scope for 375 ruger

Vari-X 3 1.5-5x with German #4 or heavy Duplex reticle would be my choice every day of the week. I like a heavy reticle to pick up faster in lower light. When I was in RSA I walked back to camp in the dark with my PH in an area with a rhino population. Even at 1.5x in the black dark I could still see well enough to aim and felt that I could hit what needed shooting well enough. Not ideal for the situation (and thankfully I didn't have to clobber a $30K rhino) but it worked well enough. I also dropped a springbok (the next day, interestingly enough) at 287 yards with that rifle. Could still see plenty of the creature, but the 'hairs probably covered 5" of his brisket, where the bullet ended up.

Just because the country is thick doesn't mean that you won't be presented the opportunity for a longer poke. 4 or 5x makes a 150 yard shot on a bear much more feasible than 2.5x, especially if you're using a heavy reticle. The crosshairs on my Heavy Duplex Vari-X 3 subtend almost 2 MOA at 5x. Imagine taking a poke at 100 yards with that reticle in a 2.5x and the reticle subtending 4" or 8" at 200 yards! :eek: The 2.5x is a great scope, but the 1.5-5x is more versatile.

YMMV
 
At present another strike against the FX-II, as currently listed on the Leupold website, is that it is a 9'' eye relief 'scout' scope. It is a nice concept, though, for those who don't want to admit that their eyesight is changing.

That said, I'd be very tempted by a 2.5 power scope if it was mounted in the normal configuration, but my thoughts are not much use on this particular topic as I have zero experience with anything other than black bears in heavy cover.

EDIT: Actually, forget that mostly, I now see the separate section of ultralights...tempting for my .358.

RG

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I also have a VX-II 1-4X20mm. Great scope. The VX-III 1.5-5X20mm makes me have to lay down. I need one.

As much as I like the variable scope, I feel the fixed 2.5 is better. Better in terms of set it and forget it, shoulder and shoot. Not oops, it's at 1X or 4X, wait a sec. If I was knowing I was aiming for bear, I'd want as less fuss as necessary.

http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=277980
 
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I have a VXIII 2.5-8x36mm on my 375 Alaskan, but I would suggest the VXIII 1.5-5x20mm more for your application for close quarter shooting at things that want to eat me.
 
1.75-6 leupold with a heavy duplex.
Have one on a 416 and I think it's well matched to the rifle.

Or a 2.5 Leupold. Bulletproof.
 
BigUglyMan said:
Vari-X 3 1.5-5x with German #4 or heavy Duplex reticle would be my choice every day of the week. I like a heavy reticle to pick up faster in lower light. When I was in RSA I walked back to camp in the dark with my PH in an area with a rhino population. Even at 1.5x in the black dark I could still see well enough to aim and felt that I could hit what needed shooting well enough. Not ideal for the situation (and thankfully I didn't have to clobber a $30K rhino) but it worked well enough. I also dropped a springbok (the next day, interestingly enough) at 287 yards with that rifle. Could still see plenty of the creature, but the 'hairs probably covered 5" of his brisket, where the bullet ended up.

Just because the country is thick doesn't mean that you won't be presented the opportunity for a longer poke. 4 or 5x makes a 150 yard shot on a bear much more feasible than 2.5x, especially if you're using a heavy reticle. The crosshairs on my Heavy Duplex Vari-X 3 subtend almost 2 MOA at 5x. Imagine taking a poke at 100 yards with that reticle in a 2.5x and the reticle subtending 4" or 8" at 200 yards! :eek: The 2.5x is a great scope, but the 1.5-5x is more versatile.

YMMV
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Sounds good to me too. But what's a $30k rhino? Is that the tag cost after you would have killed one in self defenceor the fine? Either way, ouch in the wallet!
 
JasonS said:
Sounds good to me too. But what's a $30k rhino? Is that the tag cost after you would have killed one in self defenceor the fine? Either way, ouch in the wallet!
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White rhino trophy fees in RSA generally run $1K per inch of horn. At that price I can't afford to take the chance of whacking one. Not to mention that they're frikken huge and would be near impossible to bury if you inadvertently clobbered one!

Some people get concerned or curious about the small objective lens size. In reality, it doesn't need to be any bigger. A 20mm objective at 5x still gives you a 4mm exit pupil which is pretty darned good. By comparison, a 3-9x40mm will give you a 4.4mm exit pupil. Given the excellent lens coatings it would be hard to find fault with a 4mm exit pupil.

Turn down the power and you'rve got more exit pupil than you can make use up in the dim light.
 
Another vote for the Leupold VariX 1.5x5x20mm. A very wide FOV at 1.5X and plenty of eye relief in a compact package.

IMG_5483.jpg
 
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