Right scope for Ruger no.1

[Dr Ray]

I second Ryan's opinion. I too recommend the Leupold VX-3i in 2.5-8x 36 mm. I own two older versions of this scope. I've never needed more than 8x when hunting, including out to 300 yards. The 2.5-8x is lighter and more compact than the 3.5-10x, and like all Leupold scopes has great eye relief. Since they are lighter than most scopes, they are more resistant to the effects of recoil.

I'm not familiar with the newer VX-6 scopes. Are there any differences or improvements on the VX3, or is it just the 6x zoom that's different?

I like Leupold not only for the great optics but for the long eye relief.
I believe Swarovski and others have 90-95 mm eye relief whereas as Leupold has 101mm.
I got a good whack from a 460 weather you with a Kahles scope when I was shooting by bending down under foliage.
Luckily the Kahles had a rubber cover or I would have been cut severely.
On my hard recoiling rifles I use Leupold scopes.

 

[Shootist43]

I'm glad to see that others have chimed in and recommended lower powered scopes as well. I heartily agree that the 2.5 - 8 is the best all around scope for your purposes.

 

[Philip Glass]

Actually I guess I should have stated what I'll be going for on my first trip to Africa. I'll be doing a custom package of kudu, sable, and gemsbuck. But I wanted a scope to where I'm not limited to range, close or far. When hunting DG and stalking I'm using iron sights never a scope. So should I go for the new VX3i 3.5x10x40? I'm talking I need a scope for everything besides DG. But if I decide to shoot a leopard or lion from a blind, I'd like the same scope for that situation I used for the plant eaters. I just want one scope for this .375 for the above mentioned. Let me know again to just make sure I don't order the wrong one as I've yet to pick one...thank you.

Leupold is my favorite and I suggest VX3 or VX6 with red dot for the future cat hunts. I have the VX6- 2-12X with red dot on my .375 Ruger and I believe it to be the most versitle scope I've ever had. It seems you want versatility so that is my pick.
Regards,
Philip

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Oh, forgot to mention: the Rugers are oddly forward mounted on a scope. Unless you have a really long neck, most scopes are seemingly pushed too far forward (even when they are in the rearmost mounting). 3/4" too far forward as it were. They make rearset rings for them if you need them. I had a wonderful #1 and could just never quite get used to the scope mounting point. Eye relief was a real issue for me.

@JordanfromEarth, this is what I'm getting at in my previous posts.

 

[Bhfs300]

I had the problem of not being able to get the scope close enough to me on my Ruger 1 in 300 wm. I got the Ruger rings to move it back and they helped. I still couldn't get a good hold with it so I took about 3/4 of an inch off the stock since I didn't think I would ever sell it and it fits me great now.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

I had the problem of not being able to get the scope close enough to me on my Ruger 1 in 300 wm. I got the Ruger rings to move it back and they helped. I still couldn't get a good hold with it so I took about 3/4 of an inch off the stock since I didn't think I would ever sell it and it fits me great now.

View attachment 183247

I have not seen these before. Where can you find these set back rings?

 

[Bhfs300]

Here is one place on line I got them at my local gun shop. They come in stainless also.

https://gnarlygorilla.com/ruger-1-offset-scope-ring-medium-blued/?gclid=CLrXosb609MCFd26wAodTpsH-A

 

[bilmcc]

My vote is for the Leupold VX R 2x7 x 30mm. It is illuminated. Eye relief is perfect for me. I also have a VX 2 2x7 x 30mm on a 450/400 No. 1. I think it was originally marketed as a shotgun scope. I thought that might have more recoil resistance. I plan to replace it eventually with something in the 1-6 power range, probably a VX 3. I am not hunting big stuff at night, so 20mm would probably do well. That's what I use on my 375. Perfect for buff.

 

[bilmcc]

My vote is for the Leupold VX R 2x7 x 33mm. It is illuminated. Eye relief is perfect for me. I also have a VX 2 2x7 x 30mm on a 450/400 No. 1. I think it was originally marketed as a shotgun scope. I thought that might have more recoil resistance. I plan to replace it eventually with something in the 1-6 power range, probably a VX 3. I am not hunting big stuff at night, so 20mm would probably do well. That's what I use on my 375. Perfect for buff.

 

[Art Lambart II]

The next time I go to Africa my scope will have a illuminated recital, black cross hairs on a Blue Wildebeest are hard to see. Personally I like 3x9's if a longer shot presents itself you have the option of using a higher power and hunting African game is all about bullet placement.

 

[TByrd]

I second Ryan's opinion. I too recommend the Leupold VX-3i in 2.5-8x 36 mm. I own two older versions of this scope. I've never needed more than 8x when hunting, including out to 300 yards. The 2.5-8x is lighter and more compact than the 3.5-10x, and like all Leupold scopes has great eye relief. Since they are lighter than most scopes, they are more resistant to the effects of recoil.

I'm not familiar with the newer VX-6 scopes. Are there any differences or improvements on the VX3, or is it just the 6x zoom that's different?

I just set up a Kimber .375 HH with a VX 6 w/illuminated reticle. Part of my decision making process was the following....1) FOV in the VX 6, very good. 2) Eye Relief 3) IMO, clearer than VX 2 4) illumination.

For what it's worth, a quote from a Leupold Technician that I received via email...."The VX-R will hold up to 5,000 rounds of 375 H&H Ackley Improved in a 6.5
pound rifle, with an additional amount of recoil added for a safety factor.

The VX-R series are surprisingly good for the price.
They are a bit of a hybrid, using VX-2 internals and VX-3 exterior glass."

Another important factor to me was tube length to span a magnum action and still have some wiggle room in mounting the scope to ensure not having to "creep up" the stock for correct eye positioning. This is why I opted for VX 6 over VR, but VR's seem like a great buy.

Hope this helps.

 

[curtism1234]

I would not recommend a Leupold under their VX3 series. The cheaper ones have very mushy adjustment knobs and I don't feel comfortable with that.

Like so many others in this thread - I have the 2.5-8x36 on my Browning BLR 308 and would highly recommend that. You get a touch more field of view than a 32mm but it retains the 32mm look and feel.

 

[JordanfromEarth]

May I ask, What distances do you think you will be hunting at?

This is a more important question than it seems. I've had more problems with scopes on higher powers than I have had on scopes with lower powers. Even 3x is too much in some cases.

Just a couple notes: my Kudu was shot at 287 yards...with the scope on 2.5x. I forgot to dial it up...

My Blesbok was shot at 35 yards...with my scope on 10x. That one sucked...all I could see was a shoulder. In detail. Gawd...can't move and the critters are moving in...and now I can't figure out who is who?

On another hunt I had a fixed 6x scope...and the shots were at 40 yards. That was brutal. My miss count was epic.

My point is: it's far easier to "think" that more power is better. My experience, to 300 yards, has been that lower power is actually of greater net benefit than higher power. Sure, higher power is better at the range but...well, we don't hunt at the range.

Anyway, my .375 H&H wears a VX6 1-6 and my 9.3x74r wears an older VX? 1-5. I'm perfectly happy with those setups to 300 yards.

IF I had to pick one, all around, do everything scope, I'd start and stop with the VX3 2.5-8x36. I have three now and it really is such a wonderfully perfect all-arounder. The 3.5-10x is a great scope and one I'd choose for a goat or sheep hunt...but really, 10x just isn't needed and the 2.5x is of greater value than the 3.5x bottom end.

I actually would like to spot and stalk but I don't know what my PH allows since they are bow hunters and they might not be setup for that? I don't really know. I need to call him tomorrow. It's my girlfriends dad and I've yet to meet him so it'll be the first time talking to him over the phone. Just been trying to do my own research for hunting African game so I don't bombard him with questions. I think I'll go with the 3xi 2.5x8x36 because several have said it's an all purpose scope which is what I'm looking for. But with what little info I have on how far I'm going to be shooting from, can you tell me if it's the right scope? Or should I wait to ask my PH for the details? Thank you.

 

[JordanfromEarth]

I would not recommend a Leupold under their VX3 series. The cheaper ones have very mushy adjustment knobs and I don't feel comfortable with that.

Like so many others in this thread - I have the 2.5-8x36 on my Browning BLR 308 and would highly recommend that. You get a touch more field of view than a 32mm but it retains the 32mm look and feel.

So which series?

 

[rnovi]

I actually would like to spot and stalk but I don't know what my PH allows since they are bow hunters and they might not be setup for that? I don't really know. I need to call him tomorrow. It's my girlfriends dad and I've yet to meet him so it'll be the first time talking to him over the phone. Just been trying to do my own research for hunting African game so I don't bombard him with questions. I think I'll go with the 3xi 2.5x8x36 because several have said it's an all purpose scope which is what I'm looking for. But with what little info I have on how far I'm going to be shooting from, can you tell me if it's the right scope? Or should I wait to ask my PH for the details? Thank you.

Whoa whoa whoa! Girlfriends DAD?

Bring a bottle of decent Scotch or Bourbon and go for the long sit! There's NOTHING Better than sharing Africa stories! And if he's a bow hunter he's going to be ALL about the spot and stalk! He is going to have so many great stories! Seriously, you just can't bombard him with enough questions. You just cannot go to Africa without being touched something special.

Oh, and sorry about the Girlfriend, she's going to be so neglected. Better bring flowers for her in advance!

Back to the scope: I can't say it's "the right" scope. But I can say it's known to be the most recommended scope on a lot of true custom (i.e.: wood and blued) rifles. It's also one of the most balanced scopes, meaning, weight, power, eye relief (*Important on a .375!) and price. At $300, it's really a steal.

It's really hard to go wrong with it.

 

[curtism1234]

So which series?

The scope I recommended was the VX3

 

[BobT]

About this time last year I was struggling with the same decision about scoping my .375. I went with the VX3i 2.5-8 and I am really glad I did. While I have not yet used it in Africa, I have used it for whitetail deer here in Missouri and it worked perfectly for that.

 

[bilmcc]

I actually would like to spot and stalk but I don't know what my PH allows since they are bow hunters and they might not be setup for that? I don't really know. I need to call him tomorrow. It's my girlfriends dad and I've yet to meet him so it'll be the first time talking to him over the phone. Just been trying to do my own research for hunting African game so I don't bombard him with questions. I think I'll go with the 3xi 2.5x8x36 because several have said it's an all purpose scope which is what I'm looking for. But with what little info I have on how far I'm going to be shooting from, can you tell me if it's the right scope? Or should I wait to ask my PH for the details? Thank you.

It is a zoom scope. 2.5 to 8 should easily cover 50 to 300 yards. If you are shooting farther than that, you are sniping, not hunting. I see on YouTube and in some of these stories here, shots of 250 yards and up. All my shots in Africa were 40 to 80 yards. We worked to get that close. Oh, not exactly true. All of the shots on guinea fowl with a .22 were under 20 yards.

 

[Longwalker]

The only scope that actually fit me when using my Ruger #1's is the Leupold VXIII 1.5-5 x. I tried quite a few others that didn't fit well. 1.5-5x has enough useful magnification for any distance, and this model fits that particular rifle well. It has a bit more eye relief than any other scope I have used, and mounts nice and low.

 

[Dr Ray]

Hello,

I'm looking into purchasing a ruger no.1 in .375 h&h but would like a proper scope for it when needed. I like leupold scopes, I was wondering which one to have for universal use in Africa. Magnification and model, etc. I was googling this and found a thread from this site of the same topic that made me want to join. It was decided to take a,
Leupold VX-2 3-9x40mm Rifle Scope...is this a correct scope for a .375 as an all around safari scope? I'm asking just to double check. If anyone could help it would be of great appreciation.

Thank you.

An excellent choice. You will probably find that you will set it in 4 power for most situations.