Is it worth upgrading a scope?

[Firebird]

I spend most of my time with shotguns in hand and I believe that has created a situation where low mount scopes on rifles also feel most normal to me.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I find the “mount every optic as low as you can” interesting. I see it a lot on the site but feel it has a time and place. I spent most of my career raising my optic for a more heads up posture while shooting. I would in a loose way tie CQB or “Reflexive Fire” to Dangerous Game hunting.

A low scope height on precision rifles keeps the line of sight closer to the bore, which reduces sight offset and makes holds more intuitive at mixed distances like a plains game hunt. Lower optics also encourage a solid, repeatable cheek weld with a more traditional prone/bench stock geometry, which stabilizes sight picture and assists in recoil management for slow, precise fire.

A higher mount allows a more heads‑up, neutral spine posture, reducing neck flexion and supports fast‑paced work around cover or in unconventional positions where a low comb is impossible to maintain. I would say most gunfighters now have raised their optic 1.5-2” over previous height to support peripheral awareness and speed.

For a multi-purpose safari rifle like a 375 or 9.3 where plains game along with dangerous game will be engaged, does everyone still mount as low as they can or work a medium height? I can see as we get in the 500s recoil management will be an issue with poor cheek to stock weld.

If work slows in a bit, I might get with @SFRanger7GP and use a pro timer to work some stress shoots and provide feedback.

I don't believe a tight cheek weld is particularly desirable or important for any style hunting. As I've said many times, the shooter should be able to close his eyes, quickly mount the rifle, open eyes, and the iron sights or crosshairs should instantly be where they should be. This requires not just the proper scope height and eye relief, but also a rifle that properly fits the shooter and the scope.

 

[Hyde Hunter]

yesterday I would have said keep the scope you have, but today I was working on some loads for my Africa trip in a few months with my Sauer 9.3x62 an was not happy with the grouping. I had a Leupold VX-111 2.5x10 have had it for 30 odd years and had it to Leuplod last May and get a tune up. the scope has the duplex reticule and was working out for me today. I'm 72 wear glasses and have had cataract surgery 2 years ago. So I decided to put the new Trijicon Acupoint with the green post and triangle. wow was I really surprised with the clarity and how much better I could see the 1 1/2 dot at 300 yards and the point on the post made sighting so much easier, I ended up getting 1 3/4 inch groups at that distance. so long story short if you think you want a new scope do it, I just might have to put all my Leupold scopes up for sale and buy all new Trijicons .

 

[Philip Glass]

On 375 I personally prefer the Leupold VX5 2-10x42 FireDot, it makes it more versatile to me.

Good advice here from someone who knows! Some of the other posts on here have me scratching my head.

 

[Mizzou100]

Euro Optics often has exceptional deals of rifle scopes. I purchased a Schmidt and Bender Polar for its 93% Light Transmission at 44% off!

If the OP's Leupold 1.5-5X doesn't have a lighted reticle, I recommend the Leupold 1-6x Patrol at Euro Optic for 44% off at $749. https://www.eurooptic.com/leupold-p...mm-sfp-illum-firedot-duplex-riflescope-182398

The Patrol was on sale at $699 for several months. I watch Euro Optic for deals and have learned that when their inventory of discounted scopes gets low, they raise the price a little. Yes, it appears that is one wants to buy a 1-6x Patrol, they better hurry!

My opinion is for a real dangerous game scope, I mean when one could face an animal ready to kill them charging at full speed within 10 yards, I want a true 1x with lighted reticle with which I will instinctively shoulder the rifle and see the lighted crosshairs with both eyes open. In this situation the lighted 1x functions virtually the same as a reflex sight. This scenario is however vary unlikely for most of us. Following a wounded leopard, the PH will be first and I bet you they will use iron sights or a reflex. As clients who wounded the cat, we may be “asked” to stay behind.

For a more versatile dangerous and plains game scope I agree with others, a 2-10x or 2-12x is perhaps better. Magnification above 6x on most African animals is really not required but is darn handy for scoping out the horn / trophy size. I have Leupold VX-5 2-10x on my .375 H&H. This scope is a great value. Other scopes like Swarovski and Schmidt and Bender have "better glass" but in 99% of all shot situations other than at dawn and dusk, the Leupold is just fine. Still, I am watching Euro Optic for a killer deal on a Schmidt and Bender 1-8x at about half of retail price. This one is 15% off but the price doesn't provide enough added functionality over the Leupold 1-6x Patrol scopes that I recently “stocked” up on.

Like most fine items, the increase in functionality is linier while the increase in price is exponential.

PS: Leupold offeres a 28% Military Discount but Euro Optic sometimes offers even more discount on some models such as this VX-5 2-10x at 31% off for $899.

Leupold VX-5HD 2-10x42mm CDS-ZL2 FireDot Duplex Scope 171389 | SHIPS FREE! - EuroOptic

Leupold VX-5HD 2-10x42mm CDS-ZL2 FireDot Duplex Scope 171389 | Only at EuroOptic.com!

www.eurooptic.com

I bought the leupold 6hd Patrol from Eurooptic for 699, this is the best scope deal i ever got, it is amazing. You can keep both eyes open and see perfect. Put it on my Ruger alaskan 9.3x62..perfect! I couldnt be happier with it, used alaskan arms rings and added the extended magazine cover, 6 rounds of 9.3 and 1 in the pipe. If i do my job that should kill anything!

I definitely recommend the scope!

 

[MontanaGrant]

yesterday I would have said keep the scope you have, but today I was working on some loads for my Africa trip in a few months with my Sauer 9.3x62 an was not happy with the grouping. I had a Leupold VX-111 2.5x10 have had it for 30 odd years and had it to Leuplod last May and get a tune up. the scope has the duplex reticule and was working out for me today. I'm 72 wear glasses and have had cataract surgery 2 years ago. So I decided to put the new Trijicon Acupoint with the green post and triangle. wow was I really surprised with the clarity and how much better I could see the 1 1/2 dot at 300 yards and the point on the post made sighting so much easier, I ended up getting 1 3/4 inch groups at that distance. so long story short if you think you want a new scope do it, I just might have to put all my Leupold scopes up for sale and buy all new Trijicons .

That’s interesting. I wonder how much different eyesight plays into it?

I don’t own one but I’ve shot rifles with accupoints on them and I considered them “old tech” like the leupold vari XIII and VX3s etc and didn’t consider them an upgrade.

Solid scopes but just comparible. I wonder if I should purchase one and revisit them.

 

[dogcat1]

Great question! YES! It is worth it.
What else do you use to "see" the target/game? The scope.
Buy the best you can afford and the one your eye likes the best.

No one has ever said they wished they had spent less on optics....