Two scope setup?

[brushmore]

I've only been back from my last trip to Africa I am only scheming for the next trip. For my next trip I am thinking about a buffalo but in addition to that I would also like to hunt things like caracal, jackal, or maybe a baboon. I have a Winchester M70 375 H&H which I assume would work well for either type of hunt but obviously with different ammo and scope setup.

Here's my thinking, my M70 has QD rings. Could I just have two scopes one with a red dot for the buffalo and another with a more powerful zoom and low light gathering abilities? Anyone do anything like this or would I just be better off taking two rifles? (Like most people I have no issues with "needing" to buy more guns! ) Also, I've never used a QD scope before and I am wondering how well they keep their aim. Would I have to re-zero switching back and forth between the scopes?

 

[BWH]

I hope to do a similar hunt in the not too distant future. However, I do t plan on using 2 scopes. There are a lot of great 1, 2 & 3x variable scopes. Where you can do it all. My 2 cents.

 

[BnC 04]

For our trip I will be taking my 404 Jeff and 300 H&H(wifes rifle). The Jeff has Talley QD rings as I am planning on either adding an ele or buff to my wife's PG list...
I will add that unless your hell bent on a different reticle thus requiring the additional optics, I have never had an issue using my Leupold VX 3 1.5-5x20 on any game out to 300yards. Kinda a good do all when your talking short/long shots on DG and PG.
Also, I have never had an issue with any of my Talley QD returning to zero when I go to open sights and back. I was Leary as well but haven't had an issue.

Best of luck either route you take.

 

[rookhawk]

I've only been back from my last trip to Africa I am only scheming for the next trip. For my next trip I am thinking about a buffalo but in addition to that I would also like to hunt things like caracal, jackal, or maybe a baboon. I have a Winchester M70 375 H&H which I assume would work well for either type of hunt but obviously with different ammo and scope setup.

Here's my thinking, my M70 has QD rings. Could I just have two scopes one with a red dot for the buffalo and another with a more powerful zoom and low light gathering abilities? Anyone do anything like this or would I just be better off taking two rifles? (Like most people I have no issues with "needing" to buy more guns! ) Also, I've never used a QD scope before and I am wondering how well they keep their aim. Would I have to re-zero switching back and forth between the scopes?

Here is the easy solution:

Buy a swaro 1-8x24 illuminated scope. Good for all applications. Buy the adjustment turret feature so it has two references on top turret. Swap back and forth from one load to another instantly. No need for extra scopes!

 

[IvW]

I have used two scopes I use on one rifle. Both are fitted with Warne QD mounts. The rifle is a 375 H&H on a ZKK 602 action.

First scope is a 1-6x24, this is zero'd at 100m with a 350 gr Rhino bullet.
Second scope is a 3-9x42, this is zero'd at 200m with a 300gr Rhino bullet.(Most would probably prefer a 270gr bullet, I will be trying 270gr Barnes soon)'
Rifle is carried with the 1-6x24 scope. Extra scope has a neat small carry case that holds the scope and 5 rounds of ammunition. Can be carried just like that or in small back pack or a tracker can do this.

You are good to go for anything out to 150 meters with set-up one and if you need to take a shot at long range it takes less than a minute to swop.

With the new designs of heavier than normal bullets in some of the bigger calibers this gives you the opportunity to use two bullet weights in the same rifle without the need to re sight the rifle.

Nowadays some hunts for different species, may involve driving from one area to another(sometimes hrs. away) in order to hunt species that either inhabit different terrain/habitat or are not available on the property you are hunting. You may be hunting Eland or Kudu in bush the one day and Black wildebeest in a very open flat area the next. This set-up may be useful in such cases.

I have not used it as such much but it does offer some versatility to an already great all-round rifle and cartridge.
Not that I think it is necessary with the quality of todays optics but it gives you the peace of mind of having 2 scopes in case something goes wrong with the one.

This may also be an good idea for a visiting client who may be hunting different species in different terrain. You only need one rifle but you could increase it's effectiveness by doing this.

Bottom line would still be to use a rifle you are use to can shoot comfortably.

The normal way would be to just use a variable scope with a good round and practice and get familiar with the trajectory and just use that. However there may be merit to having two scopes for a one rifle set-up.

 

[IvW]

When hunting DG, a better option may be having a small Aim point red dot sight for the heavy load for buffalo and then a nice scope you are comfortable with for the rest.

I like the idea of only taking one rifle when travelling.

 

[IdaRam]

I did exactly what you have mentioned with my stainless M70 in .375 H&H. It is set up with a Leupold VX-6 2x-12x with illuminated reticle in Luepold QRW rings. Comes off in about 10 seconds for use with open sights if desired. I have a Leupold VX-3 1.5x-5x set up in a second set of the same rings. It is small and light so it's easy to put in carry on luggage and also haul around in the field wherever we go. Great peace of mind to have a spare all dialed in and ready to go when you're a long way from home. Even the best scopes break...
I've also worked up loads with 300gr Nosler Accubonds and 300gr Woodleigh solids that shoot same point of impact at 100 yards. If I was hunting big stuff like buff I would probably use something like an A-Frame for the soft. African Wildcat to Zebra, you have it covered.
The only drawback, although I don't really think of it that way, is I had to throttle up the solid and reduce the load on the Accubond to get the same POI. The Accubond is running right at 2400 fps and the solid at 2525 fps.
Anyway, makes for about as versatile a package as I can think of. Except for maybe a Model 70 in .416 Rem Mag set up the same way. I've been looking for a good one of those in stainless steel for a looong time . The idea of a red dot sight as the second optic seems like a very good one to me as well.

 

[IvW]

I did exactly what you have mentioned with my stainless M70 in .375 H&H. It is set up with a Leupold VX-6 2x-12x with illuminated reticle in Luepold QRW rings. Comes off in about 10 seconds for use with open sights if desired. I have a Leupold VX-3 1.5x-5x set up in a second set of the same rings. It is small and light so it's easy to put in carry on luggage and also haul around in the field wherever we go. Great peace of mind to have a spare all dialed in and ready to go when you're a long way from home. Even the best scopes break...
I've also worked up loads with 300gr Nosler Accubonds and 300gr Woodleigh solids that shoot same point of impact at 100 yards. If I was hunting big stuff like buff I would probably use something like an A-Frame for the soft. African Wildcat to Zebra, you have it covered.
The only drawback, although I don't really think of it that way, is I had to throttle up the solid and reduce the load on the Accubond to get the same POI. The Accubond is running right at 2400 fps and the solid at 2525 fps.
Anyway, makes for about as versatile a package as I can think of. Except for maybe a Model 70 in .416 Rem Mag set up the same way. I've been looking for a good one of those in stainless steel for a looong time . The idea of a red dot sight as the second optic seems like a very good one to me as well.

You might want to try a monolithic solid with a Meplat instead of the Woodleigh(I am assuming you are referring to the older copper jacket round nose solids), not only do they perform better but you will probably get it to POI at similar speed to the Accubonds.

 

[Rob404]

I have my Whitworth/Zastava set for 2 scopes I purchased it with Burris 1x4 for shooting 300gr then when I shoot Plains Game I put my Leupold 4x12 and drop to 250gr

 

[brushmore]

Thank you @IvW. What you are talking about was exactly what I was thinking about and it's good to know this can work. My thought was the Aim Point with heavy bullets and the variable zoom zeroed in on a lighter bullet.

 

[thriller]

I used two scopes in a hunt like this in 2014 and it was a great decision for me. Killed the boffalo at 11 steps with a 1-4 trijicon and a zebra at 250yds with a 3-9 Swarovski on the same gun later that week! I was very pleased with the versatility of this setup.

 

[Roan]

Here is the easy solution:

Buy a swaro 1-8x24 illuminated scope. Good for all applications. Buy the adjustment turret feature so it has two references on top turret. Swap back and forth from one load to another instantly. No need for extra scopes!

Agreed! Buy a sworo and forget about two scopes. It will probably work out costing you the same.

 

[rookhawk]

Agreed! Buy a sworo and forget about two scopes. It will probably work out costing you the same.

This is what you want, assuming you bought the world's best hunting scope for ALL uses: the Swaro Z8i 1-8x24 straight tube illuminated scope. (a $2600 scope mind you...it isn't cheap!)

Look at this link: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/co...&c3api=1876,{creative},{keyword}&Q=&A=details

Its a gadget for $200 bucks that replaces the top turret. It allows you to have custom adjustments for different loads. So you have setup one regulated, then you setup for #2, even #3. One turn of the dial and you are trued up for that load beautifully.

 

[Jwg223]

This is what you want, assuming you bought the world's best hunting scope for ALL uses: the Swaro Z8i 1-8x24 straight tube illuminated scope. (a $2600 scope mind you...it isn't cheap!)

Look at this link: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=1238716&gclid=CLGbrrbf7NICFZSHaQod96sNdw&is=REG&ap=y&m=Y&c3api=1876,{creative},{keyword}&Q=&A=details

Its a gadget for $200 bucks that replaces the top turret. It allows you to have custom adjustments for different loads. So you have setup one regulated, then you setup for #2, even #3. One turn of the dial and you are trued up for that load beautifully.

I'm waiting for the Kahles version, personally. I hope they field one. Much prefer rheostat to the ocular doodicker Swarovski likes.

 

[IvW]

This is what you want, assuming you bought the world's best hunting scope for ALL uses: the Swaro Z8i 1-8x24 straight tube illuminated scope. (a $2600 scope mind you...it isn't cheap!)

Look at this link: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=1238716&gclid=CLGbrrbf7NICFZSHaQod96sNdw&is=REG&ap=y&m=Y&c3api=1876,{creative},{keyword}&Q=&A=details

Its a gadget for $200 bucks that replaces the top turret. It allows you to have custom adjustments for different loads. So you have setup one regulated, then you setup for #2, even #3. One turn of the dial and you are trued up for that load beautifully.

Best scope if you can afford it $2600 is a bit much for me plus $200 for a gadget.

The Lynx scope I use is about $770, just about all the same features(green illuminating-for the color blind), made in Japan(apparently in the Nightforce factory), comes with a lifetime guarantee and was specifically designed for big bore DG rifles. I find them great scopes.

Sure we all want a Swaro sadly we can't all afford them-well me anyway.
I would also be too scared to bump it, my rifle are tools and although I look after them they get good workouts.

 

[brushmore]

Best scope if you can afford it $2600 is a bit much for me plus $200 for a gadget.

You are right about that. That's way more than I spent in my entire life on scopes, binoculars, etc combined! Not ruling it out if I can afford it some day but the difference between that and a decent scope is airfare and then some.

 

[sheephunterab]

Why two loads and if you want to use solids for the smaller guys just use a same grain bullet. As for scope, not much need for anything greater than a 6 or 8x on a 375. A 1-8x30 Zeiss Victory sounds about perfect to me. I just shoot a 250-grain mono-metal for everything. You are good to go from point blank to about 400 yards.

 

[jacques smith]

With regard to taking scope on and off to use iron sights as long as u r using quality equipment I have never had any issues needing to re zero. One tip is always to replace scope tight against the FRONT of mount. As to two separate scopes I suggest u experiment. Good luck and enjoy

 

[rookhawk]

Don't shun the $2600 option, it was the option that met the requirements of the original post.

If you don't need Multiple turret settings for different loads, a swaro 1-6x24 z6i illuminated will do. Lightly used on eBay you can get one for a grand if you poke around for a month or so and you don't mind no box and ring marks.

 

[Ridgewalker]

I have two as well which I haven't had the opportunity to use in the field yet. Both are Leupold VX-6 illuminated. The first is a 1-6x for 300 gr heavy work "0"ed at 100 yds.. And the second 2-12x with a CDS set for 100 yards using my 250 Barnes TTSX handload for plains game. I also have been using the 2-12x for load development.

Worst case scenario, my open sights are zeroed at 100yds.