Suggestions on low power "recoil-proof" scope

[MRogersII]

Putting together a 375 H&H bolt gun and wondering about the optics. Its been more than a few years since I've bought a low power scope. I was thinking of something in the 1-8 or thereabouts. Over the years I've owned several recoil proof scopes that turned out not to hold zero for very long. So I was looking for feedback from folks who own and shoot hunting weight rifles in the 375 to 416 range and who have had positive experience with optics well under the $1K price range. Ideally Leupold models and the like.
Thank you in advance.
Michael

 

[Cochran]

Seems to me the 1.5x5 leupolds are still pretty much the standard for dangerous game rifles.

I just bought a leupold 2.5x ultralight for a hard kicking ruger no 1 but haven’t tried it out yet.

Not sure of the prices but some of the new 1-4.5x scopes built for service rifle competitions might make for a nice low power hunting scope

 

[mmcu]

If you can find one, the older 30mm Leupold European 2-7x33 with the German A-4 reticle is tough to beat.

I had one on a 375 H&H and it never lost zero.

 

[1tinyhole]

Putting together a 375 H&H bolt gun and wondering about the optics. Its been more than a few years since I've bought a low power scope. I was thinking of something in the 1-8 or thereabouts. Over the years I've owned several recoil proof scopes that turned out not to hold zero for very long. So I was looking for feedback from folks who own and shoot hunting weight rifles in the 375 to 416 range and who have had positive experience with optics well under the $1K price range. Ideally Leupold models and the like.
Thank you in advance.
Michael

Good day.....I shoot a lot of 375H&H, 416Rigby, 300 win mag. & 300 H&H and have used them all on 12 African trips.....all with high dollar Swarovski scopes......that being said I can tell you out of 5 scope I've had to send 2 back, (both larger scopes) that couldn't be repaired in the USA and had to go to Austria. So if your going to hunt dangerous game I'll pass along my thoughts.
Leupold is likely the best bang for the buck.....I have several. The one thing I don't care for is their locking turret.....let say you sight your rifle in before you leave on you hunting trip....after being handled the 1-2 or more airlines you get to camp and when checking the zero you find you need to move the bullet down......you can't do it with a zero stop (and that's about all Leupold makes)....unless you carry with you a little tiny allen wrench to loosed the cap and adjust.....not a big deal maybe but it's one more thing to loose.
For dangerous game (or any African trip for that matter) I would highly recommend a lighted reticle......swarovski's 4A-IF or similiar..... it's a circle dot and both the dot and the circle illuminate,.... I found to be perfect. Leupold only illuminates the dot. I would also look at only second focal plane scopes.
If you are in fact hunting dangerous game I would strongly consider that type of reticle. There are lots of other makers but finding a scope that meets my needs was difficult.......bullet proof?......I don't think any one makes one.....at any price.
Dwight

 

[Dusty Stevens]

The little 1.5-5 leupold is on all my heavy boomers. The little nightforce nxs was on a few i saw dragged around thru africa. But ill give you a hint on something- every real dangerous game rifle has express sights (if you trust it with your life)

 

[MRogersII]

The little 1.5-5 leupold is on all my heavy boomers. The little nightforce nxs was on a few i saw dragged around thru africa. But ill give you a hint on something- every real dangerous game rifle has express sights (if you trust it with your life)

I agree, completely . Although I no longer expect to go to Africa, I have cut the dovetail for a 3 leaf express for the 375. I have one as well for my 450 NE and my 470 NE.
Michael

 

[Cbashooter]

El Paso Weaver K 2.5...bulletproof

 

[MRogersII]

Still not sure that I'm convinced that QD rings are necessary, and I'm not super excited about drilling and tapping the 98 receiver. Seemingly no good way around it though. I would really like to use the old Ruger #1 rings but not completely sure how best to make that dovetail cut in the sides of the quarter rib. I've always liked the clean, simple look of those rings though. And I've accumulated several sets over the years.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Still not sure that I'm convinced that QD rings are necessary, and I'm not super excited about drilling and tapping the 98 receiver. Seemingly no good way around it though. I would really like to use the old Ruger #1 rings but not completely sure how best to make that dovetail cut in the sides of the quarter rib. I've always liked the clean, simple look of those rings though. And I've accumulated several sets over the years.

How about the little talley rings? I see these on a lot of africa rifles. They hold up very well and repeat perfectly. The little bases dont get in the way if you go without them too.

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[Drop Port]

I had a Leupold 2.5 - 8 on my 375 and it held up. I also liked that I could use the bottom post of the duplex for a 300 yard hold.

 

[phlegm]

I have a Nightforce 2.5-10x24 on mine. I'm sure either of the NF 1-8s would work well, too.

 

[rr2030]

I just bought a leupold 2.5x ultralight for a hard kicking ruger no 1 but haven’t tried it out yet.

I have the exact scope mounted on my #1 in 45-70. About 50 reasonably heavy loads through it , along with another 100 pleasant shooting loads. No complaints.

Leupold Scope

 

[FNSafari]

IMO, there is no such thing as a "recoil-proof" scope. On a rifle long enough and fired enough most will eventually exhibit problems with holding poi or adjusting accurately.

The old Denver Redfields in 4x or 2-7X were and are good scopes and you can get them worked on at Iron Sight. Another option is the older B&L in Kuharsky external adjust mounts or the Weaver's with external adjust mounts.

 

[JMayo]

Swift use to make scopes that would withstand muzzleloaders, shotguns & pistols.
Not sure they are still in business.

 

[nakneker]

Leupold VX3 1.75-6x sits on my 45-70, it’s never moved and I shoot the rifle a lot. They don’t offer it anymore but I see them used from time to time. I have VX3
1.5-5x on my 338 win mag that has also never lost its zero but I don’t shoot it as much. I have several 100 rounds through the 45-70, a couple hundred through the 338.

I also have a 1-6x Trijicon on a 25x47 Lapua I like a lot but I’ve never had it on big boomer.

 

[big5ifty]

Leupold.

 

[ChrisNZ]

Why is the .375 H&H used as benchmark for needing a 'recoil-proof" scope? I've only fired maybe 20 rounds out of a buddy's one but thought it rather tame on the recoil dep't. His light .300Wby with full-house 220gr loads was waaay more nasty.

I'd suspect chamberings like .300RUM or .340 Wby would be the real nasties on scopes- a sharp and high energy impulse.