Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Express Rifles and Big Bores Only Help me scope my new 375 H&H

Somewhat impulsively I picked up a slightly used Remington 700 express rifle in 375 H&H. Not sure if I've been reading too many books on Africa or what but I fell to the temptation to buy the rifle way before the trip.

Since it's use is still somewhat unknown, may some day be the dark continent, maybe Aaska for bear...the scope needs to be something that can adapt.

Was thinking maybe a Zeiss Terra 2-7x33 instead of a more limited VX2 1-4x20. Any ideas or gotchas I need to be aware of when picking out glass for my new big bore? Want to keep the $$ under $500 if possible.

Have a Leupold 1x-4x on my .375 H&H and I don't find it limiting at all. Also have a Weaver 3x on another H&H and a Leupold 3x on my .375 RUM.

I have a Leupold VX3 in 1.75-6x. That is a great choice but as anything has pros and cons.

The pros:
1. Great power range for a hunting rifle. 1.75 allows huge field of view and lightning quick target acquisition. 6x is about a high a power that most can hold steady in the field allowing quicker shots.
2. Has a longer tube than nearly any other Leupold variable allowing the use of mounts not extending over the loading/ejection port;

The cons:
1. It is known for having limited windage adjustment often resulting in the need for windage adjustable bases or rings on some rifles.

A 2-7 33mm is a good choice as well.

I went with the 1.75 x 6 as well. After some use, I believe I am going to change it out for a 2.5-8x36. I have them and 2-7x33's on several rifles and find them just as useful at short range and a bit better past 250 yds or so.

Paul C,

You could do far worse than mounting up a Leupold VX3 2.5-8x on your .375. After trying several scopes, I ended up with one on my .375 Ruger Hawkeye, and have found it to be ideal. It has been used in Argentina for Water Buff, Africa for small and large plains game, and in Texas for Nilgai, all with excellent results on game ranging from 20 yards to well over 250 yards.

The versatility of the .375 can definitely use some equal versatility in optics, IMO.

Thanks guys!

I also have a Vari XIII 2.5x8 on my 375. As others have said good from 20 yards to 250.

2.5-8 matte Leupold in a set of steel Talley QD's is the prefect do it all set up IMHO, 270 gr TSX's zeroed dead on at 200 yards with the scope, and 300 gr Barnes solids zeroed on at 50 with the factory irons.

You can stretch the legs a bit on a 375 H&H rifle. I'd opt for something like a Leupold VX3 3.5-10x40. Even though I've had erector failure on one of those, it was one of my favorite scopes. Light weight, bright, clear and good adjustments/tracking until the erector failure. I currently run a Zeiss 3.5-10x44 on my 375 after trying others that I was not happy with. This included the lower powers: VX3 1.5-5, and 4x. I felt very limited with these scopes and would not feel comfortable shooting past 300 yards with these scopes. YMMV though.. I'll admit, my rifle/scope package is heavy, but very manageable and balances perfectly. A little extra weight in a 375 H&H sometimes isn't a bad thing either.. Here's mine with the Conquest 3.5-10x44 that I settled on. Excellent piece of glass so far:

While moose hunting in Alaska on a fly in lake, a bush pilot dropped off a couple of native bear hunters at our camp while he went back to their camp to pick up some more of their gear. Those guys were both armed with 375 HH rifles with fixed power 16X target scopes on them. I asked them why and they said you didn't want to get to close to the bears. I said OKkkkkkk.......

My preference for my 375s is the 1.75x6. 6X is more than enough power for any animal big enough that you need to shoot a 375 at. Just my opinion.

Recently purchased a likie new Cabelas LTD. Model 70 .375 H&H with a Bushnell Elite 6500 Rifle Scope - 1.25-8x32mm Multi-X Reticle. I already had a scope that I intended to use on this rifle when I bought it. I probably will sell the scope in the picture. The Bushnell is like new, if interested. Would also be a fair price.



http://s98.photobucket.com/user/SS30ANV/media/.375HampH_zpsb6wmilfq.png.html]

http://s98.photobucket.com/user/SS30ANV/media/b0567248-8d44-4f6d-b026-0041368313df_zpstvnazbje.png.html]

The Leupold 1.5 x 5 x 20 VX III.

Like Adam and Eve.

That's what I run.

I had a plain-jane Leupold 3-9X40 Vari XIIc on my .375 H&H for years with no issues or no feelings that it wasn't adequate. It rarely came off 3X though so I finally put a Leupy 2.5X ultralight (heavy duplex) on it with talley lows and think it is going to be awesome for what I use that rifle for.

I ain't planning on winning 1000 yard matches with it.

A little more versatility than the 1.5X5X20 Leupold is the 1.75X6X32 VX3. I've used it on two safaris at ranges from 25 to over 350 and light transmission is better than the 5X.

I find a scope that can be dialed back to (almost) true 1x is easiest and quickest to shoot with both eyes open for close in encounters such as bear defense. For normal hunting a 375 can reach out pretty far so scope choice depends on what you intend to use the rifle for.

This one.

I have a Weatherby mark 5 in 375 H&H right now.
I have a Nikon Monarch 4x40 straight 4 power on it.
In the past, I have had a Leupold M-8 6x42 straight 6 power, on a 700 in 375 H&H.
I have also had a Ruger M77 in 458 win mag and used 6x42 on it.
I like low straight powers, easy to find your target. And there is no thinking about, what power is my scope on? When you are looking thru it at something that is looking at you.
I like the 4x40 best.

1.5-5x20 is pure and simple worthless as fu ck. Stretch the legs on that 375 and run a 3-9x40 or 3.5-10x40.. Hint..

Just transplanted a 1.5-5x from my Ruger to my Winchester, both .375's.



On the Ruger, it was used to finish a wounded black bear at 15', and also to drill a black bear at 320 yards. No problem with either shot. Fairly useful scope I thought.

Guy

Even a plain old 2.5X is a surprisingly useful choice on the 375.

I did have my 2.5x on the Model 70 for just a bit - liked it and it got me to wondering about using a fixed 3x Leupold... But I didn't buy one, yet.

Guy

Id recommend a variable. 1.5x 6 in that range.

I went with a Zeiss Conquest 3x9x40 on mine and it works very well. Not to big not to small.

I've got three different makes and models of 2.5X scopes. The Leopold is nice; small and light. The Weaver is not quite as small, easier to mount, better sight picture. The Burris is bigger, even bigger picture, heavier duplex. Of them all, I like the Weavers best. They have, IMO, the best characteristics, being an ideal size; small, yet rugged and easy to work with and use. I've not had any trouble with the three I've had mounted on various 'enthusiastic ' rifles, but I do wish they said Leopold instead. (That's probably a bit snobbish more than objective.) The 2.5x has never left me wanting on my chunkier-bored rifles, but then I don't poke quarter mile holes with them in critters either.

Nice looking rig there.

I have a 2-8x Meopta on my .375 Weatherby.

A 375 can reach out to 300-400 yds, that 2.5 may not be enough.

I am with the 3-9 or 2.5 - 10 camps.. I had a straight power scope on my .375 when I made my last trip to Africa..
I only shot one animal with it and the rest with my .300.. The reason was not great range, but thick brush.. On my 300 I had a 4-12.. At 12x I could easily pick out a hole in the brush to poke that 200 grain bullet though.. With the straight power scope, it was difficult to find that hole to shoot though..

Great looking combo, But I still would recommend 1.75x6 scope.

Well, everyone needs to use what they're confident in I suppose. I know some will poo-poo the lower fixed powers but there is no sound reason not to consider them. The smaller variables are fine too, but I'm not crazy about the physics involved in having bigger and heavier glass on rifles chambered for heavy game. None of it matters if it's not familiar though.

I have a Leupold VX3 2.5-8x36mm duplex on my 375 Ruger Guide Gun with low Alaskan Arms quick disconnect rings. I have it on 2.5x for heavy timber and have it on 6x hunting in open areas. 8x is used for load development and range work. Scope is compact and light enough. The new Leupold VX3i 2.5-8x36mm run $400.00 price range. You can get it with the Boone & Crockett reticle reticle for $100.00 more. I had a Boone & Crockett reticle on it first but seemed to busy for the 375 Ruger Guide Gun. I like the duplex reticle better.

I've played this game ad nauseum. I've hunted with the VX-3 1.75-6x32 (hated the critical eye relief), VX-3 1.5-5, VX3 3-9x40, VX-3 2.5-8x32, all on M70s in .375 H&H. For me, the winner is...

VX-6 1-6x24. You're gonna pay for it, but I'm extremely happy having put several hundred rounds down range.

Paul_C, although there are many good scopes out there, I like the Leupolds. Get two sets of QD' s for two scopes zero'd and ready to go. For everyday general use(unless you primarily hunt the thick stuff),I'd use a 2.5-8,then have a 1.5-5 for the thick stuff or a good back-up ! memtb

That is what I am going to do with the 375 Ruger Guide Gun, Have the Nosler 300gr. Accubond load sighted in at 200yds zero with the Leupold VX3 2.5-8x36mm duplex and have a 1.5-5x20mm heavy duplex sighted in at 100yds. with the Woodleigh 350gr PP load. I use Alaskan Arms quick disconnect rings and they return to POA on the Ruger,

Right on good choice.

yep. out of my four .375s, this is the one that gets the most mileage. it is .375 RUM though...

I've been giving serious thought to the Swaro 1.7-10x42 for my .375.

Although I do want to take the rifle to Africa for buffalo, it sees a lot more use hunting black bears and whitetails at dawn/dusk and I'd like a little more power and light gathering than the VX-3 1.5-5 I initially purchased. Two scopes in talley QD rings is another option I've considered.

I wish Leupold would make a VX6 1-6 x 40

ive got a 3-9x40 conquest on my model 70 375 and a leupold 1.5-5 vx3 on my ruger no 1

I am running a 1-6 VX6 illuminated on my 375 Ruger Guide Gun. I think its the perfect setup.

Went with the VX3 2.5-8x36 in a DNZ one piece mount.

The rifle is at the smith rigjt now getting the trigger cleaned up and set to 3.5 lbs and getting a Pachmyer Decelerator custom recoil pad installed.

Now all I need are plane tix to Africa and a PH

I think that would be a great do-all scope. It has a wider field of view than the VX-3 1.5-5. It surely will transmit more light and has the added benefit of more power if wanted.
I presently have a 1.1-4x24mm Kahles on a 20" barreled 375 Ruger and am hesitant about replacing it because it has served well.
I like straight tubed scopes, but do recognize that power and objective increases can be helpful at times.
My son has a 1.5-6x42 on a 22.5" barreled 375 Ruger and he really likes it. I may put one on mine. At times these older eyes enjoy the extra 2 power.
I reloaded for my 416 Ruger and mounted a 1.5-6x42 for working up the loads this year. I had plans to put a 1.1-4 on, but liked it well enough that I left it on for moose season. It worked quiet well. Though I am debating replacing it with the 1.1-4 this year. I have pretty much had my fun with it as to moose, but will be carrying it for my main hiking rifle.
I have another 375 Ruger that certainly will be getting a Zeiss 1.5-6x42. Size wise I do not think there is much difference between it and the Swarovski 1.7-10x42.
----------------------------------------------------------------

Good choice going with the VX-3 2.5-8x36mm. Its all the glass you really need for a 375 or 416.
That is the scope I have on my Mark 5 416 Wby.

JD338

I really like the Leo 1.5-5 x 20 for DG rifles, where you generally shoot at less than 50 yards, but might make a shot at 200 yds on an eland or something. I always go for Quick Release mounts if hunting DG.

For a .375, it would not be a bad choice IMO, unless you were going to use it primarily for long-range elk shooting.

Then I might go with a little more magnification, say a 2-7. The choice you made seems to be a good one.

Just as important as the scope IMO, is the mounts must be reliable.

As for the 16 power bear hunters, sometimes the bear/situation decides how close you are when shooting a bear not theory. Unless the hunters had QR mounts and had the iron sights sighted in, I wouldn't want to be their guide.

BH63

I'm running a Swarovski 3-9x36 in Warne detachable rings. A 3-9x40 would have been nice, but the Swaro was unemployed at the time and I feel the quality of the glass makes up for any dimmer image...looks bright as can be to me!
I'd stay away from any of the cheaper Chinese-made scopes; they may be fine on your .22-250, but the .375's recoil can shake things up a bit. The last thing you need on the "hunt of a lifetime" is a loose reticle!

I see PaulC snagged up a scope but if anyone is looking I have a Zeiss Victory HT 1.5-6x42 illuminated #60 for a song... NIB $1400 shipped

Yep, good one.

On a 9.3x62, not a .375.

DF





.375 H&H with Zeiss Victory 1.5-6x42.

That 9.3 is skookum!

Thanks, Poobah...

That's a full house AHR CZ. I traded for it a few years back. It's a shooter...

AHR has gotten real proud of their stuff, couldn't afford or justify buying one at current price...

DF

Leupold straight 6.

I'd go with the x42.

Those are good, tough scopes, for sure.

For a 9.3 or .375, 1X or 1.5X is sure handy for fast, close shots.

The VX-6 1-6 pictured is a #4 illuminated. Leupold has done a great job with their Fire dot. The only down side to the #4 is LR shooting. I tried shooting the 9.3 at 300 yds with the scope at 6X. The reticle covered up a lot of target.

The 1.5-6 Victory on the .375 is a FFP and the center wires are pretty fine, not overly thick even at full power.

The smaller, lighter scopes with fewest moving parts reportedly do better over time on big guns. I have an older M8 3X Leupold that I sent back for servicing and a #4 reticle. Not fancy, but tough. It's my back up scope.

DF