Scope recommendation for the big boys

Looking at planning the next bucket list adventure somewhere down the road, Alaskan Brown Bear, and it got me to thinking about scopes based on the outfitters recommended gear lists. Most require (not even recommend) at minimum a 375 H&H in caliber or anything beyond that. I am not here to argue that X-caliber can take down a Brown Bear. I know my .300 Norma Improved could easily do the trick in addition to many other calibers that I own. However, from my recent Alaskan moose and black bear hunt, not a single person (6 guides, 3 packers or the outfitter himself) had ever heard of a .28 Nosler. What I realized is most of these guys are old school and only know what has been used before. The hottest and newest caliber doesn’t get much publicity in the backcountry of Alaska. They stick to the motto of “don’t fix what ain’t broke mentality” and therefore they grew up shooting 375 H&H’s or 416 Rigbys or whatever and as far as they are concerned that’s all that will work to safely take down a Brown bear. Basically, if you want to hunt with them it’s by their rules and terms. I am totally okay with that. But I digress. Clearly you are not lobbing bullets 150+ yds out at these M1 Abram tank like animals. Based off the distance of the shot, the caliber of the bullet and likely or potential need for rapid target acquisition either in self defense or just to take a shot, I was thinking my scope should consist of the following features:

- low power, 8-12x or less
- great eye relief
- small objective lens, 40mm
- thick duplex reticle
- second focal plane. This is the only situation that I can think off the top of my head that a FFP scope would not have an advantage over a SFP scope.
- capped turrets
- weight has no factor into my selection other than I want it to be capable of withstanding the recoil of the rifle

Anyone disagree with this line of thought or have further comments/suggestions? Thanks

I will add that this rifle may also accompany me to Africa some day for larger game so a scope to accommodate for multiple uses would be ideal instead of being pigeon wholed for one specific hunt. I personally love magnification, the more the better, but do realize that these calibers are severely limited on theIr effective distance.

Several companies are making 1-6 or even 1-8 scopes now. My H&H wore a Leupold 2-7x32 and I really liked it. Several hundred punishing rounds through the rifle and never had to rezero. I would not put anything on that rifle that has less than a 2X on the bottom end. Large dangerous game can often be close and fast. I’d look at the VX-5 or 6HD.

Swaro Z6i 1.7-10x42 Plex.

Looks like a good list to me. I’d want no more than 2X on the bottom end.

Nightforce SHV 3-10 x 42

Swaro Z6i 1.7 - 10 x 42
Swaro Z6i 2.5 - 15 x 44
Swaro Z6i 2 - 12 x 50
Swaro Z6i 3 - 18 x 50

S&B 2.5 - 10 x 40 Summit

Leupold VX 6HD 2 - 12 x 42
Leupold VX 6HD 3 - 18 x 44
Leupold VX 5HD 2 - 10 x 42
Leupold VX 5HD 3 - 15 x 44

Anything else I am missing in the “ quality glass” spectrum besides what is listed above. Not a fan of Zeiss hence the reason they aren’t on the list. And no I don’t consider the NF SHV to be high end glass, but it’s a NF and is the only SFP rig they make with a 2 - X magnification.

This would be my pick for what you want. I shot mine at 97 yards with a 300rum and that is probably a longer shot for them. Dropped like a sack of rocks though

For something like that I'd go euro good glass like swaro, zeiss (not low end) or schmidt. Nf would make the list for how robust and tough they are. That being said the other three listed with the goal are solid imo.

For years I've used a pair of Leupold 1.5-5X on those "old school" .375 and .416 Rigbys (looks like I'd get along with your Alaskan friends!). If I felt like I HAD to have a bit more magnification, I go to a 2-7X (but no higher). In a scope for dangerous game, I like the low end to allow me to shoot the thing like a shotgun...should things go pear-shaped!

Mark

Look at March scopes.

They've got some that at the bottom it is a tapered Duplex. Turn it up, and you have Mil or MOA.

I'd put a Meopta R2 1.7-10x42 right at the top of your list. It can hang with the Swaro Z6i for much less $$$. Meopta has stellar customer service as well. Ditch the S&B, as it has terrible reticles to choose from.

Have heard the name but honestly know nothing about them. I do like the taper idea, just wish they had more lower mag options. So where do you find these in stock at? Looks like all inventory is sold out for the most part. Anywhere in the Metro-Mess area that carries these so that I can put my hands on one?

Jgraider.....totally agree on the S&B reticles on the summit. They are terrible.

Meopta would absolutely be worth a look.

You could go more compact if you were willing to forego a little magnification on the top end. I have the Leupold 1-5x24mm on my .416. The more compact, generally the less vulnerable to recoil. Light gathering and more than 4-5x magnification are not needed in DG applications.

https://www.swfa.com/swfa-ss-hd-1-6x24-tactical-30mm-riflescope.html

This was my first thought as well.

Go to 24hourcampfire and look for the posts of .458 Win Mag, who is Phil Shoemaker. He lives amongst the big bears and has guided for them for decades. This topic comes up every other month. High magnification is not needed. 1x or 2x is far more likely to be used than even 6x.

He is an advocate of the average client using a .30-06 because they are far more likely to be able to shoot it accurately and make a timely followup. Practice shooting offhand with no support and doing it in a hurry, and shooting followup shots even faster.

It may seem odd on a big bolt action, but the scope I have on my carbine is very impressive. SWFA SS 1-6X FFP Mil/Mil.

Look at the reticle images, and you'll see why it is so versatile. At 1X you have a ring as an aiming point, and you can get a clear image as close as two feet. At 6X, with the full Mil quad reticle I can hit 500 yard steel. It would cover all the bases. You're welcome to come out and try it.

Never used them on game but have shot a few of the Leupold 1-5's and they seemed fine.

If I ever hunt a big bear I want to take a 45-70 lever gun iron sight.

Thanks for all of the recommendations. Think I’ll make a list with these on it in addition to a few others and go check them out at SHOT show. Liking the idea of the lower magnification scopes. Maybe throw a QD Mount on it and then I can double the use of the scope over on to my “black guns”.

I have an older Bausch & Lomb 1.5x6 in Leupold quick detach rings on my 375 H&H. It was been a good scope with a clear picture and is rugged. It has been to Africa several times and has never shifted zero.

I have been on that hunt I ask the guide what his back up was he mentioned an stw with ballistic tips that was the hot thing then I had one to, so I , anywawent and bought a used Remington Alaska wilderness rifle in 375 back then they were custom shop guns, put a 3x9 European zeiss on it. That rig has gone to Alaska 3 times killed 3 grisleys 2 carabous been in the airports, been on the wing of the planes, gone to mexico till they said nothing over 338, anyway that scope has never changed zero after all of that those old zeiss 3x9x36 are tough and clear even as old as they are