Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles To keep classic or upgrade optics?

Regarding classic rifle... Mannlichers, Mauser, pre 64's, remington 88s, ect.
Whats the consensus?
Do I resore/ refurbish old weavers, Kahles, ect and keep the classic look OR upgrade to a modern optic that allows me to use the rifles to the fullest extent?

I like to get new scopes in traditional magnification ranges and objective size. But I recently got a couple of used gloss Leupolds to go on top of a Browning BLR and a M70 Featherweight.

If it were me I wouldn’t restore/refurbish I’d just do some 80’s gloss Leupold’s. They’re tailor made for that IMO.

Even if not period correct and less clear glass than something new it will have the right look and be clear enough/bright enough. A new matte scope wouldn’t look right if that matters to you. All personal preference obviously but if I were to hunt with an older rifle Vs. Something more contemporary. I’d want to keep the classic look but wouldn’t go out of my way sweating the details.

Only 1 thing to do, go classic. There are good scopes of that era that belong on those old rifles. These are old Sakos with B&L Balvar scopes and an old Unertl Hawk...

How "modern" are you talking? A gloss Leupold Vari-x series scope looks great on most classic rifles. A more useable, yet simple, scope could be a Burris FFII 3-9x40 with ballistic plex reticle. They make them in gloss too, but those are harder to find. They also look great, and also work exceptionally well on a "classic" rifle. Steel tube Weavers are nice, but you have to be very selective and find a good one. I'd stay away from old Redfields, because if they fail, you will have a hard time having someone repair them.

I don’t often see the scopes Shrapnel is writing about for sale.

My “old” rifles would have to be drilled and tapped and have some sort of base made to mount a scope. The “new” rifles I have - post WWI to 1950’s, I mostly have Leupold M8’s. But the “NEW” rifles I have a mixture of scopes, I try to get the best bang for the buck on those, including scopes from Germany and Japan, plus Burris, Leopold and others.

I have retired most of the scopes of my youth due to optic quality, weight, adjustments and so forth. I still have a couple Weaver El Paso and Redfield Denver scopes - they don’t go hunting much.

That's weird. You never look on ebay? I see them all the time. Even saw one of his favorites, a Zeiss Diavari for sale locally for $250.00.. That is another older scope, that looks pretty good on an old rifle.

That's weird. You never look on ebay? I see them all the time. Even saw one of his favorites, a Zeiss Diavari for sale locally for $250.00..

The scopes I buy on-line are ones with warranty.

I’d put the best scope I could afford on a rifle I hunted with.

Same. I’ve never understood the period-correct thing - if I were opening a museum, I’d likely have a different perspective.

Agreed. For hunting, put the best glass on it that you can. If wanted, hang onto the "classic" scope to put back on when wanted.

Well I don't think I'll buy a steel tube Weaver ever again. I bought a 2.5x and when I was out hunting it fogged up to the point where it cost me a shot at a deer. Then I bought a 4x in like new in box condition. It didn't even make it 50 rounds before the erector lens left loose

I respectfully disagree. Hunting isn’t just about killing and what you hunt with is as important as the game you hunt…

Rugged Reliability is never not the premium,though Flat Billed Fence Hoppers tend to fret their Estrogen Levels,for their HILARIOUS Dinkly Pursuits. Hint.

Being a CLUELESS Lying Piece Of Fhuqking Schit,seemingly greases those skids. Hint.



Just saying...............

Shrapnel do you mind telling us the chamberings of those rifles shown in the pictures you shared?

While I’ve only been big game hunting for a bit more than 25 years, I find my tastes becoming increasingly more classic. Chances are if you don’t find me afield with a .30-06 or one of its progeny, I will be carrying a bolt, lever or single-shot action rifle of vintage.

I like that stuff. Folks should shoot and hunt with whatever they like!

Just bought an L model full stock with EAWs and a 1.1-5 kahles Helia that is yellowish inside.
If I can't get it refurbished at swarovski maybe a KAPs 2-8 or a 1-6 vx5.

Leupold gloss look good on older rifles

I have a classic mount and scope on my Mannlicher MC 7x57. The Leupold "Adjusto" mount was on it when purchased and the Leupold M8 4x28mm was a perfect fit for me.

I go both ways.

I can leave it the way it came.......

















or.......















just depends on the purpose for which I intend it!

ya!

GWB

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