looking to scope my new .375 H&H. Ive narrowed it down to a specific brand and between either a 1.5-6x36m or a 2.5-10x40m in that brand. What do most of you think would be a good choice here as far as the 2 magnification levels Ive listed?. I plan on using this rifle on my next Africa hunt primarily for some of the larger plains game (eland, giraffee, waterbuck, etc.) and a baited leopard hunt.

thanks,
Willi

Willi,

The 1.5x6 is in my mind the perfect 375 scope. The 6x36 upper end is perfect for leopard or longish shots on plains game. 1.5 lower end will give all the FOV necessary. The 2.5x10 accept for maybe a plains game safari in the Kalahari is simply not necessary.

Mark

bisonhunter1,

At what ranges are you planning on shooting?

If you are like me with eyesight starting to get worse, I like having the extra magnification at 200 yards and more. I just removed my 1.5 - 6 and put a 3 - 9 Trijon on my 375.

Shaun

My thought is that it really wouldn't make much difference. You will probably have it set on 3 power most of the time anyway because everything you listed should be relatively close to you.

If you intend to hunt buffalo with it on later safaris you might be better off with the 1.5-6. It would be more compact, easier to carry around and less likely to get bumped around in the truck.

Just started scoping my 375. My choice for primary was the VX-3 in 2.5-8, with my back-up choice being the VX-3 in 1.5-5. My logic, the 2.5-8 will handle most all situations, from closer work all the way out to longer shots on plains type game. The 1.5-5 will serve as back-up, and should I decide to chase buff, will give more desirable wider field of view.

At least that's the way I see it.

David

I used a Leupold 3-9X scope in South Africa on my 375 H&H Magnum. The shortest shot was around 80 yards and the longest on a zebra about 200 yards. The scope stayed on 9X the whole time and I liked the magnification it gave me.

VX III 1.75 X 6

On my two .375's I have one with a 1.75x6 Leupold VXIII and one with a 2.5x8 Leupold VXIII. Out of your two choices, I would go with your 1.5X6 scope.

I have a VX III 3.5 -10 with detach rings on mine, the extra magnification helps,

My rifle has open sights so I felt a low powered scope was a waste of time

The only other thing is that I looked through a low powered scope on a mates H&H and the one thing that no matter what I did it was a huge destraction for my eye was the ghost image of the end of the barrel, my eye was trying to focus on that.

For plains game I feel that 3-9 or similar would be the one, just bear in mine the low light conditions for the cats.

Buy what you feel is the best for you,Who knows one day it may be DG and at the end of the day its your ass, when that pissed off buff comes at you cause youve poked holes in him!!! YE HA

Regards Runas

Easy choice. I would use a 1.5x-6x.

A VX-III in 2.5 - 8 X 32 would be my choice and is what I have on my .375. It has served me well. For a .375, I like it a little better than a 1.5 - 5. I used to have a 1.5 - 5 on my .375. With this said, a 2.5 - 10 will be just as good as a 2.5 - 8. The 1.5 - 5 will certainly be adequate just not my first choice.

Just my humble opinion!

2.5-10x40. Good low end and plenty of top end for longer shots if needed for non-dangerous game.

I have a 2.5-8x36 Leupold VXIII on my RSM .375. I also have a 1.5-5x20 Leupold VXIII as a backup scope for the same rifle. I prefer the 2.5-8x36 as my primary scope as it transmits a brighter image, and is still reasonably compact.

I wouldn't feel hard done by if I had to go to the 1.5-5x20, however.

I just put a 1.8-5.5 zeiss conquest on a 375 ruger hawkeye and I really can't imagine needing any more scope than that. I considered a 2.5 to 8 but decided the extra field of view would be more beneficial than the extra magnification.

Len Hawkins

WOW. I see opinions are pretty splpit on this so far, but thanks to all who responded with your choice and ideas. I'm still mulling this over, so any other opinions are still welcome.
I think each of my choices has merits and trying to get a good all around idea here. As to range/shot distance questions asked, I suppsoe that number could be anywhere from 50 yards ( maybe even less) to how far do I feel good about taking a shot (and for ME thats probably NOT more than 250 yards). Thanks again.
Willi

1.5x6 gets my vote. I've used both, and see little difference. The slightly lower power seems a tad faster in a tight situation, but I think we all adjust to our scopes fairly easily.Enjoy!!

I tried my 1.5 x 6 30mm tube Swaroski on the 375 then tried the 1.5 x 5 Leupold with 30mm tube and like it on the rifle better then the Swaroski

You also have more eye relief with the leupold.

The PH I hunted Africa with last year said they have fewer Leupold scopes develop problems then any other.

Riding in a truck in Africa really will test a scope.

Hello,
I always felt that often times less is better than more and with optics on a firearm, preferred fixed power vs variables. Leupold M8-4X on my RSM 375HH works just fine. Does have three heavy wires and fine vertical upper half. Scope has been on harder kicking rifles over the past and is very tough and all the magnification I ever needed. Just a suggestion and good luck.

I have looked through all the German scopes and except for maybe a Schmidt & Bender, I'll take an upper end (VX III or better) Leupold hands down over a Ziess or Swarovski. Especially for the money. I have treated a few Leupolds like step-children and they have NEVER let me down. I also think they are the clearest scopes, again except for maybe Schmidt & Bender, that I have ever looked through and the jury is still out on the Schmidt & Bender as being clearer for me.

Now I think Swarovski's roof prism binoculars are the cat's meow.

And, if you ever have a problem with a Leupold scope, their service is impeccable. You definitely can't say that about all companies especially Burris.

I have two scopes in Talley QD rings, a 1-4X Leupold and a 2.5-8X Leupold.

That didn't help any, did it?

This looks like a severe case of more than one way to skin a cat!

Consider the two scope option. I have taken my HS Precision 375RUM on three African hunts. On the first, the usual entry level plains game hunt in RSA, I felt poorly served with my Leupold 1.5-5. Not enough horsepower for plains game. Since, I have gone to Tally rings, and take a Kahles 1.5-6, and an IOR Bucuresti 2.5-10. In Mozambique last year, the higher power scope came out for the croc, as it was zeroed for a closer range and a precise shot was required. Spare glass is nice when on a remote hunt, and having two power ranges is a decided convenience. Low power is what you need for dangerous game, and sometimes you just want the horsepower.

quote:

2.5-10x40m

Will be my vote if you are only going for plainsgame and leopard. the 40 lens will gather more light than the 36 only marginally I suppose. It depends on where you hunt take for example the waterberg region shots will be very close int the valleys or you could end up with a 300 m shot across a valley for a big kudu bull.

Then leave the magnification 3-4 all the time when a long shot presents itself you will have time to move it to x10.

2.5-10x40. Good low end and excellent top end for longer shots at non-dangerous game.

What about the new Swaro Z6 in 1.7-10X42?

Cover all the bases, eh???

Wow - I guess my .375 is under-equipped with its Vari-XII 1-4x20. I won't mention it to the rifle though, 'cos then it might just stop killing stuff

Seriously - I see 200 yards as my outer limit, and I've never felt myself short on magnification at that range. I must say though, that I have never needed to adjust that scope since the initial zero - despite some less than careful treatment.

My first 375 scope was a Leupold 1.5 x 5 straight tube 20mm obj (not sure about the obj dia but it was the little straight tube scope). It was just fine for shooting in full daylight out in the open. After practicing with it for about a year before my first sarari one of the parts inside broke loose. Leupold fixed it in time for my safari.

Not all the stalking in Zimbabwe was in full daylight out in the open. Very little of it was. Most of the hunting was in thick stuff and sometimes in poor light. That scope sucked ass for low light shooting.

After the safari I put it on my back-up deer rifle. It sucked ass big time as a deer rifle scope. It got sold after that season.

For the next four safaris I used a Leupold M8-6 power on my 375 and have been very happy with it. Fixed power=keep it simple. Six power is the perfect magnification for anything out to two hundred yards or maybe a little farther. With the bigger obj lens it works great for twilight conditions.

On the last two safaris I only took one gun. The 375 with a Leupold 6 power scope. I bought a second identical scope and took it as a backup just in case.

I thought I would be happy with this combination from now on until Trijicon came out with the new illuminated triangle reticle scope. I may have to try one of those.

The 375 H&H is my back-up rifle, and I have two Whitworth African Express rifles. One in a synthetic stock, and one in wood. They both have iron sights, and both are fitted with QD rings & bases. The synthetic stocked one is for hunting in Alaska's rainy hunting seasons, and is topped with a 3-9X40mm scope. The other in the wood is for Africa, and is fitted with the same QD rings, And bases, but with a 1.5-5 Lupy Veri-X III. When I go to Africa I take the 3-9X40 off my other rifle, and zero it in for the wood stocked rifle, and take it as a quick back-up for the 1.5-5 Lupy. Late in the afternoon when the light starts to fail, I switch to the 3-9, so if it gets too dark the 40 mm front lense will work better.

Since the 375 rifle is my plains game, and back-up for my DGR, I only bring the one bolt rifle, and my double. The switch, in effect, gives me two back-up bolt rifles, by simply changeing scopes. No matter what scope I'm useing I carry it set on the low power, till the high power is needed, and that isn't very often.

I've got a Leupold 1.5-5 on my .375 for two reasons. The obvious being that I use it as a Buffalo gun and I want the lower power. The not so obvious is that it has a 20mm objective lense, which allows me to get the scope low on the barrel, which in turn keeps my head down where I don't get slapped in the face. It's also faster and more natural when mounting the gun to have the scope low.

Hi:

I have both.... go with the 2.5 X 10 better to have the power and not need it, than need it desperately on a long shot and not have it.

I have a 1.5 X 5 leupy on my 458 Lott, detachable Warren mounts, great iron sights. On my 375 winne it is a Leupy 3.5 X 10.... to many longish shots both times I needed it.

But my plains game rifle is a 300 RUM, many 200 + yard shots, again with same scope a 3.5 X 10 Leupy... love that scope have same thing on 4 different rifles.

Regards.... Jim P.

Recently went to SA with the Swaro 1.5 to 6 on my Whitworth 375 H&H and wanted more mag. I will be ordering the Z6 1.7-10x42 for the next trip.

Still pretty much split on which one to get based on the good replies so far. Headed off to spend some time with my folks this weekend and will probably commit to a scope during that visit, tho still not decided on which one quite yet. Ah the choices we face in life , lol. Thanks again to all who answered.
Willi

1.5-6 X 42mm Schmidt & Bender Zenith Flashdot is the only way to go. My experience in the bush has proved to me that it is the ultimate. Why go second class...you are on safari.

Didn't a great African hunter of old once say, "only greenhorns rough it?"

Dr. Tim

Magnification is like alcohol the more you have the more you shake.

1.5-6 for me and use the lowest mag required for quick and close shooting.The 375 is used on big animals anyway so the 6 kan be used for long shots. i use my 3-9 on my 243 and i shoot springbuck at 250m easily. I think its a matter of personal taste. and we are not doing benchrest shooting anyway

I have a Leupold VX III 1.75-6X x 32 in Leupold QR mounts on my .375 H & H M 70. In my opinion this combination approaches perfection.

All my big bores (375 and up) are iron sighted, but have scope bases installed and a scope to go with them...I like the 1.5x5 or the old 3X Leupold on them...Lately I have adopted a fondness for the great little 1x4X Leupold on my 375 and 416. Its just a great scope.

I have never had a circumstance wherein more power was needed for hunting big game. I can see a Kudu or Mule Deer at 600 yards or better just fine with a 4X scope as I can with a 12X scope. You put the X on the shoulder or wherever and give er a controled jerk, the results will be the same regardless of scope power IMO.

Big power scopes are the politically correct illusion of the advertising geniuses of big business, they brain washed the public and made them believe it!!

Lest we totally discount the higher magnifications, let me say that I use the 4X and less for hunting and the higher magnifications for work on the bench. I find that a modest variable is useful, even on a hunting gun.

Thanks to all who replied and provided their insite on the scope question.

I finally committed today to a scope purchase.

I went with the 1.5-6x36mm (Bushnell). Should be here by June 1 and then will get it mounted on my .375, boresighted and off to the range for actual on paper sight and then start practicing for the anticipated 2008 hunt in Africa.

Willi

A good enough choice of power, but learn to KEEP in on 2 or 3 power while hunting dangerous game and check it often to be sure curious hands have not been playing with it.

Most PHs will tell you that clients having scopes on high power costs them more grief than any other problem, or the client jacking with the power ring when he should be shooting.

Bisonhunter.
I THINK, and I FEEL, the choosing the Bushnell wasn´t a wise turn.

I sertanly hope for your sake that it won´t nick your brow, and loose the reticle.

In my book, Leupold should be the way to go among the middle priced scopes.
As you are planning for Africa, a scope that can be trusted whatever happen should be your pick.

On my 375 H&H sits a leupold VX-III 2,5-8x36 with German #4 reicle,
It´s been trough approx 500 shots so far, and it is one of the best allround scopes I have ever had!

If only Leupold would still offer it in HD or # 4, (and the same goes for their 4x33) instead of that flimsy duplex