Sorry to make another one of these threads, again. This has probably been beat to death. I have a new 375HH on the way without irons. It was a special production for a specific gun shop which is interesting. Wish it had irons, but it doesn't.
There are a few things I don't understand, but what I do is: 1) Something with a 1-1.5x low end is preferred. 2) Probably around a 20-24mm objective
The usual suspects seem to be Leupold, Swaro, Leica, Meopta. On the low end maybe Vortex (although I've never been a fan). I personally love Leupold and I am currently watching a few used Vx5HD 1-5x24mm. Swaro and Leica are a bit more than I'd want to spend. Meopta seem really nice but the reticle seems really geared towards AR's.
With that being said, other than the mag/objective, it seems to just come down to the reticle and recoil resistance, correct?
It's a common gun platform so rings aren't an issue.
Are their any outside the usual recommendations worth considering? I came across a nice open box Steiner P4Xi 1-4x24mm. Any input on these scopes? I've used Steiner marine binos and they are tanks.
The Steiner 1-4x24 is on par with what I would call the "second tier" of teutonic scopes.
Only the top of the line, first tier, teutonic scopes (e.g. 8x zoom ratio Zeiss V8, Swarovski Z8, Schmidt & Bender Exos, etc.) are manufactured in Germany or Austria, and benefit from the latest best-in-class 92% light transmission coatings.
Zeiss V4 are assembled in Asia; Swarovski Z3 are assembled in the US and Asia, Schmidt & Bender Klassic are assembled in Hungary; Leica Amplus are assembled in Portugal etc. and they generally use previous generation coatings for 90% light transmission, and generally less metal and more plastic internal components. These are what I call "second tier" teutonic scopes.
Whether modern polymers and kevlars are weaker than laser-cut brass or steel is hotly debated; whether the human eye can differentiate between 92% and 90% light transmission is highly debatable; and whether an 8x zoom ratio is absolutely needed is a matter of personal opinion, but what is for sure is that a V8 or Z8 scope cost two to three times more than a V4 or Z3. This should give serious pause to rational buyers...
(Of course scope makers get that there are still some people who think about what they need before they buy what they want, so they edge their bets with V6, Z6, etc.)
In summary, the Steiner 1-4x24 is an excellent scope, assembled in the US, that will last you a lifetime (and that of your kids and grand kids) if reasonably treated. It is robust enough and clear enough for any realistic application.
This being said.......................
A 375 isn’t really a true dangerous game rifle. It’s a 1 gun safari rifie. I think the idea of low power on a 375 is really outdated and keeps getting repeated. I followed conventional wisdom and put a VX3 1.5-5 on my 375 initially. I then upgraded to a VX5 2-10. I have no interest in returning to the lower powered scope on that rifle. I’ve killed a lot with both scopes and hunted with both set at 5x. I only turned the scope down when walking up to downed animals and I really can’t see the functional difference of 1.5x and 2x. I can see a huge difference though in 5x and 10x shooting 300 yards.
If you really want a low power scope I’d look for a Leupold VX6 1-6 patrol (no CDS) but just recently discontinued. I think my next choice would be a Trijicon Accupoint 1-6. You lose the ability to judge long before you lose the ability to shoot accurately with almost all normal hunting situations. I just can’t see justification for a Swarovski or Leica except for maybe Leopard.
I see this is in classifieds now.
Mounted on a Dakota 76 416 Rigby and fired eight times. The rings are Talley 30mm low satin finish. Please let me know if you have any questions.
$1000 shipped to the lower 48.
I believe
375Fox is 100% right......
After many years with a West Germany era Schmidt & Bender 1.25-4x20 on my various .375, my .375 R8 barrel wears a Leica ERi 2.5-10x42, and I edged my bet by selecting the one with a BDC ring. I clocked the Barnes TSX 300 gr in my specific barrel, and had Kenton Industry cut a specific BDC ring for it. This gives me an honest 400 yard range with the .375, while keeping me legl on DG during one-rifle safaris. Additionally, Cranking the 42 mm objective Leica down to 2.5x magnification gives me so much light that I can literally shoot at night is the moon is reasonably cooperating...
Of course I still have a "true" DG scope - a Leica Magnus 1-6x24 - on my .458 Lott R8 barrel, but even though it is capable out to 200 yards, I would not take it for a one-rifle safari... Too much gun...
