A scope that accentuates the rifle?

Status
Not open for further replies.
Joined
Apr 6, 2011
Messages
132
Location
Utah
This may seem as a odd request, but I'm in the market for a scope for a CZ550 FS.

The rifle has a full-length mannlicher stock. I'm looking for a scope that, other than being a quality piece of glass, looks good on the rifle.

I don't know if it's just me, but most modern scopes look odd and blocky on rifles with such a stock as the 550FS.

Are there scopes out there that would accentuate the curvature and length of the mannlicher stock?
 
Dont overlook the mounts either a classic Manlicher stocked rifle should have classy mounts. E.A.W. Claw mounts are the best looking mounts I've ever seen. As far as scopes I like the looks of a low powered variable with a small diameter objective
 
Are there scopes out there that would accentuate the curvature and length of the mannlicher stock?
Mannlicher stocked rifles just seem to cry out for a retro scope, so the previously mentioned Weaver, perhaps a Super Slam Euro in 1.5-6 x 24, is a good choice, as would be any number of relatively small objective bell (or no "bell"), short bodied European scopes. You didn't say what caliber or what magnification you need, so that's bit is a mystery.

Assuming you have a polished blue finish on action and barrel, you're going to have to do a bit of searching if you want to get a matching finish scope. There's not a lot of options these days... Polish blue scopes are getting to be really rare, black matte and silver is, sadly, the standard. Leupold has a custom shop that will do a polish blue finish on any of their scopes... but it's gonna' cost ya'. :rolleyes:
 
D'oh, sorry! It's a 30-06. I'll be using for elk. The last elk I shot was at ~200 meters using a fixed 6x42. In the environment I hunt, I can't see myself going beyond 300 meters. So I don't think I need something with super whiz-bang high magnification.

Simple is good. I like simple.
 
Plenty of scopes that will function nicely in that capacity... so it's back to the finish. Black matte... boatloads. Polished blue... have fun with that.

Last year I fit a Horus Talon scope (really neat illuminated ranging reticle by the way) to a friends Steyr... looks really nice, partly because the scope is short at under 11 inches, but it's matte black in polished Talley rings on a blued barreled action.

It really doesn't matter what brand as long as you don't put a junk scope on such a nice rifle... I think everyone would agree, well, most everyone, that a short, small/no bell scope looks most excellent on mannlichers.
 
Definitely don't want a case of rifle hanging off a scope with this one.

I'd go with a 4x, 2-7x, 2.5-8x. No more than a 33mm objective.

Can't see the finish of your rifle, so I don't know whether to recommend matte, satin or polished finish.
 
Saw an old older Tikka Mannlicher at the range last weekend that I've admired before, sporting a new Leupold vx3 1.5-5. The combination of short barrel, long stock, short scope, looked like it was meant to be there. Would 5x be enough? Does anyone do that style of scope in 2-7? Had a beautiful leather sling with brass attachements looked pretty vintage as well. I was a bit embarrassed when he asked what i was shooting that day cause i'd bought 2 plastic fantastics with me.
 
You don't want some 60's era scope on your elk rifle. Get a modern scope that can withstand the weather that you will encounter.

Just get a scope that isn't so large, with a 32mm objective. Or go even smaller; a 1-5x20mm size would be the ticket.

6170824491_8156c8c135_o.jpg
 
mannlicherschoenaurwnikonscope2_zps938e4e2c.gif

mountsleftside_zps1b1c4da9.gif


I agree that the scope with no objective bell looks swell on the rifle. So long as the optic does what you want it to do. Here is a Nikon on my Mannlicher Schoenaur. I do not think that aesthetically it complements the rifle, BUT I use the rifle for coyotes and prairie dogs, so in my circumstance I let function trump form.

Lastly, the EAW mounts on here allow one to quickly remove the scope which is on there, and if one has a more aesthetically pleasing scope, quickly mount it on the same bases, if one has the $$$ for another set of rings.
 
Last edited:
^ I think i'd trade the removable aspect for some cheek, or even chin, weld. That scope looks way too high for me to shoot accurately with it. YMMV.
 
I've never actually been able to use a Euro style scope. With such a small objective lens, how do they do in lower light scenarios? What disadvantages do they have over a scope with a larger objective lens?

Edit: It also seems to me that scopes that are a bit longer, even if they do have a bell, look decent too.

Edit x2:
Here's a picture. Maybe it's just because of the sunshade, but this doesn't look too bad.
post-2267-1206545576.jpg
 
Last edited:
I have long had a very soft spot for a full-stock rifle with a straight tube Leupold mounted in vertically split rings. I blame it on Ross Seyfried's .22Hornet article of nearly 30yrs ago. He had a little Kimber Hornet Continental with a matte finished Leupold VX-III 1.5-5x in polished blue Kimber vertically split rings. Not long after I found a lovely Sako Mannlicher 6.5x55 with the same scope but couldn't swing the $1000 price tag. Visions of those rifles still haunt my dreams. I eventually got me a Ruger #1 International and fitted it with the 1.5-5x. It wasn't much of a shooter and I sold the rifle out from under the scope. It now resides on a Ruger 77MKII .270 but that doesn't exactly scratch the itch. What comes close is this CZ 452FS that I topped with a Leupold VX-II 1-4x.

IMG_7828b.jpg


I don't know why folks are saying it will be hard to find a nice straight tube in a gloss finish. Leupold still offers the 1.5-5x in gloss.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/116910/leupold-vx-3-rifle-scope-15-5x-20mm-duplex-reticle-gloss
 
Here's a picture. Maybe it's just because of the sunshade, but this doesn't look too bad.

It looks really bad on that rifle.

I've never actually been able to use a Euro style scope. With such a small objective lens, how do they do in lower light scenarios? What disadvantages do they have over a scope with a larger objective lens?

In low light, a small 20mm scope will work very well. How well a scope works in low light is more of a function of lens quality than it is objective size. A 20mm Leupold VX-3 will be better in low light than a Simmons brand 50mm.

CraigC:

That is one beautiful rifle setup. A fox squirrel doesn't stand a chance.
 
I think it would look best with a lower power scope with an objective that is the same diameter as the tube, like most 1-4x24 scopes. Something like that is a great choice for hunting and dangerous game applications too. Something along the lines of posts #9 and #15.
 
The big problem with scopes and the CZ-550 Mannlicher style stocks, is that they have the Bavarian style drop to the butt stock.... So your eye is nice and low for IRON SIGHTS.
The Williams open sights they install are OK, but the CZ-550 really does well with old syle peep sights...
 
^ I think i'd trade the removable aspect for some cheek, or even chin, weld. That scope looks way too high for me to shoot accurately with it. YMMV.
AH. I suspect that is why it has a high, monte carlo, comb, which was so popular during the 60s. As it is, that is the lowest set of rings available in that mount.

There are other mounts, such as side mounts, that would require the removal of wood from the stock along the side of the receiver in order to work, which might work well also.

Cheek weld is no issue on this setup, granted it would look better with the scope center line closer to the bore.

Back to OP's question, those "straight" scopes would sure look good on your rifle.
 
Here's mine. I was not thinking too much about style points. If I had I would have probably looked at one of the 2-7x33's or maybe a 36mm objective. That size sits nice on these shorter rifles.

But I did want some good glass with a big objective with is also more in keeping with the European style. So this is a 50mm Swarovski. It has a reticle that is pretty spectacular for adjusting holdover.

You will also need to play with mounts a bit. This is absolutely as low as this scope will go on the rifle. Any lower and the bolt will hit the eyepiece.

You owe us a picture of what you decide on!
 

Attachments

  • Left Side.JPG
    Left Side.JPG
    25.6 KB · Views: 39
  • Full length.JPG
    Full length.JPG
    33 KB · Views: 28
Abel, Craig, those are some beautiful rifles!

To the OP: keep the objectove diameter small. Also keep the scope mounts as low as possible.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top