Hey Pards,

I'm trying to narrow my list of scope options for a Ruger #1 Tropical in 375 H&H. I've narrowed it down to the following two scopes:

Leupold VX-3 Scope 1.5-5x 20mm German #4
Leupold VX-3 Scope 2.5-8x 36mm Duplex Reticle

What do you guys think of the VX-3 scopes? Any major problems to report? I'm leaning toward 1.5-5 with German reticle.

Thanks for any suggestions,

You won't make a bad decision between the two. They're stoutly built scopes with good eye relief. But have you considered a Zeiss Conquest? Nikon Monarch Gold?

But between the two:

Do you want more or less magnification? The 375 H&H is effective at a pretty long range, so maybe the higher magnification scope will give you more versatility?

Will you hunt dangerous game? Then maybe the lower magnification will be in order?

LWD

quote:

Originally posted by LWD:
You won't make a bad decision between the two. They're stoutly built scopes with good eye relief. But have you considered a Zeiss Conquest? Nikon Monarch Gold?

But between the two:

Do you want more or less magnification? The 375 H&H is effective at a pretty long range, so maybe the higher magnification scope will give you more versatility?

Will you hunt dangerous game? Then maybe the lower magnification will be in order?

LWD

With this rifle, I'll be hunting black bear here in California, mostly. It will also accompany me on hog hunts, I imagine. I could see myself using it in Colorado for elk in 2009 (where the shots tend to be longer than the area I hunt now). In the last four hunts I have been on, I have not had to use over 3X, but I've been lucky, I think. I really only use the higher powers on my current rifles to sight in.

I am planning an Africa trip with my brother, but that will be a few years away and I will most likely use a repeater (CZ in 416RIG) if I do a buff hunt.

Eric,

I have used a Leupold 2.5x-8x on my .375H&H rifles for the last 16 years , including four safaris to Africa for buff, leopard, and lots of plains game and never felt over-scoped or under-scoped.

George

quote:

Originally posted by GeorgeS:
Eric,

I have used a Leupold 2.5x-8x on my .375H&H rifles for the last 16 years , including four safaris to Africa for buff, leopard, and lots of plains game and never felt over-scoped or under-scoped.

George

Hey GS,

What power do you find yourself using in Africa? Just curious. The 2.5-8X seems very versatile to me, which is why I can't seem to fully commit to the 1.75-5X, I think.

Eric,

Both are good scopes. I use the 1.5-5s on a RSM Rigby and one on a RSM Lott. This scope has help up to many rounds through these rifles. I have a couple of 2.5-8s and have used one quite a bit on my 338 Lapua.

I really like the 2.5-8, as it is "brighter" than the 1.5-5s. If your eyesight is great (or even normal!), the 1.5-5 will serve you well. For me, the 2.5-8 lets me "see" or "resolve" the target so much better, especially in lower light conditions. This doesn't even have to be last light, it can be when the game is in shadow. My eyes suck, and in the field I really notice a difference between the two. For my bigger bore RSMs I have considered using offset mounts so I can use the 2.5-8s on them.

Let your eyes decide. The looks, easy mounting, and dependability of the 1.5-5 are plusses. The minusses are the "brightness" issue especially if you have eyesight problems.

John

Eric,

Both of the scopes you mention are fine scopes for use on a 375 H&H, however mounting scopes on a Ruger No.1 requires careful consideration of scope tube length and eye relief.

With standard Ruger ring mounts, you will NOT be able to get the VXIII 2.5-8 set far enough back to be able to get a good sight picture without really (uncomfortably) crawling the stock. Extension rings will help to relieve this problem somewhat.

The straignt tube 1.5-5 VXIII will give you more latitude in mounting the scope on a Ruger #1 without resorting to extension rings.

Old steel tube Weavers have enough tube length and eye relief to mount reasonably well on the #1 (K2.5, K3 and K4).

Just some other factors to take into consideration...

Regards, Wayne E.

All good points, thanks Pards! Just the comments I'm looking for.

I'm using an older Redfield 1.5x5 on my #1. It has worked fine for me. Strictly stateside use, but the last critter was a 36" Oryx running at about 70 yds.

quote:

Leupold VX-3 Scope 2.5-8x 36mm Duplex Reticle

That's what I've got on mine. But mine is set up primarily as a mountain rifle for elk and grizzly, not for African use......

I have a number of Leupold scopes on various rifles, and I think the 2.5X-8X to be the best of the bunch, followed closely by your other alternative, the 1.5X-5X with that German #4 reticle. It is all that is needed for shots out to at least 300 yards...... I put one of those on my 8X60RS J.P. Sauer double rifle.