Optics for Big Bore guns

A buddy of mine has a 375 H&H and he is needing some glass, the sad part is his money cap for it is $300....... Help!!!!

There are a couple Elite 4200's that would fit the bill if he wants variable. if fixed can't beat the SS!

I suggested to him a large variable scope but he is looking more torwards a 1-4 or a 2-6.

  If he'll be using his .375 for large targets 4x to 9x at the high end of the mag range will do.  I've got a VXIII 1.75-6x32 on my 9.3 and I believe Pyro still has his 3-9x40 4200 on his H+H.  Looks like maybe he's concerned with a low X for up close shots?

Get the Weaver Classic V 1-3

Edited by 3_tens - April/08/2010 at 15:12

The Bushnell 4200 is advertised to have been tested to withstand 10,000 rounds of that exact .375 cartridge he is chambered in. The 3x9 can be had for $50 less than his budget, but unfortunately the 1x4 he is considering is about twice his budget.

  Wonder how this one is?

300S&W wrote:   If he'll be using his .375 for large targets 4x to 9x at the high end of the mag range will do.  I've got a VXIII 1.75-6x32 on my 9.3 and I believe Pyro still has his 3-9x40 4200 on his H+H.  Looks like maybe he's concerned with a low X for up close shots?

negative, i got a 2x7x32 vortex viper for christmas from a good friend of mine, it now sits on the H&H and with the versa plex reticle its a match made in heaven. more eye relief than the 4200 and the quality of glass is basically the same. and its $260 here at swfa.



Edited by pyro6999 - April/08/2010 at 21:12

That's a clean rig Pyro 

Yes indeed good looking stick hunter.  I love the sticker!  i did the same on my AR

You may want to think about the new Nikon Monarch African scope:

http://swfa.com/Nikon-1-4x20-Monarch-African-Riflescope-P42349.aspx

Seems like it would be a perfect fit for a 375 H&H.  I haven't personally tried it yet, but I've had good luck with my other Nikon scopes.

I'm not an expert but I have years of hunting with a hard kicking 444 Marlin under my belt and did own and hunt with a 375 H&H.  Lots of big Alberta moose hunting.  I used an older 2.5X fixed scope and it was perfect.  Any range from feet to 250 paces was minute of deer. 

  I had an old K-2.5 Weaver on my 9.3 for a bit and found it worked well.  Decided to get a new scope for the old girl so got a VXIII 1.75-6x32 w/hvy plx.  I like everything about it EXCEPT for one of  the most important characteristics I look for in a variable X scope,I've found that there is too much variation in eye relief between low X and high X.  There's a change coming.

http://swfa.com/Weaver-4x38-Classic-K-Rifle-Scope-P5054.aspx

  Got a Micro-Trac Weaver K-4 w/post and crosshair on a .30-06.  GREAT scope.

I have had three scopes on my .375 H&H through the years. A fixed 4x B&L Balfor that was excellent for all around hunting. I used it in close up conditions in Quebec for a large black bear. I never felt under or over scoped. For a fixed power I like 4x on a .375 and the Leupold would be my choice.http://swfa.com/Leupold-4x33-FX-II-Riflescope-P3265.aspx
I have also had a 1.5-5x20 Leupold on it and it is also an excellent choice. It remains a backup for that gun. That particular model of Leupold has a sterling reputation among big game hunters. The glass is good, the scope compact and the eye relief is generous. It remains at the ready in Talley Q.D.'s. This model is a bit over your budget but would still be my choice if you can stretch a bit on money. http://swfa.com/Leupold-15-5x20-VX-3-Riflescope-P12632.aspx
My latest is a 1.1-4x24 Kahles. It is way over your budget. But, similar scopes in the 4200 Bushnell, and the Nikon mentioned, should be similar in overall objectives with a big game scope. Not to huge, good optics and plenty of eye relief.
The Bushnell is over your budget. The package looks to be outstanding, though. An illuminated 4A on a 1.25-4x24 is great. I also have a 1.1-4x24 Kahles with an illuminated C-dot on 45-70. It is great in low light and minute of big game for my purposes. The 4200 is a bit shorter on eye relief than the others, but still usable. http://swfa.com/Bushnell-125-4x24-Elite-4200-Rifle-Scope-P11605.aspx
I am mentioning the Nikon that was mentioned last. It is under $300, has very good glass and is a small scope. The eye relief is generous, and from my Monarch experiences, should be reliable.
For you budget, the Leo 4x and the Nikon are solid picks. If you can stretch I would easily pick the VX-3. The Bushnell is just interesting and the lit 4A is great. The only fly in the ointment is the eye relief.
On eye relief, it's just not shooting from the bench with perfect alignment that counts. For these purposes less will work. Where having plenty of it helps is when shouldering the gun quickly. That large forgiving shaft of light is very easy to pick up. That is one thing I have always liked about the Leupolds I have and have had.


Doug

300S&W wrote:   Got a Micro-Trac Weaver K-4 w/post and crosshair on a .30-06.  GREAT scope.

Thanks guys for the feed back, i sent him this link to give him a good idea of what to look at.

http://swfa.com/Leupold-1-4x20-VX-II-Riflescope-P2559.aspx I've had this scope on a few heavy kickers, .338, 375h&h and .444 marlin. Never did fail and but eventually I got rid of it.