One rifle, two scopes

[Ryan Brown]

In Kevin Robertson’s book The Perfect Shot 2, he suggests for a one rifle Safari using two different bullet combinations with a scope zeroed for each bullet weight and Quick detach mounts for each scope. I Kind of like the sound taking a .375H&H with a 1 - 4 power shooting 350 gr. Bullets for buffalo and a 2 - 12 power shooting 250 gr. Bullets for plains game but, I’m not sure I like the quick detach mounts.

Has anyone used a similar combo? Was it worth it or, is keeping it simple with one bullet weight and scope better?

 

[rgsiii]

Quick detachable scope mounting systems have been around for years. I don't think there would be a problem if you use quality stuff.

One of the most fragile things on your rifle will be the scope. That system would give you some redundancy.

 

[Joker12]

In Kevin Robertson’s book The Perfect Shot 2, he suggests for a one rifle Safari using two different bullet combinations with a scope zeroed for each bullet weight and Quick detach mounts for each scope. I Kind of like the sound taking a .375H&H with a 1 - 4 power shooting 350 gr. Bullets for buffalo and a 2 - 12 power shooting 250 gr. Bullets for plains game but, I’m not sure I like the quick detach mounts.

Has anyone used a similar combo? Was it worth it or, is keeping it simple with one bullet weight and scope better?

What I like about his suggestion is that it provides you with a spare scope if you should need it. As to the mounts I have used the Talleys with complete satisfaction.

 

[Red Leg]

In Kevin Robertson’s book The Perfect Shot 2, he suggests for a one rifle Safari using two different bullet combinations with a scope zeroed for each bullet weight and Quick detach mounts for each scope. I Kind of like the sound taking a .375H&H with a 1 - 4 power shooting 350 gr. Bullets for buffalo and a 2 - 12 power shooting 250 gr. Bullets for plains game but, I’m not sure I like the quick detach mounts.

Has anyone used a similar combo? Was it worth it or, is keeping it simple with one bullet weight and scope better?

I would suggest using a quality 300 gr for everything and not worry about multiple loads and scopes.

 

[Hammergun]

Last year I took a 416 Rem and used it for Buffalo and plains game. I used the same ammunition for both. 400 grain a-frames. I took two scopes. A 1.5-4x for buff and a 2-7x for plains game. The detachable mounts made by Warne held zero. I knew they would because I'd been using them for about two years prior. In a pinch I could've used either scope for everything.

 

[Firebird]

I did it last summer without issue. There is the possibility of the wrong bullet and wrong scope. Unless you are specifically hunting Buffalo and then later going after plains game, I would recommend one scope and bullet. I took heavier bullets and a change of scope for eland but honestly didn’t need them. Quick release rings were easy and without problem

 

[zephyr]

Big fan of Talleys QD's they keep their Zero...... Your thought on 2 bullets 2 scopes is not a bad one but the advice to keep it simple is sound ....
I have a couple of Mod 70's with low power scopes and Talley QD's have a spare 2x10 scope also mounted in Talley QDs when I want to work up a diff load I put on the 2x10 when the load development is complete I put on the lower power scope

 

[Ridgewalker]

It has worked well for me using 300 gr and a 1-6x for buffalo, then switching to a 250 and 2-12x for croc and PG. It also gives you a backup just in case one scope gets trashed.
Of course the easiest is to use 300 gr Swift A-frames, Federal TBBC, or North Fork for everything, but what’s the fun in that!
I am admittedly a nerd when it comes to tinkering with rifle loads. I just can’t quit messing with them! It’s an illness I’m afraid.

 

[geoff rath]

Might I suggest: Know your bullet's down-range ballistics; one bullet, one scope, and total familiarity with just one rifle. "Beware the man with just one ..."

 

[Jim Golden]

I would suggest using a quality 300 gr for everything and not worry about multiple loads and scopes.

That is my plan....375 Wby loaded to 2885 ft/s and use 300gr Swift A-Frames or Barnes TSX for everything.

 

[375Fox]

Take one scope and 300 grain premium bullets and don’t over think it. Very few situations will you shoot beyond 300 yards and 300 grain bullet is very easy to learn to shoot inside that distance. Why do you want to take 350 grain bullets? The offerings in 350 grain don’t compete with 300 gr swift A Frame or trophy bonded bear claws. Woodleighs are a somewhat outdated bullet. The extra 50 grains compensates for what they lose. I can’t see added advantage of a 350 gr barnes over a 300 gr. 300 gr bullets are equally suited but much more flexible than 350s.

 

[geoff rath]

Take one scope and 300 grain premium bullets and don’t over think it. Very few situations will you shoot beyond 300 yards and 300 grain bullet is very easy to learn to shoot inside that distance. Why do you want to take 350 grain bullets? The offerings in 350 grain don’t compete with 300 gr swift A Frame or trophy bonded bear claws. Woodleighs are a somewhat outdated bullet. The extra 50 grains compensates for what they lose. I can’t see added advantage of a 350 gr barnes over a 300 gr. 300 gr bullets are equally suited but much more flexible than 350s.

Woodleigh? Outdated? Sorry, proven for many years...

 

[Ryan Brown]

Take one scope and 300 grain premium bullets and don’t over think it. Very few situations will you shoot beyond 300 yards and 300 grain bullet is very easy to learn to shoot inside that distance. Why do you want to take 350 grain bullets? The offerings in 350 grain don’t compete with 300 gr swift A Frame or trophy bonded bear claws. Woodleighs are a somewhat outdated bullet. The extra 50 grains compensates for what they lose. I can’t see added advantage of a 350 gr barnes over a 300 gr. 300 gr bullets are equally suited but much more flexible than 350s.

The one scope and 300 gr. TSX is the setup I’m vested in. The bullet and scope combinations are the author’s suggestions. After reading the book it seems the author seems to prefer the heavy for caliber bullets in almost all cases. He claims the 350 gr. Expands to greater diameter than the 300 gr. Which is what got me to thinking about it.

 

[375Fox]

Woodleigh? Outdated? Sorry, proven for many years...

I said somewhat outdated. They are proven and effective but there is nothing special about them. No one praises Hornady DGX like woodleigh even though it’s very similar design and performance. Neither bullet compared to Swift A Frame, Trophy Bonded Bear Claw, or Barnes TSX.

 

[375Fox]

The one scope and 300 gr. TSX is the setup I’m vested in. The bullet and scope combinations are the author’s suggestions. After reading the book it seems the author seems to prefer the heavy for caliber bullets in almost all cases. He claims the 350 gr. Expands to greater diameter than the 300 gr. Which is what got me to thinking about it.

I’d speak to your PH. Kevin Robertson has earned all his opinions, but there are many highly experienced PHs who don’t have all the same recommendations that he does.

 

[IdaRam]

My approach to the two-loads, two-scopes - keep it simple! I always take both softs and solids, but the loads are developed so that the point of impact is the same for both. For a .375 H&H I’ve settled on 300 gr A-Frames and 300 gr CEB brass Solids, both running in the 2400-2450 fps range.
On my first trip to Africa my Leupold VX-6 2x-12x went south on me, wouldn’t hold zero, and I ended up borrowing a Nightforce 1-4x from my PH. Since then I’ve made a habit of taking a spare scope in QD rings already zeroed for my rifle. So I think it’s good insurance to have two scopes and if one is a bit higher power variable, fine. It won’t mater which scope/load combo you are using, they all shoot the same place.
However, I would never take 2 different ammo’s that shoot to a different point of impact and a scope zeroed for each. Invariably you will have exactly the wrong combo ALL the time. What a mess and a recipe for frustration and wounded animals.

 

[geoff rath]

I've been thinking on this for a 9.3x64 (borderline for D/G?) and have come to the conclusion of one scope, one of the newer 1-6 or 1-8X scopes. e.g. Nightforce NX-8 in 1-8 ... or a Swaro, Zeiss, Leica, S&B ...

 

[Safari Dave]

IMO, it is too much trouble.

Find a load that will do the job for everything, and go with it.



I've used Leupolds on every trip to Africa and they have served me well, with very little adjustment when I re-sighted them in over there (QD mounts on 2, fixed mounts on 1)


Based on my son's OCD issues, he would not use QD mounts and would only optics from:

Nightforce
Trigicon
SWFA
(With the most solid fixed-mounts available)


If only taking one rifle, I would simply find a load with high quality, but deep penetrating 300g expanding bullets, use a high quality scope with 1-6 or 2-12 magnification with fixed mounts and call it done.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I have a sentimental attachment to the 30-06 my dad built for me in 1962. It's served me well enough in Montana, Idaho, Ontario, and Africa. Wouldn't hunt without it. Keeps Dad along for the adventures. But it's obviously too light for dangerous game. Now I'm building my own gun for that. It will be passed to the next generation with Dad's gun. Hope it gets to kill a couple buffalo.

Though I've been a lifetime one-gun guy, for Africa I decided to break with tradition so I could keep using the original one gun. My Springfield has Warne QD rings to switch to iron sights in foul weather or heavy cover. They keep zero and are a lot cheaper than Tilley rings. The 404 Jeffery I'm building will also have Warne QD rings and same Winchester Safari Express iron sights as the Springfield. It will wear the Springfield's retired 1972 Weaver 3x scope. Before going to Africa the first time in 2019 I upgraded the Springfield to 3x9 Nikon BDL.

Incidentally, with both scopes detached the two guns fit inside my single gun Pelican Vault case. That will be handy. Scopes will go in my carryon backpack. I made leather bags to protect each of them.

 

[Tra3]

Last safari I took a .375 with a 1.25-4x swaro and a second scope (Z6 2.5-15). I did not use the bigger scope.
Next month I will be using a z8i 1-8x on the .375 and my daughter will use the same scope on her 9.3x62. I’ll have a 3rd barrel (probably .270 win) with a Z6 3-18x. Since the rifles are R8’s, if there is a failure, a scope can be swapped.

if you don’t mind carrying a backup scope, do so. But stick to the same ammo.
sometimes, the cost of having peace of mind is carrying extra stuff.