What scope for Africa

[Mountain Bug]

Some years ago I bought a CZ550 in .375 when they were discontinuing them. It has sat since then but now I'm wishing to put it to use. I can only see it being used on elk, moose, grizzly or African dangerous game, so basically quite large animals at reasonable distances, which to my mind does away with the need for high magnifications. My thoughts were something like a 1-6x or 2-8 with a red dot for fast target acquisition and long eye relief. Also an adjustable objective or side focus for my ageing eyes. I'm also thinking that it has to be tough as nails to resist the recoil of the large caliber. My title about Africa was really a hope that some with this experience would chime in as I consider Africa a very good proving ground. Any help or thoughts would be appreciated.

Scott

 

[NP435]

No experience with a .375 but you could use it for pronghorn as written up by the late Elmer Keith, should be adequate for the job. CZ550 one of the finest rifles I own.

 

[bowji john]

1-8x24 is pretty standard

1-6x24 is very popular

Swaro 1-6x24 EE i is very popular when using larger calibre rifles - nice but not necessary for a 375 as the recoil is pretty modest and therefore the Extended Eye relief not really required

Swaro 2-16x50 also very good

The above three I use on my medium (9.3 x62 and .375 included) and large calibres (4 and above)

I’m also happy to use a non magnified red dot out to 80m or so … and wouldn’t dream of putting a scope, other than a red dot, on anything starting with a 5

I only use red dot or open sights for a stopping rifle

Any rifle starting with a 6 is too much for me!!

J

 

[Mountain Bug]

1-8x24 is pretty standard

1-6x24 is very popular

Swaro 1-6x24 EE i is very popular when using larger calibre rifles - nice but not necessary for a 375 as the recoil is pretty modest and therefore the Extended Eye relief not really required

Swaro 2-16x50 also very good

The above three I use on my medium (9.3 x62 and .375 included) and large calibres (4 and above)

I’m also happy to use a non magnified red dot out to 80m or so … and wouldn’t dream of putting a scope, other than a red dot, on anything starting with a 5

I only use red dot or open sights for a stopping rifle

Anything rifle starting with a 6 is too much for me!!

J

Thank you John. Guidance from the experienced is always helpful. Usually I don't know what questions to ask until after I should have asked them.


Scott

 

[Mountain Bug]

I only use red dot or open sights for a stopping rifle

I should have chosen my words better. I'm a fan of Leupold firedot reticles, so not necessarily a traditional red dot type.


Scott

 

[bowji john]

Leupold scopes are just fine

I think I had a 1-6 some time ago

I have one for long range now

Fire dot- or any other illuminated reticle does help under pressure

More importantly than make is the right mag range

Particularly at the lower end where anything from 4 and under will work

All of this is just my opinion of course

Hope that helps

J

 

[Selous]

My .375 wears a Zeiss Diavari 1.5-6x42 and it works brilliantly. I use the .375 as a plains game rifle and never found the scope wanting in any department. In Limpopo the ranges weren’t excessive, 150m was my longest shot on a zebra. The smallest game I hunted was a mountain reedbuck and I shot mine at about 90m. Six power was more than adequate.

 

[Mountain Bug]

My .375 wears a Zeiss Diavari 1.5-6x42 and it works brilliantly. I use the .375 as a plains game rifle and never found the scope wanting in any department. In Limpopo the ranges weren’t excessive, 150m was my longest shot on a zebra. The smallest game I hunted was a mountain reedbuck and I shot mine at about 90m. Six power was more than adequate.

Thank you for your input. Unfortunately your Diavari is no longer produced and seems to be a highly sought after scope.


Scott

 

[artschool]

i have a swarovski z8i 1-8 x24 on my 375. i have used it on plains game but i also use it for driven boar in europe.

 

[Hanechdene]

I am using a ZEISS HD5 3-15X42 scope on my 375 which I use for Eland and Buff.

 

[Tim.243]

Some years ago I bought a CZ550 in .375 when they were discontinuing them. It has sat since then but now I'm wishing to put it to use. I can only see it being used on elk, moose, grizzly or African dangerous game, so basically quite large animals at reasonable distances, which to my mind does away with the need for high magnifications. My thoughts were something like a 1-6x or 2-8 with a red dot for fast target acquisition and long eye relief. Also an adjustable objective or side focus for my ageing eyes. I'm also thinking that it has to be tough as nails to resist the recoil of the large caliber. My title about Africa was really a hope that some with this experience would chime in as I consider Africa a very good proving ground. Any help or thoughts would be appreciated.

Scott

Are you going to Africa as the outfitter would be the one to ask as the .375 is there day to day rifle also the type of terrain, if I was going with a .375 I would do the same.
Waiting to see where you are heading!

 

[RH Somerset]

I have a z8 1.7-13.3 x 42 on my 375.

The 375 is a do everything African rifle, so I wanted a scope to match. This one’s mag is low enough for very close buffalo, but can also go high enough for impala at 200 or 300 yards.

 

[Jagdmatch]

A cost effective option is the Vortex Strke Eagle 1-8. I have one on a 9.3 x74R double rifle and it does the job. I like red dots as well in variable scopes but find the cheaper options flare a bit.

 

[DRN]

1.5-6 mag is pretty sweet. Whichever scope you go for, if you can get illuminated then do so. One place I shot was under the canopy and despite being late morning and sunny it was really dark and hard to see. Especially hard to see the reticle!

 

[sikamalc]

Depends where you are using your 375.

Iv'e used mine mostly in Africa, on Buff and Elephant. Its normally close work, so sometime back I bought a Burris signature scope 2x6. You do not need a huge magnification if you are taking on Buff in thick cover, you need to see whats coming, and high magnification is pointless. You also need a robust scope that will take the recoil.
The combination I choose has never let me down, and I have never had to re adjust the scope either.

If you are going to use it on plains game I would suggest a bigger objective and magnification. You could put swing off mounts on the rifle, and shoot open sights, or take two scopes? But it gets a bit expensive. Good luck.

 

[Selous]

I have a z8 1.7-13.3 x 42 on my 375.

The 375 is a do everything African rifle, so I wanted a scope to match. This one’s mag is low enough for very close buffalo, but can also go high enough for impala at 200 or 300 yards.

This is a great choice and more modern than my Zeiss.

 

[sh1kar]

Some years ago I bought a CZ550 in .375 when they were discontinuing them. It has sat since then but now I'm wishing to put it to use. I can only see it being used on elk, moose, grizzly or African dangerous game, so basically quite large animals at reasonable distances, which to my mind does away with the need for high magnifications. My thoughts were something like a 1-6x or 2-8 with a red dot for fast target acquisition and long eye relief. Also an adjustable objective or side focus for my ageing eyes. I'm also thinking that it has to be tough as nails to resist the recoil of the large caliber. My title about Africa was really a hope that some with this experience would chime in as I consider Africa a very good proving ground. Any help or thoughts would be appreciated.

Scott

Firstly you do not need a big objective lens on an Africa scope. You will be shooting generally in good light, usually no shots taken 30 mins before sunset in case wound and don't want a follow up in the dark (The exception being Leopard). You also want a fairly light and compact scope to allow long distance walking and rapid deployment in the jesse.

With this in mind I usually have a Swarovski Habicht 1.25-4 by 24 mounted on mine. It also has a CD reticule for fast target acquisition.

I have Holland mounts so as and when shot my buff and switch to plains game, depending on terrain if more open and a longer shot likely I swap out for Swarovski Habicht 3-9 by 36. But to be honest if I could only take one scope it would be the lower mag one. I have taken a Puku at 250 yards with it cleanly ( Puku have a habit of hanging around very open, sandy areas and getting much closer is unlikely.

S

 

[Mountain Bug]

Thank you to all who have responded. Looks like I've some homework to do and with Christmas coming up I need to get with it haha. Not sure that some of these options are within Santa's budget though.


Scott

 

[Chris Richardson]

idve thought the zeiss duralyt 2-8 power a good choice

 

[Selous]

Thank you to all who have responded. Looks like I've some homework to do and with Christmas coming up I need to get with it haha. Not sure that some of these options are within Santa's budget though.


Scott

Whilst thinking of a budget and bearing in mind you have mentioned hunting dangerous game as yourself this…. In case you wonder it is a rhetorical question….If you had a scope fail on you at a critical time and a buffalo was bearing down on you, how much would you pay to get a better or more reliable scope at that moment?