What scope for my 375 H&H

[IDShane]

I will be getting my new to me 375 H&H this week and I will need a scope for it. I hope to use the gun on some alaskan bear hunts and maybe a moose hunt. What do you guys suggest.

 

[Desk Jockey]

How far do you wan to shoot? What’s your budget?

I don’t own one but see a lot with variable optics with a very low or near 1x lower end magnification. Like a 1-8x. in that range, nightforce makes a hell of a scope.

 

[wildwilderness]

For the hunts described I would say a 2-10 power would be most versatile.


Now if it was an African dangerous game set up a 1-6 power

 

[Justinjs]

3-9 on mine, doesn't matter if it's HD or not, nothing special, just something with generous eye relief..

 

[IDShane]

I am a Nightforce guy. I was told by the owner of my local long range gun shop not to get Nightforces 1-8x and he is a pretty avid Nighforce guy also. That is why I am checking other options.

 

[BWlongbow]

Zeiss 1-6x42 is a great scope. I used one on my 338 win & 458 Lott

 

[Justinjs]

Oh, you're looking for specific brands?? Anything Leupold 3-9. You've looked at 375 ballistics, any shot past 250-300 yds and you brought the wrong gun. For real, it's a slug to shoot, don't stress about optics on it.

 

[Theringworm]

The reason you don’t get the Nightforce is it’s FFP. Retcile is too hard to see unless zoomed in.

That’s why I went with a Swaro SFP with an illuminated reticle on mine. Sometimes with quick shots it’s easier to pick up the a thicker illuminated reticle/dot in darker overcast conditions or sun-blocked heavily forested/foliaged areas.

 

[TxxAgg]

You have great timing:

Sold - Meopta Meopro 6x42

Great scope in great condition. I replaced it with a SWFA 6x so it's up for grabs. It was on a 223 so no abuse. 14.5 oz German #4 reticle $300 tyd

www.rokslide.com

 

[AKDoc]

My 375H&H is scoped with a Swarovski Z-6 (1.7 x 10, 42).

It does reach out further than I typically zoom, but nice to have if needed. It has been perfect for me in Alaska...especially in closer range quick target acquisition scenarios. The eye relief is excellent...I've never had a "scope bite" in over a decade of use on the bench and in the field every year.

 

[MaraviaDave]

Oh, you're looking for specific brands?? Anything Leupold 3-9. You've looked at 375 ballistics, any shot past 250-300 yds and you brought the wrong gun. For real, it's a slug to shoot, don't stress about optics on it.

I often hear people saying the 375 H&H is a cartridge for ‘shorter’ ranges. Admittedly, it’s not the best choice for really extended ranges. However, it’s very capable at reasonable hunting ranges.

For example, a 6.5 Creedmoor is thought of by many as a good cartridge for longer range shooting at deer sized game. Using all of the same environmental inputs and zero range …. a 6.5 CM shooting a 147 ELD-M (MV 2716 fps) drops 50.2” at 500 yards. The .375 H&H shooting a 270 LRX drops 52.0” at 500 yards. A difference of 1.8” at 500 yards. That’s a difference of ~0.3 MOA.

How many shooters, with hunting weight rifles, shooting under field conditions…could shoot the difference?

Yeah, I understand we’re talking about different cartridges, bullet types, bullet weight and muzzle velocities.

I’m simply pointing out that many people think the 6.5 Creedmoor is long range capable and for some reason the 375 H&H is not.

From a bullet drop perspective…..at reasonable hunting ranges (for capable rifleman) I believe the 375 H&H is absolutely capable.

Anyways, on to answer the OP’s question.

I’d recommend the NightForce NXS 2.5-10x42, which is a second focal plane scope. If you end up shooting at longer ranges, you can comfortably shoot at 10x and dial your turrets. At this magnification (max) the subtensions in your reticle will be full value (1 MOA or 0.2 MIL) . If you have to shoot up close, you can do so at 2.5x, with a full thickness reticle and shooting with both eyes open.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

Mine has a Nikon 1-4 but I’ll probably swap over a meopta 3-9. My other 375 has a leupold 2.5-8 and has brought home a few thousand pounds of moose meat and bears over the past few years.

 

[Wrench]

My 375 wears a 3-9 4500. Mine has no brake and sits in a Brown pounder.....zero issues. I've killed a bear at 20 feet and elk at 300yds with it. I really like the setup.

 

[CHWine]

I'll second that .375 H&H is not as limited in range as most think. I've shot mule deer out to 400 yards and it obviously carries a punch with 260-270 grain bullets. Without digging in my safe I think my scope is a Burris posi loc 2x8.

The other point about the caliber is recoil. My 1963 Browning Safari grade weights near 10 pounds and is not bad to shoot. I've shot .300 Weatherby that was WAY more unpleasant. Its about the velocity.

 

[Billy Goat]

Personally I like the Trijicon Accupoint with the triangle fiber reticle.

Available in a 1-6×24 for a nice and compact option.

Also a 2.5-10×56, lot bulkier, but will given more magnification if you are trying to shoot a little further.

Some of the newer versions have illuminated reticle, mine all just have the wrapped fiber and tritium, or whatever they used. I like no batteries.

 

[Justinjs]

I often hear people saying the 375 H&H is a cartridge for ‘shorter’ ranges. Admittedly, it’s not the best choice for really extended ranges. However, it’s very capable at reasonable hunting ranges.

For example, a 6.5 Creedmoor is thought of by many as a good cartridge for longer range shooting at deer sized game. Using all of the same environmental inputs and zero range …. a 6.5 CM shooting a 147 ELD-M (MV 2716 fps) drops 50.2” at 500 yards. The .375 H&H shooting a 270 LRX drops 52.0” at 500 yards. A difference of 1.8” at 500 yards. That’s a difference of ~0.3 MOA.

How many shooters, with hunting weight rifles, shooting under field conditions…could shoot the difference?

Yeah, I understand we’re talking about different cartridges, bullet types, bullet weight and muzzle velocities.

I’m simply pointing out that many people think the 6.5 Creedmoor is long range capable and for some reason the 375 H&H is not.

From a bullet drop perspective…..at reasonable hunting ranges (for capable rifleman) I believe the 375 H&H is absolutely capable.

Anyways, on to answer the OP’s question.

I’d recommend the NightForce NXS 2.5-10x42, which is a second focal plane scope. If you end up shooting at longer ranges, you can comfortably shoot at 10x and dial your turrets. At this magnification (max) the subtensions in your reticle will be full value (1 MOA or 0.2 MIL) . If you have to shoot up close, you can do so at 2.5x, with a full thickness reticle and shooting with both eyes open.

It's a valid point, the drop is similar to a 30-06, but that energy, wow!

I should have elaborated on it some more. It's a great round up close. Once it hits the 3-400yd mark, a 338 win mag, 300 rum, or other big 30 cal is going to have more energy. In a dangerous game situation, it's good to have a big heavy bullet.

You may be the first person to compare drop on a 6.5 vs 375. You aren't wrong though.

 

[FLATHEAD]

1.5x5

 

[Travis2282]

Mine wears a leupold vx6 2-12!

 

[thinhorn_AK]

I'll second that .375 H&H is not as limited in range as most think. I've shot mule deer out to 400 yards and it obviously carries a punch with 260-270 grain bullets. Without digging in my safe I think my scope is a Burris posi loc 2x8.

The other point about the caliber is recoil. My 1963 Browning Safari grade weights near 10 pounds and is not bad to shoot. I've shot .300 Weatherby that was WAY more unpleasant. Its about the velocity.

I’ve shot a bull moose at 300yds with my 375HH, 250g ttsx I loaded up expended well. I’ve also used it at like 80 yds on a good bull with a 260g accubond which was equally impressive.

I don’t really even consider any of my other guns once moose season rolls around.

 

[VernAK]

I hunted with 375s for 4 decades and found the best choice to be a 3X Leupold as the long straight tube allows for adjusting eye relief within the ring spacing on a magnum action. I've found the 3X to be one of the most durable scopes out there.

Like Billy Goat, I like that Trijicon triangle reticle but found the tube too short in the one I had.