Leupold VX-II 3-9x33 Ultralight Rifle Scope

[thomis]

I'd like to hear from those of you that have this scope. I'm thinking of putting it on a new Savage .308 Winchester. The rifle is on order and I have the scope narrowed down to the 3 -9 x 40 and this ultralight.

The thing that makes me wonder if Leupold meant for it to be mounted on a centerfire is this statement of theirs:
"The VX®-II 3-9x33mm Ultralight also has extreme close-focus capability, making it a perfect match for your air rifle, walking varminter, or rimfire rifle."

My other question is which type of mount would be best? The Savage website says the rifle comes drilled and tapped for scope mount but does not suggest a particular mount style.

 

[rcmodel]

That is a rim-fire scope, but is perfectly capable of handling the recoil of a .308.

If you don't need the close range focus for rim-fire or air-gun, you really don't need the AO objective on a 3x-9x scope though.

Mount style is strictly a personal preference.

A 2-piece base, or a 1-piece base will both work equally well.
The advantage of the 2-piece base is it leaves more room under the scope to load the magazine.

The advantage of the 1-piece is that it is stiffer, and more likely to be in line with both rings.

rc

 

[thomis]

rcmodel, thanks for the info.
there are two versions Leupold makes of the ultralight vx II 3-9 x 33, one is here:

http://www.leupold.com/hunting-and-shooting/products/scopes/ultralight-riflescopes/vx-ii-3-9x33mm-ultralight/

and then there is a rimfire version here:

http://www.leupold.com/hunting-and-shooting/products/scopes/rimfire-riflescopes/vx-ii-3-9x33mm-rimfire-efr/

 

[rcmodel]

Yep.

The $50 dollar cheaper one without the AO / EFR is the centerfire scope.

It will be perfectly fine on a .308 hunting rifle.

http://www.opticsplanet.net/leupold...th-gloss-black-finish-and-duplex-reticle.html

http://www.opticsplanet.net/leupold-vx-ii-3-9x33mm-ultralight-efr-rifle-scope.html

rc

 

[sprocket3]

I have been looking at the same Ultralight scope in 2-7 and can't find any complaints from people that used it on large center fires.

 

[rcmodel]

The point is though, that AO/ EFR adjustable parallax is not needed on a 2x-7x variable scope, unless you plan on shooting your .308 at 10 - 20 yards a lot!

Parallax only becomes a serious issue on scopes above 10x or more.
Or at very close range where you can't focus that close with a fixed objective lens set at 25 yards to infinity.

rc

 

[desidog]

I have this scope; just mounted it on a .300WSM - it has the LRD reticle, and the little booklet that came with it has the tables for the major centerfire rounds' ballistic drop... so i see no reason why it shouldn't work.

If i make it to the range this weekend and have a negative experience i'll be sure to return to this thread! ...but i've never had a problem with Leupolds.

 

[philthygeezer]

The point is though, that AO/ EFR adjustable parallax is not needed on a 2x-7x variable scope, unless you plan on shooting your .308 at 10 - 20 yards a lot!

Parallax only becomes a serious issue on scopes above 10x or more.
Or at very close range where you can't focus that close with a fixed objective lens set at 25 yards to infinity.

I've found that 10x fixed induces serious eye strain at 50 yards. For target shooting offhand at 20 and 50 yards, you need an AO even at 6x or the target will be blurry. It's as much about focusing as it is about parallax. An AO keeps the bullseye in focus and allows you to see your bullet holes. This is necessary even on a 3-9x. I have a 2-7x RF and it's not in focus at 20 yards unless you back off on the magnification. With the 3-9x33mm, you can focus the objective on the target and avoid eye strain. I have tested this over and over with different scopes. It's not hypothetical.

The AO has real-world utility.

Sorry about the necro post, but I want to correct the misconception that AO is only useful above 10x.

 

[rbernie]

I have been looking at the same Ultralight scope in 2-7 and can't find any complaints from people that used it on large center fires.

I have this one, and while I like it a lot it is also challenging to fit onto many rifles due to its short length and my penchant for LOW scope rings. It's really hard to find low rings that offer the rearward extension needed to get the eye relief set up properly, especially for mounts like the Ruger system.

But if you can make it fit properly, it's a very nice scope that is really quite light.