Scopes and Recoil Stress

[Kentucky Shooter]

In your opinion, could the Nikon Prostaff and/or the Nikon Buckmasters scopes stand up to the long-term recoil and stress of a heavy kicker like the .338 win mag or the .375 H&H? I have used these scopes with great success on .270 rifles, but I know there is a big step up when you go to cailbers in the .338 or .375 line. Just wondered what some of you would think.

 

[Kentucky Shooter]

In your opinion, could the Nikon Prostaff and/or the Nikon Buckmasters scopes stand up to the long-term recoil and stress of a heavy kicker like the .338 win mag or the .375 H&H? I have used these scopes with great success on .270 rifles, but I know there is a big step up when you go to cailbers in the .338 or .375 line. Just wondered what some of you would think.

 

[Joni_Lynn]

I would think they'd be okay on the 375 H&H but the 338 Win Mag might have a bit more chance of damaging them. I do not however have any first hand experience with those scopes.

 

[29aholic]

I think you are probably alright with the Nikon.

I have always preferred Leupold or Burris scopes for big guns. The Burris is especially well suited to heavy kickers due to their internal design.

 

[Joni_Lynn]

There's several things that can happen to a scope. The cross wires can break, the adjustments can become damaged or the black finish on the inside of the tube can come loose. I've had all 3 occur to my Burris handgun scope on two of my guns, a 29-4 and a Contender in 375JDJ.
The abruptness of the recoil seems to be harder on a scope than just the heaviness of recoil.

 

[Kentucky Shooter]

Thanks for the thoughts Joni and 29----I naturally prefer Leupold whenever possible, but I use several of the low to mid priced Nikons on different setups, and just wanted to know if you thought these scopes would stand up to the big guns.

 

[Big Cholla]

KS: In my experience, I found that scopes on heavy recoil rifles should be installed perfectly in their rings. IF the scope tube in in any sort of bind it will vastly increase the chances of something inside the scope failing. We had a .270 Win on a FN Mauser action that kept breaking the crosshairs on Weaver 6x scopes. Finally figured out that the action was mis-made and the rear scope mount was .040" lower than the front mount. Raising the mount and lapping in the rings with a 1"dia. steel bar took care of the problem. .... Big Cholla

 

[H Richard]

Along these same lines, putting a scope on a Mod 29-5. One that has not been drilled for the additional holes in the top strap.

I have used the B Square K,L,N no drill mount on K frames, but not on any heavy kicking guns. Would anyone anticipate any problems using one of these on the 29-5 with only the two mounting screws?