selecting a scope for a heavy recoil level rifle

grumpyvette

Administrator
Staff member
just three factors ID point out that many guys don,t take into account when selecting a scope for a heavy recoil level rifle,

and that's the weight and length of the scope, (the heavier it is the more abuse the mounts take during recoil)and the longer it is the more easily its damaged if the rifles dropped, bumped, or just shot a good deal, ETC.
and the fact that variable scopes tend to be far more fragile than fixed power scopes
and that theres a wide variation in quality between brands, no scope will take that level of abuse forever,
as a general rule a quality fixed power 4X or 6X will stand up far longer than a 4x-12x or 6x-18x
but if your dead set on a variable scope a short quality compact 2.5x-7x will usually hold up longer than something like a 4.5x-14X
I have tried several variables from several quality name brands on my 378 wby, and 458 LOTT and its a rare variable scope that lasts 200 or more shots, but the 4x I have used, now for several hunting trips seems to shrug of the abuse ok
it is mostly due to inertia, the components mass, and how complicated the scopes internal design is and the resistance too the rapid acceleration ,and deceleration, the heavier the scope or its internal components like lens are, the more they tend to resist rapid acceleration and the more stress the scope sees internally.
most guys won,t have issues with the 300-340 mags or lower recoil rifles but once you get into the 378-460wby and 458 lott its something you need to think thru
 
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