What scope for Africa

[Scuffy]

I have a Duralyt 2-8 on my .416

 

[Mountain Bug]

Whilst thinking of a budget and bearing in mind you have mentioned hunting dangerous game as yourself this…. In case you wonder it is a rhetorical question….If you had a scope fail on you at a critical time and a buffalo was bearing down on you, how much would you pay to get a better or more reliable scope at that moment?

I do hear what you're saying. Like most things in life it's a balance. The recommended scopes range from Arken at $250 to Swarovski at $4000 and everything in between. The most expensive doesn't always mean that its the best. Alot of homework and reading reviews still to be done.


Scott

 

[Tim.243]

I do hear what you're saying. Like most things in life it's a balance. The recommended scopes range from Arken at $250 to Swarovski at $4000 and everything in between. The most expensive doesn't always mean that its the best. Alot of homework and reading reviews still to be done.


Scott

if you do go to Africa what will you be hunting as the cost of a decent trip will dwarf the scope cost.

 

[Selous]

I do hear what you're saying. Like most things in life it's a balance. The recommended scopes range from Arken at $250 to Swarovski at $4000 and everything in between. The most expensive doesn't always mean that its the best. Alot of homework and reading reviews still to be done.


Scott

Lots of scopes come up on the used market at great prices. My Diavari cost me £323 off EBay and has never missed a beat. A lot of my scopes are secondhand and I test them thoroughly when I get them. I have only ever had problems with scopes I bought new that were at the cheaper end of the market. The good quality used ones just keep working!!

 

[oldhamstocks]

Really informative thread

 

[Fabnosh]

S&B 3-9x50 (mostly set at x6) for pretty much everything from relatively close range warthogs to 400m troublesome baboons. I use my .375 double with open sights for closer range buff but a turned down 3-9 would be equally fine.

FN

 

[Mountain Bug]

Are you going to Africa as the outfitter would be the one to ask as the .375 is there day to day rifle also the type of terrain, if I was going with a .375 I would do the same.
Waiting to see where you are heading!

I don't have immediate plans to go anywhere but several recent events have reinforced how short life can be and have served as a good kick in my arse. Time for me to get cracking on that bucket list.


Scott

 

[Nkawu]

I have a CZ550 in 375, and one thing to bear in mind is the length of the action. If you intend on mounting onto the dove tails then you need a scope that is long enough. Some people will mount additional bases onto the dovetails to offset the distance, but I find it puts the scope far to high up. There is a very informative thread on Africa Hunting Here.
I have two scopes both in Alaska Arms QD rings, a 1-6x and a 3-9x.

 

[Chris Richardson]

Lots of scopes come up on the used market at great prices. My Diavari cost me £323 off EBay and has never missed a beat. A lot of my scopes are secondhand and I test them thoroughly when I get them. I have only ever had problems with scopes I bought new that were at the cheaper end of the market. The good quality used ones just keep working!!

Indeed a I bought a Zeiss Diavari for 350 a while ago and recently a meopta 3-12 x 50 fir £120 both work perfectly

 

[Mountain Bug]

I have a CZ550 in 375, and one thing to bear in mind is the length of the action. If you intend on mounting onto the dove tails then you need a scope that is long enough. Some people will mount additional bases onto the dovetails to offset the distance, but I find it puts the scope far to high up. There is a very informative thread on Africa Hunting Here.
I have two scopes both in Alaska Arms QD rings, a 1-6x and a 3-9x.

Thank you for this. Not just very informative but the most comprehensive discussion that I've read on 550's and scopes. I had been wondering about the mounting system that I would use vs the scope choice.

Scott

 

[bowji john]

The issue of actions and scopes that bridge those actions are also worthy of some consideration

If you have a rifle that is top fed, a scope that covers the action can be problematic

Not an issue if you load in camp and don’t need to reload at speed and under pressure

Bigger issue if you, do as it makes reloading more cumbersome

Add the pressure of DG and the need to be able to reload fast without looking at your rifle, then a scope is a nuisance

‘Blind fold reloading’ is a standard drill for all guides and PHs

You might never be in such a situation, however be prepared and find a ‘work around’ in case you are