Is the Leupold VX II a good woods/range scope

Status
Not open for further replies.
D

datruth

Member
Joined
Apr 29, 2007
Messages
284
I'm thinking of getting into the woods for this years eastern WA ELK season, and need a scope for my Savage 30-06 this weekend to get it sighted in for this season, I know I'm late:eek:.Is it a good scope? for range shooting maybe 2 or 300 hundred yards on the range, but still good enough for the thick cover in WA, I doubt I will get or take a shot on a elk at that distance maybe half of that.What is a good power for both the woods and range, and how much am I looking to spend.Any suggestions , input appreciated thanks
 
I went out west for a combination mule deer/antelope hunt a few years ago; every guide in camp, to a man, had a Leupold scope in either 3x9 or 2x7. I got both my mulie and antelope, but it was a fluke of luck....had trouble seeing the deer (it was right at dark, 300 yard shot) through my Bushnell....I bagged the buck, but it was difficult. I couldn't believe the clarity between that Bushnell and the Leupold that the guides were using. I have since bought two Leupolds and put them on my big game rifles (.30-06 & 6.5 x 55 mauser). They are a bit pricey, but IMHO, they are worth every cent.
 
You can shoot deer/elk out to 300 yards no problem with a 4x or 6x scope... I've done some 200 yard shooting with a .375H&H with a 1.5-4x VX-II and it's fine. That said, for normal deer hunting I like about a 3-9x scope, for no particular reason other than it makes me feel a little better.

VX-II's are good scopes... So are the Burris Fullfield II scopes which are around the same price range.
 
I have used a Leupold 3X9 a long time now, it has been a good scope. Mine is left on 3 1/2 to 4 all the time, it has worked at that power from 40 feet or so to several hundered yards, in heavy timber to sagebrush. For big game sized animals 3X9 is all that is needed in North America.
 
"You can shoot deer/elk out to 300 yards no problem with a 4x or 6x scope..."

Most folks pass up the fixed power Leupold scopes and i think they make a mistake when they do. i have the Leupold FXIII, 6X42 on two of my rifles and just love that scope. This scope is fantastic in low light conditions. It is as good as my Ziess 6X42MC that cost nearly twice as much.
 
The VX II as I know it is a good rugged model. The main difference you as a user will note is the adjustments for zeroing are continuously variable, ie, no clicks, whereas the more expensive model has positive clicks as you turn the screws.

4x is plenty good for anything unless you have vision impairment. It just requires a little bit of shooting experience. Most one time a year hunters have a 3 x 9 and have it set on 9 power all the time. That gives you a tiny field of view at any reasonable distance which in the woods is quite a bit under 100 yards. ;)

YMMV
 
I saved some money and got a better scope for my .308, a Weaver 2x10x40 KV. It's one RUGGED scope with better optics than the VX2s I've looked through, and less than 200 bucks from midwayusa.com.

Leupold has the name, though, and I'm sure that's probably worth a hundred bucks to the Leupold fanatics, not to me, though. There are other brands out there like Weaver and Burris that work as good for less money. I think Leupold also sells a lot of scopes to the "get what you pay for" crowd, too, who don't bother to check out any scope beyond its price tag and look for the highest number possible. That just goes against my German/Scottish blood, personally.
 
I have a VX1 3X9 on my main battle rifle for elk, an A-bolt in .300 Win Mag that's going with me to E. WA next week. That scope has held up just fine on that gun and the 3X setting is outstanding in the woods. I will admit, I have not tested or experimented with many different types. I got this Leupold on sale for about $200 and have been very pleased with it. It beats the heck out of the Redfileds I have on my other 2 hunting rifles.
 
Here is a comparison from both company;s web sites. Notice the field of view difference. One is at 100 yards and one at 1000. Eye relief and ease of finding your target also play into a rifle scope among other things.
Try sending in a 40 year old scope to both company's. I have done that with a Leupold, it was repaired, brought to "as new" condition, and returned free, no question's asked. Only cost to me was shipping to Oregon.


Weaver V's
http://www.weaveroptics.com/pg6_7/pg6_7.html

Leupold VXII's
http://www.leupold.com/hunting-and-shooting/products/scopes/vx-ii-riflescopes/vx-ii-3-9x40mm/

My Father bought a Leupold 3X9 in the early 60's It has never needed to be adjusted in over 40 years and he killed a deer using it Tuesday. He turned 84 in July, I am proud of him.
You do get what you pay for.
 
Those old Weaver K4s rank just really, really high for rugged durability. The folks had their troubles in the 1980s; a fire, IIRC and a buyout. They seem to have gotten their act back together; I bought a V3, a few years back, and it seems to work just fine.
 
Well, in the 90s I read a comparo in "Gun Tests" for affordable scopes in the 200-300 dollar class. IIRC the VX2 was in there and the Weaver beat out all comers. It was a pretty good test of durability, too. I still have the article, could shoot pix and post it if I had more time and cared. LOL A friend bought one for his A bolt 7-08 so I had to get one. I want another one for my .257 Roberts eventually, an improvement over the Bushnell it wears now. That's a 4x12 and 10-12x ain't too great. LOL It's held up, but I wanna put a 2x10KV on it.

I sold a K4 with a 7x57 a while back. I shoulda kept that scope. It was a 50s/60s vintage and working fine, though the finish was a bit worn.
 
From Weaver's web site.

Q. What do I need to do to get my product serviced or replaced?


A. Please be advised that scopes manufactured prior to 1985 were W.R. Weaver scopes which do not fall under the warranty of ATK - Weaver Operations. There are several ways to identify a W.R. Weaver scope:
May be marked "Made in USA"
May be marked "El Paso, TX"
May be marked "Olin/Winchester"
Steel body construction (rather than aluminum)
If repairs are needed for the above, scope should be sent tothe following company:
Weaver Scope Repair Service
1121 Larry Mahan Drive, Suite B
El Paso, TX 79925
Phone: 915-593-1005

Since the rights to the WEAVER brand were acquired by Blount, Inc., several fog-proff models have been improved and updated from the former rifle scope family.

The newer style WEAVER scopes are aluminum, have the scope model etched in the scope objective bell and are made in Japan. If you have a new style and need service, we will repairs and/or replace the product. Send the scope to:

Blount, Inc. - Weaver Operation
201 Plantation Oak Drive
Thomasville, GA 31792
229-227-9053
Click to expand...
Blount should honor the old scope's warranty, sad they don't. Sounds like they bought an American company and took manufacturing to Asia. We have walked away from what we figured was a good buy on a older steel Weaver because or repair concerns. What do the folks in El Paso charge
 
Blount is now owned by whoever bought RCBS and some other gun-related companies. I went to their shop, here in T'ville, when I bought my V3; they'd offered a discount to the local gunclub folks.
 
BLount?

Blount doesn't own Weaver any more. Those addresses are wrong.

Meade owns them now.

The new Weavers are made by Light Optic works of Bausch and Lomb fame. Good scopes.

Also there's a $50 rebate on Weavers now (grandslams only I think).


Weaver Service and Support

Service & Repair,
RGA Number
Required: Prior to the return of any product or part, a Return Goods Authorization (RGA) number must be obtained by calling Weaver’s Customer Service Department at (800) 285-0689. Press option 2 for support and press option 3 for riflescopes, binoculars, and rangefinders.

What to Include: Each returned part or product must include a written statement with the RGA number, detailing the nature of the claimed defect, as well as the owner's name, street address (we ship via UPS or Fedex, if you must have your product shipped to a post office box, please tell your representative so that we can make other shipping arrangements), day and evening phone numbers, and a copy of the original sales invoice. Include a money order in the amount of $10 U.S. Dollars to cover shipping and handling fees. We accept shipments from U.S.A. and Canadian customers only. In other countries, please contact your Weaver International Distributor in your country for service.

Where to Send
Your Product: Write your RGA number clearly on the outside of the package and ship it via a carrier that can give you a tracking number (e.g. UPS, Fedex, DHL, etc.) and ship it to:

Weaver® Outdoor Optics
6001 Oak Canyon
Irvine, CA 92618
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

W
  • Locked
Should I upgrade to a better scope?
2
Replies
28
Views
3K
MCgunner
M
H
  • Locked
Low light delimma... VX-II 50mm vs VX-3 40mm
Replies
6
Views
1K
HogHunter1203
H
B
  • Locked
LRF or Spotting scope (with Mildot)?
Replies
3
Views
513
koja48
K
G
  • Locked
Whats better for long range on deer and elk.. .270 or .30-06?
2 3
Replies
51
Views
11K
35 Whelen
35 Whelen
D
  • Locked
I'm kinda new to Washington, what are opinions on using a hunting guide?
Replies
5
Views
370
grimjaw
G
Back
Top