sikamalc
Administrator
That's fine. I use a Zeiss on my 308 and have been several times to Hungary.
Best magnification scope for driven boar in Turkey
- Thread starter Lace1978
- Start date
That's fine. I use a Zeiss on my 308 and have been several times to Hungary.
I've used a SB Zenith 3-12x50 in times past and did ok with it
I also used a SB Zenith 1.1-4x24 but never really loved it due to it being a bit of a one-trick pony (it was crap at longer ranges, well, I thought it was - others might disagree)
Currently I use a Swaro Z8i 1.7-13.3x42 and I love it!!
If I adjust the parallax and eye-piece focus appropriately the image is almost optically flat, so in effect I don't notice that one eye see's normal and the other in 1.7x - I can therefore keep both eyes open comfortably without distortion of field of view, that makes target acquisition easier for a start, keeping sight of game after a shot is fired is also easy
The red-dot on the Z8 is also adjustable in brightness and fiddling about with the eye-piece lense sharpens it up too - at close range I actually think it works better than my old SB 1.1-4x24 which is supposedly the superior driven game scope of the two - there's no competition at longer ranges of course, the Swaro wins hands down
I believe (but I might be kidding myself of course) that I am able to shoot better with the Z8 on top of my 375H&H than I ever did with the "better/easier" option of the SB 1.1-4 atop a .308
I've seen plenty of folk do very well using normal stalking scopes for driven boar, so don't be afraid of using one if that's all you have access too
Good luck!!
I also used a SB Zenith 1.1-4x24 but never really loved it due to it being a bit of a one-trick pony (it was crap at longer ranges, well, I thought it was - others might disagree)
Currently I use a Swaro Z8i 1.7-13.3x42 and I love it!!
If I adjust the parallax and eye-piece focus appropriately the image is almost optically flat, so in effect I don't notice that one eye see's normal and the other in 1.7x - I can therefore keep both eyes open comfortably without distortion of field of view, that makes target acquisition easier for a start, keeping sight of game after a shot is fired is also easy
The red-dot on the Z8 is also adjustable in brightness and fiddling about with the eye-piece lense sharpens it up too - at close range I actually think it works better than my old SB 1.1-4x24 which is supposedly the superior driven game scope of the two - there's no competition at longer ranges of course, the Swaro wins hands down
I believe (but I might be kidding myself of course) that I am able to shoot better with the Z8 on top of my 375H&H than I ever did with the "better/easier" option of the SB 1.1-4 atop a .308
I've seen plenty of folk do very well using normal stalking scopes for driven boar, so don't be afraid of using one if that's all you have access too
Good luck!!
badbob
Well-Known Member
the most versatile is a 1-6 or 1-8 x24 with a good bright red dot. or circle with red dot in centre.
close combat type reticules are also good, eg vortex strike eagle
for very fast close boar you will find 1x sufficient for quick target acquisition.
for the long range shot you can wind the magnification up.
your rifle and scope should fit like a shotgun, practice 100x quick mounting on different targets with both eyes open,
close combat type reticules are also good, eg vortex strike eagle
for very fast close boar you will find 1x sufficient for quick target acquisition.
for the long range shot you can wind the magnification up.
your rifle and scope should fit like a shotgun, practice 100x quick mounting on different targets with both eyes open,
If you get one coming at you closer than 10 meters you aint going to get time to wonder if you chose the right magnification, its going to be pure point shoot and hope. 
Or jump over the boar.
There are some drives ive been on you have thick brush 3 paces in front of you, you hear and see the bushes move in front of you seconds before they come through at 100mph.
Or jump over the boar.
There are some drives ive been on you have thick brush 3 paces in front of you, you hear and see the bushes move in front of you seconds before they come through at 100mph.
If you get one coming at you closer than 10 meters you aint going to get time to wonder if you chose the right magnification, its going to be pure point shoot and hope.
Or jump over the boar.
There are some drives ive been on you have thick brush 3 paces in front of you, you hear and see the bushes move in front of you seconds before they come through at 100mph.
All you can do, is use kit that gives you the best chance. That decision will of course depend on how often you think you'll use it, and your budget.
Of course you can take, and use whatever you have, but there's a very good reason why manufacturers like Aimpoint, and the scope manufacturers make very low mag scopes for driven hunting, and why most driven hunters choose to use them !
I'm not suggesting you have to spend a lot, there some very cheap options.
Well here are a bunch of Red Dot sights, starting at £22.95 !
RED DOT SITES
Contrasting pegs/shots.
Typical peg from the area I shoot in Portugal. Very narrow track, just heard something move in the cover. Boar about 1.5m from me, launched so fast, first shot hit the rear quarter, second took it down. Chapuis 9.3x74 side by side. Geco 255gn.
Portugal Close peg, Double Rifle no sight
First time in Turkey. Long walk to peg, which was a rock outcrop on the side of the valley. When I saw where I would be shooting, it was pretty daunting. I'm used to close shooting, and I think the closest shot would be circa 100m.
Blaser R8 9.3x62, Swarovski Z8i 1.7-13.3x42. Geco 255gn. Set at circa 4x mag. I tried higher at first, but couldn't hold it steady. I should say, no, I can't see the boar in the in the video either
Turkey long shot
So, normal stalking scopes can be really hard work, a ruin a trip.
Both of your video links took me to a page saying "Video unavailable, this video is private"
Alan
Best I learn how to use Youtube !
Alan,
Can you try again please.
Can you try again please.
Dropped 5yds from me. People don't realise how quickly boar can accelerate from standing. When I got the gun up, it was maybe 2yds from me.
A lot of driven in Portugal is very close. I used to use a 1-6x24 on the double, but kept missing boar within 10 yards, so tried without, just shooting like a shotgun. It works for me.
Another close peg, I shot 4, furthest maybe 10yds, closest less than two
very exciting !
Heym SR20
Well-Known Member
If you go for a 20 to 24mm objective lense you get a very wide field of view. With even a 42mm scope you get a narrower field of view at 1.5x power. I have tried a 1-6x24 Docter but was too heavy and bulky for my gun - I can't help feeling that the 1-6 and 1-8 x24 scopes are more geared to combat style shooting, rather than driven game. Swapped it for a 1-4x20 Docter Comfort and much better. Just has a Red dot reticle and with my set up it fills my vision even with both eyes open.
I have tried aimpoint and docter type red-dot sights. I just can't get on with them - mounted further forwards I feel that I am looking down a tube and all the bulk around the tube just gets in the way, whereas with a properly mounted scope I just get panoramic view, with either a Post or a Dot as the aiming point.
Leupold do make, or did make, some very nice little 1-4x20 Scopes on a 1" tube.
I have tried aimpoint and docter type red-dot sights. I just can't get on with them - mounted further forwards I feel that I am looking down a tube and all the bulk around the tube just gets in the way, whereas with a properly mounted scope I just get panoramic view, with either a Post or a Dot as the aiming point.
Leupold do make, or did make, some very nice little 1-4x20 Scopes on a 1" tube.
reiver
Well-Known Member
You could always go old school and just use open sights If your rifle has them ? .
All the rifles I have or had for shooting boar have open sights fitted as a back up plan . I have a Leopold vxr 1.25-4 x20 with the circle dot as my main sight in quick release mounts Which works for me.
The key thing is to practice a lot before you go hunting with what ever sight you intend to use.
All the rifles I have or had for shooting boar have open sights fitted as a back up plan . I have a Leopold vxr 1.25-4 x20 with the circle dot as my main sight in quick release mounts Which works for me.
The key thing is to practice a lot before you go hunting with what ever sight you intend to use.
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Heym SR20
Well-Known Member
Sadly we don't have many running boar targets in the UK. I have a plan to set up a zip wire type target and mount my driven scope on my 22rf for cheap practice, using my 7x65r for a few shots each session. I use my combination gun for driven hunting (with a Einstecklauf in 7x65R in the shot barrel). I use the running rabbit at a clay ground with the shot barrel and the driven scope for practice. My Franchi Affinity can also be mounted with a scope and this would give good practice as well.
Also what they can get through "at speed", ive seen beaters in Croatia struggle to squeeze through extremely thick young coppiced woodland, yet those BIG Boar run through it like it isnt there. Hearing your heart beat when your wearing electronic ear protection just adds to the excitement.
Whatever scope you choose, you will enjoy the thrill i'm sure
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