Scope advice for two #1's

dkmlever · Nov 5, 2012

I just bought off the forum a #1AH in 25-06 (24 inch barrel no sites) and locally picked up a #1 SC in 45-70 (with the 26 inch barrel) and would like to buy scopes for both of them.
I prefer not to use the offset rings but wold buy them if reguired. I have a #1A in 30-40 Krag that I put a 2.5x8x36 Vari-X-III Leupold on and needed the off set rings to get the proper eye relief.
I prefer Leupolds but would look at any good scope, I do not want to spend a fortune.
I prefer matte and a simple duplex reitcule - no extra lines.
I would prefer a fixed 4 or 6 power or a low powered variable for the 45-70 and in the range of a 4.5x14 for the 25-06.
I would prefer to stay with a 40mm bell at the biggest.
SO, what say you #1 fans, what do you use? What should I buy?
Thanks for your advice.

rugerbh73 · Nov 5, 2012

I've got a Leupold VX-2 3x9 on my 1AB 30-06, without an offset ring. It is a replacement for an old Bushnell sportview that required a lot of "stock creep" to use without the offset ring. The VX-2 is much better.
I've got a Leupold VX-2 2x7 on my 1A 6.5x55, without an offset ring. The eye relief is just fine for me.
I'm about 5'10" and 225. My daughters are about 5'8"ish and all three require offset rings for a VX-2 3x9 on thier 1A's.
It may be that I'm so accustomed to creeping up on the old Bushnell that the Leupolds feel great to me without the offset ring.

My father has a 1A that I mounted a Burris compact 3x9x32 on for him. (Actually my wife was using his rifle so I put a scope on it). That little scope has mega eye relief, no offset ring needed whatsoever. My father did not like the feeling of having his head so far from the scope so he pulled it off and put a Simmons Aetec on it. The Aetec has good eye relief and he uses it without an Off set ring. (He's about 6'1" 230)

I hope this helps. There are plenty others around here with more #1 experience than me that will chime in.
P.S. If you'd like to try out the Burris compact, let me know and maybe we can work something out.

4Sixteen · Nov 5, 2012

Nikon Omega 3x9 scope on my No.1 .45-70. It features a constant 5+" of eye relief throughout the magnification range -

picketpin · Nov 5, 2012

Whatever it is, if it's a standard scope you will need 3 1/2 to 4 inches of eye relief with the ability to get the end of the rear ocular centered over the safety, plus or minus a little. The single biggest problem you run into is not enough distance from the adjustment turrets and the ocular bells, either front or rear. That is almost always the spoiler in getting the scope back far enough without offset rings.

Many of the smaller scopes just won't work, period.

I have had very good luck with Burris and Leupold. I buy Compacts which seem to have a lot of eye relief or regular old long tubed scopes. I have a bunch that wear Leupold 2x7s usually I and IIs but also a few Compacts and all work fine. I probably more with Leupold 3x9s with 40mm lenses than anything else. Any of the M series fixed powers from the 2 all the way up to the old M8-8x should work fine. All f the Burris first generation Fullfield will work without offset rings or altering the rib/mount. The newer Fullfield IIs don't always work and frankly aren't the glass the older USA scope were/are.

To be honest I haven't bother to try anything else as I have found what works for me and don't go shopping for anything else.

RWT

BigBear · Nov 5, 2012

I have a ruger#1 tropical in 375 H&H with leupold VX-3 2.5-8x36mm....works awsome for me, great scope for sure, super clear, tough and plenty eye relief 8)

100 yds with the 375 H&H....