I bought my first big bore last January. It is a CZ 375 with Talley QD rings and a Nikon 3X9 scope. I bought a Leupold 1.5X5 but had problems with the optics. I live in Southeast Georgia on a large timber farm that my family owns. I am overrun with wild hogs and fight a constant battle to keep them in check. I shot the rifle a lot last spring and fell in love with it. I took it to Africa in late May and early June, and killed eight animals including a Cape Buffalo. I used Winchested 270 gr FailSafes for the plains game, and 300 gr Swift A-Frames for the Buffalo. The longest shot I made was on a Kudu. 450 yards. The 375 is a great caliber. I have killed several hogs with it in addition to the African game, and plan on using it on deer this fall. I am hooked on the 375. Good luck with yours.

1115 (Dale)

1115 I would love to come help you out with your excessive hog problem. We deer hunt near Washington GA. How far are you from our neck of the woods? We don't have any (OR at least not many) hogs where we are and I would like to supplement my diet with a little pork. I have a busy hunting schedule this fall and would have a time finding more hunting time but maybe. I agree with you on the 375 (Elmer Keith also) It makes a real nice deer rifle. Thanks. "D"

What was your problem with the Leupold 1.5 X 5? I was thinking of buying one for a .375 H&H.

The Leupold scope developed a problem with the front optics after about 50 rounds when mounted on the 375. Leupold repaired it and returned it in less than a week, and it has been fine since, but I have not fired the rifle with it mounted more than ten or so times. I put the Nikon scope on when I went to Africa, and had one shot kills on the plains game I shot except for the Kudu, and left it on for the Buffalo hunt. I decided not to mess with something that was working so well. I took the Leupold as a back-up scope and never used it. With the Talley rings, and traveling in a Tuffpack from USA to RSA, RSA to Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe back to RSA, then back home, the rifle never lost zero. I now have the Leupold mounted on a Kimber 243. Then Nikon will stay on the 375.

Which Nikon Model do you have on your .375? I recently bought a .478WM and will be looking for a scope. I was only going to consider a Leupold which I have on my .338WM and my .308 which are going to Namibia with me next May. The .478 is for the next trip!!

John

I like the Leupold 1.5x5 for most big bores but for the real kickers, the only scope I know of that will take a constant beating is the Leupold 2.5x compact..Most big bore shooters are satisfied with a varity of scopes simply because they seldom shoot them...

I like a rifle set up for irons and then shoot them with a scope, doesn't bother me...A too straight stock like many that are popular today will drive a rifle straight back into your shoulder and have little muzzle jump. Thats fine with calibers up to 30-06 or what ever, and dependant on your individual tolerances, but I want my big bore to give me about half to the recoil back and the other half up, like a British rifle does..

I grew up shooting low comb M-70s with scopes on them after Bill Weaver came on the scene, he gave me my first scope, a 2.5X K model..I used to guide him and Dick Shaw as a kid when they hunted mule deer..Jack O'Connor also hunted with us when he was a teacher at Sul Ross College in Alpine, Texas.

Save your money a bit longer, and get one of the big Ruger's. I did, and I don't regret it one bit. Mine is wearing a Leupold VX-II 1-4X20 mounted in the factory rings. Over 300 rounds through it, with no problems at all. I think it actually has more eye relief than the VX-III 1.5-5X20, but I don't have my Leupold catalogue handy.

The longest eye relief I saw in the Leupold catalog was on the the 2x8 VX-II.

I've used the Leupold quick release rings and they work fine, zero will certainly be less than one inch change at 100 yards. I also have a 1.75-6x Leupold with the German post reticle on a Ruger .416 Rigby and it has held up well so far has about 300 shots through it now.

Hello:

I will be buying a 375 H&H magnum soon, and it will be my first big bore rifle. I plan to use it principally for larger North American game, most frequently including bison and large wild hogs. I have no experience with big bores and would like to set it up properly. The gun will probably be a Remington 700 Safari, with factory iron sights. Can you help? Here are my questions:

1) Scope will probably be a Leupold VXIII 1.75-6x32 scope with Leupold quick release base and rings. Is that a good combination that has LONG eye relief and excellent durability? Does the Leupold Quick Release system work as advertised and is it reliable and durable?

2) Given that this is principally a hunting gun that will often be used in situations that require a precise shot with rapid target acquisition on moving game in cover, should I use low scope rings or high scope rings? The gun is set up for iron sights, so I'm assuming low rings will be best.

3) As to felt recoil, I notice that some of the older stock designs look bent by today's standards. That is, when looking at the rifle from its side and holding the barrel horizontal, the butt of the stock drops down at a significant angle. Newer designs seem much straighter. I believe this is called "drop at comb", but am not sure. Is one geometry better than another when it comes to distributing recoil? Are the newer stock designs better in some way?

4) Are there any shooting range exercises that you can recommend for developing rapidity and precision in target acquisition, shooting, and taking a follow-up shot?

Thank you very much.

Questor
I have used the Leupold 1.75x6, I prefer the heavy duplex, especially for what you eill be using it for. I have used the Leupold post/throw lever scope mounts on rifles up to 458 with no problems. They went back to zero very well.
You might catch some flack for your choice of a Rem 700 for a 375. I recommend a Blaser R-93, either with the standard sporter bbl of the Safari [heavier] bbl. You can get the Blaser in Syenthic or wood. Others will recomend different rifles. The main thing is to practice with your rifle quite a bit. Do not spend too much time on the bench, get a good zero, then shoot it from hunting positions. There is nothing wrong with shooting reduced loads for practice and deer and wild pigs. The 375 is a very good caliber.

Do what you want. I personally would not get a Remington nor a Blaser in a DGR. Get something in CRF if you can. If you can't bring yourself to buy a Mod 70 or a CZ then get what you can get. Get REEEAALL familiar with the gun itself in all kinds of shooting situations and find out what it's limitations are and are not. Then go kill the game. You will find the weak points of any rifle from hunting it all the time. Truth is that my son uses a PF weatherby in 375 H&H and shot his buffalo between the eyes. Shot placement is still the top thing. When the stuff hits the fan I will prefer a CRF. Good hunting. "D"