Rifle Scopes for various uses
Key Takeaways
SHIT THAT WORKS!
Leupold
Swarovski
Schmidt & Bender
Weaver
Needs vary based upon types of use
Transcript
Hi folks, we're here at our Idaho office again, and we'll be filming from here until January of '25. After that, we'll head to Africa to shoot more videos on different rifles and gear. Today, as directed by my wife, we’re discussing rifle scopes.
Scopes are like gloves or boots—they fit individual needs. People often ask, "What’s the best scope?" but there isn’t one-size-fits-all. I can show you concepts that work, then you can figure out what works best for you. Testing in-store only tells you so much; true testing happens in the woods while hunting.
Let’s start with what I've done. I randomly selected these rifles from the vault, some of which I use regularly, with various scopes to explain why.
This is an '06 I’ve carried for years, mostly as a companion in the woods. It has a Weaver Grand Slam, which I typically wouldn’t buy due to my preference for higher-end scopes, but I ended up with several through a trade with Brian Pearce. For a budget scope, it’s impressive. Its main drawback is less eye relief compared to a Leupold VX3 or higher. However, since it's on an '06, which doesn’t kick much, I don't need excessive eye relief.
Next up is my most-used North American hunting rifle, a custom .338 Win Mag with a Leupold 4-14x scope featuring a Boone and Crockett reticle. I never shoot past 500 yards, and this reticle helps with quick, simple ranging. I’ve taken countless elk, grizzly, moose, sheep, and other game with it. In Grizzly country, it’s my go-to since I usually carry the only rifle, and the guides trust I can keep everyone safe.
For Africa, my most-used rifle is this .416 Rigby by Verney-Carron, equipped with a Swarovski 1.7-10x scope. I love this optic; it’s versatile, turning down to 1.7x, which is great when dealing with close-range charges. While there was once concern about older Swarovski scopes handling recoil, I bought eight of these during COVID and haven’t had a failure yet, even on heavy-recoiling rifles.
This rifle, a 318 Wesley Richards, is an original, but I replaced its old scope with a modern Leupold 1.7-6x. I don’t need much magnification since I rarely shoot it beyond 250 yards. This setup suits my needs with this rifle.
For smaller game, I have a Ruger 10/22 with a Leupold 2.5-8x scope. Most people under-scope their .22s, but I enjoy using mine at full magnification. Even though the scope cost more than the gun, I always prioritize reliability.
My sniper rifle, custom-made by Darrell Holland, is a .30-06 with a Schmidt & Bender 4-16x scope designed for human targets. It's highly adjustable and built for precision.
A couple of days ago, I helped a friend pack out an elk, and we encountered a sow Grizzly with a cub that had found our meat. For protection during such tasks, I carry a short-barreled .338-06. If not this, I bring a .45-70 lever-action. This rifle is practical for defense, and with a Leupold 2.5-8x scope, it's a capable 300-yard gun.
In summary, choose scopes based on specific needs. Most of my rifles are equipped with Leupold VX-3s, though I also have some higher-end brands in Africa. Remember, scope selection is all about matching the optic to the mission.
