I have just purchased my first .375 and want to mount a Leupold 1X5 on it. Has anyone used either the new Leupold "German 4" or the "Wide Duplex"??? Or should I just get a German 4 or 4a from Premier??? (Sorry, but I also posted this inquiry on the Gunsmith forum in error) Any and all advice or information is greatly appreciated! Arthur Olds

I think all those reticles are just gimmicks..The standard Leupold Duplex is the best reticle for any hunting situation imaginable...

That other stuff is too busy in there for me, covers up to much realistate.....I have yet to find an instance where the standard duplex did not work to perfection, even shooting at night...I have only heard couple of excuses for misses blamed on them, didn't buy it...not for a minute...

Arthur,
I agree with your choice of scopes and with Ray on the choice of reticles. The regular duplex reticle is hard to beat. A few years ago I bought the heavy duplex for a .375 and at over 100 yards on the smaller stuff I found it covered the vitals. Not conducive to good shooting IMO. Sold it and since then I haven't gotten fancy. Just the plain ol' garden variety duplex for me.

Arthur,
What is the intended use of the rifle? Is it going to be a Dangerous Game Rifle, where you will only be shooting within 100yds.? If so, the heavy duplexes will suffice.

However, as others have mentioned, they will subtend too much of the target at longer ranges for my taste.

George

I have one on my 45-70 and because my eyes are getting tired(old) I was having trouble picking up the crosshairs in heavy timber and in twilight on dark animals. I got a Premier 4a and have had no problems since. I've used this scope for years with no trouble with the factory duplex, still have one on my wife's Model 7 243, so it's a matter of good vs. tired eyes, available light, and color of game.The 4a center wires offer the same subtention as the factory duplex so nothing is lost as far as fine bullet placement/target work are concerned. The heavy outer wires sure help guide your shot in low light situations. I Tried the Heavy Leupold Duplex and it covered too much target for my liking.

Art, I have a Leup 1.5-5 heavy duplex, but would not recommend the heavy duplex if you ever want to shoot long range.

Reticle choice seems to be best made based on what you are used to, so oif you are used to a regular duplex, then that is what you should get. Some people get the German #4 reticle only to find that they shoot high with it (maybe they are aiming with the post instead of the crosshair part).

What action is your .375?

My personal choice is the German #4. I feel that the top post doesn't aid my shooting, so it's only an un-necessary obstruction.

I'm sitting here looking through my Leupold 1.5-5 30mm with the German#4 Dot reticle. The Dot may be key. The bars force me to look at the dot in the center and allow the entire top half of the scope for viewing. It seems very good to me. I plan to put this on my .458 WinMag. I doubt that I'll get any other type reticle in the future.

Les

I have a 1,5-5 on my 500 Jeffery with a German #4 ill. but the dot is not strong enough for daylight. The recticle is ok for long range shooting but for close range no good.
The Ziess 1,25-4 variopoint is the best if you want to use a scope for close range DG. but I prefer iron sights for that too.

Cheers,

Andr�

I like the HEAVY DUPLEX. I have 3 scopes with the heavy duplex a 1.5x5, a 1,75x6 [wifes 308] and a 2.5x8 on my 9,3x74R double rifle. I have killed a coyote with the 2,5x8 on the 9,3 at 271 yards. I do not find that the heavy duplex covers up too much at long range, and I really like it for up close and or low light or dark woods shadow situations.

Hi Arthur,
The 375 is a very versitile cartridge that's very capable of a three hundred yard shot plus. I would suggest you look at the 2.5 to 8 VARI-X III. The 2.5 is exellent for close in or lower light in close. I have the 1.5 to 5 with the heavy cross hairs and would prefer the regular cross hairs for distance shooting also.
Take care,
Dave

Like others above, I have the Leupold VariX III 1.5 x 5, matte finish, with the Heavy Duplex. The heavy duplex does indeed show up nicely in dimmer light, heavy brush, or on quick shots. For longer shots it appars to cover too much of the target area even at 5 x, but I am beginning to believe that's just an optical illusion- I can shoot 1" groups at 100 yds when the gun/ammo/shooter are working right, so obviously the scope is capable of letting me aim with sufficient precision. But as always, YMMV.

Thanks for all the good advice and suggestions...now that the .375 has arrived and been shot a few times with the irons, I shall be making (trying to make?) a good decision on the scope reticule, since the scope itself is a "no-brainer"...I have always appreciated the adice from this forum!!! Arthur