My 375 Ruger, 35 Whelen, and 338-06 are all wearing the Leupold VX III, 1.75 x 6.

I really like that scope and I don't see a need for greater than 6X out to 350 yards.

Barstooler

While they were still available and cheap, I bought several 1.8-5.5 Conquests. I like them on .375 and larger.

Have used the 3-9x40 Conquest on the .375 H&H as well. Makes it a pretty general purpose rifle at distance.

I do have 1.5-6x42 S&B on a 9,3x74R Chapuis amd like it very much. Would be my fist choice if I was rich again.

My 2 cents on scopes for my 375H&H...
I started off with a 1.5-5 VXIII that I bought on ebay for cheap. It went teats up on about the 5th shot. Sent it back to Leupold and they sent me a brand new scope. I liked that scope because for DG you can focus down to the end of your nose and I have shot deer with it at a lasered 385 yards.
However, leopard was on the menu on my last safari so I decided to get an illuminated scope. Picked up a Kahles 1.5-6 at DSC a few years ago and set it on Talley mounts. It had a circle dot reticle which my PH and I both decided was too busy so and when I got back from Africa, I sent it back to the factory for a dot reticle. I like the dot a lot and you can't beat German optics but it is heavier than the Leupold so the Leupold stays on the rifle most of the time.
I don't see why you would need more than about 6X on a 375 and whatever you get make sure that you can focus down to spitting distance if DG is a consideration. Anything in the 1-4,1.5-5 or 1.75-6 range would be your best bet.

While discussing 1.75-6 Leupolds and Zeiss Conquests, remember to list the eye-relief at both high and low mag.

The Bushnell Elite 6500 1.25-8x32 is a nice affordable scope. 4 inches of eye relief and a lifetime waranty.

I also have a Leupold Vari X-III 2.5 x 8 on my 375. The scope is bullet proof and has a transferable lifetime warranty and is made in the U.S.A.!!!

quote:

Originally posted by Slider:
I also have a Leupold Vari X-III 2.5 x 8 on my 375. The scope is bullet proof and has a transferable lifetime warranty and is made in the U.S.A.!!!

The Vari3 comes down to 3.6" eye-relief at 7.8 power. That will work on a 375HH level of rifle, but the shooter needs to maintain good head position. (The Leupold name "2.5-8" refers to 2.6-7.8 actual magnification.)

for Sid:
Yes.
and the Bushnell 1.5-8 is more like 4.5" eyerelief at high mag, going up to 6" at low mag, if my memory serves. A great 30 mm scope for the hunt.

A side note on another "shotgun" scope for heavier recoil--
Minox 1.5-8 (4"-4"+ eyerelief and excellent glass): Minox rebate season ends next week.

I really like the 2.5-8x Leupold for the 375' and have one on my Ruger Hawkeye African.

If I had my heart set on a Euro scope and didn't mind shelling out all the extra dough for one, I'd personally go for the Swaro Z6 1.7-10x. If I didn't have that much dough, but was stuck on Euro, I'd go for the Z3 3-10x, and did just that earlier in the year on a 9.3x62.

I use a 4.5-14 Conquest on mine. Not worried about a charging bull elk. With the CZ 550's 14 LOP in 375 H&H I don't have a problem with recoil either. 4A reticle. That's my plan "B" elk rifle. My primary is a .338 Win Mag Mcmillan Outdoorsman it wears a Z6i 2.5-15 Swaro with the BT. If I could afford it, that would be my go to scope on every big game rifle I own.

My 375 wears A 1.5 X 5 vx lll. Killed a black springbok at 300 meters, one shot. Need any more?

Dave

I have a Leupold 1-4x20 on my 375 now. The low magnification is great for close situations. Will however buy a Swarovski Z6 1-6x24 for a bit more reach and the constant eye-releif.

I shoot a:

Swarovski 1.5x6 PH on my Davenport .375H&H
Zeiss 3x9 Diavarri on my Searcy .375 H&H
Leica 1.75x6 on my Kevin Weaver .375 Ruger
Leupold 2.5x8 on my AHR .375 RUM

The only scope I did not like on one of my .375's was the Leupold 1.5x5 primarily because of the lack of light gathering capabilities of the small objective.

Any quality scope with medium magnification will let the .375 shine. Brand names are personal choices.

I like my 1.75-6x Leupold on my .375 Sako.

quote:

I like my 1.75-6x Leupold on my .375 . . ..

Well, it's everyone's call for their own eyebrows.

It should probably be agreed that the 3.3" eye relief is getting pretty thin on a 375 medium bore. Yes, the 1.75 Leupy only has 3.3" at its 5.5-power setting. It will work if people are careful, but I wouldn't recommend any calibre more powerful for such an eye-relief. Personally, I would only recommend it for a 308 level.

And the magnification for in-close is larger than the numbers in the name (1.75), at 1.9. Basically, 1.9 magnification is the functional equivalent of the true 2.0-to-8.0 Nikon, but it gives up over half an inch of eyerelief at the 5x setting.

I guess that I am wishing that the optics industry think more in terms of 4" eye-relief (10 cm), and 11-12 cm. is welcomed for the more heavy recoiling calibre like 378W, 416 and up. It's mainly a matter of deciding what one wants, the physics is doable.

quote:

Originally posted by 416Tanzan:

quote:

I like my 1.75-6x Leupold on my .375 . . ..

Well, it's everyone's call for their own eyebrows.

It should probably be agreed that the 3.3" eye relief is getting pretty thin on a 375 medium bore. Yes, the 1.75 Leupy only has 3.3" at its 5.5-power setting. It will work if people are careful, but I wouldn't recommend any calibre more powerful for such an eye-relief. Personally, I would only recommend it for a 308 level.

And the magnification for in-close is larger than the numbers in the name (1.75), at 1.9. Basically, 1.9 magnification is the functional equivalent of the true 2.0-to-8.0 Nikon, but it gives up over half an inch of eyerelief at the 5x setting.

I guess that I am wishing that the optics industry think more in terms of 4" eye-relief (10 cm), and 11-12 cm. is welcomed for the more heavy recoiling calibre like 378W, 416 and up. It's mainly a matter of deciding what one wants, the physics is doable.

I had my same Leupold 1.75X6 Vari-X 7 on my 416 Rigby previous to putting it on my 375. It never touched my eyebrow and I don't remember ever being overly cautious with it.

Famous last words. It will probably smack me good the next time I take it out now that I've jinxed myself!

quote:

1.75X6 Vari-X 7 on my 416 Rigby

The VariX-7 is a discontinued line of Leupold and it probably had a different eye relief than the Vari-X-3.

By the way, I only stumbled on the poor eye relief of the 1.75-6 VX3 a few years ago when seaching for a new scope for a replacement 416 Rigby and considering other options than the old 2.5-8 Vx3 Leupie. I was thinking that 1.75-6 would be a better balance for the 416 until someone pointed me to the 2-8 Nikon Monarch and I checked the stats. There's no going back for me. Reliability, eye-relief, and clarity are superb, though I am partial to 5" eye relief Nikon Slughunter for a 500 AccR.

Very good info and very timely as well. I just purchased a 375 Ruger Hawkeye African and I am out to get as much info on scopes for these rifles as I can.

I'm in the market for a big bore scope too (458). I'm thinking about a 2x7x33 Leupold VX R - the fire dot looks useful. Don't know how the scope will hold up. The specs published say 2.5 actual magnification at the low end, and 4.2" eye relief. Lots of field of view. That ought to do it.

What ye say?

KB

quote:

Originally posted by Kabluewy:
I'm in the market for a big bore scope too (458). I'm thinking about a 2x7x33 Leupold VX R - the fire dot looks useful. Don't know how the scope will hold up. The specs published say 2.5 actual magnification at the low end, and 4.2" eye relief. Lots of field of view. That ought to do it.

What ye say?

KB

It looks like a nice scope. However, to play the game fairly you need to look at the eye-releif at 7 power (6,6 magnification). It is only 3.7" eye relief.

Now compared to most inexpensive and expensive scopes combined that is good eye-relief and it should be fine on a 375. However, for a .458 I would choose 4" over 3.7" for the short end of the eye relief range. And if you arn't planning on shots over 300-400, then the 1.65 to 5.0 magnification with a full 5.0 inches of eye-relief at the shortest point would make me reconsider. So I've picked up a couple of such scopes for a 500 AccR (which shoots 6500-7000 ft lb).

It seems to be trickier business than expected, selecting a scope for a big bore.

So many factors. Everything matters. Eye relief, field of view, magnification, whether the scope will withstand the recoil, weight of the scope, etc.

It seems to me that the longer the eye relief, the narrower the field of view.

I agree with you about the 4" minimum eye relief. My plan is to pay attention when using the scope, and simply not use the higher magnification, except with lighter loads. Actually, my plan is to use the scope for loads significantly less than full power. I'll remove the scope and use iron sights for the heavy loads.

I can't seem to find a scope that does it all, and so far I'm not willing to put money on an experiment with brands other than Leupold.

Another thing that may be of significance; I read that there is a technical reason that the "good" variable scopes do not exceed the range of magnification formula of low vs high end of three times, such as 3x9 power / 3x2=6, 3x3=9. 2.5x2=5, 2.5x3=7.5, (or very close to that math) etc. I read, for example, that scopes such as a 2x8 power should be avoided.

The Leupold 2.5x8, for example, is actual magnification of 2.6 by 7.8, which is 2.6 multiplied times 3 equals 7.8.

KB

On a 375 H&H I think the 1.7 to 10x42mm Swarovski, with the illuminated circle dot reticle is the Ultimate scope.

It goes down to low power for those animals that run toward you...

It goes to 10 power for those animals at a distance or for judging animals in a herd even up close. With a 42mm objective, and illuminated reticle, at 6x, it gathers enough light, for shots at pigs, bears, leopards, and lions, on bait in low light. Also great for cape buff at last light...
It is light and compact enough for a walk around rifle.

It is Perfect, in every way...

The only problem is finding a 375 H&H rifle worthy fo such a scope...

After reading this I am suddenly aware my 1.75x6 is not the 'right' scope...what shall I do...what shall I do...

quote:

Originally posted by BaxterB:
After reading this I am suddenly aware my 1.75x6 is not the 'right' scope...what shall I do...what shall I do...

Bax
some of these guys put a bit too much thought in this I think.
In my opinion the 1.5-5, the 1.75-6, the 2-7, the 2.5-8 or even a 3-9 are all great scopes for 375's, 404's, 416's, 458's etc.

The only trouble I've ever had was the 1.5-5 on my 375 I could see the front sight in the scope and it really bugged the shiite out of me so I sold it off and got a 2.5-8 and have a 2-7 as a "back up" that will never be used.
Never been scope bit with big guns and those scopes however I have a real light 9.3x62 that recoils fircely for its bore and it just may give me a nip someday but not yet.!

quote:

Originally posted by N E 450 No2:
On a 375 H&H I think the 1.7 to 10x42mm Swarovski, with the illuminated circle dot reticle is the Ultimate scope.

It is Perfect, in every way...

...

At a price of near $2,000, that certainly makes it far less than perfect to me.

Also it has eye relief of 3.7" and weighs a full pound.

I can buy four Leupold VX R scopes for the price of one Swarovski, and have money left over for the rings.

KB

quote:

Originally posted by BaxterB:
After reading this I am suddenly aware my 1.75x6 is not the 'right' scope...what shall I do...what shall I do...

Baxter, the Original Poster stated "Ultimate Scope".

I have a Leupold 1.75 to 6x scope with the heavy duplex.

It is a great scope, very good, for a 375 H&H, for sure.

quote:

Originally posted by BaxterB:
After reading this I am suddenly aware my 1.75x6 is not the 'right' scope...what shall I do...what shall I do...

If it hasn't bit you yet, you've probably developed some good habits. Just don't let a friend shoot it without a warning, especially if the magnification is set near 6x.

I tried one of the 1.75x6 scopes once, and didn't like it. As I recall, it was a field of view issue, and I don't recall the eye relief, but I wasn't thinking about a big bore then either.

I just visited the Leupold web site, and they show 3.3" to 4.4" eye relief. That's a lot of difference between the high and low magnification range. But should be plenty at the low end of the magnification. Again, less than 4" is something of concern, IMO.

KB

quote:

Originally posted by 416Tanzan:

quote:

Originally posted by Slider:
I also have a Leupold Vari X-III 2.5 x 8 on my 375. The scope is bullet proof and has a transferable lifetime warranty and is made in the U.S.A.!!!

The Vari3 comes down to 3.6" eye-relief at 7.8 power. That will work on a 375HH level of rifle, but the shooter needs to maintain good head position. (The Leupold name "2.5-8" refers to 2.6-7.8 actual magnification.)

for Sid:
Yes.
and the Bushnell 1.5-8 is more like 4.5" eyerelief at high mag, going up to 6" at low mag, if my memory serves. A great 30 mm scope for the hunt.

A side note on another "shotgun" scope for heavier recoil--
Minox 1.5-8 (4"-4"+ eyerelief and excellent glass): Minox rebate season ends next week.

Actually The Vari x 111 Eye Relief (in): 4.7(2.5x) 3.7(8x)
Eye Relief (mm): 119(2.5x) 94(2.5x)

I guess, that I am the odd man out on this discussion. I have had my 375 for 15 years or so, and have never been bit by the scopes I use. One of the scopes I used on it for several years was a cheapy Cabela' Pine Ridge fixed 6 power that I never had any trouble with. the only reason I took it off the 375 was because the scope on Lora's 257 Robert's went south, and it had the same type scope on it, so I switched it so she could hunt. he cope Ihave on the 375 now is an older steel tube K-6 Weaver, one that was made in El-Paso. I am a throwback, because I liked fixed 6 power scopes on everything I have ever scoped, including a 458 and have been lucky in never getting a forehead ding. I have just never been a fan of variables, even though when I was getting ready for the Coues deer hunt I went on back in October, I put 3x9 Leupold on my 300 Weatherby.

With that being said, the advice being given sounds pretty accurate to me.

Not sure what the eye-relief is, but was using a Leupold VX7 2.5-10x45 on a 416 Rem Mag. Sighting in the rifle on 10x off the bench I've never been hit in the face. Most scopes shouldn't be a problem, and like I've said in an earlier post, I use a Schmidt & Bender 2.5-10x56 on my 375 with 80mm of eye-relief and no problems.

quote:

Originally posted by PSmith:
The Swaro 1.7-10 is the scope I want.

Have one on my 375H&H from AHR. Love it!.