Sell Me A Dangerous Game Scope

[grizzly_]

What scope would you put on a .375 H&H for lion, buffalo, and croc?

I've heard everything from Trijicon, Leupold or NF, to just a red dot.

Would you go illuminated?

Solid mounts or QR?

Thanks for the advice from those who've done it before

 

[Jnasa]

What scope would you put on a .375 H&H for lion, buffalo, and croc?

I've heard everything from Trijicon, Leupold or NF, to just a red dot.

Would you go illuminated?

Solid mounts or QR?

Thanks for the advice from those who've done it before

First I’d check with the PH you are using. Also might look into different regulations in different countries you may hunt in the future.

Generally dangerous game is closer yardage. I would thing a 2-7 would be a good starting point. I’ve known some to use 1-4. I’m partial to Leupold but any reliable optic brand should be good.

 

[TN2shot07]

I don’t think you have to be concerned with magnification, most shots shouldn’t be very far. I’m not a fire dot fan but a scope for that purpose would probably be an exception. It’d be easy to lose cross hairs close up on something dark (Cape buffalo). If you’re looking for something soon I would try and snag a clearanced out vx5 1.5-5 but if you want the best I’d think it would be hard to beat a Swaro z8 1-8…

 

[brockel]

Nightforce shv 3-10x42 with illuminated reticle. Solid mounts

 

[rjthehunter]

1x or 2x for sure. 1.5x is what my grandpa used. Easy to acquire the reticle at low power.

 

[antelopedundee]

What scope would you put on a .375 H&H for lion, buffalo, and croc?

I've heard everything from Trijicon, Leupold or NF, to just a red dot.

Would you go illuminated?

Solid mounts or QR?

Thanks for the advice from those who've done it before

QR so that you can take the scope off and throw it at the cape buffalo?

 

[Chase0109]

I’ve done one Buffalo, one croc, and one elephant between two trips. I’m going back for another Buffalo in two months.

Model 70 375 H&H. VX6 2–12 scope with talley QD mounts.

Illuminated for sure! And go solid mounts unless you want to switch between a scope and a red dot. I switched out to a red dot for my elephant and then put the scope back on to take hyena, zebra, and impala later on that Hunt.

I’d go 1X or 2X max on the low end. If a croc is on your list you’re gonna want 8-12X on the top end. Very small target and if you’re off at all, you’re paying a large trophy fee to watch something splash back into the water.

If you’re gonna do plains game, in addition to DG something with a little more magnification will be nice. 2–12 is a great compromise. Although I would personally love to switch out to a swaro z8 1-8 and not have to worry about scope or red Dot for anything I Hunt. I’d really like a true 1X for my elephant hunts.

The big drawback to the Z8 scope is the price. But if you’re looking at hunting a lion, then money is probably no object lol.

 

[noharleyyet]

What scope would you put on a .375 H&H for lion, buffalo, and croc?

I've heard everything from Trijicon, Leupold or NF, to just a red dot.

Would you go illuminated?

Solid mounts or QR?

Thanks for the advice from those who've done it before

If dough is available

VX-6HD Gen 2 1-6x24 CDS-SZL2 Illum. FireDot Duplex

The VX-6HD Gen 2 1-6x24mm offers a highly versatile magnification range that makes it ideal for maintaining situational awareness when acquiring and tracking game that may appear suddenly in tight, cluttered areas or for varmint hunting across an open landscape. The VX-6HD Gen 2 hunting...

www.leupold.com

...or

VX-5HD 1-5x24 CDS-ZL2 Illum. FireDot Duplex

Don't let its small size fool you. This scope is big game ready. At only 14.7 ounces, our VX®-5HD 1-5x24mm riflescope is built for long days in the wilderness. But we didn't stop there; its 1-5x magnification range, rugged construction, and clear glass make it a great choice for competition or...

www.leupold.com

From @schmalts

 

[Vic Colfari]

AMPLUS 6 1-6x24i L-4a

Leica Amplus 6 1-6x24i L-4a. For all practice-oriented hunters, the new Leica riflescope series Amplus 6 is the attractive entry into the premium class.

leicacamerausa.com

 

[Ballistic]

The Croc will likely be shot in the head while sunning itself. For a .375 I'd have a Swarovski Z6 1.7-10x42. I use a Blaser R8 w/ .338 Win and .458 Lott barrels with Z6 2-12x50 and Z8 1-8 respectively.

 

[Magnum Sherpa]

I’m weighing the same decision myself as I just bought a .375 H&H for my Cape buffalo hunt next year. I asked this question on one of the African hunting forums I belong to and got very similar recommendations as you got here. There seem to be 2 schools of thought: go with something in the 1-5 or 1-6 range if you expect mostly close quarters shooting, or increase your upper end magnification if you expect to use your rifle for double duty on plains game as well. Everyone recommended an illuminated sight. I think I’m going to go with a Leupold VX-5 2-10x. I plan to use my .375 for an eland as well as the buffalo, as well as any plains game I encounter while buffalo hunting. Hopefully after I get my buffalo down I’ll switch over to my .30-06 for the rest of the hunt. Let us know what you decide on.

 

[Seamaster]

I used to take two rifles, and often had the wrong one in my hands when game appeared. Lately I just take a 375 with a VX6 2-12 Firedot in QD mounts. It works well for me.

 

[Robert N]

My Montana 1999 wears a VX6 1-6x e-dot scope.

Buffalo, elephant, whatever - they’re generally hunted close range. Under 40 yards. Preferably under 25 yards. Big power is a problem. Low power ends up somehow being far more needed.

And yet, you might need a longer distance follow up shot. Even at 6x, a buffalo at 200 yards is presenting 18-24” kill zone. Job done at 2x…6x is fine to 300 yards, eyes pending.

the theoretical perfect world is a Swaro 1-8 or 1.7-10…but I think that’s overthinking and over-budgeting it. A Loop 1.5-5 is plenty. Heck, even a zero power holo-dot is perfectly doable to 100 yards.

Key is, just don’t overthink it. What do you like? What works for you and your eyes at 25 yards?

 

[grizzly_]

I think I've settled on the Swaro Z8i 1-8x24. I think it's the best compromise for what I want it for. There's a ton of good advice here, thanks for the help

 

[Chase0109]

I think I've settled on the Swaro Z8i 1-8x24. I think it's the best compromise for what I want it for. There's a ton of good advice here, thanks for the help

I think you will be extremely happy with your choice.
I got my VX6 2-12 on the RS classifieds for half the price of new. Makes it hard for me switch, but I may bite the bullet and get the same Z8i next year. A true one and done African scope.

Do you already have a hunt booked with an outfitter? Country/species?
Chase

 

[Alex38]

Your choice of the Swaro is an excellent one. I bought a VX5HD 2-10x42 with the Firedot to put on my .375. My PH last year recommended this scope as a great all-arounder for use on a .375 for both plains and dangerous game.

 

[Mustangs Rule]

Finn Aggard used a 3x Weaver fixed scope on his 375 H and H. Can't go wrong doing as Finn did.
I have read that a dangerous game scope of choice for PH's in Africa are the aluminum 2.5 power Weavers made in Japan. They had better lenses and also being lighter they did not respond to the inertia of the recoil.

I have had one for many decades on a 338 WM and used it hunting on very big black wild boar in the tall barley on grain ranches even in darkness. Had a dep permit
In darker light the reticles really light up inside. Go on Ebay and you will find one, but expect some serious bidding as they are highly regarded by hunters going to Africa for big game.

They are literally bullet proof unless run over, or dropped from a plane.