The Leupold VX-HOG, designed for the stout recoil of slug shotguns, will also easily handle heavy magnums. With a magnification running from 1x to 4x this compact scope seems like a good match for game beyond mere hogs. This vintage M1917 was rechambered in .375 H&H Magnum by Danny Pedersen of Prescott and taken for a hunt with Hunters Namibia Safaris. The HOG was unfazed by 300-grain solids, although this beautiful black wildebeest was dropped by a Hornady 250-grain GMX Superformance. The wildebeest backstrap—baked to perfection—was delicious.

The original Pig Plex reticle. Which was found to be unsuitable for African hunting. So we had Leupold swap it out for a traditional Duplex.

After Leupold techs swapped out the “Pig Plex” for a simple Duplex reticle, I got the scope back and went to the range. I camped at the Silver State Range outside Beatty, Nevada, and was set up to pull the trigger at 7:01 a.m. The FAT wrench really helps when replacing a scope as you can get “close” to your old zero. I always start out with close targets and walk them out to 100 yards which saves ammo and money as .375 H&H is almost $5 a pop.

A little sand in the Franzia box target stand, some targets and a Leupold range finder and any chunk of desert becomes a surveyed range. I used the Burris rings’ side plates to correct for windage, then the HOG’s 1/4-in. turrets for fine tuning. Ancient Winchester ammo got it dialed in at 50 yards, then I moved the box out to 100 and confirmed with the spendy Hornady Superformance I use for hunting (which shot three inches high at that range). I always have to force myself to remember that 1/4-inch clicks only yield 1/8-inch at 50 yards.

The compact HOG squats low over the 1913 rail on the receiver. Not low enough. I’m making a stuffed leather cheek piece to get better stock-weld. Perhaps the exotic decor on the turret caps will become an acquired taste. Eventually, Burris will make these rings with two screws per side lock.

VX-HOG 1-4x20mm Specification

Length: 9.5 in.
Objective: 1.0 in.
Ocular: 1.6 in.
Tube: 1.0 in.
Weight: 8.1 oz.
Mag. (low): 1.4X
Mag. (high): 4.0X
FOV (low) : 74.7 ft./100 yd.
FOV (high): 29.8 ft./100 yd.
Relief (low): 4.2 in.
Relief (high): 3.8 in.
Elevation: 130 MOA
Windage: 130 MOA
Adjustment: ¼ in. per click
Finish: Black matte
MSRP: $290

**If you like this article, please consider buying us a coffee with Paypal or Patreon. Thanks for your support.** Your purchase also supports this Website: