My Take on Dangerous Game Scopes

Philip Glass · Dec 20, 2025

rookhawk said:
@Philip Glass you always have good insights, but I would say your DG scope preferences are on the opposite extreme of the fellow that likes a 1-4x30mm. A 13x DG magnification, or even a 3-9x40mm is very, very large. I don’t mind differences in preferences, but the real battle of opinions comes down to the stock design and how low the rings can be in your extreme or the opposite example I gave. (I’m the middle-ground guy that likes a 1-6x24mm)

If you can’t bring the scope to your eye and instantly fire as though shooting a shotgun bead, you’ve got serious issues with your optics. A 1.7-13x set at 1.7x *might* be okay provided that you can get rings low enough or a stock comb high enough that it is instinctive and instantaneous alignment on the target. That is not super likely for the average configuration I’ve seen, more so to blame on the abhorrent modern Monte Carlo stocks designed for Medium and High rings than anything else.

I don’t dislike your opinion even though it differs from mine, but we do need to put some caveats out to the readers that may not understand how important ring height and comb height comes into play in these considerations too.

Thanks for your thoughts. I always respect your opinion even if we differ! That said, everything you say tells me you may not have really watched the video or did so without an open mind or maybe preconceived notions.
1. 13x is only large if you are stuck in the past and the tradition that is handicapping hunters especially once the buff is down and we are on to PG. (see my story in video)
2. There is no practical difference in functionality at close range between 1x and 1.7x or even 2x. So no there is no low end advantage to the 1x. I know because I have both scopes mentioned. Those who have criticized my take in this video do NOT have both (3 in video) scopes but they opine anyway. The Swaro has the option of red dot and circle dot so the target acquisition in close quarters is superior to all others without this feature. (***caveat: many hunters did not grow up shooting open sights and have a devil of a time with target acquisition. I can't help that no matter the optic/sight)
3. The Swaro I mention in 1.7-13x is a very compact scope and not materially larger than your (or mine that sits in a drawer) 1-6x. There will be virtually no difference in mounting between these scopes.
4. You will get no argument from me on rifle fit. We can both agree that having a competent gunsmith fit you to your DG rifle before you go in a DG hunt is of utmost importance!

Daisy · Dec 20, 2025

rookhawk said:
@Philip Glass you always have good insights, but I would say your DG scope preferences are on the opposite extreme of the fellow that likes a 1-4x30mm. A 13x DG magnification, or even a 3-9x40mm is very, very large. I don’t mind differences in preferences, but the real battle of opinions comes down to the stock design and how low the rings can be in your extreme or the opposite example I gave. (I’m the middle-ground guy that likes a 1-6x24mm)

If you can’t bring the scope to your eye and instantly fire as though shooting a shotgun bead, you’ve got serious issues with your optics. A 1.7-13x set at 1.7x *might* be okay provided that you can get rings low enough or a stock comb high enough that it is instinctive and instantaneous alignment on the target. That is not super likely for the average configuration I’ve seen, more so to blame on the abhorrent modern Monte Carlo stocks designed for Medium and High rings than anything else.

I don’t dislike your opinion even though it differs from mine, but we do need to put some caveats out to the readers that may not understand how important ring height and comb height comes into play in these considerations too.

I like his recommendation on a 375 that might shoot DG but is still and all around rifle. The “one rifle” man.

For my 416 I still use a 1-5x.

rookhawk · Dec 20, 2025

Daisy said:
I like his recommendation on a 375 that might shoot DG but is still and all around rifle. The “one rifle” man.

For my 416 I still use a 1-5x.

For a .375HH its pretty hard to top the relatively new Swarovski 1-8x with the illuminated #4 reticle that can also be a circle dot reticle. At one power in a perfectly configured set of rings, it can come up instantly for an iron-sight quick dangerous game shot. For plains game the 8x in bright conditions is beyond plenty for shots inside of 300 yards.

I use that optic on my 7x57 single shot and just love it for all scenarios, but it is better than a 1-6x for a 375HH just for the additional versatility.

Surgeon1 · Mar 8, 2026

Philip Glass said:
Thank you for your insights here. For me personally I do stop at .375 currently for a scoped rifle. I am now in love with my double with the little Kahles red dot that makes it a 100yd gun. Yes I think the objective at 42mm is big enough for what I am doing. As others have mentioned, you get into mounting issues with the larger ones.
I always say know your equipment. Your scope trouble can happen to any of us with any scope. Knowing issues ahead of time will save the hunt.,

I've had great results with the Trijicon RME on all my doubles.
They have 1 MOA dot (exact same RMR's I used in 3gun optic competition for years)
Recently bought a Kahles 2 MOA Red Dot and love the bigger sight box. What dot size is yours?
Would you mind commenting on you experience with the Kahles?
I hunt DG like buffalo with a Double exclusively will on occasion have a tracker carry a bolt as backup but only used one twice as insurance finishers. Just back from Uganda where I shot 2 Grants Zebra Stallions with a Heym 450-400 out of the same herd Bang-Bang at 65 & 85 yds. Had to take off The RMR in the middle of the stalk because an Ever-Ready battery disc installed just one month prior failed.
Had 3 left in the package in camp and all were defective. Resorting to Irons in the middle of the stalk made for added pressure but in less than 30 sec both were dead on the ground. New battery (Rayovac)
from my PH and thanks to JJ's great mounts I was back in business the next morning with no adjustment necessary, JJ said he would make me a couple mounts for my new Heym 450NE (one for Kahles and one for Trijicon RMR).

Please comment on your experience with the Kahles Red Dot! And great video.

Philip Glass · Mar 9, 2026

Surgeon1 said:
I've had great results with the Trijicon RME on all my doubles.
They have 1 MOA dot (exact same RMR's I used in 3gun optic competition for years)
Recently bought a Kahles 2 MOA Red Dot and love the bigger sight box. What dot size is yours?
Would you mind commenting on you experience with the Kahles?
I hunt DG like buffalo with a Double exclusively will on occasion have a tracker carry a bolt as backup but only used one twice as insurance finishers. Just back from Uganda where I shot 2 Grants Zebra Stallions with a Heym 450-400 out of the same herd Bang-Bang at 65 & 85 yds. Had to take off The RMR in the middle of the stalk because an Ever-Ready battery disc installed just one month prior failed.
Had 3 left in the package in camp and all were defective. Resorting to Irons in the middle of the stalk made for added pressure but in less than 30 sec both were dead on the ground. New battery (Rayovac)
from my PH and thanks to JJ's great mounts I was back in business the next morning with no adjustment necessary, JJ said he would make me a couple mounts for my new Heym 450NE (one for Kahles and one for Trijicon RMR).

Please comment on your experience with the Kahles Red Dot! And great video.

Always, Always, Always use Energizer Lithium batteries for hunting gear!
I believe the Kahles is 1 moa red dot. I really like it. Swaro glass and very small, neat profile. It does not detract from the beauty of the Doubke and yet makes it a 100yd gun. Too bad they are not sold in the US at the moment due to a patent issue. I am hoping it gets resolved soon.

crackerman · Mar 9, 2026

Philip Glass said:
Always, Always, Always use Energizer Lithium batteries for hunting gear!
I believe the Kahles is 1 moa red dot. I really like it. Swaro glass and very small, neat profile. It does not detract from the beauty of the Doubke and yet makes it a 100yd gun. Too bad they are not sold in the US at the moment due to a patent issue. I am hoping it gets resolved soon.

I second this by experience. When I was getting ready for my safari I tried harbor frieght batteries. My scopes did not seem to like them and when I changed I had no problems. HF batteries are great for home use but like thinking about cheap ammo, don’t save 2 dollars on a 5 figure trip.

The other advice I picked up to late, if you are in the US (maybe others) and don’t have tiny humans use some alcohol wipes to clean the bitter coating of the batteries. Only found out about this later than I would like but it can cause bad voltages and some batteries not work.

Not sure how many I tossed before I figured that out.

Rare Breed · Mar 9, 2026

My take not getting into brands here based on my experience starts with what am I hunting and what will be my environment? Some examples, I would not hunt buff and elephant with a 4x scope and higher…Starting with a one if using a scope rifle would be paramount to me. So many of my DG animals have been in deep shadow even during the brightest of days…for all my bolt actions I would not buy unless they are illuminated. Last I too hope Kahles allows their red dots to be imported to the US

Rare Breed · Mar 9, 2026

Also for my PG the larger the objective and the higher the POTENTIAL Imaging the better for me until it impacts my cheek weld. Therefore my largest PG scope objectives are no larger than 40ish given anything larger starts to lift my cheek off my weld and my imaging does not go above 12-14. Just based on my experience

Riflecrank · Mar 10, 2026

Late to watch that video.
I just wish Phillip would pronounce it LOO-POLD instead of LEE-UH-POLD.
LOO-POLD is how the Leupold folks who make them say it.

skydiver386 · Mar 11, 2026

Riflecrank said:
Late to watch that video.
I just wish Phillip would pronounce it LOO-POLD instead of LEE-UH-POLD.
LOO-POLD is how the Leupold folks who make them say it.

Well he's a a Texan, and they talk different down there.

On the other hand, they have some pretty good BBQ.

0002S · Mar 11, 2026

Riflecrank said:
Late to watch that video.
I just wish Phillip would pronounce it LOO-POLD instead of LEE-UH-POLD.
LOO-POLD is how the Leupold folks who make them say it.

Paul K · May 6, 2026

Riflecrank said:
Late to watch that video.
I just wish Phillip would pronounce it LOO-POLD instead of LEE-UH-POLD.
LOO-POLD is how the Leupold folks who make them say it.

Drives me crazy also, and the only thing scopes gather is dust, they transmit existing light. 30mm tubes do not transmit more light, as some people might think, that is contolled buy the objective lens diameter. The scopes power setting divided into the objective lens diameter equals the exit pupil measured in millimeters at the ocular lense. Just my 2 millimeters worth.

Paul

Riflecrank · May 7, 2026

I'll see that and raise you to 4mm.

curt672 · 2026-09-17T20:19:45-0500

Going to use my 375 for a one gun Safari -- I put a SIG scope on it with the BDX , I like it so far good out to 300 yards. its a 3x18 -- and gave me an excuse to buy the Range finding Binos that work with the scope --- Like I needed an excuse.

ftrovato · 2026-09-18T08:46:10-0500

Paul K said:
Drives me crazy also, and the only thing scopes gather is dust, they transmit existing light. 30mm tubes do not transmit more light, as some people might think, that is contolled buy the objective lens diameter. The scopes power setting divided into the objective lens diameter equals the exit pupil measured in millimeters at the ocular lense. Just my 2 millimeters worth.

Paul

To your point, more vertical and horizontal adjustment is what you're getting.

I cant shoot far enough to take advantage of this feature.

migrabill · 2026-09-18T08:54:39-0500

Every thing I know about DG hunting I learned on this site. It really seemed to me, based on reading posts here, that all DG Scopes started at 1 power on the low end and went about 24mm. Last night I was watching a Tracks Across Africa episode where Dave Filson was talking to a guy who has taken 15 wild lions and countless buffalo for bait for his lion hunts. When they talked about his scope he said he always uses a 2.5-10x50. He said he did not find "much use" for the popular 1.0 or 1.2 low end scopes and wants the higher magnification on the top end to really help him pick a spot.

My Take on Dangerous Game Scopes

Philip Glass

Daisy

rookhawk

Surgeon1

Philip Glass

crackerman

Rare Breed

Rare Breed

Riflecrank

skydiver386

0002S

Paul K

Riflecrank

curt672

ftrovato

migrabill

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