Buying a new stainless 375 H&H tomorrow for my brown bear hunt. I'm going to need a scope for it. I have a Leupold 1.5 - 5x on my 500 Jeffery I like a lot. I'm just wondering if it has enough light gathering for a fall brown bear hunt.

Any suggestions?

Well I'm not a Brown Bear hunter but I had a 1.5-5 Leupold on my .375 and didn't like the light gathering and I could see the front sight in the scope and it bothered me.
I put a 2.5-8 Leupold on it and love it. 2.5 is low enough for 12' away and 8 is great for any long shots.
Just my 2 cents and I'm sure others will have a different opinion.

A high quality 1-4 or 1.5-6 is a good choice.

I have (had) several different DGR's equipped in this manner.

I have been considering the 1-10 March as my next scope but I have yet to act on that thought.

VX3 1.75-6

I have the 1.5 - 5x on my 500 Jeffery, and I think it's perfect for that rifle. It's fine out to 250 yards (I got a mule deer with it at 225 yards the fall before last). It's held up to the recoil with 400 rounds through the 500 Jeffery and the eye relief is good (important on the 500!). Just wondering how important low light performance is on a fall bear hunt. Otherwise, I'll just move the scope over to the 375.

I put 1/75x6 leupold on my 416 taylor I built for a brown bear gun. another one like you have on your 375 would work very well .

Chuck,

I've taken two mountain grizzlies in northern BC with the VX3 in 1.75-6X (Leupold), a brown with the 2.5-8X and a brown with an iron sighted .404 Jeff. The 1.75-6X performed well in all light conditions, stayed true to zero under the recoil of the 300 grain handloads with Talley mounts and rings, and never failed under some severe hunting conditions. I went to the iron sights in the rain forest in Southeastern Alaska for the fun of getting closer and enjoyed the experience.

I took an iron sighted .458 Win Mag Sept. 2010 for black bear in the same region, hunting the salmon streams in pouring rain. All opportunities were very close and I preferred open sights in that environment and circumstance.

I think you will be pleased with the 1.75-6X better than the 1.5-5X, but the difference may be more perceived than real. If you are going to take a 150 yard + shot, then obviously, a scope is preferred following conventional wisdom.

Thanks, seems like I should just stick with my 1.5 - 5x Leupold. I can use that money for the rain gear I'll need lol ...

Chuck - I agree that a VXIII 1.75 X 6 Lupey would make for a good setup. I just happen to have one that has only 10 rounds under it on a 9.3 X 74R that I would like to sell. PM me if you are interested and we can talk.

I have this same setup on a couple of other rifles and it's a neat way to go. Low enough power for close up shots with the ability on 6X to make most any distance shot you would encounter.

Larry Sellers
SCI Life Member

quote:

Originally posted by Kelly Gill:
Chuck,
I went to the iron sights in the rain forest in Southeastern Alaska for the fun of getting closer and enjoyed the experience.

I took an iron sighted .458 Win Mag Sept. 2010 for black bear in the same region, hunting the salmon streams in pouring rain. All opportunities were very close and I preferred open sights in that environment and circumstance.

That's something every hunter should experience, IMO. I can't think of another experience more appropriate for a hunter, than to have the potential to become the hunted, in a natural environ. It's humbling. The jungle of Viet Nam isn't the same thing, close but different. I suppose it has to do with natural and choice. Another guy toting a rifle, as intent on getting you as you are him, is another scenerio. Also, one's behavior can influence the outcome, with brown bear, but not with the cong.
http://www.google.com/images?q...sAQ&biw=1259&bih=580

In SE Alaska, I'm gonna do it again, and again, as long as I can. I can enjoy the experience two ways. One where I hope to not have to shoot, and another where I hope for an opportunity for a shot. I like to fish for salmon, and trout in the same streams that brown bears like too. So, that should explain the hoping to not have to shoot. I also want to hunt black bear, in the same region inhabited by brown bear, which should explain the hoping for a shot.

I also carry an iron sighted 458 for such occasions.

When I use a scope, I have used the Leupold 1x4 VXII, 2x7 VXII, and the 1.5x5 and 2.5x8 VXIII, and I like them all, set on about 2 or 2.5X. I also like the shotgun type heavy retical. I have one 30mm 2x7 with the German #4 retical, which is a bit thick, but still OK, for the situation. It's the one for my 458, when I don't opt for the irons, which are NECG, fiber optic hooded front, BTW.

I have read something good about the low power 30mm variable Burris or Nikon - can't remember which - but it's all about eye relief, field of view and clarity, and ability to hold up under recoil, and light weight too.

I read that Leupold was developing the 3x fixed full size scope again, and confirmed that with a phone call. They said it was in development. I don't know the latest status with that. However, it seems to me that a properly designed fixed 3x scope, designed especially to stand up to recoil, with lots of eye relief, and std size for the ring placement, would be ideal. I think we should call Leupold and encourage them to proceed with the offering. IMO, such a scope in 2.5 power, designed especially for big-bore and dangerous game rifles is badly needed.

In case you are wondering, IMO the present offering by Leupold in the compact 2.5x, has significant flaws in field of view. They made some poor engineering choices with that one, sacrificing field of view for size.

KB

Chuck,

I've had three or four 1.5x5 Leupolds and I own none now. I honestly think the 1.75x6 is a better choice and both my 375's actually have 2.5x8's and I've never thought I wished I had a wider FOV. I went through the super wide field of view thing with low power Swaros and Leupolds and just didn't see the need after awhile. Also the 375 with new bullets etc is so versatile that it deserves a scope of higher magnification and light gathering capability.

That bear on a gray, rainy, windy day might be just a wet dark blob. With a litte more magnification it might be easier to make out the shoulder and just hammer him.

Mark

Mention has been made of the Leupold Vari-X III in 1.75-6 as perhaps being slightly better at light gathering than the 1.5-5x. I can't comment on thatone way or the other but I do use the Leupold 1.5-5x, Vari-X III on my .338 mag. All I can say is that IMHO I've found no problems with that scope. Not to say the 1.75-6 wouldn't gather more light. This rifle is my moose rifle and there is a distinct possibility of running into a grizzly where we hunt. In addition, I've got a set of open sights on that rifle as a backup and am a firm believer that most, if not all hunting rifles should have them. Our trips are for extended periods of time so no going back to the store to get a new scope with all that entails. Don't even approach me about taking a spare.
I can't recall for sure but I MAY be able to see the front sight thru my scope but to me, that's a non event & doesn't bother me in the least. I think that's a situation you shouldn't worry about. I do thinkl, as well that for your situation, I would NOT want any 2-7x scope or larger. As an extreme example, on our 1st elk hunt to Afognak (think it was the 1st), we came up close & personal with a brown bear. My partner had a fixed, 6x scope on his rifle. He knew better but due to a shortage of funds, didn't change it out. Anyway, he told me that all he could see was fur on that bear thru his scope. Anyway, we backed off SLOWLY, and there was no problem. I'd recommend you keep your scope choice to around a 1X variable and have a set of open sights as well for "just in case".
Good luck.
Bear in Fairbanks

A 6x fixed power is certainly not a good idea. But I have found that I don't need a setting less than 2x, even in the thick stuff. So I set my 1x4 scopes at about 2x. Thus I like a 2-7x because at the range and sometimes when hunting I can use the extra magnification. I suppose a 1.5x5 spans the useful magnification range too.

KB

Chuck,

I shot mine with a Z6I 2-12. I had it set on 2X.

I thought the illumination helped me pick up quicker, but was not actually necessary.

Given that this gun may serve you as a light rifle/backup on a Buffalo hunt down the road, I think that a 2-8 or a 3-9 actually is not a bad idea with a illuminated reticle, and there are many good choices out there.

If you really want the 1.5-5, take it off the other gun.

A 1.7-6 would work OK, but I don't know that it buys you any more than the 1.5-5.

So what's your opinion of the Leupold 3.5 - 10x 50mm illuminated scope. It will certainly gather a whole lot more light. First question: will it hold up to recoil? Second question: Is 3.5X too much magnification at the low end? I kind of don't think so because I hunted with a Redfield 3x - 9x on my 270 for 30 years and it never handicapped me even jumping elk in the black timber.

Leupold has a good reputation, and I personally would not have a problem using a 3.5-10 IR on a .375 mag. I do have a Leupold on a .300 WM that has put up with the recoil for years. If you have good rings, I think that would be just fine.

I think that's a good choice, all told.

Chuck Leupold just came out with a 1.5x5x24mm scope with illuminated German #4 reticle that is price wise not bad, that's what I'm putting on my 416 Ruger for bear medicine, the 30mm tube and the illumination will give you an edge in low light conditions.

im putting a straight 4x on my 375 and 416 ruger...solid and reliable...cant ask for more than that

quote:

Originally posted by dirklawyer:
Chuck Leupold just came out with a 1.5x5x24mm scope with illuminated German #4 reticle that is price wise not bad, that's what I'm putting on my 416 Ruger for bear medicine, the 30mm tube and the illumination will give you an edge in low light conditions.

Thanks dirklawyer!

if i had my wish it would be for a 2-7 with a illuminated dot

The best BB guide I know in Alaska has Leupold fixed power 2.5 scopes on his guide's backup rifles, looks just like your 1.5-5 but no fumbling with adjustment

Simple, bullet proof, great price

quote:

Originally posted by Abob:
The best BB guide I know in Alaska has Leupold fixed power 2.5 scopes on his guide's backup rifles, looks just like your 1.5-5 but no fumbling with adjustment

Simple, bullet proof, great price

I leave my Leupold on 1.5x when hunting. The adjustment is pretty stiff, so no worries there. If I'm stalking and going to end up with a longer shot, then I adjust it if need be. I always reset it back to 1.5x. I did the same with the 3x-9x Redfield that's been on my 270 for 30 years. It's always on 3x when I hunt. If I'm going to go higher it's a stalking situation and I have time to adjust it.

A 1.75x6x42 Leupold LPS is my favorite close-range scope, whether in Alaska or Africa. Great light-gathering, enough power on the top end for a big bore, and 1.75 seems to give you great close-up FOV without looking at the barrel in the scope. I bought several on close-out when they switched to the VX7 line.

I just put a Nikon Monarch X 2.5x10x42 with 30mm tube on my .375. It has an illuminated crosshair in the center if you want it, and is just a fabulous scope. Who can't find something on 2.5 power? Light gathering is great, field of view is great, if you have to shoot at decent distance, you can crank it up and be pinpoint accurate. There are a lot of 2-2.5 x 10 power scopes out there (or 3x9), and I have never understood why they are not used more than the 1x4 or 1.5x6 scopes unless it is a weight issue.
Just my personal preference and I am not knocking anyone's choices.

I plan to use this setup for leopard and PG in Africa and for Brown bear in AK this year...

Thanks Tim, that sounds like a better choice than either the the 1.5 - 5x or the 3.5 - 10x illuminated.

quote:

Originally posted by Tim Herald:
I just put a Nikon Monarch X 2.5x10x42 with 30mm tube on my .375. It has an illuminated crosshair in the center if you want it, and is just a fabulous scope. Who can't find something on 2.5 power? Light gathering is great, field of view is great, if you have to shoot at decent distance, you can crank it up and be pinpoint accurate. There are a lot of 2-2.5 x 10 power scopes out there (or 3x9), and I have never understood why they are not used more than the 1x4 or 1.5x6 scopes unless it is a weight issue.
Just my personal preference and I am not knocking anyone's choices.

I plan to use this setup for leopard and PG in Africa and for Brown bear in AK this year...

When something with horns or teeth and claws erupts from deep cover
at 50-100 feet or even less--

Other than a ghost ring iron set up,
or a reflex dot sight(Trijicon, EoTech ETC)--

a high quality 1X to 1.5 is what I want--
2.5 to 3 is too much for me.

Fast and close I can't see enough at 2.5-3x.

As far as a 300 yd shot, 6x is plenty, 4X is good, 10x is great I just do not choose to give up the up close ability in heavy cover.

As I posted earlier, I will probably end up with a new March 1-10, though my DR has a Trijicon reflex currently.

We all get to choose our equipment:
For now my choice in a DGR optic leaves me @ 1 to 1.5X scope if I use a scope.

I already have a Leupold 1.5 - 5x on my 500 Jeffery DuggaBoye, and I like it a lot. I've got 400 full power loads through it and got one mule deer at 225 yards with it as well. The Leupold 1.5 - 5x illuminated reticle is at the top of my list so far. I wish Leupold made their VX-2 2 - 7x in an illuminated reticle. Gonna have to decide by Saturday, my rifle should be in by then.

quote:

Originally posted by butchloc:
if i had my wish it would be for a 2-7 with a illuminated dot

Butchloc,

Here ya go!

http://www.leupold.com/hunting...copes/vx-r-2-7x33mm/

Alan

GSSP thanks! You've found my scope and under $500 too. I had an old VX-2 2x7 on a Ruger M77 270 30 years ago, was unhappy with the rifle and like a dummy sold the scope with the rifle. I loved that scope.

That leupold R 2x7 is nice....

I've had an IOR-Valdada 4X32 on my .375 for the last 10 years. The brightness is top notch, and I would rank it right up there with Swarovski at less than half the cost. I also own 4 Leupold VX 3, including a lighted reticle model, but they are not nearly as bright as the IOR.
Although it't not a well known name, I can assure you that you will not be disappointed. Got it from SWFA.com.

Broke down and bought the Leupold VX-R 2-7x33mm illuminated with the metric FireDot 4 reticle today... It just seemed perfect for the range of hunting I plan to do with the 375 H&H ... I'll let you all know how it works out.

http://www.leupold.com/hunting...copes/vx-r-2-7x33mm/
_________________________

Chuck, that is the same scope I was thinking of putting on my 416 Taylor build.

On my 375 and up stuff, I have a fixed 2.5X, 1.5-5, 1.75-6 & 2-7 (all Leupold)....Not real big fan of the 1.5-5.

I think you nailed it with that scope.

Thanks!

http://www.opticsplanet.net/ze...iflescopes-30mm.html

I too like many here like and have used the Var-III 1.5x5 and it is a good one for in close and excellent presentation of target with clarity but these Zeiss 30mm have intrigued me so, perhaps I too will invest into a new scope this summer and put it on my 9.3x64.

A bit late to chime in, but in my humble opinion the old stand by European 1.5-6x42 is the most versatile scope for general big game hunting that I have tried ( and I have used both the 1.75-6 and the 2.5-8 VXIII).

I have used a Nikon Monarc Gold with German"4 in this configuration on my 375 Ruger African on moose here in Norway.
Distances varying from 20 feet to 250 yards and in both bright sunshine and low light conditions.

It went with a 338 Winmag I sold, but I plan to buy another one as I was very pleased with the performance of the Nikon.
It also have a true eye relief of 4".

The thing about the German #4 reticle is that it seem to center the eye to the cross the same way a good diopter or gost ring does.
Good for fast close range work and longer shots.

Anyway, good luck on the upcoming hunt!

Thanks! I'm sure the scope I bought will do fine. If it holds up to a hundred full power loads this summer, I'm sure it will do fine. If not, I'll put my Leupold 1.5-5x20mm on.

+ 1 on the 1.5 to 5 lupie or the 1.25 to four night force

I personally believe that the Leupold VX-2 using the 2 to 7 power is a great scope for your needs in Alaska or anyplace else hunting big game animals. This combination is on 4 of my DGR for last 12 years now and no problems at all.

Hey Chuck, are you a prize fighter? If you are, you most likely wont need a scope or a rifle, hell just head butt that blessed bear and smack it with a good elbow to the nose.

The Leupold VX-2 in the 2 to 7 power works real well in the lower light, lense is larger than your other scope.