What Scope for .375 H&H??

[Tra3]

I need some guidance. I recently acquired a Sako Safari AIV .375 H&H. I have a swaro 1.25-4 scope for it for a Buffalo hunt. I plan to put a Talley base and then Talley QD rings on. I had thought to get a second scope with QD mounts with the idea that I can also use the rifle for plains game and elk hunting.

My question: what scope to get? Is it silly to switch to a bigger magnification scope? I had thought of a 2-10 or 4-16 power with adjustable turrets for shots out to longer ranges.

I already have a 7 mag that I really like for longer range western USA hunting.

 

[Shootist43]

Tra3 I like your choice for a DG scope. As you said a second scope with Talley QD rings would be nice for longer shots. I agree with that as well. Swarovski makes a very good scope so why not stay with them? I put a similar Leupold on my 375 H&H for DG and have it "backed" up with a 2.5 -8 Leupold for those longer shots. If it is available take a look at a scope with a lighted reticle. I wish I'd have done that, but I already had the Leupold on the shelf. Maybe one day "when my ship comes in."

 

[slam8031]

I have a 2x7 x 40 lueopold in Talley QD rings for plains game et al. Shot an impala at 200 yards ranged with the set up and a very large stinky bull at 74 yards. I have not found a problem with bigger magnification. And the quick detach allows for use of iron sights quickly.

 

[cagkt3]

I think the 2-10 would be good, 4-16 on a 375 H&H might be a little much.

Mine wear 1-6 or 1-8 scopes, and they are more than enough IMO

 

[Graham Hunter]

Leupold VX5 HD 2X10X42.

 

[Inline6]

It really depends on funds. If you can swing a swro 1X8 you would have the best of both worlds.

 

[meigsbucks]

Your choice for a DG scope is great. I love the idea of a PG / elk scope. Although you don’t need a high magnification scope, an illuminated reticle would be a great feature. I like the idea of a Trijicon 2.5-12 x42. They also have a 2.5-10x52. No batteries!

 

[shootist~]

If you don't want to dial - Swarovski has a "BRH" reticle with Half Mil hash marks. (The H is for Heavy, and there is also a fine line version.)

If 2nd focal plane like the Z3 2-10x42 on my 338 WM, you have to be on max power to use the reticle hash marks. [Huge miss if you forget this.]

I have no problem running it to 425 Yards, (from the bench), which happens to be 1.5 Mils above my 200M zero, using a 185 grain TTSX.



Mi

 

[Ridge Runner]

At 62 my eyes aren't as keen as they were when I was 40. That said, I mounted a Nikon Black X1000, 4-16 x 50, lighted recticle and side focus, with Warne QD rings and bases on my .375 H&H. This scope allows me to shoot without using my bi focal glasses.

 

[Tra3]

This info has been very useful. I am mildly restraining myself from scope shopping at work. I’m leaning toward the Leopold or a swaro. I have never used an illuminated scope. I’m in my early 40’s, good eyesight: will I regret not buying and illuminated scope?

The .375 (along with my 7 mag) will come with me to MT, ID and British Columbia this year for elk and moose hunting. I see a ridiculous amount of .375 ammo for practice in my near future.

 

[Ross Reamy]

I'm in the process of making this exact same decision right now.

As of now I've decided on a Leupold VX3 2.5-8X36 I had sitting around, but I still may go to the VXR 2-7 to get the illuminated reticle. The illumination was sure nice on our last trip hunting the nocturnal critters. I've had several 1-4 VXR scopes on AR style guns and just prefer more magnification as an option.

I also put on QD mounts/rings, but got to thinking what's the chances of ever using the iron sights, slim to none, so I may still take the sights off to keep them from snagging on brush.

 

[Shootist43]

Tra3, my thoughts only. A good scope lasts for more than a few years. The lighted reticle can be left off during those periods when it is not needed. Dusk and dawn shots will be easier with a lighted reticle. My son told me that on our last African hunt he all but "lost" the reticle when using the rifle on a dark colored animal. Your eyes aren't getting any younger. Have I made my point?

 

[Forrest Halley]

I just pulled the trigger on a VX-R 2-7x33. It fit the Warne 30mm QD mounts I found for a song for my recent acquisition #1 Ruger. Perhaps when I get it mounted I will have room to change out the folding rear to a proper express sight. The illuminated reticle was of importance to me for low light and the possibility of dealing with unfriendly animals.

 

[BeeMaa]

I currently have a Leupold VX3i 1.5-5x20 on my CZ550 375H&H.
That combo (along with 300 grain Swift A-Frames) accounted for 9 head of PG out as far as 200-225 yards.

After evaluating my gear upon my return, it will be necessary for me to upgrade to a Swaro Z8i 1-8x24 this winter.
Reason being is a little more magnification for longer shots (250-300 yards) and true 1x for close range.

Current scope is in Warne QR mounts and the new one will be as well.

Buy once, cry once.
I should have taken my own advice and gotten the Swaro to begin with.

 

[Sycamore59]

Just my experience with my No. 1 in 375 HH.

First, it is a great rifle and after using it on my safari, it is now one of my favorites. It’s a ‘proper’ rifle as a the river camp manager put it after taking a few shots. I’m sure it’ll become a favorite of yours too.

Second, I originally had a VX3i 2.5-8x36 on it. Found it to be a great fit to match physical size of the rifle and wouldn’t hesitate a 300 yd poke with it. 8x is plenty of power.
However, 2 days before we left the base mount screws on the rings came loose and the recoil messed up scope. Had em loctite’d but I don’t believe I had the torque set right. Fortunately I had a VX3i 1-5x20 on a Henry 45-70 that I pulled off and mounted on the 375HH.

I found the 1-5 was very sufficient on the shots I took, longest right at 200. The 1x was nice for 50 yd shots on a zebra and giraffe.

With that being said, if I had to do it over I’d probably opt for the VXR 2-7 and spend the little extra money. 7x is good for an accurate 300yd shot and the 2x power is not too much for close work. Lighted reticle would be a nice addition to have, if it’s needed.

Keep your powder dry

- Sycamore59

 

[Tra3]

@Shootist43 i took your advice! My eyes are not getting younger. (And @Graham Hunter ). My scope combo is a swaro 1.25-4 and a leupold vx5-HD 3-15 firedot. I elected to go 3-15 and see how I like it, if that is too much, I’ll put it on another rifle. I plan to also bring the .375 for moose in BC this fall and elk in Idaho and Montana.
Thank you all for your input. I plan to burn some ammo this weekend and see how it all works. This will be my first try with Talley QD rings, I’m curious to find out if they work.

 

[jacques smith]

Tra3
Think you’ll like the talley QD
When im playing with my 400HH with savo 1.25—4. I normally dump a few rounds , take off the scope, dump a couple and return the scope and dump afew more. The talleys are always back on. Remember to remount scope foward against stops before u tighten it back down. Cheers

 

[Hoss Delgado]

Weaver scopes do the trick nicely for my wife

 

[IvW]

I find this hard to beat and with a lifetime guarantee and service center close to me I have never found them wanting.....

I understand they come from the Nightforce factory....

Lynx LX3 1-6x24 Hunter

Brilliant Optics
Extra low dispersion glass and the latest anti-reflective lens coating technology gives brilliant image clarity and brightness.

Versatile Six-Ratio Magnification
1 to 6 magnification range is ideal for fast close‐up dangerous game hunting as well as bush veld hunting at moderate‐range up to 300 m. The long eye-relief keeps the scope a safe distance from your brow when in the shooting position and the 95 mm long mountable area of the straight‐through objective‐side tube makes the scope easy to mount at the safe and correct distance from your eye over even the longest actions.

Tough-As-Nails
Recoil tested on .450 Rigby and .505 Gibbs amongst others, LX3 1-6x24 is suitable for everyday use on any bush veld calibre. The reticle, usually the most fragile component in any rifle scope and the most likely component to fail under severe or bi‐directional recoil, is 6mm thick glass which means it is for all practical purposes indestructible. The 30mm thick-walled scope tube is contoured specifically to fit over long actions and, when the scope is correctly mounted and proper shooting posture is observed, the 100mm-plus eye relief will make sure that a safe distance is maintained between your brow and the scope eyepiece at all times.



German No.4 Reticle with Illuminated Dot


Thick outer bars lead the eye to the centre finer cross, which has a tiny illuminated aiming point. The centre opening can be used to bracket a fast moving target for snap-shooting while the bold outer posts are easily visible against mottled shadow vegetation, even in poor light.

 

[Tra3]

I am amazed how nice an illuminated scope is! I’ve never used and illuminated scope before today. I’m very glad I took the recommendation.