Need advice on scope for my first safari rifle

Bandera said:

You might want to consider going with a scope that has a clean reticle.
No mil-dot, no hash marks, no Christmas tree. Ya know a hunting scope, not a tactical scope. Also ditch the side focus crap. Nothing like a missed shot due screwing around with focus.

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Exactly right.

661944 said:

How thin the reticle is could be dependent on first focal plane verses second focal plane scopes.

If you already know this, i don’t mean to be redundant.

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Correct the NF F1 is a FFP scope; the Leica a SFP.

Some years ago I acquired a Leupold Vari-X III 1.75X6 (dreaming of an Africa trip) and I immediately thought it would be perfect for use in Africa. Well, the trip dream never came true due to health issues, and the scope has lived on a little Ruger Mannlicher that I have........but I'd recommend it. You can still find these fairly reasonable and in good shape on e-Bay and the Leupold warranty still good as gold.

No matter what scope you choose I would go to at least 9X, Free State shots can stretch a barrel at times. At least on the 3 farms I hunted.

Trijicon Acupoint 3x9x40
No batteries and with illuminated reticle!!!

Great choice

Other than all the reasons mentioned why a tactical scope isn’t the right equipment for Africa, there’s just the mass of it. You most likely will find yourself in the thickest bush that you’ve ever hunted in. Low profile makes a difference in those conditions

JohannL said:

I'm planning a hunt to South Africa (Free State and Limpopo) in May 2026. I want to replace my vintage Leupold on a Sauer Model 90 (30 06) with either a Leica Amplus 6 2.5-15x50 or a Night Force NX8 2.5-20-50 F1. I saw your comment about the thin reticle of the NF at the lowest magnification. Would illumination not address this sufficiently? I'm leaning towards the NF.

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It does not address nearly as well as it should, especially in bright environments on non steel targets. The red illumination blends in a bit with the browns of the forest when the line is that thin. With illumination set to max, and my eyes against a winter forest background (mostly dead looking things) the reticle is useable only down to 4-5 power. Without illumination it’s not really “easily” usable below 7. Above 10 it was great.

The 2.5-10 NXS is a much nicer optic if your goal is ultimate durability and 2.5 minimum magnification. The reticle doesn’t need to shrink so much from max so you get a much more usable reticle and experience. I don’t own either right now or I would send picture examples, I’ve sold off all of my nice optics to pay off medical debts.

I’ve owned these Nightforces:
5.5-22x50 MOAR T in MOA
NX8 2.5-20 Mil XT
SHV 3-10x42

I’ve looked through these nightforces side by side to at least one of the other ones I’ve owned:

NX8 4-32x50 (don’t remember reticle)
ATACR 4-16x42 F1 Mil
ATACR 5-25x56
BEAST 5-25x56
NXS 2.5-10x42
SHV 4-14x50

I’ve had a glance through some others as well but not in a proper environment and not with any scoped I owned to compare side by side.

Out of all of the ones I’ve looked through, I believe the 2.5-10x44 NXS or the 3-10 SHV are the best for hunting in Africa.

Out of all the ones that exist total, I believe the ATACR 1-8x24 is the best. Seems from what I’ve read to be the perfect hunting optic, but I’ve never looked through one to actually confirm that.

There’s also non Nightforce options, but I do love Nightforce durability/reliability. If it were me going to Africa, I’d choose the 2.5-10, or if budget wasn’t a concern, the ATACR 1-8 since its a lot more expensive than what you can find 2.5-10’s for. The ATACR also 100% will have better glass, but it’s a lot more money, unless you find a deal on a used one. Sometimes they show up on long range hunting forum classifieds for under 2k but they don’t last long at those prices.

661944 said:

Do you have a brand and model you can recommend?

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Swarovski 1- 8i

I like the Leupold VX6HD 1-6x but for your purposes I'd go Leupold VX5HD 2-10x with the Firedot

I Guess you dont see much decent glass, Leupold is definitely second rate - S&B, Swarovski, German Zeiss not Conquest they are made in US and dont have Lead Crystal lenses, Doctor Optic (old but great quality), Kahles or on a budget look for Bushnell Elite series, made in Japan great glass and tough - used will be quite old but they are bomb proof, Nightforce are tough but the glass is mediocre, Meopta have Scott Glass same as S&B.

Rob Davies said:

I Guess you dont see much decent glass, Leupold is definitely second rate - S&B, Swarovski, German Zeiss not Conquest they are made in US and dont have Lead Crystal lenses, Doctor Optic (old but great quality), Kahles or on a budget look for Bushnell Elite series, made in Japan great glass and tough - used will be quite old but they are bomb proof, Nightforce are tough but the glass is mediocre, Meopta have Scott Glass same as S&B.

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No hate on the Swarovski buddy. I had the exact scope you suggested but sold it and went to Africa with the Leupold. When taking a shot on a buffalo at 50 yards I'm not overly concerned about glass quality, especially with a red dot. There is nothing wrong with VX6HD glass.

The problem I had with the Swarovski was my bolt would barely clear the occular tube (hand would always brush the scope when reloading). The small shark like fin on the magnification ring would also stick out on the right hand side on low power. On a different rifle the Swarovski would have worked I'm sure.