Leupold VXR 2-7x33 vs VX6HD 1-6 for 375HH

Pretty much narrowed it down to these 2 scopes. Really looking for a one and done solution to PG and DG.

At this point, everything about the 2-7 is better, except.....the 2x on the low end. I guess my question is, in you experience, have you ever needed the 1x where the 2x would have failed you? If 2x is more than adequate, I imagine the 2-12VX6 should serve even better than the 2-7...except for cost, weight and eye relief(very much like the 1-6)

2-7 vs 1-6
Cheaper(370 vs 850)
Lighter(12.7 vs 13.4)
Better eye relief( 4.2 vs 3.7)

I currently use 1-6 VX6, 2-12 VX6, 3-15VX5 and a 1.5-5 Scout VXR on other rifles with a few swaro and zeiss sprinkled in so Im familiar with with most brands. Just to muddy the water a bit, Im also considering the Leupold VX5 1-5 but it seems to to be compromise of both scopes in regards to magnification and price, falling in the middle.

Thanks in advance for you insight and replies. Ive done searches and have read a few threads on here that are similar but didnt see anything as specific as the question Ive asked.

Back in the early 90s I was using a 1x4 leupold shotgun scope on my 458 Lott and a vari-x 3 1 3/4 to 6 on a 375 or a 340 WBY. Made trips to Kodiak and to Africa, never found fault with either for PG and DG. Would do the same again but would take a pre sighted Trijicon RMR along for the LOTT.
In the past many people felt that the 1 power was not a true 1 power but more like a 1 1/2/

That may have been true for a while but todays higher end 1x are pretty close to a true 1x.

I ended up with the VX6. The 3 main factors that led to this was 1) length of tube to span magnum action. 2) Eye relief. 3) Field of View.
You may want to compare these on the VX6 vs VXR.

I hadnt considered tube length for mounting but figured there is an easy solution for that, even if it means mounting a rail. As to eye relief, the VXR beats the VX6 by 1/2in. Field of view , the 1 power obviously will have more but I guess that leads me back to my original question: Has anyone ever found the FOV at 2x lacking so much that hey couldn't make the shot where having a 1x would have made a difference?

Not many 1x on the market today as most now stats 1 1/2 as a starter—where they ere all along.
For my belief the question is between a 1 1/2 and a 2x—you have to make your own distinction.

I have the VX-6 on my 416 and couldn’t be happier. I found the eye relief to be sufficient and don’t think a little extra weight is necessarily a bad thing with my 416. I also believe it has better glass the VXR.

Luvthunt said:

Not many 1x on the market today as most now stats 1 1/2 as a starter—where they ere all along.
For my belief the question is between a 1 1/2 and a 2x—you have to make your own distinction.

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Leupold, Zeiss, Swaro, Trijicon, S&B, Kahles and Leica all make a 1-X scope. Not trying to argue, just trying to decide if 1x power is truly needed on the bottom end or simply nice to have. Given your replies and seeing that a lot of guys do run 1.25 or 1.5 bottom power scopes with no issues, it would seem that a 2x and higher top end would be more beneficial, all else being equal. I'll more than likely use this rilfe in the US far more often thn I'll us it in Africa so perhaps Ive answered my own question

Ed Hawkins said:

I have the VX-6 on my 416 and couldn’t be happier. I found the eye relief to be sufficient and don’t think a little extra weight is necessarily a bad thing with my 416. I also believe it has better glass the VXR.

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I agree, my VX6/VX5 glass is better than my current VXR but not so much that Id discount it....especailly for half the price. Pretty much the same thoughts I had when I chose the VX6's over comparable Swaro offfering. They had a slight edge to my eye.....but not enough to warrant the added cost.

You definitely made the better decision and for the reasons you stated. I have both, but would always put the v6 on my 375. With true one x you can truly keep both eyes open on the close up or running shots.

TByrd said:

I ended up with the VX6. The 3 main factors that led to this was 1) length of tube to span magnum action. 2) Eye relief. 3) Field of View.
You may want to compare these on the VX6 vs VXR.

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I love my VX 6. Have it on my 416 and it does a great job!

As far as your concern over the low end power, I’ve used fixed 1.5 and 2.5x as well as variables with 1, 1.5, 1.75 and 2x on the low end and never felt hampered with any. These have been on a variety of rifles.
.375 has a 1.75-6x. .416 Ruger and .458 Lott wear 1.5-5x.
Since your .375 is intended for both DG and PG, I’d want nothing higher than 2.5 on the low end and 6-8 on the high end. Anything higher than that would be superfluous on a .375.
Just my .02 worth.

meigsbucks said:

As far as your concern over the low end power, I’ve used fixed 1.5 and 2.5x as well as variables with 1, 1.5, 1.75 and 2x on the low end and never felt hampered with any. These have been on a variety of rifles.
.375 has a 1.75-6x. .416 Ruger and .458 Lott wear 1.5-5x.
Since your .375 is intended for both DG and PG, I’d want nothing higher than 2.5 on the low end and 6-8 on the high end. Anything higher than that would be superfluous on a .375.
Just my .02 worth.

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Thanks, just the kind of info I was after.

You should be fine with which ever you get. My only recommendation is to get the illuminated option.

"Wheels said:

You should be fine with which ever you get. My only recommendation is to get the illuminated option.

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Thanks, both are illuminated. Spent the last couple years changing all my scopes to illuminated reticles.

Definitely go with the VX6. Better glass and getting down below 2x, you can use the illuminated version as a red dot. Both eyes open you will even see the red dot on target if the front on the scope is covered.

The only times I have found my 1-6x lacking we’re trying to hit a baboon close to 300 yards and a critically small croc target at 90 yards. The 1-6 has done well.
Missed the running baboon, but I can’t blame the scope for my error and hit the croc perfectly.
I really like my VX-6 1-6x, but either will probably work fine. Hold them both; throw them up; and try to see which you acquire the target quickest at the closest range.
I prefer to get the best scope I can especially for DG. JMO

Good luck in your decision!

Warpig602 said:

but I guess that leads me back to my original question: Has anyone ever found the FOV at 2x lacking so much that hey couldn't make the shot where having a 1x would have made a difference?

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I have a 2.5-8x36. My only experience where I had too much magnification is this past year deer hunting. I shot a buck forward in the shoulder and he went down but was trying to crawl away. I figured I better get down from the tree, head over, and shoot him again at close range. At 10 yards he decided to jump up to his feet and start running. I had a terrible time trying to find him and it was impossible, I had to wait till he stopped at about 15 yards to shoot again and even then it was hard to get on him.

Now that is a 2.5x and not a 2, but I def feel like a 1 power would have been a better choice for that application.

If you shoot a buffalo 50 yards and he decides to run your way, that is likely a problem. Of course that may very well be a problem with a 1x.

An advantage to the larger scope is you would have a larger field of view at 2-6 power than you would at 2-6 power with the smaller scope. Granted 1 is not an option.

This may depend on where you are hunting and what your ph's philosophy is. I'd tell the ph before the hunt that would prefer shots be in that 50+ yards range if it can be helped. I think sometimes the ph's what to give you an experience and end up getting way too close. There is no shame in shooting a buffalo at 100 yards imo. I understand plans do not go according to plan though.

Honestly, I'd probably choose whichever one you liked the looks of better. A lot of people want short scopes on the big rifles because it looks better to them (in addition to having 1x), but it doesn't have to be that way.
Or contact who you are hunting with and ask them.

I have used a 2-7 for many years and have never had a problem at close range with the scope set to 2x, as long as the scope is well mounted I can shoot with both eyes open. I went with a 2.5-8 on my .375 and would do so again. One of my hunting buddies has a Trijicon 1-4 on his .375 and I can't get on the close targets any quicker or more accurately with his. I do practice a lot of close range offhand shooting at small targets in varying light conditions so am very comfortable with my setup. I think either choice should work well.

I would go with the VX-6 1-6x. I have two of them and a Swaro 1-8x. These are very versatile scopes and the glass seems much better than the VXR to me.