Which Schmidt model Bender Scopes (non straight tube) have mounting real estate to fit on Rigby Big Game Actions with the Recknagel rings

pc3

AH veteran
Joined
Apr 18, 2015
Messages
237
Reaction score
418
Location
Australia
Media
7
Hunting reports
Africa
1
Hunted
South Africa, New Zealand, Australia
Folks I am wondering which scopes will fit on the magnum Mauser actions actions Rigby use. I have ordered a .350 Rigby and will then purchase a .416 with it, and I wish to mount a scope with good low light performance and leaning towards a Schmidt Bender. For myself 3x on the bottom end will work (although I have a 1.5x option in mind as well) but I am thinking about mounting real estate on the following scopes.

For the hunting I intend to do, I want a better lowlight performance than the straight tubed options. I'm not interested in Leupold scopes for these rifles.

3-12x50 Zenith
3--18x42 Meta (capped no large turrets) this is a really nice sleek scope
1.5-8x42 (I may opt for one of these on my .416)

Has anyone used the above models on a Rigby Big Game, did they fit with the Recknagel rings I'll have ?

I do note the Swarovski's seem to have longer tubes, or at least the images I have looked at.
 
The Stratos 1.5-8 has the most tube real estate, S&B used to have specs on their website but I cant find it anymore. Might be helpful if you post a picture with a ruler as reference for an idea of how much room you have to work with.
 
  • Like
Reactions: pc3
I’ve got an older 3-12 Klassik on my PreWar 275 Rigby in EAW Pivots. No experience with the newer BG models

I replaced a Swaro that was previously on it and the tube length is a little tighter than the Swaro but the scope itself is longer OAL. It barely fits behind the rear sight and taking it on/off might prove challenging.

You might be able to get a slightly longer offset. I’ve consider this for mine to get a little more clearance of the rear sight.
 
  • Like
Reactions: pc3
I would think all will fit. I have the 3-18 Meta on a Dakota Traveler (for the .338 Lapua) which also has a .416 Rigby barrel. I really like the scope for the Lapua application. I have a Rigby Big Game in .416 and will pull both rifles out to confirm. For what it is worth, I compared the "low light" capabilities of a 1.5-6 x 42 S&B Zenith vs. the straight tube S&B Exos 1-8 and could not discern a visual advantage at dusk. This was not scientific at all, but I could not perceive a difference.
 
Thanks Folks this is all very helpful.

by Real estate I mean tube space available for mounting, I know with the magnum Mauser actions its less.

The rifles are not on hand yet, likely around March next year I think.

The Klassic range does measure longer if I recall correctly.

If I went the Meta it would be the capped model it is sleek looking, wouldnt allow for any dial up but not really needed on .350 Rigby. But the 18x on the top end is a "nice to have" even though likely not needed 99% of the time.
 
Last edited:
Klassic should fit depending on objective
 
If you want low light, you need to go the 50mm objective. The objective is where you’re pulling the light in.

I’ve got 25mm rings with my Rigby and don’t want to spend $1000-1500 for 30mm rings so I’ve decided to go for a z5 2.5-12x50 and put that on there. Otherwise I was tossing up between a z8, a kahles or S&B

A Rigby suits good euro optics like S&B, swaro, Kahles, leica or similar in my view.
 
Not a ln exact answer but I have a Schmidt and Bender 1.5-6x42 Zenith on a pre-64 375 h&h based rifle and use Weaver style bases. I had to get an extended front base that hangs over the loading/ejector opening in order to mount it that way because the mounting tube is shorter on the S&B than the similar Zeiss scope I will probably switch to. I like the scope otherwise so far.
 
If you want low light, you need to go the 50mm objective. The objective is where you’re pulling the light in.

I’ve got 25mm rings with my Rigby and don’t want to spend $1000-1500 for 30mm rings so I’ve decided to go for a z5 2.5-12x50 and put that on there. Otherwise I was tossing up between a z8, a kahles or S&B

A Rigby suits good euro optics like S&B, swaro, Kahles, leica or similar in my view.
Thanks JP, for the .350 I'd like a little more magnification so really leaning toward the 3-18x42 meta or the 3-12x50 Zenith for that.....the meta has higher light transmission than the zenith and an extra 6x on the top (you may never need it but its nice to have I suppose) and newer tech.

The zenith does have a very low profile BDC turret option though.
 
Folks I am wondering which scopes will fit on the magnum Mauser actions actions Rigby use. I have ordered a .350 Rigby and will then purchase a .416 with it, and I wish to mount a scope with good low light performance and leaning towards a Schmidt Bender. For myself 3x on the bottom end will work (although I have a 1.5x option in mind as well) but I am thinking about mounting real estate on the following scopes. For the hunting I intend to do, I want a better lowlight performance than the straight tubed options. I'm not interested in Leupold scopes for these rifles. 3-12x50 Zenith 3--18x42 Meta (capped no large turrets) this is a really nice sleek scope 1.5-8x42 (I may opt for one of these on my .416) Has anyone used the above models on a Rigby Big Game, did they fit with the Recknagel rings I'll have ? I do note the Swarovski's seem to have longer tubes, or at least the images I have looked at.
Folks I am wondering which scopes will fit on the magnum Mauser actions actions Rigby use. I have ordered a .350 Rigby and will then purchase a .416 with it, and I wish to mount a scope with good low light performance and leaning towards a Schmidt Bender. For myself 3x on the bottom end will work (although I have a 1.5x option in mind as well) but I am thinking about mounting real estate on the following scopes. For the hunting I intend to do, I want a better lowlight performance than the straight tubed options. I'm not interested in Leupold scopes for these rifles. 3-12x50 Zenith 3--18x42 Meta (capped no large turrets) this is a really nice sleek scope 1.5-8x42 (I may opt for one of these on my .416) Has anyone used the above models on a Rigby Big Game, did they fit with the Recknagel rings I'll have ? I do note the Swarovski's seem to have longer tubes, or at least the images I have looked at.
Thanks Folks this is all very helpful. by Real estate I mean tube space available for mounting, I know with the magnum Mauser actions its less. The rifles are not on hand yet, likely around March next year I think. The Klassic range doe measure longer if I recall correctly. If I went the Meta it would be the capped model so sleek looking
 
  • Like
Reactions: pc3
i initially wanted a swaro 2-16 for mine for double duty use out west but found the rings were low and the bell of the scope hit the rear sight. i settled on the z5 in 2-10 x42 and am pretty happy with it.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_4359.jpeg
    IMG_4359.jpeg
    7.4 MB · Views: 24
Folks I am wondering which scopes will fit on the magnum Mauser actions actions Rigby use. I have ordered a .350 Rigby and will then purchase a .416 with it, and I wish to mount a scope with good low light performance and leaning towards a Schmidt Bender. For myself 3x on the bottom end will work (although I have a 1.5x option in mind as well) but I am thinking about mounting real estate on the following scopes.

For the hunting I intend to do, I want a better lowlight performance than the straight tubed options. I'm not interested in Leupold scopes for these rifles.

3-12x50 Zenith
3--18x42 Meta (capped no large turrets) this is a really nice sleek scope
1.5-8x42 (I may opt for one of these on my .416)

Has anyone used the above models on a Rigby Big Game, did they fit with the Recknagel rings I'll have ?

I do note the Swarovski's seem to have longer tubes, or at least the images I have looked at.
N.B. It is called mounting length. Information is available on the S&B website. It is better to examine the marked dimensional drawing, rather than looking through a table of specifications, given that ocular housing diameter, objective housing diameter, magnification ring diameter and the angle from the main body tube to the objective housing are all critical dimensions for sight mounting.
 
Ok. Here are some pictures for reference. I love the Meta (as you mentioned—w/out adjustable turrets). Meta has more than adequate room. I had the Zenith on the Big Game and it works fine as well depending on eye relief/position.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_8194.jpeg
    IMG_8194.jpeg
    3.7 MB · Views: 16
  • IMG_8195.jpeg
    IMG_8195.jpeg
    6.1 MB · Views: 17
  • IMG_8196.jpeg
    IMG_8196.jpeg
    7 MB · Views: 18
Ok. Here are some pictures for reference. I love the Meta (as you mentioned—w/out adjustable turrets). Meta has more than adequate room. I had the Zenith on the Big Game and it works fine as well depending on eye relief/position.
Wow thankyou this is exactly what I needed.

Question optics wise (glass clarity, resolution etc.) what do you like better zenith or meta or stratos (if you own one)?



Cheers pc3
 

Forum statistics

Threads
70,221
Messages
1,568,939
Members
168,609
Latest member
Douglasnop
 

 

 

Latest profile posts

rdog wrote on Bob Nelson 35Whelen's profile.
Bob i was at Rebel gun works last Friday they had once fired 25/20 brass in their up stairs section , how are the knees going?
hunted So Africa 4 times and more to come
 
Top