I am planning a hunt to Northern ablerta for this Nov.

I have finally decided to take the .375H&H, I got around to loading some 210grain Barnes X's and am pleased with the results so far.

My only hangup is the scope, recently substituted the old Tasco with a Schmitd & Bender 1.5-6x42 which has clearer optics and wider field of view.

I feel this is an ideal scope for African hunting, but I prefer high X for most of my hunting.

How far should I expect to shoot in that part of the world on a post rut hunt?

I would like to have at least 9x for 200m shooting, considering what I use on a day to day basis for my culling on my place is 15x.

Any Canucks wanna help me out?

I just solved the problem...I have a Swarovski with the same tube in 4-16x50 so I'll be mounting that before my next range session!

This way I don't have to change the quich detatchable mounts already on the .375

Express ,

I'm not sure you need more than a 4X scope for moose, they tend to be a pretty big target. I use a 1-3X scope on my 416 for moose, and I've used 3-9X's in the past on my 7mm Magnum. I imagine you aren't culling moose with that 15X scope? And I can tell you're from Europe, a 6X scope with a 42mm objective? And now a 4-16X50mm on a 375 H&H? Holy smokes. I'm not sure what the Euro scopes weigh, but I'd think they'd add quite a bit to the weight of your rifle. Good thing you'll be packing it, not me!

One comment on your moose load. Now, I realize the Barnes X is quite a bullet, and it sort of breaks the old way of thinking with regards to bullet weight needed for certian game, but 210 grs.? As long as you're getting good groups out to 300 yards+, I guess that is all that matters. What is the muzzle velocity? Those little X's look like bottle caps.

I believe that the 1.5-6 is the best choice you had for your hunt up here. If you are in calling season that canoe paddle of a scope/rifle will snag on all manner of brush and if a shot at 20 m comes up you will wish you has a more reasonable unit. All moose I have taken were with the 3x setting on a 3-9 scope. I also believe the bullet choice should be the 270 gr Nosler/Barnes ect as you effectively reduced any benfit of using a large caliber by using a short bullet.

BR

I agree with BR. A 1.5-6 or 2-7 is ideal for the conditions of northern Alberta. You're talking mostly bush, with the only clear spaces the cut lines. Now, you do get a chance at some long shots on those cut lines, but really, moose are pretty large targets. Unless you are going to be hunting the edges of someone's farm, where you'll have fields to deal with (and if you're far enough north, that won't be a problem, believe me), then a mid range scope really is lot's. Just make sure it works well in cold (really COLD) temperatures. - Dan

Mate, it was more the spotlighting in Australia that got me into high mag scopes!

The scope on the .375 is pretty bulky, by most peoples' standards, by mine it's a compact!

The 210Grain bullet is going about 3100fp, 4480ft-bls energy at the muzzle, trajectory is +1.4 @ 100 and -6.8 @ 300.
under the bonnet there are 76.5grains of H4895.

At least that's what the ballistics calculater says!

I also tried 70grains of VV N140 wich gives a very light recoiling load, I'll risk guessing the MV for that one at 2800fps?

Sound pretty deadly to me, 210grn might sound light, but it wouldn't if you were shooting a 7mmRM, eh?

I can appreciate what you guys are saying about the bullet choice. It may change to a 260gn Partitions or 235gn X if I get hold of some for load development.

The deciding factor was that these were the only .375 bullets I could find here, and that I don't want to take my 7mmRM, nor .300WBY, this way I have a load that will give me the best of both. Flat trajectory in case of a long shot and hard hitting up close.

The only testing on paper I was able to do was at 50meters, although it put 5 shots through one ragged hole, so I can imagine it will be at least MOA or better.

At least that's the way I see it at the moment.

[ 05-14-2003, 02:15: Message edited by: EXPRESS ]

EXPRESS, I agree with tod and BR, a 1.5 X6 or 2X7 at the most is plenty. There's still a lot of guys up north here that use a plain jane 4X. For years I used an old 1X4 with good results.

Why a .375? Two things, first the moose here aren't the size of the ones you probably hear about in Alaska. There's still plenty of guys here using a plain jane .30-06 with 180 grain Noslers. In fact, I'm seeing a change in a lot of guys that bought magnums and they're going back to the standard calibres. The second is that if you are going to use the .375, stick with the 270 grain bullets or if you like Nosler their 260 Partition is an excellent choice.

Hope you enjoy our north country.

EXPRESS, After I posted my last message I saw Dan's and he is absolutely right. When it comes to cold in Alberta it can change in a matter of hours. We're talking bitter cold. We don't mind it so much but we grew up with it. Do bundle up.

...I was up at Cold Lake and Lake La Bic this Febuary...

EXPRESS, beautiful country around Lac la Biche and Cold Lake. This wasn't a cold winter though.

Nov shouldn't be that cold for you. Temperatures in the day should be around the -5 to +5 degree celcius. Shouldn't even be much snow on the ground. I am from Ft. McMurray just north of Lac La Biche. I would use the low end mag scope as I use only about 4 power to hunt deer around Lac La Biche and that is plenty.

Greg

berneticg@shaw.ca

I agree with the others.6x is plenty for hunting moose.I would not even use the 375 if you have a 7mmmag and 300wby.Moose are quite large but also easy to kill.They may not drop on the spot but the seldom go any distance at all if hit properly with any bullet from the 7mm on up.(in some cases even smaller calibers are used)I live in fort mcmurray and agree that your most important gear will be proper clothing.

Savage it was -30 in the mornings up there, worming up to -20 during the day, I hoping to go back there next Jan, you say that wasn't cold enough for ya?

Bloody 'ell, eh?

Express,

Have you considered the height of the existing mounts?? - Will the objective lens of the 50mm clear the barrel with the existing mounts or will you need to go taller?

Also, putting a big heavy scope like the Swarovski on to a kicker like the .375H&H will test those mounts to the maximum; keep a careful eye out for scope slipping...I like to take a very fine black marker pen and inscribe two "index" lines onto the scope tight against the rings ie front and back...black on black shows just enough without being obvious and if there is any tendency for the scope to slip in the rings, you will spot it immediately...

Regards,

Pete

Good point Pete,

I will check, but I think it will work out, both rifles have the same scope mounts.

Although after so many say that 6x is enough I may not swap after all!

I figure a moose is about as big as a small horse, large pony, say a Quarterhorse?

I have my horses in fornt of the house so I can "practice" on them out to nearly 200m...

[ 05-14-2003, 17:03: Message edited by: EXPRESS ]

Express,

Personally I would go with the 1-6x42 S&B too, but things like magnification preference are such a personal thing, which is why I did not comment in my last post.. BTW, what make is the .375H&H???

regards,

Pete

Express, oh you were here during the warm part of winter, were you? Depending on how the winter's going, temperatures can vary from +10 C to -55 C. Lac La Biche and Cold Lake are at the low, swampy side of the province. Lakes, rocks, scrub pine, swamp spruce, lots of bush (mostly pine/spruce forest, some birch and poplar). Incredibly thick pockets of fallen trees and willows. Just south of there, you will hunt near farmer's fields, so perhaps a little more scope could be useful. Everything north of there is bush. I use a 1-3 Weaver on my 375 Wby, and I've never felt short sighted, as it were. All of my medium caliber rifles sport low to medium scopes (1.5-6, 2-7, 2.5-8, 3-9). For the size of the game and the areas in the north where we hunt, there really is no need for more magnification. If it makes you feel better though, go ahead. I've shot moose using a rifle with just a 4x scope, and they were close enough that all I could see was hair. I would do some freezer tests on your scope and rifle though. Freeze them overnight (with your ammo) and pull them out in the morning and see how the scope looks, how well the rifle operates, how much velocity you lose (you will lose some), etc. I would bring a back up scope for sure, if not a back up rifle. I live here, and I always take two rifles with me. You just never know what will happen. FWIW - Dan

Pete, the rifle is a Sako 75 hunter model.

I've had it bedded and floated the barrel, installed quick detatchable scope mounts, the swivel type.

The locals don't consider it "cold" unless it's lower than -30C.To outsiders they talk of -40C as being cold.

My eyes like a 2.5 x 10 quality variable. Many , many long straight cut lines in Alberta , might bump moose at 30 yds. or see'm at 600 yds. We always dialed 2.5 for the bumps when on argo or quad or walking and when we spotted them a long ways off , it gives you time to dial up and get set for your shot. The distance to what your comfy with shooting at is up to you. The chance at getting a long shot is good. That is just my experience. I guess it matters somewhat how your going to hunt your moose. Stand , still hunt , walk the mornings and drive the PM. Choice is yours. We spent 6 wonderfull years romping the bush between Fox Creek and Whitecourt AB. If it sounds like a love affair ..... it was. But I got a new bride now .... Saskatchewan

[ 05-17-2003, 23:23: Message edited by: Bowzer ]

My two cents. The S&B scope and heavier bullets. Set it in your deep freezer if you have one and retorque the screws. Your powder, H4895, should be good in the cold weather as it was designed for temperature chances. As far as a proper lube in cold weather I'll have to let the far north guys advise on that, I've been out in -25`C with regular gun oil and never had a problem but I'm quite sure it is just luck. Best wishes on your hunt, don't forget your camera.

Sounds good.

As a longtime mooser, most that I have shot have been 1,5 to 3 magnification. Up to 150 yds,that is,with a Marlin 1895. I have a 1.5-5 scope on it.

quote:

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I have my horses in fornt of the house so I can "practice" on them out to nearly 200m...

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Heh...doing the same now with a LR rifle,it has 5-20 scope on it. Up to 200 yds 5 is all I need, too much magnification and all you see is hair,not the whole animal.

Good luck,I would recommend taking it easy with the magnification.It all comes back to how you aim and know your trajectory.

Had some moose chili with beans,fresh salsa and nachos last nite,watching "The Three Stooges".Red wine to go with it. Life just does not get much better than that.

EDIT: Hey,the freezer test is highly recommended!

[ 05-18-2003, 11:06: Message edited by: Petander ]