Scope for 375 H&H?

[mountainclmbr]

I just ordered a CZ 550 American Magnum in 375 H&H. I am considering putting a scope on it. Something like 1.5-4X. Do other big bore shooters prefer open sights or a scope? Is a long eye relief scope needed for this rifle? I have a 444 Marlin that will be getting a long eye relief scope because the recoil makes the scope try to occupy the same space that my eyebrow is accustomed to living. OUCH!

 

[sumpnz]

If you ordered the American model, as I am REALLY wanting to do (dang budget holding me back) you will probably want to scope it even though it comes with iron sights. The stock design on the American model is set up for exclusive scope use on the non-magnum line, and would probably work better with a scope for you magnum rifle.

I'm looking at the 6.5x55mm caliber though. Dunno much about the big bores like .375H&H. My understanding is that is capable of pretty healthy ranges which might make the scope more of a necessity unless you have increadible eyes.

 

[mountainclmbr]

Also I should add another question: Is the American Magnum stock sturdy enough as is, or should I have the action bedded and cross bolts added?

 

[Gordon]

Well since you don't prolly want to spend$1000+ on a Kahles 1.75-6x42 or equivalent German scope, then the Leupold Vari-X 3 in same power and objective size can't be beat! You could save $100 or so by going to the Burris Signiture same deal but I don't think the warranty is as good. I don't care for the small objective 1-4X scopes which are cheaper, but for me, get dark at twilight and you can use the 6X at times with the .375H&H. If you have Weaver base rails the Warne lever release mounts are the Shiznit!

 

[QuarterBoreGunner]

Is the American Magnum stock sturdy enough as is, or should I have the action bedded and cross bolts added?

Excellent question which I too would like to have answered. I've heard that the standard CZ 'African Magnums' needed to have this done for long term reliability.

Someone on this board (can't recall who and the search function is defeating me at this time) that recently completed fabulous CZ magnum project, and this was one of his project goals.

 

[45crittergitter]

I have an almost new Weaver V3 (1-3X) I may be selling....

 

[Cosmoline]

My CZ 550 Lux in .375 works fine with no scope, but the cartridge is very flexible (one reason I love it). It's entirely possible to swap out the heavy anti-bear artillery shells for lighter, faster bullets in the 270 grain range or even smaller. These can turn the rifle into a 250 yard game taker with ease. I have done some 200 yard shooting at the range and it's surprisingly accurate for such a big boomer.

I'd suggest mounting it on a quick release and giving yourself at least a few inches of eye relief to avoid injury.

 

[Murphster]

I believe that with optics you truly get what you pay for. Now having said that, I'm going to admit I have owned some lesser-dollar rifle scopes. If you need to save a buck or two, the upper-end Simmons scopes have a lot of eye relief. The Aetecs have 5 inches. The Whitetail Expedition has 3 inches. Having received a .308 caliber kiss on my eyebrow once, I knew I never wanted a similar smooch from my .375 H&H. I got the Whitetail Expedition and never lost any blood. Enjoy your rifle. That's a great caliber.

 

[mountainclmbr]

I was considering optics with something like 2-7X to handle up-close Alaska hunting and long range elk. I suppose open sights and a 3-9 scope would also handle these situations.

 

[Gordon]

Hint : get a 1.75-6 or a 3-9 PRICE LEADER. You can get a quality 3-9 Leupold cheaper than the lower power scope. Stay away from 2-7 scopes-old technology!

 

[James Bondrock]

I like the Burris 1.5-6X variable that I have on a Ruger No. 1 .30-06, and it should have plenty of durability and eye relief for harder kickers like the .375. Don't overlook a plain old 4X, either.

 

[goalie]

I have a 3.5x10 Leupold Vari-X III on my .375 and it works fine for me. I would guess that a fixed, low power scope of good quality would be just as good if not better on it.

 

[tex_n_cal]

I can tell you that I put a older Redfield 2x on my .375 H&H #1, and it promptly broke the crosshairs

I would suggest a highly quality scope for the "Hercules Hammer" magnum.

How does the rifle shoot otherwise? I have been wanting a 550 American in .416 Rigby

 

[HankB]

The latest issue of Rifle magazine has an article about which scopes are most robust. Leupold showed up very well.

I have a fixed power Leupold 6x42 with heavy crosshairs on my Browning .375, and it works just fine. It's a bit higher magnification than most would choose, but the rifle fits me so well that I've had no problem making quick shots at close range in the field. AND . . . it has 4 1/2 inches of eye relief. It's in Redfield mounts, and has a Pilkington lever on the rear ring for QD function.

If you choose a variable of some sort, be advised that eye relief often changes as you zoom the 'scope. Sometimes by enough to be distracting.

How you 'scope the rifle will depend a lot on how the stock fits YOU. I just recently handled a new CZ550 in .458 Lott and the drop at comb was too much for me to comfortably use the stock iron sights without raising my head - the rifle's not a natural "pointer" for me. YMMV.

 

[sumpnz]

I just recently handled a new CZ550 in .458 Lott and the drop at comb was too much for me to comfortably use the stock iron sights ...

That was probably the "Lux" stock style. Try the American style stock; it has essentially no drop at the comb. In 458 Lott, I believe that is the Safari Magnum line which still comes with irons.

 

[Dr.Rob]

A 4 power fixed Leupold gold ring would do nicely, as would Tasco's now discontinued EXP 1.5-4 x44 oval objective scope. I have both JUST for buying such a rifle.

 

[mountainclmbr]

I don't have the rifle yet, I ordered it last week and jump every time the phone rings thinking it could be the FFL I got it shipped to! I will report back when I try it out!

The CZ-550 Safari Magnum has the drop in the butt end of the stock. I think the Safari Magnum stock must be designed to position your head for quick sight acquisition with the open sights. The CZ-550 American Magnum has the straight stock style. I got the American Magnum.

I had also considered the 416 Rigby, 458 Win Mag and 458 Lott. I decided that I wanted something flat shooting, but 416 ammo and components were much more expensive so I decided on the 375 H&H.

Going out buying ammo and reloading supplies, but no rifle yet, is true torture for the impatient mountainclmbr!

 

[HankB]

In 458 Lott, I believe that is the Safari Magnum line which still comes with irons.

The stock definitely had American contours, without that funny downward kink at the buttstock that seems popular on the European continent. And, unfortunately, no reinforcing crossbolts in the stock. (Pretty wood, though.)

The rifle had iron sights - a rear "V" which was too deep to suit me with a couple of (IMHO) useless folding leaves for long range, and a teeny-weenie hooded front bead that was hard to pick up in the store.

The barrel read ".458 Winchester Magnum" with the word "LOTT" stamped above it in a VERY different font - probably hand stamped is my guess. Hmmm . . .

Not sure how I feel about the single set trigger on a "stopping" rifle like the Lott.

In summary, it looked like a fundamentally good rifle, with lots of potential, but wasn't quite "good to go" out of the box.

 

[sumpnz]

Considering that I'm looking at the 6.5x55 Swede caliber for deer hunting, I though the set trigger would be a really nice feature. Besides you don't have to use it as a set trigger, it also functions just like a normal trigger.

Since the 6.5 Swede is such a mild-recoiling round the lack of cross-bolts also doesn't really concern me, though for a dinosaur round like 458 Lott I probably would be looking for that in a rifle, or least be prepared to add it later.

In the non-magnums the American style does not come with any iron sights. It's designed specifically for use with a scope.

 

[mountainclmbr]

OK, Got the CZ 550 yesterday. It had the test target with 3 rounds into about 1 inch. The gunsmith will be out of town for a few weeks so the glass bedding job will have to wait a bit. Got the reloading supplies from Midway USA two days ago....200 rounds of Remington brass, 100 Hornaday 200 gr flat point plinker bullets, 100 Speer 235 gr hot core semi-spitzer, 50 Swift 270 gr A-Frame. Now off to the Denver gun show to look for dies, powder and magnum primers. Looks like Reloader 15 does well with all the bullet weights, but I may also get something that does well with reduced loads. I may print out prices for scopes from Cabellas and shop for a scope at the gun show. Long eye relief! Christmas in June for mountainclmbr!

 

[tex_n_cal]

yep, Reloader 15, and or Varget seem to be best in the .375 - they are what my Ruger #1 prefers.