Well paired scope for 375 H&H?

[hsM9D]

So, with my older eyes, I'm a fan of both illuminated reticles as well as a bit higher magnification. I recently bought a 375 H&H barrel with the intent to take it on a Plains Game hunt. I know it's overkill for those animals, but lets put that aside. For a Kudu or Sable, I'd rather have a bit more margin of error.

For distance, I don't forsee any shots past 300 yards. Prefer to keep ~200 or less. So I'm thinking upper end magnification between 12-15 and a 42 or 40mm objective. With that in mind, one scope I was considering would be the Leupold VX-6HD 2-12x42. I looked at the Swaro Z5i 2.4-12x50 but wondering if the objective is just a bit too bulky. The Z6i 1.7-10x42 may be just a bit too low on max magnification for my eyes, not to mention that its a $1k+ price premium over the others.

[6.5x55]

Kahles? I'm a big ban of their crystal clear lenses and light transmission in low light. I use a 2.4-12x56 illuminated scope and its fantastic. If they are within budget highly recommend them.

HELIA 2,4-12x56i see https://www.kahles.at/en/hunt/riflescop ... 2_4-12x56i
HELIA 3,5-18x50i see https://www.kahles.at/en/hunt/riflescop ... 3-5-18x50i

[hsM9D]

Looking at some US Retailers, I don't see the Helia listed on their sites. Seems not available in the US.

[6.5x55]

Dealers all over the US it would seem. https://www.kahles.at/us/dealer-locator

[6.5x55]

Looks like the products they ship to the US are more their tactical line of scopes rather than their hunting line of scopes. See details here https://www.kahles.at/us/sport/riflescopes. I would assume that dealers would likely still be able to order them in.

[6.5x55]

Hunting scope range here https://www.kahles.at/en/hunt/riflescopes

[Vaughan]

I use a Z6i 2.5-15x42 on my 9.3x62 and that could work well for you - cost aside... my old eyes benefit both from the magnification and the brightness of the Swaro scopes - but I'm not pushing them I'm just old and I like them. I've used Leupold scopes a lot in Australia and always thought they were fine there because there is so much light. Africa would be the same. And the dawn and dusk periods are short there so if you miss a bit of hunting at either end, it is not a lot of time, albeit game rich time.....

[Rod]

This baby

https://www.kahles.at/en/hunt/riflescopes/helia-1-5x24i

Rod

[SPEEDY]

I'd be thinking more around the 1-6 to maybe 3-10 range.

10x would be plenty for big game out to 300m, I've shot plenty of fallow out to 300m with a 2-7 scope.
I haven't done that for years now but I'm sure I still could if couldn't get any closer.
I find too much scope has cost me more game over the years then too little magnification.
I'd probably go the Z6 1.7-10x42, not too big, not too small, just that goldilocks blend of enough magnification and not to bulky it throws the balance off.
If you want to save a bit of cash then you could get an equivalent Leupold or a nightforce SHV.
For me anything bigger then 10x is more a hindrance then a help on medium/big game out to 500m.
For small game or longer range hunting then more power becomes a help.

[Vaughan]

FWIW, I use a 1-8x24 on my 74r and even with my cloudy eyesight I have no trouble shooting tight groups when sighting it in at 150m and would happily shoot deer sized game with it out to 300m (not necessarily with the 74r banana gun). If you're thinking of mostly shooting out to 200m or just a little more it would do the job and then some...

[slugslinger]

I concur with the other comments that higher power is unnecessary. My standard is Swarovski V6i 2-12x50 . . . and it is rarely used above 10 power. The advantage of lower power is the (perceived) image stability, especially off-hand or using standard African shooting sticks.

Regards,

[dchamp]

On my last safari the .375H&H was my only rifle. It took care of everything from Impala to Eland. It was never too much nor too little. I used Federal Cape Shok with 300gr TSX's. I ended up using my PH's Bruno 602 with a 3-9x40 scope because my Winchester had been broken during transport.

I think the Swarovski Z8i 1-8x24 is perfect for for your .375H&H. At least that's what I put on my R8 .375H&H. Another scope I would recommend to check is the Leica 1-6x24i. I like it and it is about half the price of the Z8i.

[Gamsjagd]

For a long time there has been a push for social media warriors to guilt others into a low powered variable for the 375. Even Boddington has said that it is kind of criminal to put a 1-5 or 1-6 on a rifle that has a similar ballistic arc to 30-06 or 338 Winchester.

I personally think that a 2-12x42 Leupold VX-6 would be amazing.

A 3-18x44 would be really good if you had a 400 yard shot and were dialing up the magnification and reticle dials of the CDS.

The Z6 Swarovski comes in 1,7-10, 2-12 and 2-15. I think any of those would be really good.

Every Z5 I have handled has been skinny and didn't feel overly robust.

The upside of Leupold is that the dial system is cheaper to get into if you are going to be using a dial. The Swarovski one is about $320, plus the cost of the Swarovski is about $2300.

The VX-6 would be $1700-1800. Not a huge difference, but that $800 (scope and dial) is enough to shoot another oryx.

[Rod]

For a long time there has been a push for social media warriors to guilt others into a low powered variable for the 375. Even Boddington has said that it is kind of criminal to put a 1-5 or 1-6 on a rifle that

Really if there is such a campaign it’s been a failure in this part of the world From what I see in the field, on the range and in the shops low magnification scopes are well and truly in the minority on any hunting rifle .

Just saying

[Gamsjagd]

I think it is an American safari client concept. They feel as though the 375 is a big boomer and put a 1-4 or 1-5 on it and think that anyone who puts a 3-9 or Jehosphat forbid it a 3-15x56 is less than classy.

I am one of those that doesn't get worried about what others do.

Also old enough with failing eyes and 450-20 vision in both eyes that I like a hell of a lot more magnification.