Scope suggestions for 375 H&H

This is the rifle I have just bought, I dont have it in my hands yet but have had a hankering for some nice wood and something classic and this stood out to me. The current owner doesnt know much about it, has had it sitting idle for a number of years. Its built on a pretty modified P14 action, straight bolt, cock on open, trigger etc and the stock strikes me as a Kevin Gaskill? (be interested on others opinions on this) I wonder who built it?
I need to put a scope on it, I kind of like the idea of keeping it pointable, but able to take some longer shots if neccesary, call me vain but I also like a rifle to just "look right" most of the safari type builds I see run 1-5 type scopes with no objective bell and I think that would be a go on this rifle, or something older, possibly euro, 30mm, with a gloss finish. I'd like some form of ballistic ret or possibly the ability to dial, would prefer a capped turret if went down that route as I dont think a ballistic turret would look right on this rifle, unless it was pretty inconspicuous like the Zeiss DL or similar.
Im gonna take a while to have the money together to put some glass on it anyhow but interested in suggestions or opinions in the mean time? Cheers

Attachment 139255

Nice one.
Why go near a dial?
It is a 375 hh. Pretty flat shooting for what it is but still only a 300ish rifle. 1-5 or 1-6 scope would be sweet.
Treat it like an old school 303.
I've got a loopy 1.5-5 on my 416. Great little scope

Its a difficult and narrow range of choice with "fashions" the way they are now, I have a similar "scope requirement" and am still looking. On my 9.3 x62 I went with a Nikko Stirling 1.5-5 to get started, and its still on there, despite much searching for the "right scope".

I recently ran a thread query on the old model Bushnell Elite 6500 1.5-6x32 as it should have had good optics and mechanicals to dial - but no-one replied. What I liked about it was 150mm eye relief - shooting a big kicker on a steep uphill shot is a real test of eye relief! @Tahr @top of the south haha

Nice score - I watched that auction on Trademe myself. Are there not any markings in the barrel channel or similar? I was interested that the previous seller had owned it for years and apparently never taken it out of the stock, which is a bit of a strange concept to me.

For what it's worth, I didn't think Kevin Gaskill when I looked at the stock - just the layout of the pistol grip checkering and the comb fluting don't have his hallmarks to my eye. But I don't think he was tied exclusively to one style of stock either, so who knows?

Can't help much with the optics question I'm afraid, but I always start with dimensions. Get the rings to the perfect height for eye alignment with a good cheekweld. Work out where any given scope would have to sit to give you correct eye relief in your natural shooting position. Then look at what will fit based on ocular diameter, mountable tube length and objective diameter. For my rifles, by the time I've done that and eliminated the scopes I just couldn't live with in terms of cost, quality, features or looks the list becomes quite short!

Plenty of videos of 400M plus shots with a 375H&H on the african hunting scene - some using sticks - bloody good shooting!

My S&B would look the part on her :-))))

https://www.nzhuntingandshooting.co....l-price-60403/

1-5x20 vx3i with CDS, sorted.

Beautiful classic looking rifle in a classic calibre.

Bought a 1957 Model 70 in 375 H&H a few years back Put a new 2-7 X 33 Leupold on top. When sighting it in, it gave me a best group of .377 at 100m with Federal factory loads.......That scope suited the rifle and was good out to 300m if I did my part. Still got the setup in the safe but havent used it for a few years.

Must get it out and take her for a walk now that you have raised the cal here.
For bench shooting and sighting in I purchased a Past recoil pad. Made bench shooting/sighting in a breeze with no ill effects from recoil.

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Originally Posted by mawzer308

1-5x20 vx3i with CDS, sorted.

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+1

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Originally Posted by Friwi

+1

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No - not for that rifle
Total out of character for such a beautiful classic rifle

For an NZ .375 I’d go with a Vx3i 3.5-10 cds. You will probably be using it past 200yds so the magnification and dialling will be an advantage. At the Big Bore shoot Harry was easily ringing the gong at 250yds with his .375

1-5 vx5?

Very nice looking rifle.

Depends what your intended use is. From a classic point of view the old 3x Leupold was "the" scope in it time.

I used one on my 308 for many years and wasn't disadvantaged. Stunning in the bush.

I still have mine (sorry wouldn't part with it) currently on an HW80 springer air rifle.
I still lust after a BRNO 375. One day..... Already have the scope for it :-)

Attachment 139263

I have a very similar rifle and mounts. I have a Vx3 3.5-10*40 cds on it. Its good but right on the limit fot ocular eye relief. A little vx3 1.5-6*36 would be good or 2.5-8*36 with b&c reticle. PM sent.

Make sure you use light for calibre projectiles, that way velocity is up, recoil is down & terminal performance is :o :cool:

https://i1004.photobucket.com/albums...pssbuo5ijb.jpg

Im pretty biased towards Kahles scopes for some reason, cant figure that out eh! Anyways I have a 1.5-6 Kahles on my 358NM, beautiful scopes to use, 30mm tube. Would look good on such a nice rifle.

Such a beautiful classic calibre has to be classic Euro glass. Swaro, Zeiss or Kahles would be my pick. 3-9 or 3-10 or some of the more recent 2-10 or 2-12 models would be a good options. I’ve got an older Zeiss Diavari 3-9x36 standard plex reticle if that’s of interest

I have a VX5 1-5 Firedot on my Pre '64 Model 70 in 458 win mag. It does the trick and I think it looks good too

I know Allen Carr built some 375's, could be one of his.

If you ever want to use it on dangerous game, a true 1x variable would be the medicine.

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Originally Posted by Bol Tackshin

If you ever want to use it on dangerous game, a true 1x variable would be the medicine.

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I have the VX-6 1-6x24 on my DG rifles with QD rings, the front sight looks cool on 1 power

They are fun to dial & shoot prone out past 2-300 yards, the 505 is a bit of a handful doing that though ;)

I use a 4.5-14 x 40 VX3 for load development.

There is a cheap CZ 375 H&H sitting in my safe I must get around to selling

As mentioned previously the dimensions/action length important. On 375 and 416 Rigby I’ve taken to Zim S&B 1.1-4x (heavy but bulletproof), Leupy 1-5s and 1.75-6s which have the longer tube, but currently have a Leupy 2.5-8x on my Win M70. I like the Kahles 1” (have 2-7 and 3-9 on a 9.3x62), but did have a broken reticle on very rugged terrain in Africa. Eye relief marginal on Euros generally.

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Originally Posted by zimmer

Very nice looking rifle.

Depends what your intended use is. From a classic point of view the old 3x Leupold was "the" scope in it time.

I used one on my 308 for many years and wasn't disadvantaged. Stunning in the bush.

I still have mine (sorry wouldn't part with it) currently on an HW80 springer air rifle.
I still lust after a BRNO 375. One day..... Already have the scope for it :-)

Attachment 139263

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Ex Rod and Rifle editor Graeme Henry was a big fan of the 3x Leupold too.
Personally I would stick with something with a straight tube (20mm, 30mm objective).

The .375 is ballistically very similar to the 30/06, but with a bit more ooommppphhh. Seeing as dangerous game aren’t really a consideration in NZ, use the same scope you would use on a 30/06.

Nice snag @Ryan_Songhurst :)

I reckon a quality, straight tubed scope is what you need. A matte finished Leupold VX3i 1.5-5x20 (capped turrets) would look the part. A scope with an objective bell wouldn't look 'right', I don't think.

There are a number of straight-tubed 30mm models offered by the Euro makers. Kahles? Too agricultural looking. Swarovski Z6/Z8? Too bulky and jewellery-like in appearance (wouldn't gel with the rugged look of your .375). Zeiss/Leica? Too modern looking, and the red/blue logos look gaudy on traditional rifles.

Schmidt Bender would be better. Understated appearance, and glass to rival any of the other Euro offerings. Either the 1.1-4x24 Zenith, the 1-8x24 Exos (expensive), or the 1.1-5x24 Stratos.

Skinner sights :P

something like this
https://www.trademe.co.nz/sports/hun...30928fd235-003

Chasing Moose?

VX5/6 1-5/1-6 as others have mentioned.

It's hard to beat leupold for a "pretty" scope.

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Originally Posted by mawzer308

1-5x20 vx3i with CDS, sorted.

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Custom ordered in gloss black

I have one of these

https://www.meoptasportsoptics.com/e...1-4x22-rd-982/

Its probably the most usefull scope I own.

I haven’t read the 30 posts above do hopefully will not be a repeat. A well loaded .375 with a good 270/250 gn pill has a trajectory similar to a .30/06 - 180 gn loading. So a 300-350 m shot is quite doable with out dialing. Dialing a bit further perhaps. Long actions need longer tubes. On my weatherby I like the leupold 1.5-6 x. If you can find one they have a long tube that fits a .375 action. 2.5-8x are normally to short. Otherwise your 3.5-10x40/42 +/- CDS. Not much point going over this in my mind.

Plus one vote for the VX6 1-6 CDS duplex. Amazing little scope love mine.