Yes we've covered this in years past, but with a new crop of optics out there, I thought it would be interesting to discuss again.

Anybody have any issues, pros/cons with a variable say at 3X on the low end? Personally, I used to think the best choice for versatility was a 1.75X6 with preferably a >40mm objective, but I've seen a bunch of folks here and elsewhere with 3X9s etc. What do you guys think and use? jorge

I still use a fixed 4 power. One thing I like about it is that it gives me a better idea of how far the animal is than variable powers.

I have used 1.5x5 and liked it, however now my 375 wby mod 70 wears a 3x9 Leupold vxII. Sometimes the higher power is a plus, I have shot some bigger stuff at longer ranges including a Eland at 310 yards. Leupolds have great eye relief so recoil even off the bench is not a problem for me. Good luck

Big game offers a much larger target than shooting groups at the range. I have hunted white tails for decades with a 3x9 set on 3X. The only time it was changed was for load development.
In all that time I have learned to loathe large bulky scopes. My .375 has an old 3X Leupold fixed power scope. That is more than enough magnification for shooting game the size of barn yard critters.

Jorge,
What is the intended use of the rifle? If it will see DG use then I prefer 1.5-2 on the low end. If DG is not on the menu then perhaps the low end could be 3X but I agree with the previous post that a big scope screws up the balance and handling of a rifle. I much prefer the feel of my M70 with a 1.5-5 VXIII over a 30mm 1.5-6X. Just my free opinion and you know what that is worth.

I have one Mod70 in 375H&H with a 3x9x50 Burris scope and the other Mod70 in 375H&H has a 4x16 Burris Signature scope. I like the higher power scopes since I grew up deer hunting across long fields and logging roads.

Jorge,

I seem to have gravitated to either a 1.5-5 VX3 (for dangerous game) or a 2.5-8 VX3 for everything else. I like small, compact, lightweight scopes for all of my rifles. I also like the B&C duplex reticle as well on the 2.5-8. In the past I have bought 3-9s and 3.5-10s, but I have abandoned them for these lighter, smaller scopes. I prefer their eye relief as well.

I brought one of the last steel tube S&B's in 1.5 x 6 and wouldn't change that choice.

I've got a 1.2-5x36 Duralyte on mine. I'm very comfortable from 1-250 yards with it!

I've got either a 2.5 x 12 Zeiss on one and Leupold 4.5 x 14 on the other 3.

I have my 375 set up with Kimber/Wisner detachable mounts & two sets of rings. One set of rings holds an 1980's 1.5-5 Leupold, the other a 3-9 Zeiss Conquest.

If I change anything it will be replacing the Leupold with a 1-4 Trijicon.

I have a 1x6 leupold VX6 on one of mine 375 Ultra, and a 2x8 Zeiss on my 375 ruger.

Ed

Great comments guys. I've always had that Leupold 1.75X6X32 on mine and I've shot buffalo at 25 yards to a kudu at a lazered 352, but like I alluded to in the OP, that scope is over 12 years old and I'm looking for more light transmission. On the 1.5X5X20 Leuppold, that's one of my favorites and that's what my 416 Rigby sports but it's terrible in low light. On the other hand my other 375 sports a Trijicon 1.25X4X24 and it's a really bright scope.

I made a decision to just now and ordered one of the new Meoptas in 3.5X10X44 with an ill reticle after much research and great reviews on it. I was also limited to 1" rings as my Model 70 has the EAWS QD mounts on it and I REFUSE to pay the 260 bucks for 30mm rings!. It will be my back rifle for leopard when I go in June of 15. My primary will be a Custom Shop Model 70 in 338 with a 2X12X50 Zeiss with an ill reticle. Great info here and I hope we get more inputs. jorge

My Win Model70 in 375Weatherby wears a Bushnell Elite 3200 in 2-7x32. This is the largest DG scope I would use, interestingly, on 2x it actually looks just like it does with open sights would, no magnification that I can tell.

Cheers.

My Blaser R93 (!) has a Zeiss 3-9x40 scope. The eye relief is plenty and doesn't change with the magnification.
Peter.

I should have mentioned I'm really falling in love with my Minox ZA scopes. In my opion, they are every bit as good as the Ziess Conquest line.

I personally went with a Leica 2.5-10x42 with the #1 reticle. The optics are superb in any light and I truly love that #1 reticle for fast acquisition.

I've thought about something like a Triji 1-4 but I just can't quite warm up to the glass Triji uses. I've found it's definitely a step below VX3 and Conquest glass.

I like the discontinued Trijicon 1.25x4. I also have a Swarovski 1x6 Z6, but the Trijicon seems perfect.

Hard to beat a VX3 2.5x8. Light wiight, plenty of eye relief. It'll probably work as far as you need to try shooting at the upper end, and I found it noticeably brighter at the low magnifications than a VX3 1.5x5 predecessor...

Good hunting,

Honestly jorge, I have shot, and still continue to shoot so many African animals with my 375 H&H rifles, that one wears a 2.5X8 Vari-X III Leupold and the other a 3.5X10 VX 3 Leupold illuminated reticle. It's my go to caliber/rifle on nearly all of my African hunts, which the exception of the Bucket List Hunt last June. And then, I felt somewhat naked, not having one of them with me at the time!

quote:

Originally posted by Emory:
Hard to beat a VX3 2.5x8. Light wiight, plenty of eye relief. It'll probably work as far as you need to try shooting at the upper end, and I found it noticeably brighter at the low magnifications than a VX3 1.5x5 predecessor...

Good hunting,

Yep, me too. Once I put my 2.5-8X VX3 on my 375 H&H I've never taken it off.

Leupold Vari X-II 3-9 on my 375 and 1.5-5 on my 416 Rigby. Happy with both. Don't see very well any more.

My favorite scope for the 375 is the Leupold VX-3 2.5x8x36.

I switch scopes at times on my 375's but the Z6 1.7-10 with TDS reticle useing the Barnes 270 TSX seems to get the nod mostly now days.
I have a Meopta 1.75-6x32 Ill on a 308 that I have recently purchased and it seems promising
The problem is that there are so many attractive 30mm scopes out there compared to 1" scopes these days especially when it comes to illuminated scopes.

quote:

Originally posted by Blaserguy:

The problem is that there are so many attractive 30mm scopes out there compared to 1" scopes these days especially when it comes to illuminated scopes.

BG, I think you really hit the nail on the head: there are just so many 30mm scopes these days. I keep wondering "what happened to all the 1"'ers"?

In the IL world it seems that if you want a 1: illuminated you're looking at Triji...or nothing. Not that it's a bad option, just by the time one starts looking at them a quality used euro alpha isn't that far off...

FWIW, my Sako Fiberclass 375 H&H wears a VXIII 2.5-8. I've hunted Alaska and the lower 48 and it has worked well for me. Power range is just right for me.

quote:

Originally posted by mrfudd:
I like the discontinued Trijicon 1.25x4. I also have a Swarovski 1x6 Z6, but the Trijicon seems perfect.

+1
I'm going to try a 1.25-4 Trijicon with German reticle on my soon to be completed 9.3x64 CZ 550.

quote:

Originally posted by mrfudd:
I like the discontinued Trijicon 1.25x4. I also have a Swarovski 1x6 Z6, but the Trijicon seems perfect.

I run a Trijicon 1.5-4 with the Picket post reticle, on my 416 Rigby and run another on my 375 or an Aimpoint. The trijicon has 5 inches eye relief, is bright, clear, light and tough.

On my second 375 I run a Zeiss Victory 1.5-6X42. This scope is great when using the moon light to hunt pigs. After using some of the Euro scopes at last light I sold my Leupolds. Unfortunately the Euro scopes are not as light or compact as the Leupolds

Gents thanks again for al the inputs. I know Saeed loves his Leupold 2.5X8X36 and I do have one on my 3006, but I was again looking for more light transmission AND to see if some of you more experienced hunters used a 3.5 and it appears you do with little or no hindrance for close up shots.

I have a setup in my back yard at 75 yards distance with a clump of bushes and small trees. There is a deer target sort of in the tunnel and with an "eye" chart taped to it's side (my wife thinks I'm nuts). That is what I use as my optics test for low light and resolution. When I get the Meopta in next week, I will put it up against my Z6 as well as my Victory and get back to you guys. jorge

Viper vortex 2-7x33

I have a Leupold 3.5-10x40 that I have had for quite awhile that might be my most used scope as it has been switched around various rifles. The 3.5 power has never been a hinderence and I have done a good bit of shooting at this power. It's been to Africa, rode in a scabbard in the mountains and chased speed goats on the plains. I have shot more moving game with this scope than any other. I have never had too much power or too little. I have spent more on a scope but this guy still finds its way on a rifle to hunt. In fact it just got moved to a Mauser M03 to be used this fall.

quote:

Originally posted by jorge:
Gents thanks again for al the inputs. I know Saeed loves his Leupold 2.5X8X36 and I do have one on my 3006, but I was again looking for more light transmission AND to see if some of you more experienced hunters used a 3.5 and it appears you do with little or no hindrance for close up shots.

I have a setup in my back yard at 75 yards distance with a clump of bushes and small trees. There is a deer target sort of in the tunnel and with an "eye" chart taped to it's side (my wife thinks I'm nuts). That is what I use as my optics test for low light and resolution. When I get the Meopta in next week, I will put it up against my Z6 as well as my Victory and get back to you guys. jorge

Once you get past an exit pupil of 5mm any more light transmission related to objective lens size is pretty well useless for the average middle-aged eyes. Quality glass and coatings are a far more effective way to gain "brightness" in a scope.

Hi Jorge,

I have not been in Africa, yet. But I use my M70 Pre64 (1953) a lot here, in Patagonia, for big Red Deer and Wild Boar.
In this rifle I have used: a Weaver Micro-Track 2,5x20 (duplex), an old Redfield Bear Cub 4x32 (one of the last with a duplex reticle), great scope!, a Schmidt & Bender 1,25-4x20 Ret 4, a Zeiss Victory 1,5-6x42 Ret 4, and a Zeiss Diatal ZA 4x32 Ret 4.
Today I have the rifle with the first made Warne mounts (bought 20 years ago), the machined ones, both with 26 mm and 30 mm rings. The scopes in use are the Zeiss ZA 4x32 and the Zeiss Victory 1,5-6x42. The Z Victory is, perhaps, one of the best scopes for a .375 H&H! It is light enough (15 ounces), short enough, with a good eye releif (90 mm), and GREAT OPTICS AND MECHANICS!! The close second choice, for me, is that Zeiss ZA 4x32. Great little scope!And good to know I can use either one...! In almost all my rifles I have two scopes allready sighted..

Good luck!

PH

I use a VX6 2x12 on my 375. I use it for Plains Game, so the extra magnification comes in handy.

First .375H&H has a Leupold vx3 1.75-6 with smithson quick detach mounts....Love it.

Second .375H&H has two scopes with Talley Q.D. mounts presighted.
1. Leupold vx3 1.5-5 with ballistic dots installed to match my 300gr. TSX in case I need longer range precision without sacrificing eye relief. This set up is for float hunting Alaska rivers for moose in the company of bears.
2. Leupold vx3 2.5-8 also with ballistic dots to match my 235gr. TSX for elk hunting love it also.

A sighting thought to ponder in a dangerous game rifle and not a long range set up. Is the ability to access the ejection port area easily. In case of fast loading or clearing, without taking your eyes off the target, breaking stock weld or trying to go around scope bases that extend into the ejection port area. Which is a know-no. Due to certain scopes short barrel length restricting ring placement or making fit a well marketed alpha scope. larger diameter tubes further impede access area. They do not add more light but only range adjustments which are not needed. They cost More money. more weight is a given and will only weaken the scope. It is just the law of physics Add to it stocky fingers and you get the jest.
Open sights have lasted for a reason... The next best thing especially with aging eyes is the scout set up. With a nice quarter rib and a scout scope. It eliminates all above problems. I would like to see more scope manufacturers offer a high end scout scope with slight power variations while maintaining a wide field of view.
A barrel band mounted quality green laser sight is the ultimate for dark and fast scenarios. Forgive my diatribe. Safe hunting.
Charles

I have two setups for my 375:
1) Leupold VX-III 1.5X5 with Talley quick detach mounts
2) Trijicon 5x20x50mm with Talley quick detach mounts

The VX-III is used for DG and the Trijicon for taking bait or longer shots. I do tend to over-scope my rifles as I'm a firm beliver in the old saying that you can't hit what you can't see.

S&B 4x .

I have used the old 3X Leupolds on both of my 9.3x62s and my 375s over the years and never found a need for more scope, same for my Savage 99 saddle guns....

I still think a fixed power is the best option...My next choice is the 4X Leupolds...

In a varible I would and have used the 1X4 and the 1.5x5 Leupolds and still have a few of them laying around..I use a 2x7x33 on my 300 H&H and my 06, .270 etc. but I use them for a diffrent type of hunting, but I would not be unhappy to use a 3x on any big game rifle.

A fixed power seems right to me.If I had a 375 I wanted to scope I would consider a 6X if there is such a thing in Zeiss or Schmidt and Bender.
6x
[URL= ]zeiss 6x[/URL]

I have the 2.5x8 VXIII Leupold with the B&C Reticle on my Sako 375 Kodiak. It combines the perfect mix of brightness, mag ranges, and BDC for those slower bullets to fit my needs. I also have a 1x4 Vari-X II that I previously used (and can be a backup). It's brightness was not nearly as good....

I have not brown bear hunted.....but hunt moose among very big brown bears....for me if 2.5x is too much my wingshooting reflexes will do (I hope)

Cheers,

Dan