What scopes maximize eye-relief?

[pert near]

I'm helping out a friend that is outfitting his .375 H&H for an Alaskan brown bear hunt. Due to recoil, eye-relief could be an issue. For the bear hunt the guide specified that he'll be shooting 100 yds or less. Who makes a good scope with plenty of eye-relief? Is it a certain brand, tube diameter (30mm), low power variable, fixed power, etc. I'm thinking a 2x-7x but perhaps a fixed 2x or 3x may have greater ER? Also the mounts may enter the equation?

Any thoughts or experiences? TIA

 

[homers]

look at the burris scout scope 2-7x32 or the Leupold FX-II 2.5x28mm Scout Riflescope. By definition, scout scopes have very long eye relief

 

[jmr40]

Leupold scopes in general tend to have more eye relief than any other brand and lower magnification generally means more eye relief. Generous eye relief isn't just to prevent getting smacked by the scope. It also means picking up the target sooner. Some scopes require your eye to be a specific distance from the rear of the scope to see through it. Others are more forgiving and have a range where the target will be in focus. Comes in handy when having to shoot quickly, from unorthodox positions, or while wearing heavy clothes.

These have almost 4 1/2" on the lowest magnification and either would be good option.

https://www.swfa.com/leupold-1-5-5x20-vx-3i-riflescope.html

https://www.swfa.com/leupold-2-5-8x36-vx-3i-riflescope.html

The 2.5-8X36 is a good all around option for a 375, the 1.5-4X20 would be ideal for close fast work.

 

[taliv]

i don't know anything about bear hunting, but offhand, i don't think i'd want magnification at 100 yards. i'm guessing any bear you want to shoot is gonna look about 40' tall

 

[cdb1]

I would not go with a scout scope. I agree with jmr40.

 

[earlthegoat2]

Scopes marketed as shotgun scopes will have ample eye relief. They usually have goofy reticlea like crosshairs with a circle around it or a diamond if that is a problem.

I think the best long eye relief scope that is not a scout scope is the Leupold FX-II 2.5x20. 4.9” of eye relief and standard duplex crosshairs and very lightweight. I have one I used shotgun hunting in MI. I have also used Simmons pro hunter in 2x32 but they are kind of chintzy even though I have never had a problem with mine. They don’t make the 2x32 anymore either. Just the 4x32. There are some Leupold variables with lower power ranges that have good eye relief too.

 

[Driftertank]

I have one of these mounted on my .358 Winchester carbine, owing to it's inteded use as a "brush rifle" for large and/or tough game. Has fairly generous eye relief and picks up quickly, isn't perticularly bulky, heavy, or expensive.
http://www.vortexoptics.com/product...5x32-riflescope-dead-hold-bdc-reticle/reticle

I also have one of these on my .223 AR, intended as a HD/ranch rifle/3-gun rig. At 1x, it truly is 1x, can be run both-eyes-open like a red dot and is nearly as quick to acquire. The reticle illuminates, with the circle and dot (i call it the "donut of death") illuminating more brightly than the windage and holdover marks.
http://www.vortexoptics.com/product...-with-tmcq-moa-reticle-capped-turrets/reticle

If thats too fiddly or expensive, they make another with the same form factor, simpler reticle and much cheaper, but much less impressive glass...not crappy glass, just nothing like the clarity and brightness of a viper.
http://www.vortexoptics.com/product/crossfire-II-1-4x24-riflescope-with-v-brite-moa-reticle/reticle


In this day and age you're spoiled for choice, and plenty of other manufacturers make similar optics, some excellent quality, some not so much. I'm a Vortex fanboy though, and these are models i have firsthand experience with.

 

[entropy]

Those with lower magnification, or a more limited field of view. To get more eye relief, you have to give up more of one of the two, or a combination of both.

You can read about the optical triangle here:

https://www.jprifles.com/1.6.3.php

 

[Varminterror]

If he’s well practiced with the rifle, has decent technique, and it fits him well, he shouldn’t need “maximal” eye relief. Lots of good options for the optic.

 

[cdb1]

I have one of these mounted on my .358 Winchester carbine, owing to it's inteded use as a "brush rifle" for large and/or tough game. Has fairly generous eye relief and picks up quickly, isn't perticularly bulky, heavy, or expensive.
http://www.vortexoptics.com/product...5x32-riflescope-dead-hold-bdc-reticle/reticle

I also have one of these on my .223 AR, intended as a HD/ranch rifle/3-gun rig. At 1x, it truly is 1x, can be run both-eyes-open like a red dot and is nearly as quick to acquire. The reticle illuminates, with the circle and dot (i call it the "donut of death") illuminating more brightly than the windage and holdover marks.
http://www.vortexoptics.com/product...-with-tmcq-moa-reticle-capped-turrets/reticle

If thats too fiddly or expensive, they make another with the same form factor, simpler reticle and much cheaper, but much less impressive glass...not crappy glass, just nothing like the clarity and brightness of a viper.
http://www.vortexoptics.com/product/crossfire-II-1-4x24-riflescope-with-v-brite-moa-reticle/reticle


In this day and age you're spoiled for choice, and plenty of other manufacturers make similar optics, some excellent quality, some not so much. I'm a Vortex fanboy though, and these are models i have firsthand experience with.

The first scope in your post is intriguing to me. A 1.75-5x32 should have generous eye relief IMO because of the type of a rifle they are quite often mounted on. If one could be had with a German #4 it would be excellent on a 30-30, at least in my estimation.

My experience with Vortex scopes is they are lacking in the eye relief department though and the Crossfire Line is horrible.

Edit; I just read another thread where you stated you are a Vortex fanboy. I do like their binoculars, spotting scopes and mini red dots. I have had a Razor mini red dot for some time now and am quite happy with it.

Diamondback and Vortex glass is fine in good light but in low light it doesn’t measure up to some other brands in the same price range, specifically Leupold and Burris. I’m an unabashed hater of Crossfires though I’ll admit to having a 2-7 Rimfire on a Model 60 that is seldom used and then never over 50 yards.

I’ll take a Diamondback over a ProStaff though.

I like Leupold and Burris and there are many haters of those two brands so I say use what you like that works for you. I like Meopta the best in what I can afford and haven’t run across any haters of their optics yet. As they become more mainstream I’m sure there will be plenty haters that pop up.

 

[Driftertank]

The first scope in your post is intriguing to me. A 1.75-5x32 should have generous eye relief IMO because of the type of a rifle they are quite often mounted on. If one could be had with a German #4 it would be excellent on a 30-30, at least in my estimation.

My experience with Vortex scopes is they are lacking in the eye relief department though and the Crossfire Line is horrible.

The Crossfire line is definitely what i consider an entry-level optic. I'm kind of a snob these days and don't generally shop below the Diamondback line. Really like the Viper glass. Never had any eye-relief issues with any of mine.

 

[Kabic]

6 inch eye relief...not quite scout scope territory but pretty long.

https://www.opticsplanet.com/bush-rs-bnr-713947.html

 

[Varminterror]

6 inch eye relief...not quite scout scope territory but pretty long.

https://www.opticsplanet.com/bush-rs-bnr-713947.html

I don’t know my specific model numbers to be sure, but I don’t expect there’s an EER specific Banner. I have a handful of 3-9x Banners, they aren’t anywhere near 6”. That’s either a typo or a bold faced lie on the Optics Planet page.

ETA - I looked up that model on Bushnell’s archives, the eye relief is showing 3.3” - I think Optics Planet missed the boat on that one.

 

[Kabic]

I don’t know my specific model numbers to be sure, but I don’t expect there’s an EER specific Banner. I have a handful of 3-9x Banners, they aren’t anywhere near 6”. That’s either a typo or a bold faced lie on the Optics Planet page.

ETA - I looked up that model on Bushnell’s archives, the eye relief is showing 3.3” - I think Optics Planet missed the boat on that one.

I have one of these on my MAS 36, it is about 6 inches. I have a different banner on my 3006 that is more what you mention.
Here is the midway link

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1...9x-40mm-long-eye-relief-multi-x-reticle-matte

 

[cdb1]

I’m with Varminterror. 6” of eye relief on an $84.00 scope? Something is rotten in Denmark. Just went to Bushnell’s website. Under the specs for a 3-9 Banner the eye relief is stated as 102”.

 

[Kabic]

Im starting to think you guys don't beleive me....i had to find my box. Mine is a different model with less magnification. Note where it says extended eye relief.



I was trying to get something forward of bolt handle of the MAS 36 other scopes I tried interfered with opening the bolt. I can open the bolt but scope does sit high because of the riser.



I ordered from Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Bushnell-611436-Circle-X-Reticle-Riflescope/dp/B00J65GBB2

 

[cdb1]

I stand corrected.

 

[Varminterror]

That’s not a 3-9x though either...

 

[Stubert]

I have a Win. 70 Alaskan in .375 H&H It wears a Leupold VX3 2.5-8x36 in Leupold quick release mounts. I had to use an extention ring because of the length of the action. I can also use the irons with the scope off. So far, no issues or problems. Great eye relief.

 

[Gordon]

My Brown Precision .375 H&H Alaskan rifle has a Leupold
VX-3 1.75-6x32mm https://www.leupold.com/scopes/compact-scopes/vx-3-1-75-6x32mm
these Leupold 1.75-6 VX3 scopes are regarded as pretty bomb proof for the last 30 years and they have gotten better lately. Get heavy Duplex and you are golden . Avoid the scope mounts that use opposing rear screws like Redfield pioneered. I would go Talley Mounts for your needs, they are very reliable and strong and not heavy at all:
http://www.talleymanufacturing.com/Products/Permanent/1.aspx
I used mine successfully in Alaska. I used quick detach Talleys and had his back up peep sight and the rifle has a front sight . Its nice to have the irons if all else fails