quote:

Originally posted by 505ED:
I set up my do it all 375 with a leuold VX6 1x6, and I shoot 300 grain TSXs or 300 grain northforks. Mine is a RUM so it can still kick those 300s 2650 fps without breathing hard.

May I ask why you are keeping the velocity so low?

Saeed,the load I had shot so good, I just did not want to mess with it. I shoot 91 grains of IMR 7828 a 300 grain northfork, and it gives me around 2650 to 2665 out of my 24 in barrel. It will just cloverleaf them at a hundred,and put them with in a 1 in at 200...it's my elephant/varmint rifle. It was built by Bill Wiseman here in texas. One of the most accurate rifles I own.

Ed

I will take an accurate load any day.

The above targets were shot by 2 separate rifles in 375/404.

The first was shot with a rifle built by Dwight Scott, using Barnes 300 grain X bullets.

The second target was shot with a rifle I built myself.

Saeed,

I have educated myself a bit more on bullet design.
I now understand that your Walterhog bullet is a true "bore-rider"
and there is nothing wrong with having some sub-bore-diameter shaft toward the base of the bullet.
Your bullet does have groove-diameter "driving bands" and bore-diameter shaft between those bands,
so it matters not what diameters the bullet has fore and aft of that middle section of driving bands.
(Good place in the rear to adjust the bullet weight by taking off a couple of thousandths.)

Yes. Your bullet is OK.
It now has R.I.P. Cerification.



Those who cannot shoot like Saeed must obsess about scopes?

BTW, Saeed shot those groups with a Leupold VXIII 2.5-8x36mm with the standard Leupold duplex reticle, I'll wager.
Same reticle he uses for Tennessee elevation and Kentucky Windage in Africa, out to 500 yards.

That Leupold scope is no pig.

So for all those that use the 2.5-8, how often do you find yourself getting a little kiss on the forehead from your scope? I was really trying to find something with 3.75 inches or better of eye relief based on my experience with the Swarovski I had. I am not in the tax bracket where I can swap out scopes if they don't work....it's sorta a buy it right the first time because I will likely have to be buried with it...so I need to get it all right the first time around...the web sites it as having around 3.6 inches of relief on the long end....does that sound accurate?

I bet not many get wacked...plenty of eye relief, for 400 bucks whats not to like...

http://swfa.com/Leupold-25-8x3...flescope-P12641.aspx

and a lifetime warranty, one of my hunting buddies has that very scope on his H&H...he loves it.

Ed

I have never gotten whacked by my rifles.

The only time I remember ever being clobbered was many years ago when a cousin of mine gave me a 375 to sight in for him.

I was shooting prawn, and got hit on the bridge of my nose, which gave everyone a good cause for a laugh.

Having a long nose does come in handy sometimes

Yeah, my nose is at times confused for Pinnochio's, so I know that feeling! I one time punched myself in the nose with my hand when shooting a super light 12 gauge shooting heavy slugs. The stock was short for me, and I was not quite ready for it and it rung my bell!

I also am 6'2" and have a long kneck and a thin face, so I tend to have to crane forward a bit to get a cheek weld on the stock, which probably pushes my brow forward a bit more than usual, hence my propensity to get dinged.

That's my biggest problem in choosing a scope at this point....eye relief.

The new rifle I bought (Alaskan) has a raised comb, so I am wondering if that will help me not crane my head forward as much as my Safari Express did...I have a pretty sweet setup specced for the 2.5-8 via the custom shop...the only other scopes still in contention are the Conquest 3-9 (4" of eye relief) and the Meopta 3-9 (3.75"). All of these I have seen, but not at the same time, so no side by side has been possible, except with the Meota and the Conquest. The Meopta was noticably wider feeling, probably due to the larger objectives. But the Conquest definitely won on eye relief. They both had nice glass, with the edge for my eyes maybe going to the conquest, but that is debatable. This particular store did not have the 2.5-8. The only place I have found that one did not have either the conquest nor the Meopta.

They all have pretty close to the same FOV at the bottom. But I think the 2.5-8 has the least critical eye relief, but again, I have not been able to compare them together at the same time.

Almost there...I think what I need to do is get back with the scopes and actually measure the distance with a ruler to try and ensure I don't get a scope again that I have to sell at a loss due to scope bite.

quote:

Originally posted by Chad T:
Yeah, my nose is at times confused for Pinnochio's, so I know that feeling! I one time punched myself in the nose with my hand when shooting a super light 12 gauge shooting heavy slugs. The stock was short for me, and I was not quite ready for it and it rung my bell!

I also am 6'2" and have a long kneck and a thin face, so I tend to have to crane forward a bit to get a cheek weld on the stock, which probably pushes my brow forward a bit more than usual, hence my propensity to get dinged.

That's my biggest problem in choosing a scope at this point....eye relief.

The new rifle I bought (Alaskan) has a raised comb, so I am wondering if that will help me not crane my head forward as much as my Safari Express did...

If there is any difference in comb heights between these two rifles, I can't tell it,
but the Alaskan is lower at the heel.





I have a pretty sweet setup specced for the 2.5-8 via the custom shop...the only other scopes still in contention are the Conquest 3-9 (4" of eye relief) and the Meopta 3-9 (3.75"). All of these I have seen, but not at the same time, so no side by side has been possible, except with the Meota and the Conquest. The Meopta was noticably wider feeling, probably due to the larger objectives. But the Conquest definitely won on eye relief. They both had nice glass, with the edge for my eyes maybe going to the conquest, but that is debatable. This particular store did not have the 2.5-8. The only place I have found that one did not have either the conquest nor the Meopta.

If a store offers the Leupold 2.5-8x36 VariX3, then they do not need to offer the Zeiss Conquest or the Meopta line.

They all have pretty close to the same FOV at the bottom. But I think the 2.5-8 has the least critical eye relief, but again, I have not been able to compare them together at the same time.

I know nothing about Meopta, but I do have one Zeiss Conquest 3-9x to compare to my several Leupold 2.5-8x scopes.

The Conquest is a pig compared to the Leupold, a longer and heavier pig with no better optics than the Leupold.
The Conquest wears the Zeiss name like lipstick:



Almost there...I think what I need to do is get back with the scopes and actually measure the distance with a ruler to try and ensure I don't get a scope again that I have to sell at a loss due to scope bite.

I have only been touched once by a scope, and it was with a .416 Rigby RSM Ruger, with a Leupold 1.5-5X20mm pushed all the way forward in the rings. Plenty of eye relief.
It happened after I had zeroed the rifle at the bench then got up on two feet and started practicing offhand in too relaxed and lazy a fashion, holding the rifle like a 22RF.
The scope touched the bridge of my shooting glasses.
Oh wait, it did not touch me, it touched my glasses. And I did not bleed.

Screw the eye-relief numbers.
Just push the scope all the way forward in the rings as far as it will go, and learn to like what you see.
Do not crane your neck to get every inch of width of field of view.
If you are 6'2" you must need a longer stock than the usual factory 13.5" LOP, or you are strangely built.
What LOP have you settled on for your stock?
I need a 14.5".

Pictures of Leupold 2.5-8X scopes on rifles:



Notice (above) that Saeed could have pushed his scope only about another 1/8-th inch forward in the rings.
Also, if you want custom turrets, those are the kind you need.

Pushed as far forward as possible, and barely long enough to fit on the CZ 550 Magnum:



This one has the Boone & Crockett reticle:



Below pictured, a .395 Tatanka above a .375/.338 Lapua Magnum, both wear Leupold 2.5-8x:



I must have a half-dozen of these scopes, or more. I own more scopes of this make than any other.
And I could always use another. Never had a problem with any scope of this make.
The Swarovski on my wish list costs about 8 times as much as one of these scopes, but somehow I have managed to survive without THAT Swarovski.

Scope Bite Prevention:

Love that picture, looks like a girl I usto know. Oh wait, forget I said that.

Anyway, yeah, on my last 375 I had a spacer put in to lengthen the pull, but not sure what the measurement was. I plan to do the same with this one. My 270 has had a similar treatment.

I talked with the Leupold Custom shop a bit today about this scope, and a vx7 I found on closeout at a local store, as well as the vx 6. The 7 is too heavy...19 oz's. Pity, pretty scope, nice view, loooove those pop up turrets. Very wide and long enough. But Heavy!

The 6, I don't know enough about. But the 2.5, they could set me up with a custom reticle that would allow me, with a little reloading, to have a 260 grainer sighted at around 200ish lining up with the lines out to 400 or so, and a 300 grainer, sighted at 100ish (give or take in both cases) lining up with the marks to 300 or so. And custom turrets if I want them.

Not sure on those because of the possibility of bumping them. The pop ups on the VX7 are a better execution of that. Having exposed turrets on a hunting rifle, I am not so sure about that idea now that I have handled some of the scopes. But again, I am open to other's recommendations.

I think the 2.5-8 scope is a good recommendation, but I have alignment and eye relief issue with Leupolds for some reason. Must be that my DNA test says I'm above average for Neanderthal DNA.

I have a Zeiss Diavari 1.5-6x42 on my Mauser M03. I think the best would be one of the new S&B scopes that are 1.5-8, but they are damn expensive.

For a load, I'm shooting 300 gr TSX at 2,650 fps. It has a very sharp kick since the rifle is 7.75 lbs without scope, but it's not bad.

I had the barrel magnaported to stop muzzle rise due to the light barrel (not a muzzlebrake, big difference).

Ever thought about:

Kahles 1 - 5 x 24? ( EXCEPTIONAL scope! )

Swaro Z 6 i 1 - 6 x 24

Swaro Z 6 i 1,7 - 10 x 42 ( did I post this already? )

and, if weight is an issue:

Leupi VX - R 2 - 7 x 33 is LIGHT ( and has illumination! )

Hermann

Wow, that is a stout load. I did not know you could really get that out of an H&H with 300's. I think on my last one, I got up somewhere close to 2600 with partitions, maybe.

While the 2.5 remains at the top of the list due honestly to the many many fans of it on this site, I still am not sure due to eye relief and the fact that there is no latitude on mounting it. The tube is so short that it seems to go on in one position and that's it. No room to adjust.

Considering that I am not of average height or build, not sure how that is going to play out, and no one has one in town here, so it's not like I can have it mounted up and then take it off etc. It's probably an order and return sort of option. I could get it at Cabelas, which is not too far, but I'd still have to take it home, try it out, take it back etc..and the rings may change if I have to get a different scope, so it gets complicated.

So still looking and considering. The nicest scope I have looked at, eye relief wise etc, has been a NIB vx7 2.5-10 that I found on closeout for just under 800. Optics were nice too, but a little 'warm' for my taste. I could live with it, I suppose, but the problem is the weight. 18.3 oz's. RIP, for that scope, you would need a picture of a cow!

The VX6 they had was pretty nice, and it was unbelievably wide, though the actual size of image on the 7 was better, and the eye relief a little better. Weight was higher than I'd like (15 oz's if I remember when we weighed it).

The Swaro z3 was nice, but the eye relief was too short and much more critical than the Leupolds...I think it is almost identical to my previous AV. Pity, 12.3 OZ on their scale, and pretty to look through.

Hermann,

I have considered some of those scopes, but only unfortunately in my dreams! That 1.7-10 would be pretty amazing, but it's not in my tax bracket.

On the Leupy 2-7, the 2.5-8 would fit my bill a bit better, and it's plenty light enough. I question how it will work for me due to it's eye relief and the limited mounting latitude.

Many people on here have made it work for them, however, but everyone is different, both in terms of build and eyes. So not being able to adjust or have much latitude concerns me.

So still looking, researching, considering.

As for mounts, I had Talley's last time and I think I will do that again, preferably the quick detach ones so I can have easy access to the irons. But if others have reasons I should consider something different, I am all ears.

I can't add much to this since my current (for 24 yrs.) 375 H&H is a Ruger #1 with a Redfield 2x7. However, I have a new Minox 1.5x8 that I bought for another project and wonder how well this would work for your needs. Light, what seems the right magnification range and appears to be a decent piece of glass at a reasonable price. I know you looked at the 2x10, but the 1.5x8 might give you the latitude you need. I am a firm believer in plain duplex with a good zero and a point blank range. KISS is a sound principle. Just my .02 and I don't know how well the Minox will hold up.

Thaine,

Thanks for the response! I have gotten down to a short list of scopes, but it keeps shifting a bit :0

Kinda hoping to find a Black Friday/Cyber Monday deal that seals it.

I really want a little longer on the top, as I will use this for fun range shooting, and my eyes really like a little help at this point in my life (my hair could use some reinforcements too!).

So right now (yeah, it changes) my choices are 3-9 Conquest (cost/eye relief), Leupold 2-8(weight), 2-10 Conquest HD (Field of view, nice glass but heavy), VX6 2-10 (Field of View, nice glass, also heavy), Swaro Z3 2.5-10 (weight, but eye relief may be a problem, have to test). There is also a Leica I found that is a possibility, but I am not sure on that one and it is the most expensive.

All of these will go into Talley rings. I want the quick detach, but could save some weight going with the lightweights. I have irons on the rifle, and all the scopes I am looking at are very wide. The vx6 has 57 feet at 2 power.

But there may be a time I need to pull the scope off due to a broken scope or something, and I don't know how easy that would be with the lightweight one piece Talleys.

I've got the Leupold VX-3 2-8x32 on my 375HH and I like it a lot.

I will add that I kind of miss the extra 2 power on a 3-10.5. Hard to believe that 8X is that different from 10X, but compared to the 3-10.3 VX3 that I have on my Kimber 300WM, the 2-8X seems kind of puny.

Hello Chad,
I been wanting to reply for a while, just needed a good connection to attach pics.
I purchased my Rem 700 Safari KS 375 back in '93 in hopes of making it to Africa, it took me 17 yrs but I made it!!

Anyways, I recently had the rifle modified in hopes of doing what you are considering, owning an "all around" as possible hunting rifle. As memory serves I'll list all the mods performed by American Precision Arms.

22" bbl chopped to 20" and front sight replaced.

Bbl threaded 5/8"x24

Fat Bastard muzzle break.

Receiver tapped to 8-40 screws for scope base.

Seekins picatinny base installed.

Action polished up a bit and trigger lightened to 3 lbs.

Receiver and bbl duracoated black.

Aluminum pillars installed in stock and action glass bedded.

Leupy VX-6 2-12, illuminated w/CDS.

Leupy medium QD rings.

DeltaP Designs suppressor.

I use the rifle as set up last April in Namibia, the scope was outstanding, especially in lowlight situations. With the current mods I can run the rifle braked, unbraked or suppressed, use the scope or pop it off and go to irons as needed in just a couple seconds.

I can also witness the iron sights over the top of the brake or suppressor. You can see the amount of eye relief adjustment available by using the pic rail, more rearward movement is available if I cut off the front inch or so of the rail that is in front of the forward mounting screws, allowing the AO bell to clear the rail.

OAL of the rifle is 40-1/2", suppressed its 47".
Weight is 8.6lbs naked, 9.6lbs scoped, and 10.8lbs scoped and suppressed.

So far I'm extremely happy with the way it turned out. The 275gr CEB Raptors at 2750fps and the Barnes 250gr TTSX at 2850fps were absolutely deadly on plains game and giraffe and are now my go to loads. The fact that they print within 1/2" of each other at 100yds is a great bonus!

The 375H&H is a particular favorite of mine and presently I own 3. My most accurate is a SS Mdl 70 Classic in a David Miller laminated stock. I built it about 15 years or so ago. The stock is Curt Crum's Marksman and the gun only holds 2 down because David Miller uses custom bottom metal that is tailored to the cartridge and is not as high as a factory box giving the rifle a slim profile that I find pleasing. I wasn't aware of that when he profiled my stock and had to cut the box by about 1/4" as I had the top inletted before I realized the bottom wouldn't go all the way down. I load 260gr Nosler Partitions over 75grs of IMR4350 for about 2600fps. Scope is a Leupold VX-II 3-9 in original Warne mounts. Irons are factory front and Wisner old copy of original Winchester Express sight rear. Off the bench when new I shot a 20 shot string ( as rapidly as I could load the 3 rounds from the box with NO cooling between shots) that measured .720". That became my standard load for Africa for all my remaining 7 safaris. Excellent on game thru Eland and Buffalo (one Buffalo several Eland and many Kudu). It was more or less my all purpose rifle used for everything. I have the utmost confidence in it out to 300yards. My singular problem is range estimation,I am worse than poor at it. I have to totally trust the PH's estimate. I use the numbers out of the charts for trajectory and have found it to work out quite well. I rarely load a full charge load preferring to work up a mild load that is accurate. I have never had a Nosler Partition placed in the proper location fail to effectively do the job.

More very interesting information! Zim, what method are you using for hold over on these shots once the PH has told you how far? You mention using numbers from charts, are you dialing or just estimating?

Legio, a surpressed 375...now that is a do everything rifle. Wow, very cool. Tell me a bit about those raptors, and also the TTSX's. How has that worked for you?

On the scope, how are you liking that Leupold and did you compare it to anything else? I really also like the Zeiss HD 2-10. Between these two, they are my top choices right now, but I still need to check eye relief on the Zeiss. Last I looked at one, it was about the same as the vx6. Both are super wide on the bottom...56 feet or so. That's a lot of flexibility there. How do you adjust for range...reticle? Estimate? CDS?

quote:

Originally posted by Chad T:
More very interesting information! Zim, what method are you using for hold over on these shots once the PH has told you how far? You mention using numbers from charts, are you dialing or just estimating?

Legio, a surpressed 375...now that is a do everything rifle. Wow, very cool. Tell me a bit about those raptors, and also the TTSX's. How has that worked for you?

On the scope, how are you liking that Leupold and did you compare it to anything else? I really also like the Zeiss HD 2-10. Between these two, they are my top choices right now, but I still need to check eye relief on the Zeiss. Last I looked at one, it was about the same as the vx6. Both are super wide on the bottom...56 feet or so. That's a lot of flexibility there. How do you adjust for range...reticle? Estimate? CDS?

The Raptors are made by Cutting Edge Bullets, Michael458 has tested them extensively and shown the results in the Terminal Performance thread. I've taken a giraffe, warthog, wildebeast and a jackal, all 1 shot drt kills. The bullets are amazing, my PH was very impressed. I left him 40rds when we left Namibia, this fall he took 2 buff and a giraffe, all thru the shoulder shots with complete pass thru penetration. he's a happy PH!

My wife took an eland using the Barnes TTSX, she shot it in the back of the neck, we recovered the bullet from just above its left eye. The 250gr bullet weighed 248gr after recovery, retaining the typical Barnes perfect mushroom shape. (I guess the little blue tip weighs 2gr) I was surprised the bullet didn't exit the animal, showing how tough and dense those eland can be.

The PH also loved the suppressor, no one was covering their ears!

Scope wise, I love the Leupy. I own a few of them and tend to be a bit biased as far as using them on a hunting rifle. My wife used Swarovski and Nightforce and I've also recently tried out a Zeiss. Our tactical LR rifles wear Leupy and Nightforce as well. I considered the NF 2.5-10 but decided to go Leupy simply because of the price difference.

I range with a pair of Bushnell 1600 ARC binos and adjust for elevation using the CDS. I had Leupy make up the dial based on the Barnes 250gr at 2850fps, 80 deg and 3K asl elevation. Luckily I spend a bit of time in AZ and was able to confirm dope at these conditions, these were based on the average elevation and temp as where we hunted in Namibia.

It's not as accurate as simply dialing dope on a precision platform but works great for hunting purposes. In the pic of the scope turret you can see the elev graduations stenciled on the knob, 2=200yds, 2.5=250yds etc...this knob dials out to 700 in one revolution. Plenty for hunting. The below pic shows the two types of bullets with a 17HMR for comparison.
I hope this helps Chad.
LX





A friend helping test loads and dope in AZ.

My .375 is a Peruvian 98 Mauser fully customized with an English style Russian Walnut stock, It has Talley QD mounts, 1.5x5 Leupold, backed up with a Talley Peep that fits on the Talley rear base, it has a barrel band swivel and barrel band front sight with a gold faced square partridge bead...

As to an all around rifle, it will serve me as well as any, but then so will my 30-06, if push comes to pull..

I don't believe there is one all around perfect rifle, I believe there are many all around perfect rifles, and they all work if the shooter is capable..It also depends on what an individual expects from a rifle.

Legio,

Great pix, really puts it all into perspective! The TTSX is one I have considered as my mainstay, the Accubond being the other. For the heavy, I always liked partitions, but there are so many other choices these days that I need to check out over time, raptors, TSX, GS Customs etc. etc.

I'll get to that after I get back into the swing with the 375. But still struggling with the scoping. Looked at the VX6 today, alongside a z3, and an HD5. Upsides and downsides to each, so I am not sure I am any further along in the process. I had pretty close to fallen on the HD5 side of the line, but noticed the hold overs are hard to see on very dark targets. B&C seemed the same to my eyes, whereas the BRH on the Z3 showed very well. I would have to say that the central crosses on all three worked fine. Turret wise, on these scopes, only Leupold is an option, unless I pay an additional fee to have the HD5 retrofitted.

If I could combine the three, I'd have the perfect scope! Wish I could find a really good sale to push me over the edge!

Ray, would love to see a picture that rifle of yours. I agree that no one gun is perfect. I actually don't need a 375 at all. I can do all I have the current opportunity to do with my current rifles. It's just a semi intellectual, mostly romantic notion that I am indulging at this point. I like to think I am close to 'my' preferred setup, but still not quite there.

The ideal 375-do-it-all might not excist, but Saeeds 404/375 might come close or a .378Wea.
Both calibers can shoot heavy 380grain to prove a point or lightweight 250grain Barnes TSX with such speed it will outdo a .270Win in ballistic trajectory. Saeeds riflecaliber can however be build lightweighted to be carried up/down in the mountains, and yet not too vicious in the recoil dept.

Chad,
You've gotten alot of good advice, bullets, scopes, mounts, backup, LOP, etc.

For all around in the 375 H&H or 375Ruger, you should probably consider the 250gn. TTSX. That bullet may be pushed in some rifles to 2900fps, but it should comfortably handle 2800fps. The final speed will be determined by the particular rifle and accuracy. The BC is .424, which is plenty sleek out to 400 yards. Yes, it will equal the 270 Win with 150 grains .277", though the new 129gn. LRX .277" (Barnes) will be flatter at its 3100+fps rating.

On scopes, I haven't heard anyone mention the Nikon Monarch3 2-8. The newer models have 4" eye-relief at the HIGH (8-power) setting, instead of the former 3.8". I've used them on 416's with no ill effect on the forehead, while enjoying the clarity and ruggedness. Nikon also has the 3-9 muzzleloader Inline model with 5" eye-relief, but those scopes only have 4.73" of mounting space and will require extension rings on a magnum action. I've got such a scope and rings on a 500 AccRel Nyati. Personally, I tend to ignore the BDC circles in the scope and have never needed to use them in the past four years. But they are available for anyone who would practice and figure out exactly where the second circle down was zeroed if the crosshairs were at +1.7"-+2.0"/100 yards. That should give you a very huntable 400-yard rig.

Enjoy the hunt.

[[PS: all advice was given as my 2-cents. Personally, I load a 416Rigby as an allpurpose, guinea-fowl to buffalo rifle, with the 350gn TTSX at 2825fps. It is basically the same philosophy and range attributes as described above, only in a slightly larger, heavier calibre. Then a 338WM with 225 TTSX at 2835fps becomes a plains game backup rifle. The two rifles together will pretty much parallel your 375H&H with close to identical trajectories. If you were to give us the rifle, then we would have three rifles set for the same hunting options, thank you kindly!]]

Tarzan,

I have had Nikon scopes and really like them (I shoot Nikon cameras as well). The problem with them, for me, is that I want a BDC reticle, and I don't like Nikon's solution. Those circles seem so coarse at long distance. I just can't see how they would work if you were trying to hit a small to moderate target at 3 or 400 yards, but have you had a different experience?

As for giving you the rifle, hmmm....think I might have to pass on that one But have you used or know much about the 260 accubonds?

Hi Chad, interesting topic. I purchased and original H+H in 1991. It was manufactured in 1961, and was set up to shoot using the open sights, which means the stock has some drop and cast - actually a very effective setup for the follow up shooting I did on my buffalo bull. I had a 4x40 Zeiss scope fitted to it in hook type detachable mounts. I have used it every year since I purchased it, longest shots on a kudu bull from on top of a mountain ranged at 230 meters. Handloaded 300 grain Nosler Partitions work very well. When I hunt Namibia - ie long shots the scope is set 2 inches high at 100 and good out to 250 plus meters. This combo has been very successfull for me over the last 20 years on a variety of African game, from duiker to buffalo. So cant reccomend anything, just sharing my experience

What great experience it is though! So with that load, how far do you think you can shoot and still hold in the hair on something that is deer sizedish?

Hi Chad, The problem with the smaller animals is the amount of damage the bullet does on hitting a shoulder or any other bone, it really rips the meat, and can cause a lot of bruising. I hunted with a 378 Weatherby for several years, but the meat wastage was excessive, even on larger antelope such as blue wildebeest. This was in the pre BarnesX days, but at that velocity the petals break off and you have a solid. Glad I have moved back to the H+H for my use. I use a 270 Winchester for my annual trips to the mountains, and generally on smaller plainsgame such as springbuck. In a push I have used my 375 on springbuck, and aimed for the neck, or at closer distances used a solid behind the shoulder. Our springbuck are similiar in size and habitat to your pronghorns..Good luck with your project and post some photos.

Ever since I was a kid, the following bit of philosophy was drilled into me:

It's the Indian, NOT the arrows!

So I guess I'm kinda old school. I have a Sako AV in 375 with a Leupold 1.5x5. Its a relatively light weight rifle for the caliber. When I first got it, it was beating the crap out of me.
Solution: Install recoil reducer in stock. Problem solved.

It is now the most accurate rifle I own. My favorite load is the Nosler 300 gr partition and 77 grains of W-760. It consistently delivers sub-MOA groups from the bench. I have tried other brands of 300 grainers, and they all have the same point of impact. (within an inch or so)

My second favorite load is the same powder charge, behind the old Speer 285 gr SP. (No longer made, but I found several boxes in an old gunshop in Maine and bought them all.)Just as good, if not better than the 300 gr bullet loads.

I would not hesitate to use this rifle for anything (except maybe varmints). After all, you can't kill anything "too dead"

But about the scope, I like it, but a 2-7 or 2-8 would likely be a bit more versatile.
That said, I'd like to have one in a 30mm or larger tube, and a 3.5 to 4" eye relief if for nothing else to facilitate rapid target acquisition.

Great responses from you guys, thanks so much for contributing. I just got the rifle yesterday, pretty happy with it. 7.4 pounds on my bathroom scale, so it gives me some space for scope and rings.

Umzingele, btw, my second rifle is a 270 as well!

Anyway, I am pretty narrowed on the scope between three choices...eye relief being a deciding factor that put the z3 out. But I am pretty excited to get everything together and start shooting, this Indian needs some serious practice to get back into shooting shape. I have located a range that goes farther than I'd ever think of shooting, so I can actually practice at the distances and set my realistic limitations.

On the eye relief etc...and field of view you mention, Frank, that's pretty much what I after too....I have a little more testing of the scopes to finally narrow it down, but then I am there.

On loads, I plan on the 300 partition probably (though I hear great things about the TSX too). But I think my mainstay will be the 260 accubond, though I want to hear a little more about the real world experience with this one before I settle. Still may just stick with a 300, one bullet, simple...

I cut down a 700 to 21", removed the sights, bedded a McMillan and threw on a vx3 1.5-5 on talleys. 7.5lbs scoped, great balance too. with an xl decelerator...

That's a great rifle! How's the recoil with that XL decerator, and whats the difference between the xl and the regular?

Just got my rifle and I love it. Have not shot it, am taking it in to have a spacer put in to adjust the LOP for myself. They will have to replace the decelerator with a new one, so curious what the XL is?

Also, mine does not wear a scope yet, and weighs 7.4 pounds. Not sure I want to shoot it just yet How is yours at that low weight?

The xl decelerator is 1" rather than the standard 1/2" one. It was an option from mcmillan when I ordered the stock. It is a great pad. I don't see it on the pachmyr site but I'm sure you can get one from somewhere.

As for the recoil, it is violent off a bench. So much so, I have now purchased a lead sled for load development. If it could be compared to anything it would be equivalent to a hard kicking 416 rigby I have. The other 375's I have don't hold a candle to this thing. But I love how it handles... And if I can find a load for it that shoots well, I'll be happy getting knocked around.

Thanks for that information. I see Decelerators in 1" fairly commonly now, so maybe they just dont call them the xl anymore.

I'll have mine in to have the spacer put on tomorrow, may also pick up a past magnum plus shoulder pad. I already have the magnum, but the plus is 1 inch thick as opposed to the .5 of the magnum.

On the recoil, that has been my concern as well. I don't think I will be shooting this rifle until I get a scope on it, as that will bring it right up to 9 pounds. My previous 375 weighed this without a scope, and it did not bother me then, but that was a long time ago. Still, hoping with the right LOP, and some extra padding on my shoulder, it should all be good.

Now if I could only sort that damned scope....