German reticle scopes

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minutemen1776

minutemen1776

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I'm interested in getting a 2-7x scope with a German reticle. Unfortunately, options are VERY limited. What seems to be available are very expensive scopes with 30mm tubes, which I cannot use with my current rings. There are a handful of other offerings, but nothing that comes close to what I'm searching for. A few years ago, Burris offered a 2-7x Fullfield II with a 3P#4 reticle that would be perfect for me. Unfortunately, these appear to have been discontinued, and I cannot locate one anywhere. Any suggestions?
 
The Leupold VX3 seems pretty good, I just put one on my new 9.3x74R Ruger No 1 and really like it. I think both the 1.5-5 and 1.75-6 can be had with the German #4.
 
You can also send any of their scopes to the Custom Shop and Leupold will install a German #4.
 
Rings are what, $29? Gonna let that stop you from getting the scope you want?
 
If I wanted good all around new scope with #4 reticle I would take a hard look at MeoPro 3-9x42.
 
Before you make your mind up, definitely try the Minox 1 x 6 or 2 x 10. You will be surprised.
 
The proper mounts are a part of the cost of getting the scope you want
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In many cases, rings are not quite as easily swapped as it might seem.

To obtain proper eye relief and cheek weld, for example, I've often had to mix-and-match offset/extended rings in very specific (usually extra low) heights, with those rings only being available in 1" form factor and not 30mm. And that doesn't even take into account Ruger rings or Sako rings or any other proprietary mounting system that further restricts the options that are available.

Lots of folks shoot almost exclusively from a bench and choose rings to provide the proper tube diameter and mount the scope tall enough to clear the bolt handle and keep the objective lens off of the barrel, and never seem to worry about having to scrunch around on the bench to get their head positioned 'just so' or having a non-repeatable jaw weld instead of a cheek weld. That doesn't make them wrong, but it also doesn't give them insight into the fact that a rifle should fit the user and that rifle fitment is heavily dictated by optic height and eye relief when the rifle is shouldered. And that often means that the options for rings to fit a specific rifle to a specific shooter is smaller than you might think. :)
 
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And that often means that the options for rings to fit a specific rifle to a specific shooter is smaller than you might think.
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You're overthinking a simple situation.

If you want a reticle that is only available in a 30 mm tube, you have to buy 30 mm rings.

You can nitpick over fractions of an inch in placement, but none of that really makes any practical difference
 
ou can nitpick over fractions of an inch in placement, but none of that really makes any practical difference
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It surely does make a difference. Maybe not from a bench, but snap shooting offhand in the brush requires that the rifle fit be pretty dang close to perfect. Once I find the perfect combination, I tend to stick with it. :)

Having said that, each optic has its own eye relief and eye box tolerances (how forgiving it is when viewed off slightly center) and the combination that works for a given person is a mix of rifle action, stock, rings, and optic itself. I've had more than one occasion where just changing an optic (say, replacing a VXIII with a Zeiss Terra) on a walkaround rifle made a working combination not a working combination any more.
 
It surely does make a difference. Maybe not from a bench, but snap shooting offhand in the brush requires that the rifle fit be pretty dang close to perfect. Once I find the perfect combination, I tend to stick with it.
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I've had more than one occasion where just changing an optic (say, replacing a VXIII with a Zeiss Terra) on a walkaround rifle made a working combination not a working combination any more.
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All that is wonderful, but still has nothing at all to do with the OP needing 30 mm rings to get what he wants

I'm interested in getting a 2-7x scope with a German reticle. Unfortunately, options are VERY limited. What seems to be available are very expensive scopes with 30mm tubes, which I cannot use with my current rings.
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"Snap shooting in the brush" isn't a high percentage tactic.
I'd try being a better hunter and getting standing shots that aren't rushed
 
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All that is wonderful, but still has nothing at all to do with the OP needing 30 mm rings to get what he wants
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The OP was being told to change rings and move to 30mm scopes to get his desired German reticle rather than stick with his rings and find a suitable optic (German reticle, 1" tube diameter). I was just trying to illustrate why the OP's ring selection might have been more constrained than the optic choices - sure seemed to me like folk were more interested in telling him to change rings than helping him find optics choices.

I'd try being a better hunter and getting standing shots that aren't rushed
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Ha! :) Try hog hunting in the brush on foot, and you'll understand.
 
The rifle is a CZ 527, so 30mm rings aren't that abundant. What's available is rather pricey. Since the rifle shipped with a set of CZ 1-inch rings, I'd prefer to stick with those. In any event, 30mm German-reticle scopes are generally rather expensive as well. I was hoping to identify a sub-$300 scope that includes a German reticle. I appreciate those who have pointed out that these reticles can be had through Leupold's custom shop. I believe Burris also offers a similar service. Both seem to run about $50-$60, so that seems doable. I guess it wouldn't be a THR thread without someone suggesting a totally different route that costs twice what I'd hoped to spend. :)
 
The OP was being told to change rings and move to 30mm scopes to get his desired German reticle rather than stick with his rings and find a suitable optic (German reticle, 1" tube diameter). I was just trying to illustrate why the OP's ring selection might have been more constrained than the optic choices - sure seemed to me like folk were more interested in telling him to change rings than helping him find optics choices.
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He's the one that said he couldn't find the reticle he wanted in a 1" tube

His "ring selection" was never a part of the problem he mentioned

Most any configuration you may need can be found in both 1" and 30mm

Ha! Try hog hunting in the brush on foot, and you'll understand.
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For that I wouldn't be using a scope at all
 
minutemen1776 said:
The rifle is a CZ 527, so 30mm rings aren't that abundant. What's available is rather pricey. Since the rifle shipped with a set of CZ 1-inch rings, I'd prefer to stick with those. In any event, 30mm German-reticle scopes are generally rather expensive as well. I was hoping to identify a sub-$300 scope that includes a German reticle. I appreciate those who have pointed out that these reticles can be had through Leupold's custom shop. I believe Burris also offers a similar service. Both seem to run about $50-$60, so that seems doable. I guess it wouldn't be a THR thread without someone suggesting a totally different route that costs twice what I'd hoped to spend. :)
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I too have a CZ 527, initially I had the Warne rings which attached directly to the dovetail base. In the end I bought a weaver to CZ rail mount, therefore allowing me more options for scope mounting. I suggest you do the same.

The reason I ventured this route was because I was using the highest 1" rings with a Leupold 3-9x50 (1" tube) and I had less than 1mm clearance with the barrel. By installing the conversion rail I was able to use existing rings to give a bit more clearance. Also, I've now got a Vortex 30mm tube scope on there with medium height Vortex rings.
 
If I could offer an alternate suggestion....

Nikon offers the #4 in a variety of configs in the new catalog.

I'll check it again when I get to the shop.
 
There's the Bushnell Trophy XLT 1.5-6x that seems to meet your requirements for reticle and price. I would buy it and check to see if it is clear and bright enough in low light before mounting it. You can always return it if you don't like it.

You might also look at some of Leupolds lower end scopes with a heavy duplex reticle. I don't think there's a practical difference between a thick duplex and the German #4.
 
I guess it wouldn't be a THR thread without someone suggesting a totally different route that costs twice what I'd hoped to spend.
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Or suggesting something that was specifically noted as unacceptable in the original post.

Then again, if original questions were actually answered, about 2/3rds of the posts wouldn't exist
 
Go to google and type in Leupold frequently asked questions. Read what it says about changing the reticle in Leupold scopes. Apparently their customer service people can change the reticle to several options in about any Leupold scope. The offer the German #4.
 
I have the 527 in 7.62, and have the Leopold VX2 2-7 on it. Very pleased with this scope, especially considering it's relatively low cost.
 
Have you looked thru a scope with one?Just wondering I thought I wanted one a couple years ago so I bought a Burris 1.75 -5 Fullfield II.I don't really care for it.Maybe too many years of using duplexes.Don't hate it just don't like it.
 
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