Optics for dangerous game

[kevinkinney]

Howdy,

What's your choice for long eye relief optics for fast moving game on larger caliber rifles? I'm building a hog/bear/moose gun, and my eyes aren't what they used to be.

Thanks.

 

[Z-Michigan]

I would seriously consider an Aimpoint or an EOTech if most of your intended shots are within 100 yards or so. Hard to beat the speed of a red dot sight, and both are solid, reliable options - with the Aimpoint possibly more so.

If you want some magnification, I would consider a lower power ACOG - 1.5x, 2x, or possibly 3x. Still illuminated and relatively fast, though not as fast as the red dot sights.

 

[dubbleA]

I am running Swarovski 1.5x6's on mine and when set on the lowest power they have a huge FOV. At 6x you can have a bit more precision. The Leupold 1x5 is another choice and provides good eye relief. I have no experience with the new African series that Nikon came out with but am sure it's a good choice also.

 

[mbogo]

I do not use LER scopes, except on my handcannons. I prefer a regular scope with low-end magnification between 1.5x and 2.5x.

mbogo

 

[GunTech]

I have a 1x burris on my 458. No need for magnification, and I prefer something that allows both eyes open.

In many states, illuminated sights are not legal for hunting.

 

[Float Pilot]

I use various scopes for non-dangerous game like Moose, Caribou, Sitka Bail-Tail deer, black-bear and Mountain Goats. Varying on the terrain and time of season.
For our Alaskan Brown Bears,(griz for you outsiders) which really are dangerous, I use express sights or a ghost ring. They close-in way too fast to be goofing with a scope.

 

[Dr.Rob]

Wide open 1.25-4x with a heavy cross hair. Burris makes a really nice one as does Leupold.

Tasco made one called the EXP before they reorganized. It featured a 1.5-5x and a 44mm oval objective. I bought one for a 'future project' and am thinking about swapping out my Burris 1.5-6x signature series on my .375 H&H.

A fixed 4x might be another option, if you have it on a QD 'knock off' mount.

 

[Maverick223]

I like the Leupold VX-3 1.5-5x20mm that is on my .375H&H. It has generous eye relief (but is not EER), is very clear, has a good magnification range, is capable of low mounting (snags less), is reliable (which is paramount for such a rifle), was available with a heavy etched glass reticle for faster target acquisition, and comes in gloss (to match the rifle). They are a bit overpriced IMO, but it had all the features that I was seeking, so I have no complaints.

I would also highly recommend a QD (tip-off) mount. Mine is on Leupy QD rings and mounts and has been rock solid and repeatable, if a little costly. It allows me to use my express sights if need be, or for even more redundancy have a spare mounted and ready to go in case of failure (but this still isn't a replacement for back-up irons IMO).

As an aside, I also have a Kahles CL 2-7x32mm ready to plop on a 1895GG, but despite the rugged design and crystal clear glass, this isn't quite as well suited to high-recoil rifles (though I don't consider the .45-70Govt. that bad) due to less eye relief.

 

[Uncle Mike]

A 1 to 4,5,6 would do nicely, and get some kind of lighted reticle. Look at one of the Trijicon Accupoint scopes, if cash isn't a factor, one of the various the ACOG units would be my choice.

 

[Maverick223]

A lit reticle isn't a bad idea (though it isn't necessary IMO), but I would NOT use an optic that required battery power (like a reflex sight). Even if you have new batteries and good battery life, there is simply too much that can go wrong with electronic sighting devices (heat could cook your batteries, humidity/water intrusion causing corrosion/short, et cetera).

 

[Freedom_fighter_in_IL]

In many states, illuminated sights are not legal for hunting.

Only the battery powered electronic ones are illegal. The newer ones such as Trijicons are perfectly legal in all states. They use fiber optics to gather ambient light instead of battery power to supply light.

Kevin, Take a look at some good shotgun/muzzle loader scopes as well. They generally have a healthy eye relief and are built to withstand some serious recoil. Usually they are in the 1.5-7 power with pretty heavy reticles.

 

[NWCP]

A 1.2or 2x-7x would be a good choice. You'll have the wide field of view for up close shooting, yet you'd be able to reach out to a medium range with the 7x. I run a 2x7x33 on one of my predator guns and it has worked out real well for me.

 

[Greg Mercurio]

kevinkinney: You did not define larger caliber. I've always considered the ballistics of the cartridge to be the first defining element for optics, second is the environment in which it will be used. When I went to Alaska, the .375 H&H had a 1.5 fixed power Leupold as the most likely shot would be short range in cover. As it turned out the shot was under 30 yards and iron sights would have been even better. Even though the ballistics of the cartridge could easily dictate a 2x-7x or 3x-9x or even higher, the terrain we planned to hunt would have made the variable power scope of negligible value. It would be like putting a really expensive variable on a .444 Marlin. All of my rifles now have 2x-7x Leupolds as a concession to my old eyes. Only the .416 Rigby will remain un-scoped.

 

[Pete D.]

sights for DG

I use express sights or a ghost ring

+1. Absolutely. A ghost ring or another large aperture rear sight should take care of eyesight issues.
Pete

 

[Lloyd Smale]

ive got a trigicon 1x4x30 accupoint on one of my ars (surely not a dangerous game gun) but i couldnt imagine a better scope for that duty.

 

[geologist]

Leupold VariX 1.5x5x20 on my .375 H&H. The eye relief is very generous and the field of view is very wide. Warne Maxima medium QD rings allow the use of the excellent quality express sights. Great setup as you can keep both eyes open.



Leupold 2.5x EER Scout scope on an XS scout mount on my Marlin 1895 GS. Low Burris QD rings allow the use of the Wild West ghost ring sights. Great setup as you can keep both eyes open.

 

[Maverick223]

geologist, your .375H&H can't actually fit all those cartridges in the magazine...can it? Mine can only fit 3+1...

 

[natman]

geologist, your .375H&H can't actually fit all those cartridges in the magazine...can it? Mine can only fit 3+1...

Take a look at the depth of the drop magazine. I expect that it can indeed hold all of them. I wonder about the light on the barrel. What the heck are you hunting at night with a 375?

Anyway, one of the ground rules of a dangerous game rifle is absolute reliability. Nothing can be allowed to go wrong. If I had a scope, it would be fixed low power. You don't want to let Murphy have a chance to turn up the power to 7x when you are trying to find a charging buffalo....

If I had a variable, I'd glue the ring to the lowest power.

 

[geologist]

The BRNO 602 holds 6 .375 H&H cartridges in the magazine and feeds reliably. I can top it off with a 7th (I never do) by either depressing the external extractor or bottom loading.

 

[geologist]

The flashlight was a joke on another website but I work in the Canadian north in remote exploration camps. Tent camps with 4-12 people. Sometimes, if the camp is poorly run you get large 4 legged visitors in the kitchen tent at 3 am. At that time it is good to be able to see the target. Holding a flashlight and shooting at the same time is a crappy deal.

 

[DenaliPark]

I use various scopes for non-dangerous game like Moose, Caribou, Sitka Bail-Tail deer, black-bear and Mountain Goats. Varying on the terrain and time of season.
For our Alaskan Brown Bears,(griz for you outsiders) which really are dangerous, I use express sights or a ghost ring. They close-in way too fast to be goofing with a scope.

I spent thirty-years living, hunting & trapping in the Goldstream valley, this would be the first time I've ever heard of Moose & black bear considered non-dangerous game...

 

[Maverick223]

The BRNO 602 holds 6 .375 H&H cartridges in the magazine and feeds reliably.

That is one cavernous magazine. That said I am perfect content with only 4 cartridges of 4500ft*lb goodness (350gr. solids @ about 2400fps).

 

[geologist]

I rarely load 6 as the 602 is heavy enough already, even with 5" chopped off the barrel

 

[Maverick223]

I rarely load 6 as the 602 is heavy enough already, even with 5" chopped off the barrel

I can imagine, my Whitworth Express is heavy enough to lessen recoil (recoils less than one of my .30-06s) and light enough to be really handy (haven't weighed it, but I imagine it is about 9lbs loaded & scoped), but I have to admit, I really like the 24in. bbl (was looking for a 21-22in. bbl when I found it). It gives me a little more [admitted] unnecessary velocity and energy. What is your bbl length now...20"?

 

[geologist]

Yup a 20" carbine.