'Scoping' a No.1?

[TennBill]

Recently, I bought a No. 1 Tropical in .416 Rigby. I've shot it a few times and found the recoil acceptable, actually 'feels' less than my Sharps .54 with about 100+ grains of BP, having shot both the same day. A video shows a pretty substantial muzzle climb! I'd like to have a scope just for the heck of it and would like to keep it 'Africanized' as much as possible. That is straight tube, low power....maybe 1.5-4X, and a generous eye relief. I've toyed with the idea of a pistol scope for the relief but most seem to be single power. Any thoughts appreciated! Bill

 

[dfletcher]

A handgun scope will have far too much eye relief. I have a bunch of T/C Encore & Contender pistol barrels, most are about 11" and above. I use a Weaver pistol scope on my Ruger Scout rifle and it works only because I'm tall & need all three stock spacers. Also, the "sweet spot" on a handgun scope is pretty unforgiving. An EER rifle scope is shorter eye relief, but still probably too long.

I have a #1 in 458 and a CZ 550 is 416 Rigby. The #1 wears a Leupold Rifleman in 2 to 7X and has plenty of eye relief. I went 2 to 7X because I plink with lead and wantthe higher power. The CZ uses a Nikon Monarch "African" with the straight tube, it's 1 to 4X (IIRC) and has what I think most would call the correct look for an African dangerous game rifle. Uses the German #4 reticle with heavy horizontal and lower vertical lines. And the eye relief is sufficiently long that I don't need to use extension rings.

Costs only about $250.00. I've heard they are discontinued, still see them around.

 

[TennBill]

The 'African' was my first choice for the reasons you point out. I was concerned about the relief, so glad to know it's adequate! There are a few around and it kind of 'fits' my rig. Thanks, Bill!

 

[BayouBob]

Another thought might be to go with the Burris Fast Fire III. I put one on my #1 in 450-400 since I don't anticipate shooting at anything over 100 yards with it. It is the fastest to acquire optic I have ever used. It is going to ruin the day for some of our old boar hogs this fall.

 

[WYO1]

The field of view in handgun scopes is less than desireable IMO.

 

[Kudu m77]

I would go for something like the Leupold VX-2 1-4x20mm

Plenty of eye relief. If the tube is too short you could use set-back mounts to get it closer.

Pieter

 

[Kudu m77]

Not the African model but gives you a good idea of how much the scope can be moved back or forward.

I got the image from google images that was posted on another forum.

Pieter

 

[wwb]

You never know for certain until you try it, but it looks to me as though that scope should be mounted a whole bunch lower.

 

[TennBill]

Man, Pieter, I love that Mannlicher stock! I have a .270 on a Mauser action, Mannlicher, blued steel Schnabel and set triggers, spoon bolt ..Love that gun.

 

[bushmaster1313]

 

[Klondike Mike]

Alot of good advice here. All I would offer is stay away from anything with a 30mm tube. There are no offset 30mm rings available so your mounting options on the Number One are limited to say the least. My 1S 45/70 and a Swarovski 1.25-4X proved to be a nightmare.

 

[Kudu m77]

Man, Pieter, I love that Mannlicher stock! I have a .270 on a Mauser action, Mannlicher, blued steel Schnabel and set triggers, spoon bolt ..Love that gun.

It is not my rifle. I got the image from google images. My father do have the same rifle though but with a different scope. It is a real pleasure to carry in thick brush

I will post a picture of it in another thread.

Pieter

 

[Kudu m77]

You never know for certain until you try it, but it looks to me as though that scope should be mounted a whole bunch lower.

I agree with you. I would too prefer it to be much lower than the one in the picture.

Pieter