375 HH mag
- Thread starter runguan
- Start date
I use a similar Leupold, the VxR 2-7x33. Versatile optic to match the versatility of the 375 Ruger
That's a good choice for the H&H also since its as equally as versatile as the Ruger in my experience...
I went with a Zeiss Victory Diavari 1.5-6X36 and it is about as good and versatile as one can get, I too have a love for the 2.5-8 Leupold but the Zeiss is better low light optics and I put this scope on when I went for lion and leopard and night shooting was a very distinct possibility. I found it to be about as perfect as one could mate with this cartridge and made a couple 300 mtr shots on relatively small animals without any grief or problems holding on target. I have shot quite a few grizzlies and I have never been in want of iron sights on my rifles. I have taken them from a few paces to 300 mtrs and I like a scope in that 6-8 power upper range. The last one I shot was with my 9.3 Magnum with a Leupold 2.5-8 set on 8X at between 20-25 mtrs and I did not find 8X a problem at all.........which hair would you like me to hit.........
I've got a couple of 375s with VX-3 3,5-10 X 40s , both with B&C reticles. I recently got my old 700 custom shop Remington back; I'll put the 3-9 Diavari back on. I hunted that combo on four continents and figure it should be good for a few trips yet.
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
The .375 H&H M-70 I used in Africa had a 2.5-8X Leupold, and I have nothing but good things to say about that scope. The purpose of scope magnification is to allow one to see his target, and usually .375 targets are visible even without magnification. When I had the scout scope on my .375 Ultra, getting hits on game sized target out to a quarter mile was doable, depending on conditions, just like it is with a 10X. So why not just use a 10x at long range? One reason is that most people consider the .375 H&H a hard kicker. Rifles that kick benefit from scopes that have plenty of eye relief, and the 10X scopes I've used don't have particularly generous eye relief.
If your rifle fits you, and a shot is made from sitting, so as to stay above vegetation, and your target is at a steep angle above you on a high hillside, the ocular is significantly closer to you, and if it's mounting allows it to extend behind the cocking piece, you've arranged to get cut. Now you can mount the scope forward, and use whatever magnification you can without donutting the image, but then you might as well just purchase a lower power scope.
I had a Ruger #1 in .416 Rigby that most folks would classify as an enthusiastic kicker, with 102 grs of 4350 kicking a 350 gr bullets out at 2850. I wasn't happy with the scope mounting possibilities of the factory quarter rib, so I had a custom quarter rib made, which allowed me to mount the 1-5X Leupold so the ocular was even with the front edge of the falling block. This mounting position was beneficial in that the loading/ejection port remained uncluttered, but more importantly, it was impossible to get hit with the scope mounted so far forward. I was limited to 3X at the top end of the magnification, but this proved to be no significant disadvantage, since I could always see my target at 3X, while the field of view at 1.5X was like looking out a window.
If your rifle fits you, and a shot is made from sitting, so as to stay above vegetation, and your target is at a steep angle above you on a high hillside, the ocular is significantly closer to you, and if it's mounting allows it to extend behind the cocking piece, you've arranged to get cut. Now you can mount the scope forward, and use whatever magnification you can without donutting the image, but then you might as well just purchase a lower power scope.
I had a Ruger #1 in .416 Rigby that most folks would classify as an enthusiastic kicker, with 102 grs of 4350 kicking a 350 gr bullets out at 2850. I wasn't happy with the scope mounting possibilities of the factory quarter rib, so I had a custom quarter rib made, which allowed me to mount the 1-5X Leupold so the ocular was even with the front edge of the falling block. This mounting position was beneficial in that the loading/ejection port remained uncluttered, but more importantly, it was impossible to get hit with the scope mounted so far forward. I was limited to 3X at the top end of the magnification, but this proved to be no significant disadvantage, since I could always see my target at 3X, while the field of view at 1.5X was like looking out a window.
Last edited:
I have a VX 6 1-6 X 24 illuminated circle dot on my Kodiak and works very well. Lots of eye relief which you will need. Shot a 300# black bear three weeks ago at dark. Would never had shot it with irons. If you do scope your rifle, mount scope low so you get a good cheek weld and avoid third eyebrow. Just suggestions from my experience.
Johnn Peterson
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Chemainus B.C.
On my Winchester model 70 Super Express in the
classic 375 H&H, I have a Leupold 1 - 4 VARI-XII. On the recent addition, a custom custom based on the 700 Rem in 375 Chatfield Taylor, there's a 1.5 - 5 Leupold VX III.
classic 375 H&H, I have a Leupold 1 - 4 VARI-XII. On the recent addition, a custom custom based on the 700 Rem in 375 Chatfield Taylor, there's a 1.5 - 5 Leupold VX III. 
maybe with extension rings. Tube length is short enough to make it just barely work on a standard length m77 with Warne QD
Wasn't criticizing him but when you hunt bears they sometimes hunt you too - especially griz. I only my meant what I said, stay safe. Griz ain't no wt buck you gotta know your business for close in work which is where that 375 excels.
Agreed... And that is why i advocate irons if your vision allows......
I have an old Bausch & Lomb 3-9x42 on my BRNO 602 in 375 H&H. Used to do a fair amount of open country shooting. As some have mentioned a good 1-5 power scope would work. A 2-8 is also a decent choice. I have several Nikon Monarch 3's in 1-4x20 w/German #4 reticle on my "heavies". Excellent eye relief & warranty. Good for close in and out to 200yds. After that I can't see too good. Getting old.
Excellent eye relief & warranty
Excellent eye relief & warranty
Back when I first bought a 375 H&H, I put a 1.5-5 Leupold on it, thinking that a 375 was more of s 0-200 yard rifle than a 0-500 yard rifle. And of course, you needed that low 1.5 power for when you were shooting animals at close range.....
After hunting with it a bit I finally decided the only people use them on a 375 is because they don't know any better, and someone told them that's what they needed on a 375. Or they saw a picture of an African hunter, maybe.
I put a 2.5-8 Leupold on it and never went back. 2.5 is no hindrance at close range, 8x is better at long range and makes working up loads more precise. It might transmit light better, too. And there is no getting around the fact that a 1.5-5x20mm svope looks funny on a large 24"-26" batrel rifle.
The 1.5 isn't a bad svope by any means but for a rifle as versatile as a .375, the scope should also be as versatile as possible, particularly if you hunt in BC with jungle and wide open mountains.
After hunting with it a bit I finally decided the only people use them on a 375 is because they don't know any better, and someone told them that's what they needed on a 375. Or they saw a picture of an African hunter, maybe.
I put a 2.5-8 Leupold on it and never went back. 2.5 is no hindrance at close range, 8x is better at long range and makes working up loads more precise. It might transmit light better, too. And there is no getting around the fact that a 1.5-5x20mm svope looks funny on a large 24"-26" batrel rifle.
The 1.5 isn't a bad svope by any means but for a rifle as versatile as a .375, the scope should also be as versatile as possible, particularly if you hunt in BC with jungle and wide open mountains.
BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
I used that triangle on Cape Buffalo and I hated it. The lighted portion of the reticle, the "triangle" is far too big and too bright. If the lighted portion was half the vertical height of the triangle, 25% of the total area, it would be much more useful and if you could really darken down the reticle to the point that it could be discernible but not overpowering I would be more interesting. As it is now I find it too large and distracting. It makes my pull shots high.
Potato boy
Regular
- Location
- North of the mountain
I have used two scopes for grizzly and polar bear, one is a leupold 1.75-6VX 3 the other is a Bushnell 6500 elite 1.25-8. I liked them both but the long eye relief of the 6500 plus a bit more magnification made it my preferred model. No need to spend extra cash on a Swarovski, personally I think they are great but overpriced. A high end Leupold, Bushnell or even Trijicon or nightforce will be less and won't disappoint. I look forward to some pics of your bear. Control your fear, listen to your guide and have fun, I wish I was going with you!
Potato boy
Regular
- Location
- North of the mountain
On my Winchester model 70 Super Express in the
Wow, beautiful working rifles.
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
Don't you use the triangle like its a chevron; your aiming point being just the tip of the triangle, or is it that too much buffalo is blocked from your view behind the triangle? I've been thinking about an ACOG for my AR, so I'm interested in your observation. I get what you mean by too bright though, the illuminated reticle on my Nightforce 1-4X is too much once the brightness setting goes much past half way.
sharp shooter
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Essex county (Ontario)
I keep telling guys that at camp - I have a VXII 1-4 on my 375 and will never change it.
I have Leupold VX3 2.5-8X36mm B&C reticle scopes on my 30-06 & 375H&H also have an older Vari X 111 2.5-8X36mm B&C reticle on my 375JDJ.
I consider these scopes/reticle design about the best combo's for rifle cartridges with these trajectories that are also used for thick bush.
Iron sights are great for backup if something happens to the scope.
Scopes give me far better low light shooting capabilities than iron sights ever could.
I consider these scopes/reticle design about the best combo's for rifle cartridges with these trajectories that are also used for thick bush.
Iron sights are great for backup if something happens to the scope.
Scopes give me far better low light shooting capabilities than iron sights ever could.
If your 375H&H has iron sights...get a fixed 4x or if you can find one, a fixed 3x. For close country use the iron sights...for any other open distance shooting at any game appropriate for a .375H&H...the 3x/4x power is more than adequate. A fixed 4x Swarovski will cost less than their variables...is very tough and provides adequate eye relief, FOV and brightness... wandering around in the field twiddling power rings up and down is all very nice but unnecessary. There are places for a variable..maybe... a guy with a .270w who wants to hunt deer and take a few long range shots at a target range might like a 3x-9x etc. But generally just setting your scope around 3 to 4x and leaving it there when hunting works fine ..particularly for a 375. Now if you dont have iron sights on your 375...then a 1.5-4.5 etc is a good idea. But you probably should be thinking of installing irons asap anyway.
