Optics for Dangerous Game Calibers

Shootist43 · Sep 10, 2018

I have several "somewhat" Dangerous Game rifles that are currently wearing Iron Sights. I like the Nikon Monarch 3 African with a No. 4 German reticle that is on my 404 Jeffery. My problem is that Nikon quit making this scope. I've been looking online for several months (eBay, Gunbroker etc.) and haven't seen one for sale. Without spending more for a scope than what my Win Mod 70 375 H&H and Ruger No.1 in 416 Rigby cost is there a similar reticle available? I've given some consideration to a Leupold "Pig Plex with a Firedot. Any other suggestions?

Ridgewalker · Sep 10, 2018

I really like my Leuopolds with the illuminated dot. My eye seems to pick it up quickly depending on how bright I set it. Hunting night critters you turn it down so it isn’t too bright.
I had a Bushnell 1.25-4x with a lighted dot I took on a couple of brown bear hunts and an Alaskan black bear hunt. The dot was easy to acquire in the rainy conditions. The lenses were always wet!
Leupold also has, on some models, an illuminated dot inside a circle which makes it even quicker IMO to acquire a shot. Worked well on my buffalo, bushbuck, bushpig hunt.
The red dot made it easy to see the crosshair intersection on the black buffalo and black bear.
Unfortunately like everything no reticle is perfect for all situations.
Best of luck in your decision!

IvW · Sep 10, 2018

Not sure if you can get these across the pond but they are great scopes. This is what I use.

Lynx LX3 1-6x24 Hunter

Brilliant Optics
Extra low dispersion glass and the latest anti-reflective lens coating technology gives brilliant image clarity and brightness.

Versatile Six-Ratio Magnification
1 to 6 magnification range is ideal for fast close‐up dangerous game hunting as well as bush veld hunting at moderate‐range up to 300 m. The long eye-relief keeps the scope a safe distance from your brow when in the shooting position and the 95 mm long mountable area of the straight‐through objective‐side tube makes the scope easy to mount at the safe and correct distance from your eye over even the longest actions.

Tough-As-Nails
Recoil tested on .450 Rigby and .505 Gibbs amongst others, LX3 1-6x24 is suitable for everyday use on any bush veld calibre. The reticle, usually the most fragile component in any rifle scope and the most likely component to fail under severe or bi‐directional recoil, is 6mm thick glass which means it is for all practical purposes indestructible. The 30mm thick-walled scope tube is contoured specifically to fit over long actions and, when the scope is correctly mounted and proper shooting posture is observed, the 100mm-plus eye relief will make sure that a safe distance is maintained between your brow and the scope eyepiece at all times.

German No.4 Reticle with Illuminated Dot

Thick outer bars lead the eye to the centre finer cross, which has a tiny illuminated aiming point. The centre opening can be used to bracket a fast moving target for snap-shooting while the bold outer posts are easily visible against mottled shadow vegetation, even in poor light.

Shootist43 · Sep 10, 2018

IvW, Lynx optics are not available in the U.S. The scope you recommended looks like a great piece of glass.

Say Man · Sep 10, 2018

I'm interested also as I don't have a bunch of money to spend but would like something reliable for my 458 Lott. The eyes aren't what they used to be and a scope is getting more needed each passing year.

BobT · Sep 10, 2018

You can get the German #4 reticle as an option from Leupold.

Custom · Sep 12, 2018

@Shootist43, Nikon still makes the scope, they just don't call it the African. Still on their web site as the Monarch 3 1-4 w/ German #4 reticle. Even listed as the only option for a DG scope. I have this scope on my Ruger RSM in Lott.

Custom · Sep 12, 2018

Well, maybe not. I don't see any in stock online, though Midway says backorders are OK. Damn, it was a great scope at a great price. I have a couple of the Lupy VX-6 1-6 on my of DG rifles. They are fantastic, but a bit pricey.

Ridgewalker · Sep 12, 2018

Custom, I saw the Monarch 3 1-4x with the German #4 reticle on their website as well. It looks like a nice big bore rifle scope and no one can complain about Nikon lenses IMO. All I have seen are excellent. I love my little Nikon Monarch 7 8x32 binocs! Perfect size!

Shootist43 · Sep 12, 2018

I just ordered 2 Monarch 3 1-4x 20 with a German No. 4 Reticle off Nikon's website. They are on Backorder. Recently Natchez Shooting Supplies advertised them for $236.00. I jumped all over that offer. When the scopes came in they were NOT equipped with German No. 4 Reticles. They had BDC Reticles in them. Who needs a BDC reticle on a Dangerous Game Scope? Natchez said there was an error in the Sales Catalog. Several other major vendors have them listed as no longer available. I'll just have to wait and see. BTW Thanks for the heads up.

Ridgewalker · Sep 12, 2018

Shootist43 said:
I just ordered 2 Monarch 3 1-4x 20 with a German No. 4 Reticle off Nikon's website. They are on Backorder.

Keep us up to date on how they are and how long it takes to get them! They look like an excellent scope on their website.

BeeMaa · Sep 16, 2018

Leupold VX-5HD 1-5x24 with Fire Dot, best price I could find was on eBay, but Amazon had it as well.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Leupold-VX...380329&hash=item1ec8df9260:g:qfAAAOSwlndZOB8k
Might be a bit pricey, but when it comes to DG you can trust this scope.
You get what you pay for.

rookhawk · Sep 16, 2018

BeeMaa said:
Leupold VX-5HD 1-5x24 with Fire Dot, best price I could find was on eBay, but Amazon had it as well.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Leupold-VX...380329&hash=item1ec8df9260:g:qfAAAOSwlndZOB8k
Might be a bit pricey, but when it comes to DG you can trust this scope.
You get what you pay for.

Leupold changes things a lot, and I can't speak to that newer model BeeMaa references above. However, they do make a 1.5-5x24mm and a 1.5-5x30mm illuminated reticle model. I think they are VX3 as they are 3 power multiplier scopes? The optics are the same, the bigger tube only accommodates the electronics. Street prices of $300-$450. Please do not buy these scopes. I own these scopes. I've moved them all over my gun collection trying to dump them onto a less useful gun of mine. Today, one rests on my crossbow and I hate it in low light archery hunting at even 50 yards. Worst scopes I've ever owned. Anything else I've owned is better.

Dwight Beagle · Sep 17, 2018

I’ve been very happy with my VX-R 2-7x33 with Firedot 4 reticle. I’ve had it almost four years.

BeeMaa · Sep 17, 2018

rookhawk said:
Leupold changes things a lot, and I can't speak to that newer model BeeMaa references above. However, they do make a 1.5-5x24mm and a 1.5-5x30mm illuminated reticle model. I think they are VX3 as they are 3 power multiplier scopes? The optics are the same, the bigger tube only accommodates the electronics. Street prices of $300-$450. Please do not buy these scopes. I own these scopes. I've moved them all over my gun collection trying to dump them onto a less useful gun of mine. Today, one rests on my crossbow and I hate it in low light archery hunting at even 50 yards. Worst scopes I've ever owned. Anything else I've owned is better.

Just so I don't muddy the waters.
I do not own the Leupold VX-5 or VX6 scopes and I have not hunted DG.
What I do have is a Leupold VX-3i 1.5-5x20 with a duplex reticle, no illumination.
This scope is extremely simple to use and I've had no complaints in using it on my 375H&H.

EZRider · Sep 18, 2018

I have the VX 6 1-6 on my .375 and it is very simple to use. Clear glass, holds zero perfectly in Warne rings, turrets and zoom ring work well enough.
It’s almost as nice as my Trijicon

rnovi · Sep 18, 2018

Leupold VX6 1-6 with the Illuminated #4 reticle for my (total weight) 8# scoped .375 H&H. Great scope! My wife has the same scope with the Pig Plex and loves it...though I find that plex a bit busy.

A classic alternative is the Leupold VX3 1.5-5x with the 20mm glass. A bit lighter weight and a whole lot lighter.

I also have a Leupold 1-4x 30mm Illuminated DOT scope on my 9.3x74r Merkel double. I have somewhat mixed feelings on this scope. It's not a small dot...4 moa I think? Having said that, for the purpose of the rifle that's a great option. At 200 yards or less that's as fast as it's going to get.

I think the real question to ask is to figure out what you really want the rifle for and how to optimize that process.

Good Luck!

Desert Dog · Sep 18, 2018

I have a lot of love for my VX-6 1-6x24 German #4 with firedot. The best low power scope I have ever owned. Tough enough for my 416, great eye relief, fantastic glass, and gotta love the firedot. The 1-power is as close as you can get to a true 1-power, so I can use with both eyes open like a reflex sight if needed.

I imagine that the new VX-6HD scopes are probably even better.

Dwight Beagle · Sep 19, 2018

The VX-6HD tells you if the reticle isn’t level. I think it’s a fantastic feature though not one that’s very important for the distances DG is shot at. For long shots it would be invaluable to me.

Optics for Dangerous Game Calibers

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