Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Express Rifles and Big Bores Only Budget scopes for 375HH

I made a thread earlier asking about the reliability of the vx1 and vx2 2-7x33 scopes for a 375 and I’m sort of leaning st just scooping up the bx1 but I’ve been looking around today and it seems that there are a few more options in the price range I want to make sure I’m not missing anything.

My 375HH isn’t my primary rifle I probably shoot about 3 boxes of ammo through it per year, it’s a weatherby vanguard dangerous game rifle and it has Talley quick detach rings and steel Talley ring bases. This is sort of s camp fun for me, might use it for moose this year but I usually go for my 30-06 or 308. This rifle gets bumped around a bit in the jet boat and snow machine, riding around in the truck etc. what I really want is a set and forget sortnof scope that will hold its zero.

Right now the choices are:

-vx1 2-7
-vx2 2-7
-vx freedom 2-7
-vx freedom 1.5-4

How are the vx freedom scopes? Any reason to not choose one over a vx1/2???

Also, there’s the weaver classic extreme 1.5-4.5 which seems cool but I believe it’s a 30mm tube so I’d need different quick release rings, I suppose I could go that way if there were a compelling reason to do so.

Is there any other recommendations for scopes for this rifle, maximum budget around 300 dollars.

Thanks!!!

VXII 2x7

The VX-F replaced the VX-2, so whatever you either have handy or find on sale. I put a VX-1 2-7 on my 375 foot a range trip but ended up putting a VX-1 1-4x on it for hunting (better eye relief and mounting on my m70). Everything worked out pretty well.

I think Weaver makes a 1-3x on a lower line, maybe Classic V, that could work but its not mitch cheaper than a VX-1

I have had Leupold CS techs tell me multiple times that all Leupold Scopes are tough enough and hold zero but the main differences are the turrets and the lens coatings. The VX 1s and Rifleman have friction adjustment turrets while VX-2 on up have clicks. Also, the VX-1 has less coatings on the lenses than the VX-2s and the VX-2s have less coatings than the 3s, and have fewer lenses. I'm not sure about the higher scopes, maybe they have special select glass or something but it's my understanding that the VX-3s have the maximum coatings. They are top of the line for Leupold as coatings go or so I have been led to believe. But there's more to a scope than lens coatings so the prices vary quite a bit on the higher models. I think some of them have more lenses too which drives the price up more.

But as to your question, from what I have been told by Leupold themselves as far as being tough and withstanding recoil a VX-1 or probably even a Rifleman will probably stand up to the shock of an elephant boomer as well as any other leupold. They are quality, all of them.

I picked up an older 3x Leupold here on the forum classifieds. Put it on my 375, zeroed it at 200 yards and just don't worry 'bout it in the least.

Hits at 300 are not a problem, and I'm confident in the toughness of that ol' fixed power scope.

Guy

I have an old 3x Weaver on a .375 H&H and it has held up very well.

If I was going to swap scopes on my 375 H&H for under $300, I'd probably buy a 2-7x33 Leupold Freedom and have Leupold change the reticle to a heavy duplex.

If I was seeking to do this swap for the lowest reasonable cost, I'd look for a used, but newer/more recent production, VX-1 2-7x33 Shotgun scope, 'cause they came with the heavy duplex reticle.

I gave up on Leupold 2 X 7,s after about 5 of them they all went South. Switched to Vortex 2 X 7 Viper that,s sadly been discontinued can still find them used. And have had very good luck with the Redfield 2 X 7 Revolution, which is made by Leupold , but it tracks and holds zero!

I have a Leupold 2-7X; I think a Vari X, I bought used cheap on eBay years ago. I had it on a 458 Lott for awhile and have used it on some other guns since then without a problem.

The only Leupolds I've ever had a problem with were their handgun scope which I've had on things such as a 460 S&W Magnum, a 500 S&W Magnum, etc. When I've had a problem with them, Leupold has always fixed them promptly and free of charge.

Go with the 2-7 freedom, I am very impressed with the quality of the freedom for the price.

Ended up with a lightly used vx2 2-7x33.

I’ll post up pics after I get it mounted and sighted in.

A few years ago, I put a Bushnell 4200 illuminated 1.25-4x 24mm (discontinued) on my Ruger No 1-H and it works well. Paid under $400 IIRC.

Surprised no one has mentioned Nikon, thought they have a good rep for handling recoil at a reasonable cost.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/423363/nikon-prostaff-7-rifle-scope-30mm-tube-25-10x-42mm-matte

my choice

I put an older Redfeild 2x7 wideview on my M70 375 years ago. I take it to the range once a year and check zero ,haven't had to adjust it in quite a while. It rides in the jet boat and on the wheeler, I can still see to shoot later than most everyone else. I have the same scope on my 338wm and my 30.06 haven't found a scope I like better.

I'm not sure that I'd put a budget scope on anything that was going to get bumped around very much.


Okie John

This^ If I was looking to scope a .375, I'd be looking at the Monarch 3 1-4.

Find a USED Vari X 3 1.5 x 5 that looks nice, if it ain't right inside it will cost you postage 1 way to Leupold to get it fixed. just my 2 cts worth it's what on my 375 and I sure wouldn't want any less reliability than that. MB

I have had a Leupold VX2 1.5 to 4 on my 375H&H since I was 22 years old and it's been the only scope my rifle ever had. That rifle was used so much I had to re-barrel it, and I have about 3000 through the 2nd barrel too.

I have made a LOT of kills with that 375 Mauser and some at very long ranges (600 to 850 yards) but I grew up, and now I don't shoot past 500 meters.

But the game I have used it on was either varmints for practice, or game large enough that 4X was all I could use or need, even at long ranges.
Mostly I keep the scope set at 2.5 to 3X and it's been 100% fine now for 42 years.
When I was in my 20s and 30s it was common for me to use that rifle in VERY thick cover, and lots of shots were at 50 yards and less, but now I live in Wyoming and I shoot to around 200 or 250 fairly often, so if for some reason I were to replace the old scope (as if in a case of me breaking it) I would go to a good fixed 4X.

Used Vari X 3 1.5 x 5x in the classifieds for $275 by Big Sky man. what you want egg in your beer?. MB