Somewhat recently, I started the hunt for a low power rifle scope for a 375 Ruger guide gun I had bought. Per usual, if it's something I have to research a little bit, I start to obsess over the topic, and start studying and trying to learn everything I can about the subject.
This was the case when I started hunting for a scope for the 375. Up here in Alaska, low power scopes are pretty common, but they are usually something like a 2-7 variable. I knew I wanted to go with a scope with a true 1 power. This is actually something I learned about when I use to shoot USPSA and 3 gun, was the advantage of a true 1 power scope and being able to shoot on the move, or moving targets much easier with both eyes open. For me, as soon as you add any kind of magnification, I start to see blurry and double vision if I try to keep both eyes open. This is actually why I don't like the scout rifle concept, because I see no reason to mount the scope forward and throw off the balance of the rifle if I still have to close one eye to shoot.
So the hunt started for the perfect scope for the 375 which I had bought on gunbroker. And this is where I ran into my first problem with my research - There is almost nothing online about using Low Power Variable Optics on big bore rifle. The whole market for this type of scope seems to be dominated by the MSR market, and because of this most of these types of scopes have some kind of goofy reticule designed for "combat" shooting. In the sub 500 dollar range, I actually only found 2 scopes from well known manufactures that I felt had a suitable reticule for a hunting rifle, The Burris RT6, and the first generation Vortex Strike Eagle. Both of these scopes still have a BDC reticule designed for 223/5.56 but they don't have a bunch of other goofy stuff thats not needed, and the BDC could be figured out for whatever load you are using. The other scope I found in the price range, would be the Skinner optic which Andy designed for a hunting scope. I actually have one of these scopes on the way for testing.
One of the things about the LPVO type scopes, is that most of them have a illuminated reticule, and that leads to more issues. For one, from my personal experience, a simple, lit center dot is awesome for trying t quickly acquire close targets if you can see it. Most of the cheaper scopes either have the entire reticule lit, which leads to a lot of clutter and light pollution in low light situations, or the center dot is not lit well enough to be able to see it in bright day light.
I did a lot of reading, and finally settled on getting a Vortex Viper PST Gen 2 for the 375. MSRP on this scope was $899. This scope is a 1-6x24 built on a 30mm tube. It has low capped turrets, and a lit center dot. The reticle if just. standard crosshair, with 4 MOA hashmarks for windage and elevation. One of the selling points for me on this scope was the MASSIVE amount of adjustment. I believe it has 160 MOA of both windage and elevation adjustment. I mounted the scope to the Ruger Hawkeye with Warne rings, and with the bit of testing we have done so far, it is about a perfect set up. My hunting and trapping buddy Roy likes this set up so much that he decided he wants to ditch the 2-7 he has on his rifle and set it up with a LPVO, but he hasn't totally settled on which one yet because of price.
Now, I know the 375 isn't a true big bore, but, because of the lack of information out there, I've decided to start testing a few scopes and write some articles on the subject. Scopes will be tested on everything from 338 win mag, to 458 Lott.
For me, I bought the 375 Ruger as my main hunting rifle. I was hunting with a iron sighted rifle, but last season I passed up a shot in low light because I just couldn't see the sighted well enough to make a 220 yard shot right at dark. Unfortunately, that was the only shot I was presented with, an I didn't get to fill the freezer. Originally I was going to just throw a scope on the Model 700 458 Win Mag I was hunting with, but decided I really wanted a left handed rifle since It will be faster for me to run in hairy situations. I almost aways wrap my support arm through the sling for shots, and it takes a while to get the arm unwrapped, lean my head back out of the way and run the bolt with my right hand while trying to support the rifle with my left hand by the pistol grip. So I went with the left handed rifle. For caliber, I went with the 375 Ruger because I feel like the 338 win mag is just a bit light for big moose, and they don't offer the left handed models in a 416 Ruger.The 375 should still shoot flat enough to take up in the mountains for sheep, or the flats for caribou, but still hit hard enough if I have to face a angry bear. I went with the guide rifle model with the 20" barrel for ease of packing. I also found a new/old stock first generation rifle without the muzzle brake.
I'll be putting this rifle, and scope combo to the test this spring on a bear hunt. I'm really excited to get to know this rifle better. I must say though, after 20 years of shooting right handed bolt guns, it feels weird having to load the magazine with the left hand, but I guess I'll get used to it.