Optic for new Rifle

[clance]

I just pick up a new (to me) rifle today and I'm not really sure of the glass that I want to put on it.

The rifle is a Winchester 70 Safari Express manufactured in New Haven before the move to Georgia. The caliber is 375 H&H so it'll need to be able to take some recoil. It doesn't need to be super powerful, starting around 2.5-8 but I would like it to have good light gathering quality and eye relief.

 

[js8588]

Leupold VX3i comes to mind.

 

[Skylerbone]

Are you looking for a fun gun or a serious dangerous game rifle? If it’s just for fun anything that doesn’t ruin the aesthetics. If it’s more serious then open sights or a 2.5x(ish) fixed.

 

[Robert]

I run a Leupold VX3 2.5-8 on my 375 Safari Express without issue. IF you can afford it, get the fire dot reticle if they offer it in the new VX3 line. It wasn't an option when I bought mine but the fire dot is amazing.

It's not the best in low light but I took my buck 3 mins before final light last fall and didn't have issues seeing him at 150ish yards.
If I had the money I'd buy this:

https://www.leupold.com/scopes/compact-scopes/vx-5hd-2-10x42mm-cds-zl2

Or the VX6 2-12, but that cost more than my rifle did.

 

[js8588]

I run a Leupold VX3 2.5-8 on my 375 Safari Express without issue. IF you can afford it, get the fire dot reticle if they offer it in the new VX3 line. It wasn't an option when I bought mine but the fire dot is amazing.

It's not the best in low light but I took my buck 3 mins before final light last fall and didn't have issues seeing him at 150ish yards.
If I had the money I'd buy this:

https://www.leupold.com/scopes/compact-scopes/vx-5hd-2-10x42mm-cds-zl2

Or the VX6 2-12, but that cost more than my rifle did.

Best price around for the 2-10 firedot VX-5HD
https://www.drgunsupply.com/products/optics-leupold-171389-030317012151-688

Good people. I've bought from them before.

 

[redneck2]

It's not the best in low light but I took my buck 3 mins before final light last fall and didn't have issues seeing him at 150ish yards.
If I had the money I'd buy this:

https://www.leupold.com/scopes/compact-scopes/vx-5hd-2-10x42mm-cds-zl2

Or the VX6 2-12, but that cost more than my rifle did.

I had a VX-R with Firedot on my last deer gun. I thought the low light performance was pretty amazing. I’ve got several VX-3’s. Same thing.

I’ve got that exact VX-6 with Firedot on my 7 mag. I’m not sure it’s really worth the 2-3x price to go to the VX-6 over the VX-3. Then again, the only deer I’ve shot with it was maybe 60 yards

The Firedot is really, really nice for hunting. The one linked above looks great.

 

[Legionnaire]

I put a VX-R 2-7x33 with Fire Dot Duplex on my Ruger 77 African in .375 Ruger. I really like it.

 

[js8588]

I put a VX-R 2-7x33 with Fire Dot Duplex on my Ruger 77 African in .375 Ruger. I really like it.

Discontinued, unfortunately & impossible to find anywhere.

 

[Skylerbone]

Not impossible https://www.nightvisionguys.com/leupold-vx-r-2-7x33mm-firedot-duplex-reticle

 

[rabid wombat]

I have a VX3 1.5x5 illuminated on a Savage 50cal muzzle loader (one of many in the box I have not shot. ). The closet I found on the Leupold site is

https://www.leupold.com/scopes/compact-scopes/vx-3i-1-5-5x20mm

All the glass I need on this, may be interesting for you.

At one point, you could find obsolete product, but I have gotten back to it. EDIT: found it
https://www.leupold.com/scopes/compact-scopes/vx-3-1-5-5x20mm

 

[Stubert]

I have a Winchester Alaskan in 375 H&H. I got a Luepold VX3 2.5-8x36 for $245.00 when Gander closed
last year. There are deals out there still.

 

[jmr40]

A Leupold 2.5-8X36 would be as close to perfect as you could get on that rifle.

 

[Legionnaire]

Discontinued, unfortunately & impossible to find anywhere.

Yes, more's the pity. I bought mine in December from Centerfire Systems; may have been the last one they had.

 

[cdb1]

My vote goes to VX-3i 2.5-8x36 or up the budget considerably for European Alpha glass.

 

[Nature Boy]

Do we have a budget?

 

[Bartojc]

If it’s just for fun anything that doesn’t ruin the aesthetics

This made me chuckle out loud. You should see what has been sitting on top of my M70 the past number of years. My wife gave me a Redfield Revolution 3-9x a number of years ago for a Christmas present. This was a big deal at the time. It is matte finish and I had gloss rings so I mounted it up "temporarily" a number of years ago. That's the way it sits today. It is not aesthetically pleasing but it is mine and I have lots of stories to go with it.

To the OP what budget would you have ? I concur something of the Leupold VX-3i variety would work. Lots of stuff out there would work.

-Jeff

 

[Jack B.]

Looks like Leupold is what you should be looking at. I agree.

 

[Chuck R.]

I've got a Leupold VX3 2.5-8x36 on my Rem M7 in .260.

It really is a nice compact scope with just enough magnification on both ends. I was going to order another one this winter for a new M7 in .223, but Luepold was out of stock and their custom shop was closed so I couldn't order it "my way". I get Leupold's 1st responder/MIL pricing which is actually very good for discounts. Ended up getting a 3.5-10x40 instead. Little more than what you're looking for on the low end, but also a nice compact scope.