope. So far, I like it. It is very well built and robust. The reticle in high magnifications is busy (blue lines in the pic are not in the reticle) as @Red Leg mentioned, but that is not when I would be looking for a quick shot (relatively speaking). In lower magnifications it is not busy at all.

View attachment 442394

This is the beauty of FFP

 

[RLL]

I recently purchased a NightForce Atacr 1-8x24 scope. So far, I like it. It is very well built and robust. The reticle in high magnifications is busy (blue lines in the pic are not in the reticle) as @Red Leg mentioned, but that is not when I would be looking for a quick shot (relatively speaking). In lower magnifications it is not busy at all.

View attachment 442394

I was wondering if you'd chime in after our conversation last week.

Night Force NX8 1-8x is a good way to go as well, reticle is slightly less busy.

I do wonder if the 1-10x Vortex Razor would hold up to 416+ abuse.

 

[ldmay375]

I have a tactical Leupold on my Marlin 30-30, but when you get to DG use a recognised DG scope. For me that is the Leica Magnus 1-6.3 x 24. With the red dot on you don't even notice the reticle, but if you were out of battery at a critical moment the reticle is really bold and simple. Leica glass is the brightest and clearest I have ever seen, expensive but worth it.

Kevin, that particular Leica is definitely a favorite scope. And definitely expensive, at least to my pocket book.
I really Really like that scope !!

If I could change one thing on it, I would make the reticle opening a little smaller.
I have one on a 416 Ruger, absolutely love it.
It seems tough as an anvil.

I am fortunate to have to have more than one of these. But, very fortunately these were bought as trade show demo’s and close out prices.

I also really like the Swarovski Z6, 1-6x24 illuminated #4. And the 1.7-10x42 non-illuminated Plex.

 

[ldmay375]

I recently purchased a NightForce Atacr 1-8x24 scope. So far, I like it. It is very well built and robust. The reticle in high magnifications is busy (blue lines in the pic are not in the reticle) as @Red Leg mentioned, but that is not when I would be looking for a quick shot (relatively speaking). In lower magnifications it is not busy at all.

View attachment 442394

For a multi-purpose scope, I think they got the reticle function correct on that scope.
No doubt a tough scope.

 

[revturbo9967]

I do wonder if the 1-10x Vortex Razor would hold up to 416+ abuse.

I believe Jerry Miculek ran a 1-10 razor on a 50 cal . That said I think it was semi auto with a monster brake on it, so recoil may not be as bad as most would think.

 

[RLL]

I believe Jerry Miculek ran a 1-10 razor on a 50 cal . That said I think it was semi auto with a monster brake on it, so recoil may not be as bad as most would think.

Hadn't seen that until now. He was running a 1-8x, but hey

 

[ldmay375]

Versatility is key. The Swaro 1.7-10 is what I’ve been eyeballing to fill this category

I believe this is a very versatile scope. The low power field of view of 70 plus feet is great for me. I do not have the illuminated model. But, this scope with the non-illuminated Plex is one of my low light scopes.

I consider the Meopta R2, 1.7-10x42mm an excellent scope also.

No doubt, this power range with the generous field of view, could be a do-all scope for me.
I just prefer the straight tube scopes for a little less bulk, and usually no hassle mounting on my larger bores.

 

[revturbo9967]

Hadn't seen that until now. He was running a 1-8x, but hey

Yup that’s the one. Scope should be stout enough