[electrode1998]

Here's one for ya'll. I am looking at buying a scope for my remington 700 sps in .270. This is for deer hunting in Louisiana or Mississippi. I have changed my budget and I am interested in ONLY two scopes. The question is which one to buy? Number one the the Leupold varix III in the 3.5-10x50 with the 30mm tube. Number two is the Nikon monarch gold 2.5-10x50mm with the 30mm tube. I am not interested in any other scopes so please do not tell me about any other ones.
Let me know if you have any expierence with either of these two scopes. Pros and Cons.
Thanks.

[.41Dave]

If the Leupold is a Vari-x III, then go with the Nikon, hands down. The Vari-x III is an older scope and the optics are not up to par with more modern scopes. The old Leupold Vari-x IIIs are optically equivalent to the new Leupold VX II scopes. If the Leupold is a newer VX III, however, your choice gets a little less clear. The Nikon has better and more consistent eye relief (4.1"-4" vs. 4.4"-3.5") and better glass. The Leupold has better resale value, may be somewhat more durable and tends to be less tetchy about honoring their warranty than Nikon.

Do you mind if I ask why you have specifically chosen a 30mm tube with a 50mm objective?

[electrode1998]

.41 Dave
I have leaned that way with the 30 tube and 50 objective due to the amount of light transmission, but if the cost is out of budget I may go back to the 1" tube and the 40 objective.
I do want to stay with the leupold or the nikon.

[.41Dave]

Electrode, if you aren't going to be shooting at extreme ranges, you really don't need the 30mm tube. All other things being equal, a 30mm tube does not transmit more light than a 1" tube, and will be no brighter than a 1" tube. The advantage of a 30mm tube is that it allows for a larger range of adjustment, which is very important if you are doing a lot of shooting at 500+ yards, but not so much otherwise.

BTW, for what it's worth, my personal opinion given the two options is the Nikon.

[Clark]

Leupold appreciate like guns, at 3% compounded annually.

Nikons are cheap at gun shows, sometimes for 10 cents on the dollar.

Generally, at gun shows I buy Leupold rifle scopes and Nikon binoculars.

All Nikons are made in Asia, my new Monarch binocs are made in China.