LVPO question for a DG rifle

HookMeUpII

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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.
 
What budget?

$1200 is my ceiling. I'm currently looking at a Leupold that would work, original box and goodies, for $799. The Steiner is literally just an open box, for $600.

Just to give you an idea.
 
I have not hunted dangerous game.

I have 20 years in the Army.

I have not had the wallet to go above Leupold, and have not seen the need to as their stuff is very good. My sweet spot would to aim for the VX5HD 1-5x24 CDS with firedot duplex. I used it on plains game - sniped baboon at 425 yards - it will very nicely do anything you want with your 375.

I am sure Kahles and Swaro makes better, but I need to invest in more ammo for range time than in that Uber glass.

I am planning on going back to Africa in 2026 and am taking a 2-12x42 in order to stretch the legs of my .375 Ruger. Not exactly an LPVO, but rather kind of a hybrid - the scout scopes all started at 2.5X, and this one will ride in my hands at 2X. The VX5 version is 2-10x42.

I also have 1-6x24 Trijicons with their post reticle which would be great in terms of speed on dangerous game inside of 300 yards. Your PH won't let you shoot at an animal that far way, but the reticle gets a bit tough to shoot past 300 without knowing your come-ups on the elevation dial.

If you can find a VX3 1.5-5x24 with a lit reticle, that would be a keeper too.
 
I have a hawk 1 to 8 with the G4 illuminated reticle on my 375 and a gpo 1.5-9 on my 280AI


I’ve not spent much time with the GPO, but the Hawke seems to be a robust scope with good glass at a reasonable price.


Both seem to be great construction and have as good a glass any leupold scope that I own….possibly better.

I think they would both be good options and worth a look. I found one particular dealer in Texas that had really good prices on the hawke.
 
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.
 
I have a leopold VX6 1-6 x 24 on my .375 Ruger, when I put it on 1X the first thing I see is the front sight post, so I wish it didn’t have iron sights. The post goes completely away on 4 power. Not sure if the 20” barrel has anything to do with it or not. This is just my experience.
 
I have a leopold VX6 1-6 x 24 on my .375 Ruger, when I put it on 1X the first thing I see is the front sight post, so I wish it didn’t have iron sights. The post goes completely away on 4 power. Not sure if the 20” barrel has anything to do with it or not. This is just my experience.
Even with no sights you will still see the barrel. My Sako Kodiak is 21” barrel. Takes about 2.5x to not see it anymore. I had my iron sights removed.
 
I’d recommend a 2-10 type of scope. I have Leupold VX5 2-10s on both my 375 H&H and 416 Rem Mag. I run a 1-5 on my 404Jeffery. I’m more comfortable shooting at greater distances with both the 375 and 416 than the 404. Of your looking for a Leupold scope I recommend reaching out to forum member @Mark Biggerstaff, he can help with Leupold scopes. I’ve bought quite a few from him.
 
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.

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...

Leica ERi 2.5-10x42 in 30 mm low mount on semi-weight .375 H&H barrel.jpg


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...

Leica Magnus 1-6.3x24i in 30 mm low mount on Selous .458 Lott barrel.jpg
 
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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.

You bring up a good point on both the power, and the Trijicon. I had completely forgotten about them until you and a few others mentioned them. So I guess second tier I'd be looking at Leupold, Trijicon, and Steiner. The only thing I've really noticed with the Trijicon's and even Steiners, is the reticle is very busy and tactical on some scopes. Leupold does a good job with the firedot duplex. The Trijicon Accupoint does offer some more conventional reticles. Up market gets you a German # reticle it seems, but I don't think it's much of a deal-maker for me. Especially not for double the price.

As to power, that's a tricky one. I have two VX5HD 3-15x44mm. One of which, I took to RSA on a 300WM. I never turned the power above 5. My longest shot was maybe a little over 100 and 5 was perfect. The intended purposed of the 375HH would be for bigger plains game, and cape buffalo. With that being said, I'd have to assume that you'd probably not want to take more than a 100 yd shot on a buffalo anyway.

I fully acknowledge it's probably not enough for hippo or elephant but I can't see them ever being in my budget anyway. And if they are, I'd probably bring my 458WM with upgraded irons. You're right, the DG label is a misnomer.

To your point, the Steiner 1-4x might be a little light on the high end of the mag where as the Leupold 1-5x would be better. Even better might be a Trijicon 1-6x.

This might end up being something that's a "buy twice, cry twice" sort of thing. Hopefully not, but it's a tough call between like a 1-6x and a 2-10x. Might have to learn this one the hard way, unfortunately.
 
Why not pay a gunsmith to install iron sights?

I'm debating it. I have Griffin and Howe that's 30 min away and have done great work for me in the past. I don't have the rifle yet. I am going to see how I feel once I get it. I'd like to have them, and then I would get quick detach rings.
 
I am already there (Buy Twice, cry twice) The VX5HD 1-5x24 did everything I needed it to. Always seeking perfection/the Goldilocks combination, however, I now have the VX6 2-12x42 to mount and try. Aren't we blessed to have such "conundrums"?!
 
Trijicon Accupoint 1x6 with the green dot. I've got that LVPO on my Winchester 375 H&H and 458WM both and have taken two cape buffalo and numerous bears with this setup. I use Trijicon products daily and bet my life on them, they're bomb proof.
 
Trijicon Accupoint 1x6 with the green dot. I've got that LVPO on my Winchester 375 H&H and 458WM both and have taken two cape buffalo and numerous bears with this setup. I use Trijicon products daily and bet my life on them, they're bomb proof.
I like Trijicon products, I have a 1-4 X 24 with the green post and an RMR on my .416 Rigby, the 1-4 is a backup optic for the .416.
 

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