Scope quality?

[electrode1998]

I am going to buy a Leupold scope soon and I am somewhat limited on my budget. I am saving up for a 3-9x50 scope. I had decided on the vx-ll but now I am considering the vx-l as a possiability. There is a 20-25% cost difference between the two. I am going to use it on a remington 700 sps and it is for deer hunting. Leupolds website uses the same discription for both so I realy cannot tell what the big difference between them is and if the vx-l is perfectly good I could save the $80 for other things.
Please let me know your expierences with either of these scopes both good or bad.

 

[.41Dave]

There is a significant difference between the VXI and VXII. If your heart is set on a Leupold, my suggestion would be to buy the VXII but with the 40mm objective instead of a 50mm. The cost of the 3-9x40 VXII is the same as that of the 3-9x50 VXI, and yet the 3-9x40 VXII will offer much better optical quality. A larger objective has many drawbacks, including increased weight, cost, fragility, and the need to mount the scope higher above the bore, which results in a more awkward shooting posture. What you gain is slightly better low light performance, and even that is only at the highest magnification level. At 6x or less, there is NO difference in low light performance between a 40mm and a 50mm objective. in fact, the 3-9x40 VXII will likely offer BETTER low light performance than the 3-9x50 VXI due to superior optics.

If you are willing to look at other brands, I suggest you consider the Burris Fullfield II, Sightron SII, and Bushnell Elite 4200. All of which offer optical quality as good or better than the Leupold VXII at the same or lower price.

 

[glockman19]

I agree with .41Dave.

 

[KINGMAX]

Burris is a great choice

Burris would be a great choice. I assume that this is for hunting, not tactical.

 

[electrode1998]

Yes this is for deer hunting.

 

[Steve H]

Another choice

I have used Leupold for years and have them on all but one of my rifles. The one other scope brand that I have tried and was impressed with, both optics and cost, was Sightron. If you get a chance look thru one.

 

[cheaptrick]

Plus 1 on Sightron's SII.

Another good option would be the Zeiss Conquest.
This unit has fixed 4" of eye relief.

http://www.swfa.com/pc-1525-259-zeiss-3-9x40-conquest-rifle-scope.aspx

 

[.41Dave]

+1 for the Zeiss Conquest.

 

[electrode1998]

Thanx for all the input. I am rethinking the vx-ll. I will have to look for the burris. Heard alot of good things bout them. I looked up some prices and you are right they are alot less than leupold. Leu's are good scopes but I do wonder how much you are paying for the name.

 

[CB900F]

Electrode;

Another voice for the 40mm objective over the 50mm. Also, I'm going to be another party to suggest looking at both the Sightron and the Zeiss Conquest.

I have a fair amount of glass on guns, and have literally seen what's what since the 60's. The one company's products I've tried & never failed to be disappointed in is Burris. I realize I'm going to be the lone voice in the wilderness on that. But I've spent the money, more than once, and among the products, both glass and mounts, have only had one set of mounts, no longer made, perform without problem.

IMHO the Zeiss Conquest is the best glass for the money available to the average guy today.

900F

 

[jr81452]

you might also consider a nikon monarch or buckmaster. i have about 20 scopes that range from the mid $200s to the $1900 range of every major brand. i only take two when i go hunting. a 6-18x40 buckmaster and a 3-9x50 monarch. they have imho the very best hunting glass that you can get for less than a grand. and the price is such that you can worry more about stalking your prey than making sure you don't hurt your damn scope.

my .02

 

[Picknlittle]

After a truly ugly episode with a BSA scope, (see the archives) I mounted a Leupold Riflemen, 3x9x40 on my Mod. 700 30-06 and have been very satisfied with it.

Whatever you do, don't make the BSA mistake.

BSA is short for Buck Stays Alive!

 

[electrode1998]

Once again thanks for the info. ya'll all gave me alot to think about before I buy. I am going to texas soon and can go to a Bass Pro store to look thru some of these scopes. I have eleminated the 50 in favor of the 40. Now it is just down to which scope works best with my eyes. Its a shame I have to go to Texas to find a decent hunting goods store.

 

[.41Dave]

Try to compare the scopes outdoors at dusk if you can. That will tell you a lot more about a scope's optics than looking through them inside under store lighting or in bright sunlight.

 

[CB900F]

Electrode;

If you can't get to check the scopes around dusk, here's a trick to simulate that condition. Cut a disc about the size of a quarter out of heavy felt. Place the cloth on the objective lens & then look through the scope. Just remember you've got to keep the objective end up a bit. You'll be surprised at what this'll tell you about edge distortion, flare, and edge resolution.

900F

 

[koja48]

Own 2 Sightrons & have zero complaints (lots of vermin & deer would have however, were they still around to register such . . . ).