Help with Scope choice for Dangerous Game rifle

Mark Biggerstaff

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I recently purchased Remington 700 safari in 416 Rem mag here on AH. I have glass bedded and installed mercury reducer along with new Pachmyer Decelerator pad. Now trying to decide on optics. Have narrowed down to two choices I think.
Leupold VX6 HD 1-6x24 CDS Firedot or Trijicon Accupoint 1-6x24 with Duplex green dot. Would like opinions on choices both pros and cons. If you have better choice also would like to here. I looked at Swavorski Z6i but its more than I want to spend.
 
mark,

i own the trijicon you reference, love it. the leupold will also be a great choice the only difference, no batteries on the trijicon
 
Trijicon scopes in my experience are damn near bulletproof. But the VX-6 is also an excellent scope that has never given me problems. I have abused the living hell out of both and they have never given me a single problem. I do like the accupoints lack of battery, but it is not a deal breaker IMO. I change out my battery on my fire dots and aimpoints once a year or before a hunt. I always carry a couple spares in my pack also. Can’t say I’ve ever had a battery fail on me mid hunt, even in -40. The life of a battery seems to be zapped much quicker in sub zero weather but you are talking African DG rifle and it will never see that. Choose the one that you like best with confidence.
 
I have three VX6's. Two are 1-6 scopes (#4 Illuminated) and the other is a 2-12 LR Dot Illuminated. These are mounted on a 6# 6oz 7x57r, an 8# 8oz .375 H&H and an 8# 8oz 7mm Rem Mag.

I've not had a single problem with them, nor any of the Leupolds I own.

I had a Trijicon 3-9x40 and the glass just didn't impress me.
 
I have both, you can’t go wrong with either. I find the trijicon slightly brighter and feel their crosshairs a more precise (VX6 crosshairs are a tad coarse). Overall I prefer the VX6 but I can’t give you a subjective reason, just personal preference. However, the price of the newer VX6 scopes is putting them close to Swarovski Z6 pricing. The Swarovski is a better scope if the pricing is close.
 
Leupold is always my first choice , not in any order of preference but for the following :
  1. value for money
  2. best warranty
  3. eye relief
  4. quality
although I have some VX 6 1-6 x 24 scopes , my favorite scope for my larger calibers is the VX3 2.5-8 x 36 .
 
My 2¢: Advise one look through any scope at a close range target in low light. Most have the parallax set at 75 to 100 yards and the image can be blurry at very close range. I have a couple Trijicon 2-10x56, post reticle, without parallax adjustment but all other hunting scopes have it. YMMV but I don't like any scope with an objective lens smaller than 40-44, under certain conditions, the field of view can be too small. Having said that, everyone's eyesight/eyeballs are different. What works for one person, may be a non starter for another.
 
Can’t help you on the Trijicon, but I have 2 Vx-6. I use Leupold QR mounts on my 375 H&H. A 1-6x illuminated for DG and a 2-12x illuminated for PG. If you do any night critter hunting, I suspect the battery operated will work better. If you only hunt in daylight, the Trijicon probably works fine. JMT on it.
My PH borrowed mine to try in an early morning situation and was amazed at how easily the red dot showed.
 
I own several Leupold scopes and 2 Trijicon AccuPoint.
The Leupold on my 375 is a VX3i 1.5-5x20 which is close to the VX6 you are looking at, except without illumination and less expensive.
My wife really enjoys her AccuPoint which does have the green dot, but the parallax adjustment takes some getting used to.

If I had to do it over again for a DG caliber rifle, I would get another Leupold...the very one you are looking at.
No parallax adjustment and can be dialed to 1x for both eyes open shooting at closer ranges.
Might I add that it would be in Warne QD mounts as well.

Edit - the Trigicon you are considering doesn't have parallax adjustment and I failed to realize that, apologies.
That said, I don't believe you could go wrong with either scope.
They both have an excellent reputation for reliability.
Leupold takes batteries, Trijicon looses it's illumination over time...pick your poison.
 
Last edited:
IIRC, Trijicon's tritium versions have a ten year life but can be sent back and re-tritiumed (?) :D
 
IIRC, Trijicon's tritium versions have a ten year life but can be sent back and re-tritiumed (?) :D
Can Trijicon scopes be sent back for that?
Might be changing my brand if that's the case...have to look into it.
 
I have a scope with a red dot and two times batteries have worn out during flight. Is it coldness or low pressure in planes gargo room that makes it
 
I have both scopes...purchased at the same time.

Only one would be going onto my 450/400 No. 1 for the upcoming BVC Cape Buffalo hunt.

Both scopes are mounted on rifles and being used.

After a couple months, I am currently planning to use the Accupoint. The Leupold will stay in the stable, but it can't beat out the Accupoint.

I don't think you can go wrong with either.
 
Luckily my current Leupold doesn't use a battery.
That said, I would sure love an illuminated dot.
If I upgrade my hunting to include DG, I will most likely upgrade my scope to the Trijicon 1-6x24.
Thank you sir.
 
I have both scopes also, except my VX 6 is not the HD version. I would take the Leupold for your application.
 
A light inside the scope I believe was designed just for me.

I can see with no problem and immediately go on target.
 
Thanks for all the replies. I am leaning toward the Leupold with the CDS. May take some plains game with it also and could set a 150yard and 200 yard with CDS I was thinking. Just in case it was needed
 
The Trijicon Accupoint post reticle takes some familiarity but I found I can get on target faster than with an illuminated dot or standard duplex. I've killed groundhogs out to 400 with the 2x10 version, in green version.
For those unfamiliar with it:

TR22_reticle_popup.jpg
 
The Trijicon Accupoint post reticle takes some familiarity but I found I can get on target faster than with an illuminated dot or standard duplex. I've killed groundhogs out to 400 with the 2x10 version, in green version.
For those unfamiliar with it:

View attachment 257969
I have this reticle (red post version) on an AccuPoint 4-16x50.
It was sent to me in error and the company I ordered it from told me to keep it instead of returning it.
Still have it, just don't have an appropriate rifle for it to go on.
Maybe a 30oWM or 338WM in my future.
Or I'll just sell it.
 

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