Scope for my .375 H&H

Well I'm now looking for a scope for my .375 H&H. I plan to use the rifle with quick detach rings on the scope. The rifle would be for buffalo primarily but I'd also like to take an Eland with it and any other opportunity plains game.

I've read quite a bit about the Trijicon scopes and their illuminated reticle. I would go with the 1.25-4 if I went this route, it has decent eye relief at a minimum of 3.4 inches.

The other scopes I'm considering are the Leupold VX3 in 1.5-5 with it's very nice 3.7 inches of eye relief, but also the 2.5-8 with also a nice 3.6 inches of eye relief. The latter giving a little more magnification that could be nice for plains game and also a bit bigger objective for better light.

Your thoughts please and thanks for replying.

Hi Phil

I would go for nothing else but the Leopold, great scopes and the best value for money in my opinion.

Most if not all of my clients use Leopold scope and we have never had a problem.

Best Regards
Louis van Bergen

Phil,

Louis is correct, rather go with the Leupold scope and get some Warne detach rings with it, just make sure the scope is as close as possible attached to the rifle, but the bolt still has to open freely...

I was already leaning towards the Leupold. I have a couple of the Zeiss Conquest series scopes that when I bought them I felt surpassed the Vari-X III's. But when I decided to put a scope on my Tikka I got for this past summer's trip to Africa, the new VX3 was out and it beats the pants off the Conquest for brightness and clarity.

So which would you go for, the 1.5-5 or the 2.5-8?

Oh by the way the rings I put on the rifle are the Warne Quick Detach type. I put my 3.5-10 VX3 on it just for breaking in the rifle until I put a permanent scope on it. The length of the scope nearly was a problem, it sits just a touch behind the rear sight. Off to the range this weekend to see how the rifle shoots at a 100 yards.

Phil,

My .375 has a 1.2 x 4.5 Lynx scope on it and i successfully hunted Buff and Eland with it. Although the .375 is more for clients, i do use it offen on other plains game like Blue Wildebeest, Red Hartebeest , Impala, Gemsbuck etc. with success. On plains Game to be hunted over 150 - 200 yards, it can get a bit tricky, but if you 'know your rifle' it is possible to hunt springbuck with a 5 power scope...

I will choose the 1.5-5 power scope.

Hi Phil,
Yeah , I will second what all the guys here are saying. Get yourself the best scope you can afford and a brand that is known for their ruggedness, especially going on to a moderate to high recoiling rifle like the .375H&H.

I shoot with a lighter bullet in the 235gr TSX so I can reach a bit further out and have chosen the Swarovski 3-10x 40 . This effectivly turns the .375 into a close to long range rifle and I love taking game with it.
Unfortunately in optics, you get what you pay for and you will need something to take the recoil on that .375.

Hope that with all the help from the other guys that your decision has been made easier.

All the best,
Marius Goosen

My .375 is wearing a Zeiss Diavari 3x9x40. I have been very happy with it, very light and compact, SUPER rugged, and very good eye relief.

Hi, I have a 2.5-8, Var III Leupold on my 375 H&H and love it! It's great for close and long shots! I think it will suit my needs perfectly...if I ever go on a buffalo/sable hunt at some point in the future.

i have both the leupold in a 1.5 -5 and a 3-9. the 1.5-5 is good for closer shooting but the 3-9 is better for longer distance. the 1.5-5 is great for close contact.

Originally Posted by enysse

Hi, I have a 2.5-8, Var III Leupold on my 375 H&H and love it! It's great for close and long shots! I think it will suit my needs perfectly...if I ever go on a buffalo/sable hunt at some point in the future.

You and I are of similar thinking here. There's just not much difference between 1.5x and 2.5x for those up close shots. I may be talking out of my head here a bit, but if you're that close for it to be a problem, I would guess you should be shooting open sights.

At the other end there's a pretty significant sight picture difference from 5x to 8x and could be the difference in pin pointing that shot, albeit the 5x should still be enough to place a proper kill zone shot just not quite as precise.

Bob / Marius,

I'd love to have top level Swarovski and Zeiss glass, but I 'd never be able to get back to Africa after paying for it.

I wouldn't compare the new Leupold VX3 probably to those scopes, but for $400 it's an incredibly good buy. Granted, it will need to hold up under that recoil, but I'll have time to evaluate that before my next safari.

It looks like it's going to have to be the 1.5-5x, the 2.5-8 does not have enough spacing between the bell and the eyepiece. It's spec'd at 5.1 inches. The space between the rings I put on is a little over 5.4 inches.

Hi Phil

I think the 1.5-5x will do just fine most buffalo hunts take place on 80 yards or less so you really don’t need all those extra’s (ultra clear lenses……) the quick detach mounts would be a definite thing to have.

You just need something reliable that will work time and time again.

Best Regards
Louis van Bergen

Hey Phil,

Everybody already said what I had in mind. I would also recommend that you buy a scope with a bit higher magnification. Something like a 2.5-8 or 3-9. I had a Schmidt and Bender 1.25 - 5 on my .375 and it is tough to make shots that is over 120yards but great for close up shots. Unfortunately the .375 is such a calibre that you can shoot up to 200 yards with the right loads.

For what you want to use it for I would say buy a leupold with a 3-9 magnification, that way you can use your gun for any kind of hunting from 35yards up to 200yards. If you need to shoot closer than 20yards it should be open sights and hopefully your PH will be there with the right equipment to help out if neccasary.... ;-)

Best regards,

Originally Posted by HartzviewHuntingSafaris

Hey Phil,

Everybody already said what I had in mind. I would also recommend that you buy a scope with a bit higher magnification. Something like a 2.5-8 or 3-9. I had a Schmidt and Bender 1.25 - 5 on my .375 and it is tough to make shots that is over 120yards but great for close up shots. Unfortunately the .375 is such a calibre that you can shoot up to 200 yards with the right loads.

For what you want to use it for I would say buy a leupold with a 3-9 magnification, that way you can use your gun for any kind of hunting from 35yards up to 200yards. If you need to shoot closer than 20yards it should be open sights and hopefully your PH will be there with the right equipment to help out if neccasary.... ;-)

Best regards,

Hmm, it just might have to be another 3.5-10 Leupold then. The new VX3 only comes in 3.5-10 and not 3-9. I already have one for my .300 Win that I put on the .375 this weekend. With the Warne Quick Detach rings, it put the bottom of the bell just about right. The rear sight blade is just slightly higher than the bottom of the bell, but it doesn't impede the view when looking through the scope.

The other option would be the Zeiss Conquest in 3-9. It's not quite as clear and bright as the Leupold VX3, but at least the eye relief doesn't change.

EDIT: If I get closer than 20 yards to a buff and it's still on it's feet, I hope the PH is also carrying a clean pair of shorts for me!