Optic for Model 70 .375 African

AR15meister

AR15meister

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I just bought a Model 70 .375 Safari Express.

any recommendations on a scope for a cape buffalo gun? I want to stay under $400 preferably. I wish I had enough money just to toss on a high end Swaro or Zeiss but I am spending so much already it adds up. I will wait until my next safari and then I will grab the Swaro or Zeiss or whatever
 
geologist said:
Leupold VX3 1.5x5x20 in good quality QD rings (I assume that your rifle has iron sights).
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This. A new one will cost you a bit more than your budget but if you have the jack to spring for a DG hunt then you can drop $600 on glass. Might even find a used one for less on the EE. You might look for one with the German #4 reticle or heavy duplex to make the reticle stand out better in the shadows.
 
My M70 Safari has a 2.5-8 VX3 on it. Depending on how general purpose versus buffalo specific you want it, you could go down to a 1.75-6 or up to a 3.5-10. I've used all three on dangerous game hunts, plus a 2.5Ultralightweight and a Zeiss 3-9 Diavari. That last one is a little tight for eye relief but I'm getting away with it because the .375s just don't kick that much. I'd be scared spitless to use it on anything bigger.
 
What about Zeiss 2-7 x 32 Terra?

3.5 inches eye relief.

Might be a nice all around option for a one rifle safari.

Thoughts?
 
I'd get either a M8 3X or 4X fixed, you can still find them in mint condition or even NIB with not too much trouble, will cost you around $200-250. Well within your budget, and as close to bomb proof as you'll likely get. Send it back to Korth or Leupold and get a heavy duplex reticle for approx more, and you'll never look back.

Mount it nice and low in some Leupold QR bases and rings - too much hooey is made about 1X or 1.5X and up variables - you can still do very good work up close with either a 3X or 4X, and if it gets too close for that, I'd rather be using irons.
 
jaycee said:
Mount it nice and low in some Leupold QR bases and rings - too much hooey is made about 1X or 1.5X and up variables - you can still do very good work up close with either a 3X or 4X, and if it gets too close for that, I'd rather be using irons.
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I like fixed scopes as much as anyone, but a low powered variable scope set on the lowest setting while hunting is far more versatile than removing a scope for close up shooting.

I have a 1.5x5 on my 375 in QD mounts with NECG sights. I would have been better off just buying another scope in QD mounts for back-up than thinking I was going to use those sights.

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SuperCub said:
I like fixed scopes as much as anyone, but a low powered variable scope set on the lowest setting while hunting is far more versatile than removing a scope for close up shooting.
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I'd respectfully dis-agree. What's the point of having a variable and just leaving it on the lowest setting? One would be better off with something like a 2.5 power, which is plenty by-the-way, for anything that's going to be shot at 375 ranges, plus is as bullet proof as one will likely find in a scope. Of the choices I provided, I'd actually stray towards the 4X, rather than the straight tubes, as I have found them decidedly lacking when it comes to low light at dusk and dawn, even when compared to a scope with only a small objective bell.

SuperCub said:
I have a 1.5x5 on my 375 in QD mounts with NECG sights. I would have been better off just buying another scope in QD mounts for back-up than thinking I was going to use those sights.
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Except that I don't know many people that would carry a spare scope in their fanny pack or a backpack for that matter if on a backpack hunt. If I was going to go with a low powered variable, I would definitely pick a 1.75-6X Leupold over their 1.5-5X, as stated before, I've found that straight tubes (even Leupolds) don't perform very well at dawn/dusk, or in dark timber.

Another bonus that the M8 3X and 4X (and the 1.5-5X Leupold for that matter) give is that they have relatively long tubes which give lots of lee-way for mounting.
 
sunray......and buy what?

I like the Trijicon Accupoint but 1k for a scope on a 1500 dollar rifle to take one time to Africa is pricey.

then again the trip is really expensive so maybe you have a point. LOL.

If money was no object I would buy the Swaro Z6i low power variable. its sick but 2500 bucks is a serious chunk for a scope. that's half of the mulie hunt I want to do in 2015.
 
jaycee said:
I'd respectfully dis-agree. What's the point of having a variable and just leaving it on the lowest setting? One would be better off with something like a 2.5 power, which is plenty by-the-way, for anything that's going to be shot at 375 ranges, plus is as bullet proof as one will likely find in a scope.
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It really depends on what you are hunting and when. I used that 1.5x5 for moose hunting here and in the Yukon. I use the lowest setting in case I did bump into something at very close range. Bears are a possibility out west and the ranges here are usually close. Boils down to a personal thing and the type of hunting you do. I like lower powered scopes.

jaycee said:
Except that I don't know many people that would carry a spare scope in their fanny pack or a backpack for that matter if on a backpack hunt.
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I had those sights installed for my last trip to the Yukon. They were expensive. I realized for a trip like that, a spare scope would be a better way to go. If I was out on a day trip here I wouldn't carry a spare scope, nor would I bother with sights. A back pack hunt would be a totally different scenario, so I agree with you there.

jaycee said:
If I was going to go with a low powered variable, I would definitely pick a 1.75-6X Leupold over their 1.5-5X, as stated before, I've found that straight tubes (even Leupolds) don't perform very well at dawn/dusk, or in dark timber.
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That 1.75x6 is a very nice scope. I had one and foolishly traded it. OTOH, I've had good luck with the 1.5x5 over the years. It is a good, dependable scope w/o problems and does fit well on my 375. There are other scopes out there that do perform better, but this one still is a good choice for me. Personal bias and hunting situations factor in large with scope choice.
 
as SC is saying on this matter a spare is nothing except maybe on backpack.

we had for years two leupold fx 4X as back up never used them but better have them than being sorry ...


ill prefer a german 1 or 4 to any other for a low scope.
 
I would give a look at the Nikon Monarch 1-4x20. Available in a German #4 or a BDC reticle. True 1 power on the low end, great light transmission and a forgiving eyebox. Lots of eye relief that does not change through the magnification. Optics are great for the price point, some distortion around the edges on 1 power, but you need to step up to S&B quality to lose edge distortion on a 1 power variable. My only gripe is the mag ring is a little stiffer than I would like. $289 at P&D.
 
jaycee said:
I'd respectfully dis-agree. What's the point of having a variable and just leaving it on the lowest setting? One would be better off with something like a 2.5 power, which is plenty by-the-way, for anything that's going to be shot at 375 ranges, plus is as bullet proof as one will likely find in a scope. Of the choices I provided, I'd actually stray towards the 4X, rather than the straight tubes, as I have found them decidedly lacking when it comes to low light at dusk and dawn, even when compared to a scope with only a small objective bell.



Except that I don't know many people that would carry a spare scope in their fanny pack or a backpack for that matter if on a backpack hunt. If I was going to go with a low powered variable, I would definitely pick a 1.75-6X Leupold over their 1.5-5X, as stated before, I've found that straight tubes (even Leupolds) don't perform very well at dawn/dusk, or in dark timber.

Another bonus that the M8 3X and 4X (and the 1.5-5X Leupold for that matter) give is that they have relatively long tubes which give lots of lee-way for mounting.
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I not saying you're wrong but you raise a couple of interesting and somewhat complimentary points. The beauty of the 1.5-5x is the light weight and low power available. I've found that when the light gets low the 22mm objective doesn't suffer much even at 5x magnification. And when it really gets dim you can dial back to half power and the world brightens up incredibly. Too, the 375 is a deceptively capable open country rifle. I wouldn't want it to be my only rifle on a Karoo hunt, but easily capable to reach out to the 250-275 yard range. 5x is still reasonable for shots like that but 1.5x will do reasonably well in close cover, though until I get as old as Paul I'll still defer to the irons if I have to wade into the thick ugliness. I do love the 4x Leupold but I still think that the 1.5-5x offers the best balance of light transmission, weight, range of magnification and affordability in a rugged package. That said, I'd like to give the 3x a shot one day.
 
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