Best reticle for africa

[HankBuck]

Let’s set aside the discussion of specific scopes and just talk about reticles.

if you’re putting a new scope on a .375 that will be used for Buffalo, larger plains game and possibly other targets of opportunity. What reticle are you going with? Let’s assume a low is power variable say 1-4 to 1-6 range.

How important do you view it being illuminated?

I’ve always gone with a traditional duplex save one inherited rifle with an old Lee Dot scope. But lately I’ve been looking at the German #4 and post with triangle reticles.

What do you like and what do you see as the benefits and negatives if the different versions in your experience.

@Russ16 - agree with You “standard Duplex”, keep it simple = low power & standard Duplex

 

[Rule 303]

You can get the Accupoints also but I’ve grown fond of these Credos.

I can’t really find something wrong with them at their price point.

The Trijicon's are incredible tough and have very good glass. I rate them better in all areas than Leupold's and the Luep's are not to be sneezed at.

 

[hseII]

The Trijicon's are incredible tough and have very good glass. I rate them better in all areas than Leupold's and the Luep's are not to be sneezed at.

I bought Leupolds only for years & then I bought 1 NF.

After buying a few of these Trijicon Credos someone else now uses the Leupolds & the old NF is relegated to bench gun work because it’s so heavy.

 

[dogcat1]

German #4 (or 4c) with an illuminated center dot.
View attachment 648889

It was helpful on a late evening shot.

This one is what I use on 5 trips and my future 5 trips.

 

[Rule 303]

I bought Leupolds only for years & then I bought 1 NF.

After buying a few of these Trijicon Credos someone else now uses the Leupolds & the old NF is relegated to bench gun work because it’s so heavy.

The Nightforce NXS 2.5-10X32 are not that heavy. Their 2.5-10X42 is heavy. Don't know about their latter scopes for hunting. The NXS scopes surpassed even the Shmidt & Benders in the US Navy's test to destruction and where rated as the toughest scopes on the market.

 

[hseII]

The Nightforce NXS 2.5-10X32 are not that heavy. Their 2.5-10X42 is heavy. Don't know about their latter scopes for hunting. The NXS scopes surpassed even the Shmidt & Benders in the US Navy's test to destruction and were rated as the toughest scopes on the market.

The NXS 5.5-22x56 is a little heavy for a lite weight whitetail rifle, especially when there’s a 2-10x36 Credo available.

 

[Rule 303]

The NXS 5.5-22x56 is a little heavy for a lite weight whitetail rifle, especially when there’s a 2-10x36 Credo available.

You certainly over scoped that whitetail rifle. With a 56mm Objective Lens you would need a forklift to carry it around.

 

[hseII]

You certainly over scoped that whitetail rifle. With a 56mm Objective Lens you would need a forklift to carry it around.

That’s why the 2-10x36 is on it.

Back to the OP,

1-6 or 2-10 for a 375?

 

[coreydb]

Let’s set aside the discussion of specific scopes and just talk about reticles.

if you’re putting a new scope on a .375 that will be used for Buffalo, larger plains game and possibly other targets of opportunity. What reticle are you going with? Let’s assume a low is power variable say 1-4 to 1-6 range.

How important do you view it being illuminated?

I’ve always gone with a traditional duplex save one inherited rifle with an old Lee Dot scope. But lately I’ve been looking at the German #4 and post with triangle reticles.

What do you like and what do you see as the benefits and negatives if the different versions in your experience.

Believe it or not, the simple cross hair reticle (even with some slight mods like lighted reticle) is adequate. The reasoning is based on the maximum point blank range of your particular ammo, with your rifle zeroed for two hundred yards. Dangerous game will almost always be shot less than100 yds, and your PH will get you within 200-250 yds of any plains animals; about the distance of your maximum point blank range.

 

[Manwe]

The only scope of the 3 you mentioned I'd consider is the VX5.

The 4.5-14 VX3 has a very small FOV on low power so not so good in tight bush.
The glass on the 4-16 HST is kinda shit certainly a lot worse than the VX5.

The VX5 line of scopes has good glass and for the most part dials fairly well, the Firefox reticle is good for close range hunting.
I think the 3-15x44 is probably worth considering if you think you'll be be taking longer range shots, but if its mostly under 300ish meters then a 2-10 firedot with ZL2 turret would be hard to beat.

I generally prefer FFP scopes these days but there isn't really much that with your usage that does weight 26oz + and will cost considerably more than the options you've listed.

 

[Carnivore hunter]

For a Dangerous Game rifle chambered in 375 RUM mounted with a LPVO, what is optimal to set zero at? Do you recommend a 50 yard zero or 100 or 200 yard zero? I have two LPVO's I'm interested in, the Leupold VX-6HD 1-6x24 or Swarovski Z6i 1-6x24 in SFP with a simple duplex reticle.

I want quick target acquisition.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

For a Dangerous Game rifle chambered in 375 RUM mounted with a LPVO, what is optimal to set zero at? Do you recommend a 50 yard zero or 100 or 200 yard zero? I have two LPVO's I'm interested in, the Leupold VX-6HD 1-6x24 or Swarovski Z6i 1-6x24 in SFP with a simple duplex reticle.

I want quick target acquisition.

Pay close attention to ring height for quick acquisition. It's one reason why low power scope with minimum diameter objective lens are more desirable. They can be mounted lower.

Zero your 375 for 100 yards. It will shoot flat enough for you to still be deadly at 50 yards. Just be aware where it will be at fifty yards. I'm guessing about 1.25" high. When you see the size of a buffalo's heart you will understand why an inch or two won't make a big difference. I shot my first buffalo through the heart at 100 yards. Second buff on the run at 65 yards through both lungs. Both times with rental 375 wearing 3-9x Leopold turned down to 3x.

 

[Rule 303]

For DG I zero at 50. You can use this out to 200mts with too much trouble. Just test it at 100 and 200 so you know the point of impact. I do this out to 300 mts so I can use it for plains game as well.

 

[coreydb]

All well said......know your bullet's trajectory with the load you'll be using.

 

[M70375!]

I really like the Leupold Patrol 1x6 with the semi circle dot and the hashmark lower vertical crosshair , it's illuminated, but only on cloudy days or poor light, not bright sunny days. I have it zeroed at 100 yds which puts it right on at 35 yds also , the Bottom of the semi circle is on at 200 yds, and the next hash mark puts my 416 Rem, 400 gr TSX on at 325 yds, so it makes my 416 a very versatile one rifle safari weapon

 

[SRvet]

This is my favourite reticle that almost removes the need for illumination. At first glance it appears to be a standard German number 4 with very heavy bars. There is an extra fine crosshairs 7cm at 100m below the main cross hair. If I zeroed my 308 1.5 inches high at 100m it is dead on the main crosshairs at 180m and dead on the second crosshairs at 250m. It is to my mind the utmost in practical simplicity as for 100m to 200m I use the main cross hair and from 200 to 300m I use the second.

 

[DrBob]

I ran the 375 RUM with a 300 grain Sierra with a muzzle velocity of 2952 fps through a program. Zeroed at 200 yards, 100 yards is 1.5 inches high and 5 inches low at 279 yards. I'd zero at 200 and consider virtually every shot being point blank range.

 

[Wyatt Smith]

This is my favourite reticle that almost removes the need for illumination. At first glance it appears to be a standard German number 4 with very heavy bars. There is an extra fine crosshairs 7cm at 100m below the main cross hair. If I zeroed my 308 1.5 inches high at 100m it is dead on the main crosshairs at 180m and dead on the second crosshairs at 250m. It is to my mind the utmost in practical simplicity as for 100m to 200m I use the main cross hair and from 200 to 300m I use the second.

I do like a No.1

 

[Andrew62]

If I were buying a new scope for my 375H&H, I'd opt for a Leupold VX5 2x10 firedot with duplex reticle or Swarovski 1.7x10 z8i. If you already have a nice scope, I would not stress the lighted reticle, however, all new scopes for me will be lighted.

 

[CZDiesel]

This is my favourite reticle that almost removes the need for illumination. At first glance it appears to be a standard German number 4 with very heavy bars. There is an extra fine crosshairs 7cm at 100m below the main cross hair. If I zeroed my 308 1.5 inches high at 100m it is dead on the main crosshairs at 180m and dead on the second crosshairs at 250m. It is to my mind the utmost in practical simplicity as for 100m to 200m I use the main cross hair and from 200 to 300m I use the second.

What scope is that in?