What Scope for a 9.3x74R double?

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Matabele

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Hi folks,

I was wondering what your thoughts were, considering I'll mostly be using this for plains game hunting?

I have it narrowed down to the Steiner Ranger 8 1-8x24 or the Leupold VX3HD 1.5-5x20.

I'd love a Swaro Z8i but sadly my budget won't stretch that far.

Do you think there's enough magnification at 5x in the Leupold for 200m shots (the majority of shots will be well under that!)? I've only ever used relatively high mag scopes.

Any input appreciated, thanks!
 
I would prefer at least 6x for 200+ meter shots.

However, i wouldn't consider most double rifles to be 200 meter guns. You might be able to set the scope up for which ever barrel is the most accurate and just use the gun like a single shot rifle. But accuracy still might not be good enough (you will have to test it).
 
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I use a Leupold 4x12 on mine. I would prefer a 2.5x8 with a CDS but have not broken down and bought one.
 
Wife and I have both used 5x on plains game to 300 yards and it is fine for the medium-large critters. I'd want more if you have sights on some of the small/tiny antelopes at 200+ though.
 
Thanks Rimshot, this will primarily be for the medium/big stuff. Were you using Leupold scopes for 5x's?
 
Matabele said:
Thanks Rimshot, this will primarily be for the medium/big stuff. Were you using Leupold scopes for 5x's?
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Using a Zeiss Duralyt 1.2-5x36. At one time was on wife's 358 Win. Her first African animal was a gemsbok at 200m+ with that setup. She also shot a kudu at over 200 and a ostrich at 300. Put it on my S2 9.3x74R for my last trip, and my brother used it to shoot a bunch of stuff at various ranges. I only used it on a buff at about 40m on that trip though.
The Zeiss has an illuminated dot and I find that to be very useful in low light and in dense vegetation.
 
I have a Leupold VXR 1.25-4 on my Merkel 9.3x74R. It is plenty of magnification for me for shots out to 200yds. I have killed several African and Texas animals at the 200 yard range. For field shooting, I prefer lower powered scopes. I appear to be steady as a rock from field positions when on lower power. :LOL:

Safe shooting
 
Before I gave up on double rifles (for bolt action rifles) I had a Swarovski z8i 1-8x24 on mine. The main problem was that it was so heavy that it messed up regulation forcing me to do a lot of handloading until I got it back on track...

Also scopes in general and in particular those with larger eyepieces (like the z8i I had) does nothing good for the classy lines of a double rifle, but thats just a personal opinion. And I for one does not shoot good enough to be able to make it without scope over 50 meters or so.

20220617_160421.jpg
 
Appreciate the replies everyone, this is really helpful info!
 
Same gun, different lighting, the top one after a much needed stock extension. Chapuis 9.3x74r

I'm a huge fan of the red dot especially on quick targets in low or dappled light, however I've come to the expensively late realisation that the height over bore of even the lowest removable reddot mounting option I could find (MAKlick swivel mount), ruins my cheek weld. Its even worse with the scope.

I do almost all my shooting off hand (driven boar in europe) so the added accuracy of a scope has only really been used for more accurate results for load development.

Scope featured is the Swarovski Habicht 1.25x4-24 Illuminated Short Scope, 30mm tube, CD1 Reticle.
Its a great scope but at 200m I'd want a greater magnification. Especially as at the x1.25 end of the scale I'd always choose Irons or Red dot

Just my two pence.

20260201_130204.jpg
WhatsApp Image 2026-10-09 at 12.54.01.jpeg
 
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I think a 1-4 or just a straight 4 would be perfect on a 9.3x74R. Go as light as possible. Regulation can be and issue with more weight on the a 9.3. Been down that road several times and it's frustrating. I never could get one of mine to regulate decent with a scope on. Off it grouped just under 4" at 100 yards.
 
I have a trijicon RMR HD 1moa dot on mine, I have shot goats out to 120 odd yards with this set up. If I mounted a scope I'd look at a straight tube something.

I actually have a Japanese made weaver 1-3x24 scope on hand that would suit if I did not want to use the RMR. These were a good little scope.
 

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Depending on your eyes and abilities, a 4X is all the scope you need at any range you should/would be shooting a DR in 9.3x74, IMHO, of course.
 
I put a leupold 1-4 on my Ruger #1 in 9.3x74r. It works fine for medium game. It is not a target rifle.
 
I also support the 1-4X and 1-5X scopes BUT, make sure the scope shoots to the crosshairs at each power. 1, I tested decades ago, did not and was out enough at 20yds. to cause a wound or non stopping shot on a charging beast. At further ranges, it would have caused a miss or gut shot. This was a highly priced common scope installed on a .375H&H. This lack of precision was surprising as a cheap 1-4X bushnell I had was true, whereas the gold-band scope was not.
 
Matabele said:
Hi folks,

I was wondering what your thoughts were, considering I'll mostly be using this for plains game hunting?

I have it narrowed down to the Steiner Ranger 8 1-8x24 or the Leupold VX3HD 1.5-5x20.

I'd love a Swaro Z8i but sadly my budget won't stretch that far.

Do you think there's enough magnification at 5x in the Leupold for 200m shots (the majority of shots will be well under that!)? I've only ever used relatively high mag scopes.

Any input appreciated, thanks!
Click to expand...
The 9.3x74 doesn't typically stir the blood of the big bore crowd, but it is in many ways the ideal such rifle for most of us. Unlike a .500 or .470 that may actually be used only once or twice in a hunters life, the 9.3x74R can be a hunting companion every season. Absolutely scope it, and the little Leupold 1.5x20 is also a great choice because it is so easily adaptable to the claw bases so often found on between the war rifles. I would wager JJ Perodeau has made rings for a hundred by now.

With a rifle that shoots, you absolutely do have a 200 yard gun. These are two of my favorites. The German WWI era double has killed black bear, several deer and likely two dozen or more hogs at ranges from 75 feet to a 175 yards. It shoots a LxR / LxR four shot group under three inches at one hundred yards and both barrels are MOA. I sight in on the right barrel to give me max PB range of the chambering and the second shot is only a couple of MOA away for an immediate second. Note the Leupold scope.
Doublerifle4.jpg

The second belonged to an old friend, Tony Makris, who took a lion and buffalo with it in Botswana. It is a double rifle drilling 9.3x74R. Sadly I have only used on pigs. It is not quite as accurate as the other, but is easily a first shot 150 yard rifle. This rifle is equipped with an old Swaro.
Double rifle drilling.jpeg
 
I have an old Swarovski 4X claw mounted on my 6.5x57 Mauser. I really like that scope.
 
Thanks for the replies everyone! I try and get to Africa once a year, just for plains game. With all the hassle of travelling with guns I was wanting to try and have a bit of flexibilty, and a bit of fun at the same time while only bringing one gun. I'd prefer to pass up a shot or stalk in a bit closer with my double than be able to laser everything within 300m. My thought was I could zero the scope on the right barrel, and have a decent option out to 150-200m if something exceptional steps out...but the majority of shots are going to 100m or less.

With all that said I've found a good deal on a Kahles 1-5x24i...sounds about perfect from what you gents have suggested!
 
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I have a Zeiss 1.1-4x24 mounted on my Krieghoff Classic Big Five in 9.3x74R. For hunting at dusk and at night, I use a Zeiss 2.5-10x52. This way, I am well-equipped for any situation.
 
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