Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Leupold - long range duplex question

I'm picking up a Leupold 2X7 scope for a Savage 220 slug gun. I have 4 other 2X7's (favorite scope) but have never tried the long range duplex. The slug gun is capable of hits out to ~200 yds, but has a rainbow trajectory after 150 yds. Zeroed at 100 yds, it is -4 at 150 and - 12 at 200. Would the more complex reticle affect its durability?

I am growing fond of target knobs although I am kind of a KISS guy in general. Would any of you with experience recommend this reticle for a slug gun? My main concern would be for a cluttered view through the scope. I appreciate the feedback in advance. Thank you

Personally I do not like the cluttered view at all. I do think it would be durable enough though.Are you planning on really pushing it to 200 yrds? 150 yards sounds like a ideal max distance and no need for a long range duplex.

As far as the scope and cluttered view, I thought I had become comfortable with a 2.5-8 with the BC. Then I had to use my old Leupold Dot at the end of this year and again for me I realized how much I like it. The BC will be converted to a dot. Out to 300 nothing else is needed and I can turn a turret on the off chance I would have to go further. For the Western crew things may be different.

Slug guns and 200yards is terra incognita for me.

I appreciate the feedback.

200 yds is max I would consider shooting, and this is with saboted 3 inch shell that shoot pretty darn flat (45 cal 250 g bullet at 1800 fps through my Chrony). Basically these loads replicate a 45-70. These are not the old school pumpkin balls. I'm one of those folks that believe in 100 yd zero; I don't care for holdover. I like my bullets striking where the cross hairs meet. My 270 Win with 150's drop the same amount at 300 yds (~12 in). I don't think anyone would consider 300 yds with a 270 to be ill advised. Getting off subject here....

I am looking for feedback on the user friendliness of this reticle type. Turrets would look 'different' on slug gun for sure.

I have an LR, and do not feel it is cluttered at all. The BC reticle on the other hand is a joke.

I do not have that specific reticle, but it is a good one.
Not cluttered to me.

If you can't do it with a Duplex,it cain't be done..............

A 250 grain bullet at 1800 fps is not really 45/70 ballistics. More like .44 mag carbine ballistics. Also a .270 sighted in correctly will drop but a few inches at 300 yards.

I'd cite that a 270 sighted correctly(or anything else),will hit dead on at all ranges...but that basic concept is gonna sail right over the top of your head.......................

I was thinking about the B&C reticle, I don't like that reticle. The LR dots are pretty good.But I don't use those either, I'd rather turn the turret and hit more accurately.

Crosshair intersection,trumps any/all guesses and by quite a margin...................

I've been leaning that way, turrets just seem a little silly on a slug gun. It sure is nice to have a bullet go where it's aimed and not do the holdover thing.

I was kind of hoping someone would talk me into the LRD. I'll probably just continue to roll on as I have.

This darned State and its stupid game laws. Unsafe gun handling isn't going to fixed by limiting hunters to slug guns, but that's the law.

Had to do the slug gun thing in NY until about 3yrs ago. I put together an LT20 with a pinned/fixed Hastings barrel. I wasn't much into turrets then. I wouldn't even think twice about doing it now. I'm not a huge Savage fan, but unless you want to spend a lot of money, it's about the only choice for a bolt action slug gun. I think a 220 and a 6x42 with an elevation turret would work.

"This darned State and its stupid game laws. Unsafe gun handling isn't going to fixed by limiting hunters to slug guns, but that's the law."

In my opinion it didn't here. There's no way to protect against the dumb...

Yes, they drive, vote and manage to reproduce prodigiously ....

Big Stick, Why are so sure I don't understand bullet drop compensation? You don't know me. I could have been more specific about what I meant by "properly zeroed".

Enlighten me,it'll be funny................

About what? You seem to know how to operate a rifle.

If you really want to use the Duplex for a slug gun, I would sight in at whatever 100 yard holdover you needed to be 8" low at 200 yards. I'm guessing about 2" high at 100 might do it.

The bottom post of the standard Duplex on 7x would be 8" down at 200 yards. So you could use it as a sort of "intersection" while aiming.

It seems that you might best be served with either shorter shots or a good turret.

I have the LR duplex and if I had my time again I would get the standard duplex. The thing I don't like it that the dots are bolder than the cross of the crosshairs. If the holdover points where just hash marks it wouldn't be so bad.

Do the holdover dots actually work out to useful ranges for you? They don't with my 308...

I've tested the LR reticles on several rifles/calibers and will keep this short. First, I don't find the view cluttered. Second, they work reasonably well -- IF used properly and tested at actual distances. Finally, slug-gun use wasn't top of mind with the designers.