Author Topic: Eye relief for a Model 70 in .300 Win Mag (Read 3459 times)

RangerJoe · « **on:** January 14, 2008, 10:22:19 AM »

Hi all -

I need to get a decent sturdy scope with enough eye relief for a .300 Winchester magnum cartridge. I just put an old Redfield(?) 3x9 on my Model 70 just because it was laying around, and it's not going to work. Unless I really brace myself for it, whenever the thing goes off, I get the eyepiece right in my eyesocket. It's starting to cause me to have some bad habits, like flinching as I pull the trigger. Not to mention it hurts like hell.

So... anybody got any suggestions on a good scope, that can take the hammering this thing is going to dish out, plus won't necessarily break the bank?

Tunaman · « **Reply #1 on:** January 14, 2008, 11:02:15 AM »

I have a Tikka T3 lite in 300wsm that has a Ziess conquest 3.5X10X50 on it. I get about 4 inches of eye relief, which I am really comfortable with. The added weight of larger scope helps with recoil as well. Good Luck and I hope that this helps.
Tuna

Graybeard · « **Reply #2 on:** January 14, 2008, 11:52:24 AM »

I don't like magnums even a little bit. I had a .300 Win. Mag once for a short while man that thing hurt my shoulder big time never again for me. BUT were I gonna do it again I'd not want less than 4" and more would be better still. If you knew you'd never ever shoot it from a really odd ball position or one which naturally brings the eye closer to the scope it might be you could use less but you really never know what will happen when hunting so better safe than sorry.

Another thing that can help is one with a rubber piece to contact you if it contacts. That eye piece can make a really nasty cut and I've seen some dozys from folks who got too close.

drdougrx · « **Reply #3 on:** January 14, 2008, 01:49:28 PM »

Hi Ranger,

I shoot magnums...a lot! I shoot a lite weight 300win made by brown precision on a ruger action that weighs 7lbs 4oz scoped. I also shoot a Rem 700BDLSS in 375HH that also weighs less than 8 lbs scoped. Which scopes??? Leupold. Vx-II 2x7 on the 375 and VX-III 3.5x10 on the .300. There is easily 4" of eye relief on each. Don't skimp. If you buy Leupold, buy at least a VX-II (stay away from the rifleman and VX-I). I like a 2x7 but would not be unhappy with a 3x9 or a 4x12 if you really think you'll be shooting long distance.

beemanbeme · « **Reply #4 on:** January 15, 2008, 07:17:33 AM »

I've shot .300's with Redfields on them without a problem. In their time, Redfields were a top of the line scope. You may have one or two problems. Your scope may be mounted too high and you're not getting your cheek tight against the stock and/or you're not mounting your rifle strongly enough. Your right hand should pull the rifle tightly against your shoulder and your left hand should not act merely as a platform but should grasp the forearm firmly and pull back. Helping to control recoil and muzzle jump. You should be leaning into the rifle with your cheek firmly against the stock. Then, during recoil, you and the rifle move back as a unit and felt recoil is less. If you draw back from the rifle or your head is up in the air, then the rifle is getting a running start at you and will knock the snot out of you and perhaps leave you with a nice case of Weatherby eye.
As posted, they do make rubber bumpers to go over the eye piece of the scopes in case of a forgetful moment.
If you're shooting the .300 from a bench, still draw the rifle tightly into you and raise your front rest or sand bags until you are sitting as erect as possible. You don't want to get down behind the rifle any more than you have to.

Val · « **Reply #5 on:** January 16, 2008, 03:23:21 AM »

The Leupold scopes have a long eye relief and they have scopes that will fit anyone's budget.

chazgin · « **Reply #6 on:** January 16, 2008, 08:23:11 AM »

I have a Leupold VX III 4.5 X 14 mounted on a Rem 700 in 300 Win Mag and have no problem with eye relief and recoil

RangerJoe · « **Reply #7 on:** January 16, 2008, 09:42:30 AM »

OK... I have looked at Leupolds and I have noticed a few models with 4.8" eye relief (or thereabouts). I guess I will just have to up my budget a little bit. Cabelas is good enough to put the eye relief for each scope right in their catalog.

As far as not mounting the rifle properly, I guess I wouldn't dispute that. I don't think I can get the scope any lower; I'm not using see-through rings or anything. I think though, that my problem is that I'm not a very big guy; I'm 6'2" but only 157 lbs. This rifle kicks me like a mule. If there was some way I could surprise myself with it going off, I bet it could knock me right over. I got a black eye from it last time the scope hit me. Not fun.

It's a beautiful rifle with a great solid, precise feel though. And I refuse to leave it up in the attic just because it kicks hard.

chazgin · « **Reply #8 on:** January 16, 2008, 09:45:38 AM »

Put a muzzle brake on it and it will tame right down to 30-06 level

lgm270 · « **Reply #9 on:** January 16, 2008, 10:14:51 AM »

Get a Leuopold scope and dump your Redfield. I've had very bad luck with Redfield scopes on magnums. They work well enough on .270/30-06 type rifles, but Leupold scopes have more eye relief and are safer.

Getting whacked in the forehead with the scope is a serious matter and there is no reason to put up with this hazard.

beemanbeme · « **Reply #10 on:** January 16, 2008, 12:57:24 PM »

If you have to put a muzzle brake on it, just put it back in the attic. Why screw up a good rifle.

nomosendero · « **Reply #11 on:** January 16, 2008, 04:13:34 PM »

Quote from: chazgin on January 16, 2008, 08:23:11 AM

I have a Leupold VX III 4.5 X 14 mounted on a Rem 700 in 300 Win Mag and have no problem with eye relief and recoil

That's a great scope for that rifle & caliber.

I would advise a Leupold in VXII or better as drdougrx said. I would also advise the new Niko Monarch with the "eyebox" technology, which offer over 4" eye relief. These new Nikons have great specs.

chazgin · « **Reply #12 on:** January 16, 2008, 05:42:26 PM »

that Vx III 4.5 X 14 is also by 50mm and I love it. I can also recommend Sightron IIs not quite a Leupold but also very good. I have one (x24) on a 7 Mag Sendero and its an excellent antelope combo.

reyn 61 · « **Reply #13 on:** January 30, 2008, 06:45:35 PM »

Zeiss Conquest

Dave in WV · « **Reply #14 on:** January 31, 2008, 03:58:32 AM »

RangerJoe, your problem may be with the stock design. You may be a person a Monte Carlo style stock fits best. The length of pull may be a bit too short. A scope with more eye relief will help. If you can find a gun store that has a rifle like a Weatherby with a Monte Carlo stock, check and see if it fits better. The less pounding you take, the better you'll shoot.

jro45 · « **Reply #15 on:** February 01, 2008, 05:50:24 AM »

The longest eye relift I have is about 2" On my 300 RUM and my 300 ultra Mag. I've found that if you hold on to it fairly tight it wouldn't hurt you.

Brithunter · « **Reply #16 on:** February 01, 2008, 11:51:15 PM »

Hmmm sounds to me like the whole set up is mounted incorrectly, unless the Redfield is like some of the early European scopes which had very little eye relief. Most scopes it seems are mounted correctly when the eye-piece end in level with the center of the pistol grip when viewed from the side. If you still colliding with the scope then it's your technique which needs addressing, unless of course you have an exceptional short stocked rifle.

This rifle needs plenty of eye relief as it's chambered for .458 Win Mag.

As you can see the end of the eye piece is above the center of the pistol grip is all the phots regardless of scope make and magnification.

drdougrx · « **Reply #17 on:** February 02, 2008, 10:06:23 AM »

Awfully nice set of rifles Brit!!

beemanbeme · « **Reply #18 on:** February 03, 2008, 06:16:46 AM »

Rangerjoe, before you spend a lot of money, get one of those slip on butt pads and put it on your rifle and try it. I'm not interested in softening the recoil but extending the length of pull and inch or so. Still mount the scope like Brit has outlined. I'm curious if having you lean your head more toward the scope to get a proper sight picture might help. Still pull the rifle firmly into your shoulder with both hands. If that works, it would be a small thing to remove the butt plate and have a nice looking extension installed. Then get a more expensive scope if you'd like but that is not going to solve your problems if your technique is at fault.

The only way the rifle could be knocking the snot out of you is if you are shying away from the rifle before it goes off. Whether you're doing it subcouniously or not. Remember, 130# Englishmen trekked all over Africa shooting 600 NE's without ill effect except they mostly died deaf so you shouldn't have any problem mastering a mere .300winnie.

Brithunter · « **Reply #19 on:** February 03, 2008, 11:10:19 PM »

Quote from: drdougrx on February 02, 2008, 10:06:23 AM

Awfully nice set of rifles Brit!!

Thanks, however that was not the idea of posting them. These were just some of the photos that showed the scope positions that also have different makes scopes. From top to bottom the scopes are:-

Bushnell Scopechief 3x In Hilver Mounts

Pecar Berlin 3-7x36 in Hilver Mounts

Weaver K 1.5 (Steel Tube) Weaver bases and unknown make split rings

Leupold Vari X111 2.5-8 Leupold QR lever op mounts

Tasco Titan 3-9x42 in Apel Roll off mounts The scope was on the rifle when I brought it (30-06 P-H 1100 Deluxe) I changed the mounts.

As for rifles well I have a few more, the BSA CF2 Fullstock (Stutzen) is the first full bore rifle I brought, new shop soiled it shoots well but only has a 20" barrel and is a .270 Winchester. The P-H 30-06 was the last of them shown to be obtained and I treded a SxS Englsih shotgun for it and some money just in case I ever got the chance to hunt bigger game, at the time I was looking into the prices for Elk Hunting in the US and despite having the P-H 1200 Super shown in 8mm Mauser (7.92mm) it was pointed out that some guides are nowt as educated in European cartridges and their performance as the US ones and none would say that the 30-06 is not suitable.

Of course the prices of said hunts was more than I thought and with the changes in circumstances an Elk Hunt is only a dream now.

victorcharlie · « **Reply #20 on:** February 04, 2008, 01:11:58 AM »

I would think the falling dollar would make an Elk hunt much more affordable than is was just a few years ago.

lgm270 · « **Reply #21 on:** February 04, 2008, 03:50:49 AM »

Quote from: victorcharlie on February 04, 2008, 01:11:58 AM

I would think the falling dollar would make an Elk hunt much more affordable than is was just a few years ago.

Interesting comment. The falling dollar has not made anything else more affordable, at least not for Americans like me. Could you please explain why a falling dollar with cause the cost of Elk Hunts to come down while costs for consumer goods and everything else are going up?

Brithunter · « **Reply #22 on:** February 04, 2008, 10:12:50 PM »

Quote from: lgm270 on February 04, 2008, 03:50:49 AM

Quote from: victorcharlie on February 04, 2008, 01:11:58 AM
I would think the falling dollar would make an Elk hunt much more affordable than is was just a few years ago.

Interesting comment. The falling dollar has not made anything else more affordable, at least not for Americans like me. Could you please explain why a falling dollar with cause the cost of Elk Hunts to come down while costs for consumer goods and everything else are going up?

Well it did make things cheaper for me as living in the UK the exchange rate was good, it's not so good now as it was last year dropping back to 1.8 USD per GBP. Last year is was $2 to the £1. Despite this good rate I only have a small fixed income as just over two years ago I moved to live with my parents to help care for my Father as it was getting to the point where Mum could not manage without help and could have meant Dad going into care. So an Elk huntign trip is no longer a possibilty in the foreseeable future.

glshop20 · « **Reply #23 on:** February 23, 2008, 02:20:07 PM »

Leupold for sure. Bushnell Legend series scopes also have fair eye relief as does the Weaver Grand Slam series if you don't want to drop the big bucks. If you choose to put on flip-up lense cover be careful. I had the little red opening latch bite me. It was my fault as I was shooting off a bench and probably crept up too close. Go only as close as needed to get the full edge to edge view thru the scope. Carry a red bandana. ot won't show the blood stains as much.(ha-ha)

huntswithdogs · « **Reply #24 on:** February 26, 2008, 09:05:30 PM »

I had a 300WM and shot it with no problems. The older Tasco, that I had mounted on it, never came near my face and I'm quite glad of it! I probably weighed 150, soaking wet with a big rock in my pocket, and I ain't but 5'7''. This rifle was a dream for ME to shoot. My 2 brotherinlaws was an entirely different story. They're both over 6' and weigh around 300lbs. When they shot my rifle, it kicked the water out of them. Stock length may be your biggest problem. You're pulling the rifle back into ya,thus getting the scope closer. Do what someone posted above and try a slip on pad. It'll get that scope out another inch from ya and may be more comfortable to shoot.

HWD

Larry Gibson · « **Reply #25 on:** March 03, 2008, 07:55:47 AM »

The Redfield is a fine scope and will work fine on a .300. I'll bet the scope is mounted too high and/or to far back. This is a very common mistake. If you are holding your head back for eye relief there is to much give in you hold during recoil. This is why the scope ends up in your eye. With a proper position and hold your whole upper body moves back with the recoil including your head and you won't get the scope in the eye.

Best way to tell is put the scope on the highest power and get into a good prone supported position. Close your eyes and get a good stock weld with your cheek. Open your eye. If you have to move your head back to get correct eye relief the scope is mounted too far back. Change mounts if necessary. Extended bases are available and are less expensive by far than a new scope. Since it is a mounting problem a new scope won't cure the problem anyway.

Larry Gibson

Slowpoke Slim · « **Reply #26 on:** March 04, 2008, 09:23:04 AM »

My eye relief test for a scope on a magnum rifle is that I must be able to put my entire hand's width between the eye piece and the frame of my glasses. If I can't do that, then it doesn't go on my magnums. It's worked on both my 338 win mag, and my 375 H&H, no problems. I have a Nikon Monarch on my 338, and a Leupold VX-III on my 375.

Please stop shooting it until you get it resolved with either scope, mounts, rings, or length of pull. If you keep this up, you will develop a pronounced flinch, that will be VERY hard to train yourself out of.

beemanbeme · « **Reply #27 on:** March 04, 2008, 01:48:48 PM »

6 inches of eye relief?

Slowpoke Slim · « **Reply #28 on:** March 04, 2008, 02:03:20 PM »

That's hand WIDTH, not hand LENGTH, so, unless you're Andre the Giant, I don't think we're talking 6"s.

charles p · « **Reply #29 on:** March 04, 2008, 02:56:18 PM »

I can solve your problem. Sell the rifle!