Scope or red dot as primary for Buffalo in Eastern Cape terrain

[Letzhunt]

Have a future Buffalo hunt planned for 2026. I have a 458 wm+ loaded equal to 458 Lott. Trying to decide if I want to use the Swaro Z8i 1-8x24 or just go with the Holosun Comp red dot. I can mount either and have just thinking of what the primary should be. I have talked to the PH a bit but not in detail. Haven't been to the Eastern Cape so not sure what the likely/typical terrain and shot distance will be. Assuming <100. Going in Mid April if that matters on the vegetation.

 

[ThinusS]

Speak to your PH, the Eastern Cape is quite a large place with terrain that varies from thick bush to wide open plains.

 

[ActionBob]

Have a future Buffalo hunt planned for 2026. I have a 458 wm+ loaded equal to 458 Lott. Trying to decide if I want to use the Swaro Z8i 1-8x24 or just go with the Holosun Comp red dot. I can mount either and have just thinking of what the primary should be. I have talked to the PH a bit but not in detail. Haven't been to the Eastern Cape so not sure what the likely/typical terrain and shot distance will be. Assuming <100. Going in Mid April if that matters on the vegetation.

I would use the scope. Illuminated on 1x it functions much like a red dot, just bulkier.

But the scope. Especially that scope, gives you the option of zooming in to see details like a branch in the way (don't worry about small stuff) and to focus the scope to see a bull in the shadows... and certainly if a longer range.

 

[JG26Irish_2]

Either will work well and your choice should be which fits your needs the best. The rifle cannot tell which fixture you aim it with and will shoot the same eithe way. The Z8i is a fantastic optic and when dialed down to 1x with the red dot illuminated will work just like a red dot if you train yourself to shoot with both eyes open. And it can be zoomed out for longer shots. In my case I put the Z6i on my 375 and got a red dot for my 458 simply because I was concerned that the scope might be a issue hitting my brow with the recoil. That would only be worse with hot loads. With Buff you are not going to want to shoot longer than about 80y anyway, IMO.

 

[festuscat]

Either will work well and your choice should be which fits your needs the best. The rifle cannot tell which fixture you aim it with and will shoot the same eithe way. The Z8i is a fantastic optic and when dialed down to 1x with the red dot illuminated will work just like a red dot if you train yourself to shoot with both eyes open. And it can be zoomed out for longer shots. In my case I put the Z6i on my 375 and got a red dot for my 458 simply because I was concerned that the scope might be an issue hitting my brow with the recoil. That would only be worse with hot loads. With Buff you are not going to want to shoot longer than about 80y anyway, IMO.

Iron sights always an option.

 

[Hillcountry63]

A good quality LVPO scope is the ticket. I run a Trijicon Accupoint 1x6 on my Winchester 70 in 375 H&H and 458WM both. Keep it on 1 for close shots and crank it up to 6 for distance. On my double I run a Trijicon RMR.

 

[Red Leg]

Have a future Buffalo hunt planned for 2026. I have a 458 wm+ loaded equal to 458 Lott. Trying to decide if I want to use the Swaro Z8i 1-8x24 or just go with the Holosun Comp red dot. I can mount either and have just thinking of what the primary should be. I have talked to the PH a bit but not in detail. Haven't been to the Eastern Cape so not sure what the likely/typical terrain and shot distance will be. Assuming <100. Going in Mid April if that matters on the vegetation.

You have the best DG/PG sighting system ever created with your Z8i. I can not imagine exchanging it for a red dot or a Trijicon. Your buffalo may be standing broadside in the open at forty yards, but he is just as likely to be standing in deep shade and heavy brush with several others at seventy yards. IDing a shooting lane and the target with the Swaro will be easy. With a red dot - little more than a hope and prayer. On a follow up, set at 1x, your Z8i will be at least as fast and far clearer than any red dot.

 

[WAB]

Have a future Buffalo hunt planned for 2026. I have a 458 wm+ loaded equal to 458 Lott. Trying to decide if I want to use the Swaro Z8i 1-8x24 or just go with the Holosun Comp red dot. I can mount either and have just thinking of what the primary should be. I have talked to the PH a bit but not in detail. Haven't been to the Eastern Cape so not sure what the likely/typical terrain and shot distance will be. Assuming QUOTE]

I can’t see what possible advantage a red dot could provide over the scope that you have. I have one. There is nowhere to go but down from that scope. That and the Z6i 1-6x24 EE are two of the finest scopes ever made
For this application.

 

[PARA45]

Like other have said, hands down go with the scope.

I'll be hunting Buffalo in Jun in the Eastern Cape, and my 416 Rigby has a 1-6x24 Trijicon.

 

[Letzhunt]

Thanks all for confirming my thought. I'm going to shoot it a bunch this coming year. It is a thumper as I shoot 450 North Fork SS and some solids and also Barnes 450. They all go almost 2400 FPS. It will loose some in a few weeks as I'm having it cut from 24" to 20". I just like the shorter rifles. I'm not recoil sensitive but the scope on this rig has the potential for touching my brow for sure. Shooting off sticks and free hand for back-up shots shouldn't be a problem. Proper sight in will likely be supported on a tripod rather than bench. I use Talley mounts but chose the picatinny rather than traditional Talley bases. The red dot mounts to the same front base for that option and I do have iron sights. Will have to get a new front sight insert after the barrel chop and the ramp installed back on the barrel. It shot pretty high before.