I am going on a cape buffalo hunt to Caprivi strip in 2026. Will be using a Ruger M77 guide gun in 375 Ruger with a Hogue stock that I had them alter to left handed (Great customer service by the way). I am looking for a scope for this gun. Needs to be 1 power at the low end and I want it to be very durable. I have looked at many. Thinking Trijicon, but am open to suggestions. Don’t want Leupold. Thanks ahead of time for the advice
I have the same gun for brown bears. I topped mine with a Vortex Viper HD 2-10 power. Havnt taken an animal with it but target acquisition is fine for me.
Did you get any upgrades from Alaska Arms? I purchased quik release scope mounts. They also have a machined ss floor plate that gives you an extra round.
I couldn’t find a Hogue stock and opted for a Bell & Carlson.
Best of luck on your hunt.
Al
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Oh man. I haven’t set up a sight in a dangerous game gun. I just shoot open sights on my 416 Ruger Guide Gun. So I’m not qualified to opine, but tell us more about the hunt! Who are you going with?
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Headed out with two buddies to Bergzicht Game Lodge, then travelling northeast to hunt in the concession in Caprivi. I’m very excited about this one.
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Alaska Arms is definitely on my list of upgrades. For sure the extra round floorplate.
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I think I’d being talking to the guide about scope options as I’m sure they’ve seen some success with some and failures with others
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I’ve always hunted with scopes, I’ve never had the desire (or balls?)to get my first serious open sight experience with an irritated buffalo. My African guns all have had Leupold scopes, so disregard that part and the rest hopefully applies.
My first buffalo hunt was with a custom 416 Rem using a Leupold 1.5 x 4 VX3. The 416 is long gone but I still have the scope, it’s lightweight, has more than enough field of view on low power and I’d have no reservations about hunting buffalo with it again.
Subsequent hunts have been with a 375 H&H using a now discontinued 1.5 x 6. Nice scope with plenty of field of view and a bit more top end magnification. With it I’ve not only shot buffalo but plains game at ranges up to 275 yards and I’ve come to appreciate that the 375 is a surprisingly good mid range rifle. In my experience the Kudu/Sable of a lifetime is most likely to appear in the middle of your day while tracking buffalo, and not at point blank range. I hunt buffalo with 300 grain Barnes X bullets, no solids needed for buffalo and they work great on plains game too.
God willing, next July my buddy and I are back to Niassa, Mozambique for buffalo. This will be our fifth buffalo hunt together and will both be shooting 375’s. His scope is (and always has been) a 1.5 X 4 Leupold. I’m planning to use the 1.5 X 6 with Jim’s turret tags marked out for longer distances - there’s no ballistic turret available for my old scope. Still, I’m considering using a 2 x 10 VX5 with a custom CDS turret. I think the field of view on 2X is adequate even up close and personal (clearly a judgement call on my part). In any case I’ll hunt with the turret set at 100 yds and be able to adjust it if needed.
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This one is pretty bad ass
https://www.eurooptic.com/like-new-eotech-vudu-1-10x28mm-ffp-sr4-reticle-moa-riflescope-vdu1-10ffsr4
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Here is mine in a Bell and Carlson full aluminum bed stock, Vortex Viper HD 2-10 x 42 scope, Backfire Backstop butt pad, Area419 Sidewinder brake.
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Looks like a “Charge me and Die Gun!” That if the bullet doesn’t hit them the muzzle blast noise will!
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That’s a nice looking rig! I need to upgrade the recoil pad on mine. Haven’t looked to see if there is a backstop pad available for the hogue stock yet
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At least if i miss it will scare the heck out me and whatevers in the area.
Moving to Alaska in the near future.
I decided to go with a Trijicon Accupoint 1-6 (TR25). I’m going to mount it with the Alaska Arms QD rings and add the Alaska arms extra round floor plate. Ready to get it all put together and start practicing. Also need to add a new recoil pad.
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That scope will do you fine. Have you asked the outfitter or PH about recommend scope?
They use 1-6 Zeiss with an illuminated reticle. I think that would be good also. I want bomb/airline proof. With the quick detach rings that may not be an issue, though. I may just keep the scope in my carry on pack
Probably a good idea. Do you have a hard case for the flight. I have an Apache case from Harbor Freight works great when i travel.
I have an skb case I’ve been on lots of trips with. Planning to take that
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