Leupold VXIII or VXL 50mm for my DPMS LR-308

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4Freedom

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I called the people at Leupold today and the guy I talked to pretty much was leaning me towards the Leupold VXIII 40mm lense with either 3-10 or 4.5-14 magnification. I told him I would be doing mostly bench rest target shooting at 100 - 600 yards and that I am an entry level shooter.

I am looking to get a good optic for my DPMS LR-308 that is under $1000, preferably around $750, cheaper is better. I have a good idea what I want now. I am wondering if anyone has any opinons if I be better off with a bigger objective lense, like 50mm and if I should go with the VXL versus the VXIII for my DPMS LR-308? Does anyone know the advantages of the VXL to the VXIII? I was reading that because the flat top rail sits a bit high on the DPMS LR-308 that you don't have to use high rings when mounting the VXIII, but maybe the article is wrong.

The guy at Leupold told me that since I am a new shooter that I should go with the duplex reticle versus the Mil-Dot or TMR. He said that the other types of reticles would inhibit me in increasing my skills and make it more complicated to properly acquire targets; something like that. What are people's opinions about the best reticle for paper punching bench rest target shooting? He told me if I wanted to upgrade to Mil-Dot later that I could send the scope to LEupold and they would install the MIl-Dot reticle for a small fee.

The VXIII 40mm 4.5-14 with a duplex reticle seems like the best setup for me to go with now. I may even purchase it online tonight, but if anyone has any opinions I like to know.

Anyone here a Zeiss, Nikon, Burris fan? I think Leupold's warranty is one of the main thing that is elling me. I also hear that Leupold scopes are very good quality, perhaps better than Nikon, Burris, Zeiss.
 
The VXIII 40mm 4.5-14 with a duplex reticle seems like the best setup for me to go with now. I may even purchase it online tonight, but if anyone has any opinions I like to know.

Anyone here a Zeiss, Nikon, Burris fan? I think Leupold's warranty is one of the main thing that is elling me. I also hear that Leupold scopes are very good quality, perhaps better than Nikon, Burris, Zeiss.

The VX3 are nice scopes. Make sure you get a VX3 though not the older VXIII. Get the mil dot if you are target shooting just because you are new does not mean you will be forever.

The Nikon Monarchs are great scopes as are the Bushnell 4200 and 6500 they are in line with the VX3 line. The Zeiss conquest is another great choice. If you really want a nice target scope check out the Sightron SIII line (they have great Customer Service one of the best). Here

http://swfa.com:80/Sightron-35-10x44-SIII-30mm-Riflescope-P9148.aspx

Here is the best deal going (a budget Monarch):

http://swfa.com:80/Nikon-Team-Primos-Riflescopes-C1407.aspx

Here are some of my other favorites that you may like:

http://swfa.com:80/Nikon-3-12x42-Monarch-Riflescope-P7662.aspx
http://swfa.com:80/Bushnell-3-9x40-Elite-4200-Rifle-Scope-P6910.aspx
http://swfa.com:80/Bushnell-6-24x50-Elite-4200-30mm-Rifle-Scope-P8746.aspx
http://swfa.com:80/Bushnell-25-10x50-Elite-4200-30mm-Rifle-Scope-P6909.aspx
http://swfa.com:80/Nikon-6-18x40-Buckmaster-Riflescope-P3926.aspx
http://swfa.com:80/SWFA-SS-10x42-Tactical-Riflescope-P499.aspx
http://swfa.com:80/SWFA-SS-10x42-Tactical-Riflescope-P500.aspx
http://swfa.com:80/New-Vortex-35-10x50-Viper-Rifle-Scope-P11228.aspx
http://swfa.com:80/New-Vortex-4-12x40-Viper-Rifle-Scope-P11230.aspx
http://swfa.com:80/Zeiss-3-9x40-Conquest-Shotgun-Scope-P611.aspx
 
I am now thinking maybe of forking out the money for Mark 4. However, I have called Leupold and they told me the new VX-3 series have better quality glass than the Mark 4's, since they were rencetly upgraded. Does anyone think maybe buying the new and improved VX-3's and then upgraiding the turrets and reticle later would be a better option? Or woudl the Mark 4, just be all around better way to go than the new VX-3. I am thinking of getting an illuminated fine duplex reticle now or perhaps I will go with the TMR. I am told the Mil-Dot is very obstructive and has problem of blocking your targets. Also, I really don't think I will be doing much rangefinding as of yet, so the Mil-Dots and range finding marks won't be a great help until the near future.
 
I have called Leupold and they told me the new VX-3 series have better quality glass than the Mark 4's, since they were rencetly upgraded.

This is a true statement the upgrade from VX-III glass (mk 4) to VX3 glass is a pretty big one. The VX3 are along the lines of the VX7 now with the upgrade (go Leupold, finally). I would definitely say a good plan is to get the VX3 and have the custom shop install a mildot and M3 turrets and you will have a better scope than a current mk4. The current mark 4's are VX-III's with better turrets and different reticles, Leupold will tell you this though some don't believe it.

Or you can wait for the mk 4 inevitable upgrade and buy a used one from someone upgrading, buy an old one for a discount or get a new upgraded one. In the mean time get this and practice the basics:

http://swfa.com:80/Nikon-Team-Primos-Riflescopes-C1407.aspx
 
Agree with lykoris, if you are puching it at known distances, just get the duplex. I think, and I am often guilty of, people want all the gizmos, and they want them now. When I was in the Marines and was sent to scout sniper school, I found I shot best with the basic duplex reticle. It was more important to work on range estimation, wind speed estimation, and knowing the rifle and load and how it shoots - plus practicing a lot.

I have a friend who has a very nice Zeiss Conquest with a range-finding reticle. It's pretty cool, no doubt, but even he admits the reticle hasn't helped him kill an elk yet. (public land elk like to keep moving when the bipeds are out)

Skill will trump any reticle.

But, you have to be happy with your purchase, so get the one you really want, and be happy no matter what.

As far as scopes, I've been quite pleased with my Nikon Monarch Gold 2.5x10-50mm. I like the larger objectives for their increased field, even though it may not seem like a lot of extra, that's a few feet I'm willing to pay extra for.

Tom
 
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