Driven boar scope

[Orion]

I've also chosen the Swarovski Z6i 1-6x24. The FOV is a massive 42.5m/100m on the low setting and I've chosen the CDI reticle as it looks very useful for driven hunting - let you know after next week!

The freebie Swaro 'Subtension Dimensions' app also gives you the relevant reticle size at the various maginfications, which is handy.

 

[Boarboy]

I bought the Zeiss V8 with wild boar in mind, at 1.8 magnification and 23m/100m field of view, should be bang on...

Yes, this one looks an ideal all rounder. But then Orion's just pointed out that the z6i 1-6 has a massive 43m field of view! Choices, choices. And at some nice prices too!

 

[Jagare]

You could use your monster whatever it is x 50-56 but they just make the rifle top heavy. Aimpoint or one of they whatever x24 is the way to go for driven boar

 

[2130martin]

Hi Dan,
I have a Swaro 1.2 - 6 x 24 illuminated and find that set on 6 is as good as it gets for normal stalking at the usual ranges that UK Deer are shot over.
Set on 1.2 is ideal but anything up to 3 gives as much field of view to make it good enough for Driven Boar.
I have known several guys use their usual 2-12 x 56 scope kranked down to 2 and managed quite well with that, the only thing is, in my view, being such a large 'scope could prove a bit cumbersome for swinging onto the target, but then maybe I am a cissy
As Tony has already said the illuminated dot is 'almost' essential but I have known the odd one or two manage without it.
Geof glad to hear you are pleased with the Leupold

How does the Swaro scope perform in low light and Woodland?

Martin

 

[Orion]

Boarboy, if you are interested in any Swaro scope check out pricing with Chris at Swillington Shooting. As Lateral has pointed out on another thread, his prices can be better than buying in from Euroland, and certainly the best we've found in the UK.

 

[Wildboar1973]

Hi Dan!
If you are getting more and more into driven hunts, a scope like a 1-4 (6) x24 would be the right choice.
The problem of those allrounders is, that your area of view is limited on those. You dont need a good last light transmission, but a wider view to spot the animals quick and decide through the scope on which one to aim.
The question of an illumination is just a personal thing, technical no need for it...

 

[Boarboy]

Boarboy, if you are interested in any Swaro scope check out pricing with Chris at Swillington Shooting. As Lateral has pointed out on another thread, his prices can be better than buying in from Euroland, and certainly the best we've found in the UK.

Thanks. I've been following that thread too!

 

[Claret_Dabbler]

The issue for me with conventional scopes of 42/50/56mm objectives not the magnification, 2-3x is perfect for me, it is the bulk sitting on top of the rifle which really will compromise the handling of the rifle.

Given we are shooting in daylight, not at night from a high seat, I just don't need a top end scope for this.

I recently bought a Nikon Monarch African 1-4x20, with a plain no4 style reticle. I think it might be more than good enough for the one trip a year I can manage.

 

[Boarboy]

Hi Dan!
If you are getting more and more into driven hunts, a scope like a 1-4 (6) x24 would be the right choice.
The problem of those allrounders is, that your area of view is limited on those. You dont need a good last light transmission, but a wider view to spot the animals quick and decide through the scope on which one to aim.
The question of an illumination is just a personal thing, technical no need for it...

Thankyou. I do hear what your saying. the field of view on the lower power scopes is so much greater, balance on the rifle too, and I do like to use a scope, its what i'm used too. Question is for one driven hunt a year is it worth spending out £1500-£1800, for a top end illuminated.!? A 2-12 or 1.7-10 might be better for me as an allrounder, and better for when I go on the hill in Scotland.

 

[Southern]

A 1-4x, 1.25-4x, or 2-7x is all you need. You can shoot 2x with both eyes open, no problem.

As Claret_Dabbler said, a smaller scope does not mess up the balance of the rifle.
You want forgiving eye relief, field of view, and a reticle that is just there, so you can look at the game.

I love my 30mm tube German #1 1.25-4x and have had it on a .375 H&H, a .444, and a .30-06 as backup to iron sights. A No.1 post with a thin horizontal wire for lining up on moving targets would be ideal for me. I have a vintage Zeiss 6x with that reticle.

For an all-rounder with distance and light-gathering, try a 1.5-6x42. No need to spend a fortune. I am borrowing a Bushnell 1.5-6x illuminated now to try for stalking boar in the big, dark woods. I find my Burris 2-7x35mm to not limit me at all for 99% of hunting. The Zeiss Terra 2-7x32 is brilliantly clear.

 

[Shootgun]

Yes, this one looks an ideal all rounder. But then Orion's just pointed out that the z6i 1-6 has a massive 43m field of view! Choices, choices. And at some nice prices too!

Indeed, less field of view but i don't need to use different scopes for different purposes.

 

[AimPoint]

Hi, My thoughts, I shoot wild boar once a year if I'm lucky, to maximise my chances I use a red dot (Eotech with single dot). I tried a low power scope and found it took longer to pick up the boar in the scope, especially in woodland. If I were shooting in open ground at distance I would use the scope. The Eotech looks bad on the rifle but it does the job.
As stated previously, whatever you choose, practice is the key.

 

[jthyttin]

You can shoot 2x with both eyes open, no problem.

Sure you can, I shoot everything up to 24x both eyes open (don't remember trying a scope with any more magnification) but it won't make me fast or scope more suitable for driven game.

And one word of caution: if you go and practice at moving target range, don't let yourself believe that one shot per run at 75 meters (or close equivalent) has anything to do with driven game. Up here guys are using up to 18-24x magnifications for those shooting disciplines.

If possible, get closer like 25 meters, and mark something like 4-5 meters "window of opportunity" where you should raise the gun and take the shot. Better yet, wait your eyes closed and have you friend give a signal and then proceed to take the shot. Or come up with your own idea of exercise that somewhat measures how fast you can acquire sight picture and shoot.

 

[Southern]

I shot a little running boar as a target competition, back when it was 100 yards, open sights. Then they went to 50 meters and .222 and .223 repeating riles and I went back to other things.

My hunting ground for boar is mountainous with large hardwoods, swamps, and farmland. I have posted some photos of the mountains this year. Here is the swamp, and my farm ( sneaking up on deer). The pine tree in this swamp photo is 5 feet in diameter. Thousands of acres of it are just pines that size, and cypress, larger, so the forest has a canopy about 120 feet overhead, is very open, but can be dark.

So every hunter has different terrain , conditions, and style. I am usually stalking on the ground with rifle or bow. If there is chase with dogs, I carry a .357 revolver or a .444. My shots are 10 to 150 yards, quick, offhand, none running.

 

[FALLOW284]

I use a S&B Zenith 1.1-4x24 illuminated and have found it to be excellent for driven hunting. They also do a 1.1-8 x24 now, this would cover most needs.

 

[EMcC]

I use a S&B Zenith 1.1-4x24 illuminated and have found it to be excellent for driven hunting. They also do a 1.1-8 x24 now, this would cover most needs.

I used the S&B Zenith Flashdot 1.1-4x24 before I got the Swaro.
I had more luck with the S&B so wish I hadn't changed now.
I wish I had tried them side by side before I changed.
Had I done so I wouldn't have changed but I persuaded myself that the Swaro on 6 mag could be swopped around and used on one of my other rifles, then allowing me to get rid of one of my other 'scopes, it didn't.
I still have the other 'scope on my usual stalking rifle and keep my Swaro on the dedicated driven boar gun.

 

[Southern]

A nice practice range and hunt during harvest of corn.

 

[Sika98k]

The issue for me with conventional scopes of 42/50/56mm objectives not the magnification, 2-3x is perfect for me, it is the bulk sitting on top of the rifle which really will compromise the handling of the rifle.

Given we are shooting in daylight, not at night from a high seat, I just don't need a top end scope for this.

I recently bought a Nikon Monarch African 1-4x20, with a plain no4 style reticle. I think it might be more than good enough for the one trip a year I can manage.

What,so far,are your impressions of that Brian ? I have been looking at those,amongst others. Difficult to make a decision as none of the shops here would stock a scope like that. No real demand on the home market.

 

[Sika98k]

Thankyou. I do hear what your saying. the field of view on the lower power scopes is so much greater, balance on the rifle too, and I do like to use a scope, its what i'm used too. Question is for one driven hunt a year is it worth spending out £1500-£1800, for a top end illuminated.!? A 2-12 or 1.7-10 might be better for me as an allrounder, and better for when I go on the hill in Scotland.

Dan,I feel that for the one trip a year us mere mortals can generally afford it is somewhat over the top splashing out four figures for a dedicated scope. I have got away the last few years with a leupold 1-4x20 picked up for a small song on fleabay.
i am however impressed by reviews of the Zeiss Terra 2-7x32. Relatively small money and you could get away with it for general use at home. Or QD mounts would work a treat if possible.

 

[kimh]

...I'm trying to get away with one scope for everything...

you don't mention the rifle you are mounting these scopes on, I prefer open sights for running quarry, light/re-acquisition/swing, etc if you sell the scopes you don't use buy a dedicated copper shooting open sighted rifle
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