[Rebel Gunman HK]

I need some help on choosing a scope for my Weatherby MkV chambered in .300 Win Mag. I had an expensive Simmons scope on it and had nothing but problems. So I have decided to put something like a Leupold on it based on reputation and their wonderful warranties. First off and most importantly I am concerned about the recoil affecting the scope. I belive this is the reason the Simmons scope failed to remain zeroed. Now, the Leupold VX-II is in my price range. Will this hold up nicely to the recoil or should I need to spend more money for the VX-III? Also Ive read that the VX-II will be discontinued in 2004. Should this concern me? All I want is a good scope that will hold up to the recoil as I mentioned earlier. There are a couple other scopes that I am considering also. Same question applies.
Busnell Elite, Burris Fullfield II & Signature series, Nikon Monarch & finally Weaver Grand Slam. All are in my price range and I want to know which one you all think would serve me best?

[HankB]

I have Leupold 'scopes on a number of rifles up to .375 H&H. From the subzero cold of Minnesota, to the blistering 100+ degree heat of central Texas, from target ranges a short drive from my home, to the hunting fields of Africa, my Leupold scopes have always performed in an exemplary manner.

OK, so that reads like a commercial. ;) But if/when I get another rifle I want to 'scope, I'll get another Leupold.

BTW, one of my Leupolds is an old Vari-X II 3x9 that I bought new for about $71 . . . that was in the mid '70s. It's on a .30/06 that has seen thousands of rounds go downrange, and has made three trips to Africa with me. Once I settled on a "preferred" load, I haven't even had to re-zero the 'scope.

Need I say more?

[Art Eatman]

Dittos on HankB. My well-used VX II 3x9 started life in 1971 and has accompanied me on some unplanned trips down a mountainside or three. :) Some 4,000 rounds of '06 have passed under it...A Loopy that once was my father's is even older, and does just fine, as well as a 1980 model 2x7 on another rifle.

OTOH, my 1997 model Simmons 44 Mag 3x10 has given quite adequate service for holding its zero.

Art

[Rebel Gunman HK]

I know Leupold scopes are great. But on a .300 Win mag will I have any problems with a VX-II? And what about the other brands I mentioned? Any opinions?

[zahc]

Buy a leupold. Any leupold will be fine.


sorry...

If leupold didn't exist I might take a weaver grand slam, but they do, so...

[Rebel Gunman HK]

Ive heard good things about weavers. Nobody I know has Burris or Nikons so I have no idea how good they are. They are expensive......

[uglymofo]

An expensive Simmons is not equal to any of the midrange scopes you're comparing. That's like saying the old VW bugs can carry 4 people cross-country like a Lincoln Continental can. Semantically the comparison is true, but longevity and performance are big issues.

Any of the Leupold Vari-X III's, Weaver Grand Slam, Nikons, and Burris Black Diamonds should work. I know the Black Diamond and the Vari-X III's may be a little above your implied price range, but I hesitate to recommend the entire Burris line nor the Vari-X II's because I've not heard blanket endorsements before about those models for your rifle caliber. I'd suggest calling each manufacturer and asking their opinion. If the corresponding OEM says the Fullfield, Signature and Vari-X II (respectively) will work, then I wouldn't have any reservations; both companies have excellent warranties (this from personal experiences). I'd prefer the Black Diamond over the Vari-X III for its' optical quality. It's easily visibly better than the Leupold. The most popular objection I've heard for preferring a Leupold over the Black Diamond is, "oh, Leupold's warranty service is fantastic" as if one might expect trouble from both scopes. Burris' service doesn't take a back seat to Leupold; in my experience it's been actually just the opposite, though in both cases, I'm talking about the actual customer service , not the warranties. I've never had to claim scope damage with either company; only their accessories, and Leupold song and danced until I convinced a supervisor. Burris just replaced the defective part no questions asked.

[zahc]

Don't you mean VX-II and VX-III? I thought he vari-x's were gone and the Vari-X II has become the rifleman or something.

[Art Eatman]

Just now ran across an article on the new Leupolds in Guns&Ammo.

Leupold sez they're all equal on surviving recoil, but the "Rifleman" doesn't have the "Multicoat 4" coatings on the external lenses as do the VX-I and VX-II.

The Rifleman and VX-I have friction adjustment; the VX-II has 1/4" clicks.

Art

[Kjay]

Speaking of Leupolds, how do you guys rate their fixed power models? I've had a couple of variables in the past and figure I can live with a quality fixed. Looking specifically at the 2.5, 4, and 6x models. Thanks!

[Sparky]

FWIW Ihave a Weaver Grand Slam in 3-10x40. No complaints & probably one of the best scopes for the money out there.

Also have a Nikon Gold Monarch --1.5-6x42. For under $400 it's a steal!!!

On the recoil/durability thing , I don't shoot magnum rifles so the scopes in my arsenal aren't subjected to a pounding from recoil(and niether am I!)

[TooTech]

Nikon makes an excellent scope, wonderfully bright optics, life-time warranty. I have 3 of them and I'm VERY pleased.

But you can hardly go wrong with Leupold!

[redneck2]

with all due respect to Mr Eatman, my Simmons 44 Mag scope is pretty much, well, crap. Wandering zero, fogs up

Burris is not a big name company, but the internals and optics are similar to Leo's but better made...i.e., Burris uses brass internals where Leupold uses nylon. If there were Burris, Leupold, and Nikon all laying on the bench, I'd take the best "value"...price vs the features you need. Any one should do well. I have at least one of all three

I'd be concerned about eye relief also. Good article in American Rifleman a few months ago. Also, use Butler Creek flip caps front and rear

[JohnBT]

FWIW, Burris is owned by Beretta.

Me? I'd buy an upper end Leupold or almost any of the Weavers if money was in short supply.

John

[HankB]

Speaking of Leupolds, how do you guys rate their fixed power models? I have one of Leupold's first 6x42's (with the "heavy duplex" crosshairs) on my .375 H&H. I like it, no problems at all. And AFAIK it's the ONLY 'scope of this type that has four and a half inches of eye relief.

[litman252]

The new Nikon Pro-staff has a lifetime warranty, priced under $200.
I've hunted with a burris, don't know mod., great scope 1.75-6??
My relatives with money all buy leupold, they don't have problems or as much money................

Tony

[4Truck]

I have a VX-II on my A-bolt 300wsm and have not had a bit of trouble with it. I would buy another in a second

[Coltdriver]

There is one other thing that deserves mention here.

If you do not have steel bases and rings then go get them.

You may have aluminum rings. They are not up to the task with a magnum rifle like you have.

Leupold bases and rings are top notch and they will make an amazing difference in your ability to mount the scope, zero it and have it stay there.

[WYO]

I was a little confused by your post. As of this minute, there is no such thing as a VX-III, AFAIK. Leupold used to make a Vari-X I, Vari-X II and Vari-X III. They phased out the Vari-X I and Vari-X II but not the Vari-X III. Now, they make the VX-I, the VX-II and the Vari-X III. They recently announced that they are phasing out the Vari-X III and will market a VX-III. I have a Vari-X III 2.5X8X36 and love it. If the VX-III is better than that , then that's great. What I do expect is some discounting of the Vari-X III's, so if you wait until after the New Year, you may find some real discounts on the Vari-X III that will bring it within your price range.

I have a Nikon Monarch 3X9 as well, and the eye relief was too short on a .338 mag. The eye relief on the Leupold is much more generous and forgiving.

[Rebel Gunman HK]

Thanks for the info. I went ahead and got a VX-II 3-9 40mm. Found one in town for a good price. Also bought Leupold Quick release mounts and rings. Its what Weatherby recommended. Thanks again.