What scope for Africa
- Thread starter Mountain Bug
- Start date
Mountain Bug
Well-Known Member
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.
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!!
Really informative thread 
Mountain Bug
Well-Known Member
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
Last edited:
Nkawu
Well-Known Member
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.
I have two scopes both in Alaska Arms QD rings, a 1-6x and a 3-9x.
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
Well-Known Member
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
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
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
john.d.m
Well-Known Member
Dont go too big, go good quality.
I got a 1.25-4 x 24 with my 458 and never used it, I prefer open sight, and sensible range.
I use a 2-10x 42 on my 3006, which is same size as my Binos, so when you put binos down and pick up rifle you still looking at the same size and distance, if that makes sense.
I got a 1.25-4 x 24 with my 458 and never used it, I prefer open sight, and sensible range.
I use a 2-10x 42 on my 3006, which is same size as my Binos, so when you put binos down and pick up rifle you still looking at the same size and distance, if that makes sense.
Heym SR20
Well-Known Member
I would have a good think about where it will be used most.
In Africa there is usually plenty of good light, then its twylight for a few minutes, then its dark, then its pre dawn for a moment or two, then its bright sunshine. The sun is high in the sky so plenty light.
In higher latitudes, especially in winter times when you tend to hunt big game. Up here in Scotland in mid winter, even at midday there is not a lot of light, especially if cloudy.
With the x20 to x24 objective lense scopes, light transmission, especially on 6x may be really pretty limited in mid winter in the higher latitudes with a dark image.
Thats why the 1.5-6x42 has long been a favourite. Lots of good light gathering ability, with a nice bright image at 6x and a good enough wide field of view at low mag.
But the x42 scopes do not have as wide a field of view as the 1-6x24 type scopes.
As ever its a compromise.
In Africa there is usually plenty of good light, then its twylight for a few minutes, then its dark, then its pre dawn for a moment or two, then its bright sunshine. The sun is high in the sky so plenty light.
In higher latitudes, especially in winter times when you tend to hunt big game. Up here in Scotland in mid winter, even at midday there is not a lot of light, especially if cloudy.
With the x20 to x24 objective lense scopes, light transmission, especially on 6x may be really pretty limited in mid winter in the higher latitudes with a dark image.
Thats why the 1.5-6x42 has long been a favourite. Lots of good light gathering ability, with a nice bright image at 6x and a good enough wide field of view at low mag.
But the x42 scopes do not have as wide a field of view as the 1-6x24 type scopes.
As ever its a compromise.
375 H and H is a great all round caliber for Africa if you intend to go for the larger animals. It is not a long range gun, and your scope should reflect this. You may also have to carry it for long periods, so any weight saved is preferred. So, no real need for more than 6 mag, and as light as you can. Make of glass is not so important, but Africa will not be cheap, so why not treat yourself !
However, do you really need the 375 ? Its heavy to carry and it kicks. Oh does it kick ! Have you had enough practice with it to be absolutely confident of your shot placement? I have just come back from the Eastern Cape, taking Kudu, Blessbuck, and Nyala, and smaller animals at ranges averaging just over 200 yards. I used my 30-06 with a Zeiss 3-12 by 50. Each animal was a one shot kill.
However, do you really need the 375 ? Its heavy to carry and it kicks. Oh does it kick ! Have you had enough practice with it to be absolutely confident of your shot placement? I have just come back from the Eastern Cape, taking Kudu, Blessbuck, and Nyala, and smaller animals at ranges averaging just over 200 yards. I used my 30-06 with a Zeiss 3-12 by 50. Each animal was a one shot kill.
Heym SR20
Well-Known Member
That’s why a large number of PHs use open sighted rifles. Their rifles are primarily for sorting out the mess once it goes wrong and usually will at close range in the thick bush. Scopes, slings etc all just get in the way, thus they tend to carry a rifle with minimum additional items attached to.
This is very different to what a client needs - he needs the equipment that allows the placement of the first shot in the correct place to bring a quick and effective death of the animal.
Also Africa is not one place. The terrain, landscape and environment changes hugely, and often over quite a short distance. In some places it is very flat and open - kalahari saltpans or flood plain along rivers.
Immediately alnogside rivers you can often get very thick riverine jungle, yet 100 yards away its pretty much desert. Elevation and topography can a very big difference. Go to Zimbabwe’s Eastern Highlands - you could be in Scotland and dealing with Scottish type weather, yet 50 to 100 miles away you are several thousand feet lower in thick bushveld.
So think carefully where you are going. Also think carefully about the guide and the type of hunting. Will it be sitting on a landcruiser spotting animals and getting to 500 yards and then sniping them - as seems to be all the rage in parts of RSA or Namibia.
Or will you be on foot in bushveld where a 100 yard shot is a long shot.
Mountain Bug
Well-Known Member
I've made up my mind (I think) on a Leupold VX6HD Gen 2 2-12x42 cds-szl2 illum. Fire Dot duplex (that's a mouthful). This scope should tick all the boxes for me. I can get a discount through Leupold directly but they've been out of stock for the last few months. Still requires a call to Leupold because there is a contradiction on their site as to whether it has a fast focus eyepiece or side focus. Called today but they're closed for the holiday weekend.
Thanks again for all the help from those that have responded.
Scott
Thanks again for all the help from those that have responded.
Scott
Where and what will be on your list to shoot in Africa Scott?
Mountain Bug
Well-Known Member
Honestly Tim, I don't have a list and I'm pretty easy to please so I guess its whatever they let me hunt. It will all be new to me. As to where, I don't know that either but any trip is two or more years out which leaves time for planning. The family is not going to let me leave them behind so that weighs in as well.
Scott
You will need a list as then the PH has something to work with as every hunt/stalk has to have a plan even if it is a bad one!
Similar threads
