[DogBonz]

Which scope would you get for a Winchester Model 70 Feather Weight in 30-06? This rifle will mainly be used for whitetail deer since I am getting back info hunting. I had a Leupold 4X fixed on it previously, but I gave that scope to my BIL because his was damaged during a hunt and will no longer hold zero, and with a second child on the way, there is no room in his budget for a new scope. So I figured that since my eyes ain’t what they used to be, and he needs a scope and I usually get a portion of his deer anyway, I could make everyone happy and get a new scope out of the deal.

So they are all with in the an ounce of each other and all within an inch in terms of length. The Bushnell has about half an inch less eye relief, but the other two are the same.

Thanks for the input.

[.41Dave]

I would get the Zeiss Conquest 3-9x40. In fact, it is the scope I currently have on my deer rifle. It replaced a Leupold VXII, and is far superior to the Leupold. My second choice would be the Bushnell Elite 4200. Optically it is also superior to the Leupold. Leupolds are good, durable scopes, but in the last few years they have been resting on their laurels as it were, and there are now a number of options out there better than the Leupold offerings dollar-for-dollar. If you have a tight budget, you also might consider the Burris Fullfield II. I bought one for my daughter's rifle and when I compared it side by side with the Leupold VXII I found it to be just as good as the Leupold, and actually slightly better in low light. That comparison is what prompted me to replace it with the Zeiss.

[DogBonz]

Thanks for the advice. I was leaning towards the Zeiss anyway, but had have good luck in the past with Leupold and Bushnell. I was thinking of Burris as well, but I am not terribly impressed with a pair of their binoculars that I own. In fairness though, they are not their top of the line, so who knows, maybe I should reconsider Burris too.

[stevelyn]

I tend to gravitate toward fixed power scopes myself and since you are using an '06 for whitetails, I'm not sure what you'd gain from having an adjustable power scope.

[scubie02]

if you act quickly, you could get one of the Nikon Monarch's that they are blowing out to make room for the new models for $200--optically a very nice scope.

Of the ones you mentioned...I guess I'd lean towards the Zeiss, though to me that's getting a bit spendy. There is a law of diminishing returns at some point where it may be superior in some micro fashion, but it's really not necessary. I've had pretty much all of the mid grade scopes at this point, and I actually really like Leupold's for their forgiving eye positioning compared to others. Unfortunately, they seem to be at a point where they no longer can say "made in america" on them, and it's hard to shell out that kind of money for a scope which reportedly has Chinese glass these days.

I used to buy Burris scopes back before they went to the Fullfield II and Beretta bought them. Very nice scopes, loved the look of the original Fullfields, had crosshairs that always stayed black, great customer service. But then of course they had to go FFII, and it seems to me the QC/consistency is sketchy on these, because some people say they are crystal clear and others say not so hot (the one I tried was mediocre and clearly not as good optically as a weaver I compared to). Somewhat shortish eye relief as well compared to the Leupold's.

If I wasn't squeamish on the dropping of the made in america thing, I'd still be getting Leupold's *sigh*

you could always shop around some small shops for a leftover US Leupold or an old original Fullfield--sometimes you stumble across an old one NIB yet.

[Hot brass]

I own a 4200, buddy owns several Leup`s. The 4200 is clearer than his VXIII`s. Look at and through all, then make your choice. I did.

[pete f]

Leups only, they work, all the time every time, they are rock solid and the lower priced VX1 adn Rifleman scopes are excellent too. I would get a 1.5 x 4 or 5 what ever the combo is now, faster on the lower power, just enough on the upper. leave it on 1.5 unless you need to jump up for a hidden rack or the like. some may seem better in the store, but clarity and toughness in the leupolds are hard to beat.

[GunTech]

Leupold 6x fixed. Variables are over rated, and most people leave them on one setting anyway. 6x is a good compromised for most hunting.