help me decide between scopes

matt85

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im looking to buy a scope for my 550 in 375 H&H and ive got three in mind but am a little stuck. im looking at either a leupold VX-3 2.5-8x36, a leupold VX-1 2-7x33, or a VX-3 1.75-6x32. I have never tried the 2.5-8x36 scope or the 1.75-6x32 so I don't know much about them but I do own a 2-7x33 and love it! what do you recommend?

I would also take other suggestions for other scopes but lets keep the prices under $600. this rifle will be used for dangerous game, plains game, and large north American game. I expect shots to range from 10-300 yards. if I think I might have to shoot closer then 10 yards im taken the dang scope off (quick detach rings).

thanks
-matt
 
Hi Matt

On my 550 .375H&H i shoot the VX3 1.5-5 x 20. I use this rifle mainly for DG and Plains game closer than 150m. If you need the .375 to shoot at 300 Yards you might think about putting the 2.5-8 on it if you don't have a different rifle for flat shooting.

All the best
 
Matt,
Have you looked at the VX-R series from Leopold? I have two of them, and they are tough. Actually replaced one of my Swarovski's with one of these.
Personally, I would look at something like the 3-10x40 for the .375 as it still has the capability to reach a little further than the big bores, and you will have the added benefit to have it on QD mounts for the close up action.

Take Care,
Marius
 
KMG im guessing you mean the 3-9x40, I hadn't looked into the VX-R scopes yet but I just noticed the VX-R series offers a 2-7x33 as well. as for using a 3-9x40, ive had issues in the past with scopes starting around 3x. last year I had a deer surprise me at 4 yards, I was able to make the shot but it was nothing but a wall of brown fur with my 3.5-10x40 scope. at least with the 2 power I might be able to see a little more critter at close range, never know when something will pop out of a bush.

gonna look more into the VX-R 2-7x33, im thinking 7x (6.6x) should be enough to land a shot in the vitals of a elk/bear up to 300 yards. although I admit ive not tried shooting that far with my 2-7x33 yet so please correct me if im wrong.

I do have other rifles capable of 300 yard shots but none would be as well suited as the 375 for a large elk. im pretty confident that a 250gr sierra gameking would be big medicine on elk at long range. having said that, as a proper hunter I will always try and get as close as possible to my prey before taking the shot.

thanks
-matt
 
Matt,
Yeah, sorry, fingers in first gear and brain stuck in neutral. 3-9x40.
You won't go wrong with the VX-R. Its built tough and if it can withstand being on a working rifle, handled by different hunters throughout the year, then I am sure it will get the job done for you.

Take Care,
Marius Goosen
 
Have you looked at Vortex Optics? The Viper line are in my opinion every bit as good as Leupold for less money. Clear glass great repeatable mechanicals and the same warranty as Leupold.

Cameraland Ny has a 2.5X10X44 on for $390 30mm tube. The 4" eye relief will be welcome for the 375.

Brian
 
A VX3 2.5x8 can be had for around $400. I have a few of them and have used them for some rough condition hunting for many years with no problems at all. It is a great scope for this type of rifle.
 
Matt,
Have you looked at the VX-R series from Leopold? I have two of them, and they are tough. Actually replaced one of my Swarovski's with one of these.
Personally, I would look at something like the 3-10x40 for the .375 as it still has the capability to reach a little further than the big bores, and you will have the added benefit to have it on QD mounts for the close up action.

Take Care,
Marius

This is exactly what I have done with my 375 H&H and I love it. Ps I love the fire dot reticle and can't wait to try it on a Cape buffalo.
 
Matt,

I don't know how old you are, how good your eye sight is, or how long you plan to keep the new scope. If you are like most of us your eyes will deteriorate with age.

A couple things to consider in your selection. The older you get the more an illuminated reticle will help in low light conditions (overcast, dark woods, twilight). Also the older you get the more a little higher magnification will help over distance.

Leupold has some selections with illumination in the VX3 and the VXR lines at your price point . If you are looking at shooting out to 300+ yards you might consider their "Ballistic Firedot" recticle.

All the best in your selection. Let us know what you decide.
 
While I don't have any experience with the lower power scopes for dangerous game I love the fact that you are going with Leupold in an application as critical as a dangerous game rifle. There is no question that Leupold and Swarovski are the most durable scopes out there and Swarovski, while the glass is better, is well above most peoples price point.
 
I have a VX3 2.5-8 x 36 on my Ruger no 1 375 H&H. I'm delighted with the flexibility it gives me on plains game & in the bushveld. When I'm hunting in an area where shooting distances are likely to be <150m or so, I prefer a 300g Rhino at around 2350fps. For more open country I use a 200g GS Custom at 2825fps.
 
Have you looked at the Nightforce NXS compact line? I have tried and owned most brands of scope and in my humble opinion they are the most durable I have seen.

Just my 2 cents but worth checking out if they are within your budget.

Johnny
 
My father and I used the new Leupold VX-6 2-12x42mm CDS with the Illuminated Reticle on our 300 WSMs while on a plains game hunt in the RSA back in Sept 2013. The 2 power was fantastic on close up shots in the thorn brush while the 12 power worked great on 200+ yard shots down long openings. Not that these are world breakers but I made a 200 yard shot on a Wildebeest and my father had a 234 yard shot on a Blesbok and we were happy to have the 12 power. Then the 2 power and illuminated reticle made a 15 yard 5 second shot I had on my Warthog in heavy brush a breeze. The 4x12 VX-R is a nice scope as well, I had one for backup. The illuminated reticle is really great for fast target acquisition.
 
a 300 yard shot would be a "long shot" as far as im concerned. i only say 300 yards cause i dont wanna run into a trophy elk at 280 yards across an open valley and have to pass on the shot due to weak optics.

nightforce, Swarovski, and VX-6 scopes all cost more then my rifle did and while nice i dont believe are required for my application.

thanks
-matt
 
I have the 2.5x8- 36 mm Leupold VIII on my .375 H&H CZ 550.
 
matt,
i'd go with a vx1 3-9x40 scope.
i know its not as fancy as having a new model vx3, but they are still very good optics.
great value for money.
 
Matt,

The Leupold 2-7x33 VX-R 30mm scope would a good choice if you are looking for a less expensive solution that has some nice modern features. Of course the VX2 line is a very workable solution. The nice points of the VX-R scope are a sturdy 30mm tube, quick target acquisition illuminated reticle (FireDot Duplex), and a much improved eye piece focus mechanism. Leupold has really improved the eye piece focus on the VX-R and VX-6 scopes. The focus lock on my VX3 6.5x20 on my Coues deer rig is constantly coming loose. I am saving for a new VX-6 4-24 to replace it. I have a 4x12 version of the VX-R scope that I used on game in the RSA and it worked as good as my VX-6, it just lacks the super low 2 power.
 
Leupold has always been a good option. You may want to take a look at the Vortex line of optics. Very affordable and arguably the best bang for your buck especially their Viper PST line. I own two and with the exception of slightly finnicky eye relief at high magnification they provide me with the same optical and mechanical quality as my Nightforce scopes..... for a third the price.

Cheers,

Johnny
 
I have 3 - 2 1/2 X 8 and they work great. this is my scope of choice.

Shots to 300 yards are not an issue with this scope as you are usually on a rest.

One of my 21/2X8 scopes has been dropped (a few times) and it did not loose it sight in while in the field. The scars on the scope are there from being in the back country and doing a self guided hunt.
 
I have 3 - 2 1/2 X 8 and they work great. this is my scope of choice.

Shots to 300 yards are not an issue with this scope as you are usually on a rest.

One of my 21/2X8 scopes has been dropped (a few times) and it did not loose it sight in while in the field. The scars on the scope are there from being in the back country and doing a self guided hunt.

I have seen Leupolds take unbelievable abuse and hot their zero, they sold me back in my guiding days. horses banging them off of trees or rolling on them, dropped, stepped on, etc. not to mention the constant jarring of miles of horseback travel. Many others failed this test but never a Leupold.

8x is definitely plenty at 300yds. I have used 12x on shots well past 500yds with no issue or desire for more and have fired quick shots with it still at 6x (where I normally carry it) out past 400 as well. 8x is fine.
 

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