Advice wanted on optics for .375 H&H

[john rawlings]

I'm hoping that the members of this forum will be able to give me some good, solid advice.

I just purchased a new Winchester Model 70 in .375 H&H, a rifle I have wanted for a long, long time. I'm now searching for the best optics for this rifle and caliber. I've always been a Leupold man, but am not deadset against any other maker if the reasoning is solid.

A little about me - I have hunted throughout the Western US for over 30 years, using everything between a .22-250 to a .338-06. Although Africa is definitely on "my horizon" in the coming years, this rifle will primarily be used for Alaskan Moose and Caribou, and as a defensive arm should I inadvertantly encounter an aggressive Brown Bear while hunting for the above. As such, I will need optics that will function well in both open spaces and brush where visibility is limited and in which rain and fog are the norm. I'm thinking something along the lines of a 1.5 X 4 as that makes a lot of sense to me considering the above conditions.

Please, if anyone has some recommendations on a good, solid scope that will meet those needs, I'm all ears. Specific maker, series and/or model number, your experiences with the scope and the rationale behind your choice will be most welcome at my end.

I would very much appreciate your input. Thank you in advance!

John

 

[enysse]

Nothing wrong with a low range Leupold scope, sounds like a excellent choice.

 

[Wheels]

Something you may want to consider if you decide to take one rifle to africa or hunt other animals while hunting brown bears is to get a scope with more magnification like a 2x8 and use detachable scope mounts like Warne. That way you can remove the scope and use the open sights. This is not a recomendation......just something to consider. Listen to the DG PH's on this site, their thoughts are alot more valuable than mine. Let us know what your decision is on optics and magnification. Good luck.

 

[spike.t]

meat78 asked this question and there are a lot of replies . look on .375 and over on the forum page, the post is about 4 below yours i think.

 

[huntingbigun]

I used the Leopold 1 X 4 Lighted recticle, here is the link for the other thread have fun

http://www.africahunting.com/375-up/10064-375-h-h-mag-scope.html

 

[richteb]

2-8 or even 3-9 is what I use. Had a 1.5 - 5.5 on my 375 in africa and found it to small.

 

[Fritz Rabe]

I have a 1,25 - 4,5 x 28 on my 375 for the past 20 years now. I had it put on because it does sometimes happen that a client's rifle or scope breaks down. I then give them my 375 to use. Never had a problem of any kind when a client used it. The magnification is big enough for shots out to 250y and that is far out. I did not put it on detachable mounts because I believe that a gun is either scoped or not. A low powered scope works wonders even on dangerous game as you only have to focus on the animal and put the cross on it. With open sights you have to focus on three objects to make a good shot. If you do more than 70% of your normal shooting with a scope then you will not make a good shot under stressful conditions with an open sight.
Theory works great but practical always has a way to blow theory out the window.

 

[john rawlings]

I used the Leopold 1 X 4 Lighted recticle, here is the link for the other thread have fun

http://www.africahunting.com/375-up/10064-375-h-h-mag-scope.html

That's a great link to some good conversation. Thanks for pointing me to it!

 

[B9.3]

Since the early 70s I had Leupold on every rifle I ever owned & that is many. I have also had Bushnell, Redfield, Weaver, Swarovski, & others I have forgotten. .Now I have Zeiss on everything & that will never change. Exclusively Zeiss & Warne quick detach lever mounts.

 

[35bore]

Leupold VX-III 1.5x5 or similar should give you great results. Weaver also came out with a DG series I am anxious to try, gotta buy another rifle and scope though, (damn the luck).

 

[joester]

I love my lighted reticle VXR Leuopold; I also have a Zeiss Duralyte but the .375 recoil at times causes the battery to become unseated...

 

[LRich]

I'm using the Leupold Vari X 3, 2.5 x 8 with a Vari X 3, 1.5 x 5 as a backup.

 

[enysse]

I'm using the Leupold Vari X 3, 2.5 x 8 with a Vari X 3, 1.5 x 5 as a backup.

I think for me, that is the ideal set-up!

 

[DOUBLE SHOT]

I'm a Nikon fan myself and I have been really happy with my Nikon 1x4 Monarch African series scope. It sighted in very well and has a great line of site with the thick cross hairs.

 

[drledeal]

I just purchased the same rifle and have added the Leupold VX6 1x6 on it. Great for close shot as it is a true 1x but the magnification out to 6x allows me to reach out a little longer if necessary.

 

[Johnny reb]

I'm with beau416 on the scope issue I believe in putting the best glass you can afford on a rifle I too am a zeiss fan but whatever you choose have fun with you're new toy

 

[bebo]

I'm hoping that the members of this forum will be able to give me some good, solid advice.

I just purchased a new Winchester Model 70 in .375 H&H, a rifle I have wanted for a long, long time. I'm now searching for the best optics for this rifle and caliber. I've always been a Leupold man, but am not deadset against any other maker if the reasoning is solid.
I'm thinking something along the lines of a 1.5 X 4 as that makes a lot of sense to me considering the above conditions.
John

I have a Winch Safari Express .375 H&H, it's very accuracy and "allround", .375 H&H is rather flat, from light game to BG and from 50 m to 180 meters so why not a versatile 3-9 x?? with QR mount. I use a Leupold 3-9x40 QR (or QD ...? Warne -Leupold /Leupold-Warne ??)

Else trail ...Swaroski Z6i EE 1-6x24 ... I dont know but I'd seen "good opinions" (french tests) and very good (the best ?) eye relief !!
They say "design" for Africa .. but not cheap ...