I have a Leupold 1.5X5 in the classifieds and I have a 375 H&H that needs a scope.......my first thought is that the 375 could benefit from more magnification, something in the 2X7 or 2.5X8 range.......but now I'm wondering if if I should just keep the 1.5X5?????

decisions, decisions.....

I have a .416 Rigby that wears a 2-7x33 leupold and although I like it and it has perfromed well (good eye releif & field of view) I can not help thinking how a 1.5-5x leupold would suit my rigby better. I want to get a .375 & the 2-7 will get moved on to it as the .375 is more of an all rounder and should be scoped accordingly I reckon.

[ 08-23-2002, 19:22: Message edited by: PC ]

I guess it depends what you are going to use it on. I have a 1.5x6x42mm Swarovski on my .375 and I really like it. The only problem I had with it was trying to make some fairly long shots, for me, on impala. It has a fairly thick reticle that covered up most of the chest on these pronghorn-sized animals. Elk, bear, moose etc at any reasonable range should be no problem.

double post.

[ 08-23-2002, 19:21: Message edited by: PC ]

I've had both a 1.5x5 and a 3.5x10 (both Leupold's) on my .375 and while I was certainly happy with the 1.5x5 when I had it on there I wouldn't switch back. I think my initial impression of the .375 was that it was a shorter range cartridge which I have, of course, found to not be the case over the last 5 years and I like having the larger objective, magnification and finer crosshairs that I have on the 3.5x10.

Considering the usable trajectory of the .375, a higher power scope would be beneficial for African plains game type hunting. 5X is great out to 100 or so yards, but at 150 yards+ it can pose a problem. As most have suggested, a 3-9X would be more suitable for a .375.

If you are going to use this rifle in heavy cover or on anything that might be inclined to come and bite back I would give up a little magnification at the top end for the wider field of view at the lower power. If you are happy with the 1.5-5 power stay with it. The 2-7 is a very good choice. That is what my 375 wears and I don't feel handicapped on a long shot

Snake,
Are you happy with the eye releif on the 3.5X10?
I like larger objectives at my age too!

Rusty
We band of brothers!

On buffalo the 1.5 - 5 should be great.

For elk, I would go with a 2-7 or 2.5-8.

GonHuntin,

I will agree with most here that it depends on what you are going to hunt and where. If you are planning on elephant or buffalo in even remotely thick vegetation, I would stick with the 1.5-5x. This is NOT because I think the 2x is too much magnification with the 2-7x but because I would just hate to raise the scope up and be accidentally looking through a 7x scope at a big mass of grey flesh or black hair WOOOPS! Now, doing the same with 5x would suck too but at least it is just that much better. There is no better way to get your PH to hate you than to be fiddling with your scope when a trophy animal is is staring you in the face (especially if that animal wants to kill you) Unless you are hunting Springbok in the flatlands, I think 5x is plenty when it comes to power on scopes for Africa. Really, you should have a .30-06 with a 3.5-10x on it for "The Cape" anyway.

JMHO,

JohnTheGreek

[ 08-24-2002, 03:49: Message edited by: JohnTheGreek ]

My thought is that if it was going to be the only rifle on safari that you might be better served with a slightly higher powered scope. Conversely, if you have a different rifle for plainsgame and use the 375 for buff, etc. then the 1.5x5 is a great scope for that purpose...and if you had the 375 in hand and saw something smaller you would still be in good shape.

If I could have any scope for a medium to heavy rifle yours is the one I would want. Matter of fact, if you decide to get rid of it still be sure to let me know.

I think the Leup. 1.75x6 is a good comp. I hunted plainsgame in RSA w/ a Ruger #1 & thought it was fine for the bigger antelope out to 300yds. I am thinking of moving it to my next project rifle, a M70 .404 Jeffery.

I have hunted elk and deer with my 375, and I have found that the Leupold 2.5-8 offered good field of view at 2.5 and plenty of magnification at 8. To my mind, it's the quintessential scope for the 375. However, the 1.5-5 would probably be my second choice.

[ 08-24-2002, 18:35: Message edited by: DOCTOR LOU ]

I've used my 1.5x5 Leupold on game from Africa to the Arctic and never felt that I needed anything more. And my eyes aren't getting any younger either .

I own 3 1.5-5 Vari-X IIIs. IMO it is one of the most versatile hunting scopes on the planet. These are hunting scopes in the truest sense of the word. Mine stays on 1.5 power almost all the time and I only rarely crank it up for shots longer than 150 yards or so. But on the close in shots that happen about 80% of the time in hunting the 1.5 power comes right up, the field of view is awesome and a good heavy reticle like the German #4 lines things up fast and naturally. I never understand guys who buy scopes that are designed for about 5% of the situations you encounter in the field and are willing to handicap themselves with big clunky scopes and too much magnification for 95% of the situations we encounter.
I've personally witnessed two situations on guided hunts where were quick shots were called for under 80 yards and the hunters in question had their scopes cranked up to 10 or 14 power. In one instance the guy actually shot the wrong elk at 80 yards...THREE TIMES("all I could see was brown shoulder") In the other instance there was a very shootable but brief window of opportunity but the fellow couldn't get on target at all because he was trying to find the animal in his 14 power Leupold... But by god he was going to be able to make that long shot because he had enough scope! I can't ever recall being on a hunt with someone who passed up a shot because, well, they just didn't have enough scope!
If you know how to shoot and hold the rifle, 5 power wil get you through almost any hunting situation you encounter. And 1.5-2 power is perfect for almost any situation short of 150 yards or so. You will be well served by most suggestions though anything over 10X is really irrelevant. A 3-9 will work great.
My Ruger Safari Magnum in 375 H&H has a 1.5-5 on it and it shoots wonderfully out to 350 yards or so ( I honestly haven't shot it any further though) I'm actually considering taking the scope off though in favor of the NEGC peep sight.
Focus on what's really important--get a great set of binos!

Kentucky,

what do you think of the leupold 2.5x compact leupold ?? I have one on my 45/70 Marlin and another to go on my .585. I am thinking of getting one for my .416. The 2.5x on my 45/70 was ment for the .585 but I liked it so much I thought it would be the ultimate workhorse scope for a 45/70 and after using it I think it is !!

Do you think the 2.5x20mm fixed leupold is a good scope for the .416 Rigby . The price here in Aus is pretty good.

I have found like you that most of my shooting particularly on the big bangers is done on the low power settings. I actually think I shoot better on lower magnification.

G'day,
I have a 1.5x5 Leupold on my 375 and think it is great.
I had 3.5x10 Leupold's on both my 416WBY and 460WBY and was really happy with them also,BUT if I had had 2 more 1.5x5's I would have put them on instead as the lower magnification suits where I hunt and longer shots have never been hampered with the scope on 5 X.
I have also used 2x7 and 2.5x8 Leupolds and the 1.5x5 is my favuorite for this class of rifle.

All the best,
Charlie.

This might be a good time to suggest a bit of personal discipline.
I always carry my scopes on the 1.5 or 2 or 3 setting on all my scoped rifles. There is never time to change on the up-close encounter. This is especially true with game that is hunted in thick cover be it African buff or American bear. There is however "usually" enough time to change to the higher settings for game which is spotted and then stalked or shot from the distance.
If you will train yourself to know that your scope is always ready and in which direction to adjust it in the same way you trained yourself to know when it was loaded and on "Safe" you will succeed more often without the moment of hesitation which could be very dangerous in the wrong situation and which could cost you a sweet trophy.

good advice Frank !!

I run a burris 1.5-6 pn my 416 rigby and could not be more happy. On a large caliber I want as light a scope as pratical. I feel there is less chance of the scope sliding on recoil. How ever todays rings have seemed to cured this problem. I think if I had the scope allready I would use it.

I bought a Vari X III 2.5-8 to put on a custom .375 built on a M70 Safari Express Action. While I think the magnification range is ideal, watch out!! The scope is too short without the use of extension rings & I just think they just do not belong on a custom.

Pity Leupold don't make that scope in an "E" version. Only need an extra 1/2 inch.

I know Saeed has it on his Dakota 76 375/404 but on the M70 it allows for no fore & aft adjustment at all for eye relief. So I planned to get a 1.5-5 Vari XIII for it. Until I saw the Saworovski 1.25-4 with High Grid Circle Dot reticle. This is an illuminated scope designed for daytime use. Man this reticle is fast in acquiring a target. the eye just naturally follows the centre & circle dot. For big game, running game this one looks like the ants pants.

Regards,
JohnT

I think I will put the new Kahles 2-5x Compact with reticle in the second plane ( not magnifying ) on my projected .375.

I already have a Swarovski 1.25-4x lying around for my also projected 450/400 3" or 500/416 or 450 NE or 450 No2. Yes, I think there will be a ( detachable ) scope on it.

Regards, Hermann

[ 09-02-2002, 17:01: Message edited by: aHunter ]

If I can just throw my 2 cents worth in here, I believe that the Leopold 1.5-5x is THE ultimate scope for big game rifles. It has excellent optical qualities, 1.5x is perfect for jump shooting game, 5x is all the power you need for the longer shots and this scope has one of the longest, if not THE longest, eye reliefs of any scope - like I said, the ultimate!