Hey guys, don't remember why but I put a 2.5x Leupold on my 375h&h. Is that enough scope? I don't expect to take shots out over about 150-200 max. It would be here where I hunt which is typically less than 100 and HOPEFULLY some day Africa.

thanks gents.

Red

I have had one on my 8# 458 Win for twenty-six years and it has held up great. Also have them all all my .375 camp loaners that my guides and hunters borrow and they also take a lot of abuse.

I even had on a a 458 Lott for awhile with no problems.

Most folks think they limit your range but I carried one on my 30-06 sheep rilfe and never had any problems making shots over 300 yards with it.

It might be, but why limit yourself? My .375s have all worn Leupold Vari-X III 2.5x-8x scopes.

George

I have never found it to be a limit so could ask the question why carry around more than you need?

I just bought a .375 and put a Leupy 1-4x on it. I found that I can easily hit a 6" disk we have at 200 yards from field positions, now I'm thinking a 2.5-8x or 3-9x is in the rifle's future. I've got one of the 2.5x scopes but haven't really found the rifle I like it on at this time.

2.5 power is a bit on the low side for my use.

I've taken some game at fairly long range using a .375, and so I appreciate a bit more magnification.

My .375s are mounted with variable power scopes having low end magnifications of 1.1 to 1.5 power and high ends of 4 or 6 power.

For the shorter ranges you mention, 2.5x would be fine, at least for me.

For the ranges you mention, yes, it if fine.

I have one on one of my 375's.

If you need a bit more down the track, throw on a 1.5-5 Leupold and if more than that, the 2.5-8 Leupold.

.

quote:

Originally posted by Dago Red:
Hey guys, don't remember why but I put a 2.5x Leupold on my 375h&h. Is that enough scope? I don't expect to take shots out over about 150-200 max. It would be here where I hunt which is typically less than 100 and HOPEFULLY some day Africa.

If you're happy with a 2.5X scope, that's what's important. For precision shooting at even 100 yards, I like more magnification but then, I used mine for my varmint gun in South Africa and was happy I had my 3-9X Leupold scope on the rifle.

The big advantage of a low power scope is a wider field of view for shots at running game or for very close up hunting encounters especially with dangerous game. If you aren't going to be taking shots at running targets and/or hunting dangerous game at close range there is no particular advantage to a fixed 2.5X scope. In fact, if I wanted less magnification I could go down to 3X which is almost as good.

Depends on what you're going to use it for. I use an M70 SS Classic in .375 H&H as a general purpose medium rifle. I like a 3-9x on it.

I use larger bore rifles for DG and lower powered scopes on them ... usually 1.5 to 4x or 1.8-5.5x.

Yes, even if you are going to use it to shoot turkeys (as suggested in another post)

I prefer a 1.75x6 variable on my .375 H&H with the power selector kept on lowest magnification. Most of the game I have shot with the .375 was shot with the scope at its lowest setting, with ranges from about 15 yards to about 250 yards. I do have a fixed 2.5x Leupold on my .458 Lott, and on one occasion really could have used higher magnification. I was shooting a bushbuck on a riverbank at about 100 yards, he was in heavy brush and I was in the open. He was difficult enough to see that my shot went further back than I wanted, though we did find him after. The additional magnification would have helped with shot placement.

+1 for the Leupold 1.75-6x on a .375.

I chose it as I believe it allows for any contingency in the field, including a surprise by an angry Ele or Buff in the jess (always carry it on lowest setting), and yet can provide 6x, which should be sufficient for anything (PG) within effective range.

George & I: great minds think alike. This time.

Rich

I look at a .375 as having a similar trajectory as a 30/06.
My 30/06 wears a 3-9x40 Leupold and my .375 H&H wears a 2.5-8 Leupold.
Why limit yourself to a fixed 2.5x for a couple of ounces you can have a 2.5-8.
I like the ability to crank it up and define things if need be, I like the low of 2.5 or 3 for carrying it around.
Opinions vary!

quote:

I put a 2.5x Leupold on my 375h&h. Is that enough scope?

In a word.....NO!

I used a 1-4X Leupie on my 375 H&H for about a year and then bought a 2.5-8X Leupie as a backup/longer range scope for it. I haven't taken the 2.5-8X off the gun in over 4 years.

Started off with 1-4's, etc then slowly through the years have moved up to 2-7's thru 3-9's and been much happier.
I never viewed more power via a variable scope to be more than what is needed.
Leave it on the lowest power when walking/stalking then crank er up if you have time when shooting.
Need a 3x9 (or 2.5x8)? Nope. But I like them and have no regrets

Great timing with this thread!

I've got a zeiss 1.75-6 on my main 375, and almost always leave it on 2.5x. I've never really seen the need for more as I can place my shot where I want just fine and love the wide FOV.

I just finished (almost, I haven't even shot it yet!) a 375 H&H on a stainless ruger action and plan to put a Lep 2.5x on it in detachable rings. I was originally going to leave it open sighted to keep the weight down, but at the rate my eyes are catching up with me I decided I best have the option.

Also, I like the durability of fixed scopes, and with variables I like to verify my zero and then not even change the power lest murphy strike.

Bob

My 375 H&H currently wears a Leupold 4x, but I have been very content with a 2-7, 2.5-8 or 3-9s on my other 375s. I never felt under scoped with a fixed 4X.

Lou

D-R,

Whatever Floats your Boat!

If you're happy with it - great.

I have two 1.5-4.5x26's on each of the 375's and one has a reserve 6x42 Schmidt & Bender for travel.

Taken Mountain Zebra @ 300 meters with the .375H&H Blaser with it set on 4.5X - no problem.

Today most tend to higher powered scopes simply because the option is available - so be it.

Have Fun with YOUR choice.

I have a 2.5 on my .375 and have no problem with lack of power out at 500 yards. Those that think they need more power read too much.

Dago,
The 2.5X is fine but when hunting Africa I usually have my variable turned up to about 3-4X. The reason is that you sometimes have to thread a bullet through the thorn scrub and a slightly higher power can help you pick out a clear shooting lane. Also when hunting or following up DG I prefer a 1.5 power setting which makes the scope almost like open sights.
Here is a pic where I didn't quite thread as well as I should have but the wildebeest was at 300 yards.

Dago,

The 2.5 Leupold is a tough simple scope and more than adequate for a number of applications but I prefer a 1.75x6 or 2.5x8. The 375 H&H is a pretty versatile round and I find the upper end magnification pretty useful for longer shots and in low light situations as you might have hunting cats.

Mark

I used the factory express sights on my pre-64 .375 for a couple years out to 200yds. Put a leupold 1-4 on it and love it. It's nice to have the "heads up display" of a crosshair with none to very little magnafication in the brush, and 4x has been plenty for me out to 300. It shoots the same sub moa groups at 100 regardless of power settings (even changing power between shots -1 at 1x, 1 at2x, 1 at4x). If I had to swap it for a fixed 2.5, I wouldn't feel I was at at any disadvantage. Another consideration that hasn't been brought up yet is the fact that a smaller, lighter scope has less inertia on recoil and will put less stress on rings and mounts. Naturally the decision is yours, but I'd stick to the 2.5 if it were me. Take care, Nick

One of the things I love about the little 2 1/2x is that since it is so short and has no large bell I can grasp the rifle ahead of the receiver at the balance point and carry it all day.
I have never found "only" 2 1/2 power to be wanting at any distance for any game animal that I need a .375 for.

quote:

Originally posted by Fjold:
I used a 1-4X Leupie on my 375 H&H for about a year and then bought a 2.5-8X Leupie as a backup/longer range scope for it. I haven't taken the 2.5-8X off the gun in over 4 years.

I've experienced just the opposite; have 1.5x5 & 2.5x8 Leupies in QR rings to switch between my 375 H&H & 300 H&H; haven't put the 2.5x8 back on 375 H&H since zeroing

like Phil (458Win), who make his living hunting Brown Bears & Moose, I find 2.5 plenty of power for the game I hunt with my 375 H&H

I really believe you will be fine with your fixed 2.5 but it's always fun to explore options

I've never broken a 2.5X leupold compact ever. Cant say that for any other scope! Most of my really big big bores have that scope on them. On a .375 H$h its fine out to 250yrds. I dont shoot much game farther than that anymore anyway.-Rob

I have 2.5x Leupold scout scopes mounted on both of my Ruger #1 Tropicals, 375H&H and 458 Win. The crosshairs could be a bit heavier, but otherwise they are fine. I have a CZ 550, 375 H&H that sports a 3-9 Leupold and it usually stays on the lower setting.

My .375 has a 3X Lyman All American Perma Center on it and I have absolutely no complaints.

The beauty of a straight tube scope is that it can be mounted almost as low as iron sights, so the stock fit is virtually the same with or without a scope, which can be a real advantage in a tight situation.

I have never found more than 4X magnification useful in the big game hunting field, and I'm not a big fan of variables.