Tough choice of rifle scopes

[armed85]

I'm looking to setup a long range rifle that will see some bumps and rough handling. I will be shooting between 500 yards and 1,000 yards.

For glass, I'm stuck between the Leupold FX-3 12x 40mm Target Scope and the Leupold VX-2 6-18x 40mm Target Scope.

I appreciate the ruggedness an simplicity of the FX-3 being a fixed power.

The VX-2 variable power might come in handy one day and gives me greater magnification.

The FX-3 image quality should be better than the VX-2.

Both are the target models with larger windage and elevation turrets.

I just can't decide...

 

[308sc]

Variable power 100%

 

[MIL-DOT]

Yeah,i agree,go with the varible. I have a MK IV PR (now discontinued) 4.5-14x40 mil-dot, that looks about the same as your VXII,down to the knobs, except mine has a 30mm. tube. i LOVE that scope, i recently made a deal to sell the Rem. 700 PSS that it's on, but the scope had to stay !!!
I'm looking hard at a couple Bushnell Elites right now for another rifle, and they're great stuff, but i ain't gonna try to talk you out of that Leupold ! Make the call !!

 

[browningguy]

You'll really like having 18x when you get to 1000 yards. I use a 6.5-20 and sometimes wish I had a wee bit more on the high end.

 

[GunTech]

Fixed power works fine for me. 1000 yards will really show the difference between good and mediocre glass. You get get a nice USO ST-10 with real Schott glass for under $1000. That's a deal that is hard to beat. That may be more than you are willing to spend however.

What is your application? You mention bumps and such. If tactical shooting, you might want to take a look at the SWFA SuperSniper. It's quite a decent scope for the money, and it has lots of elevation in that 30mm tube.

 

[armed85]

I'm not going to pay $1,000 for a scope. I'm more in the $500 range. I can see the appeal of variable power and more magnification, but I like the simplicity of the fixed scope.

I'm sure the VX-2 is a good scope, but I just can't decide haha...

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

You'll really like having 18x when you get to 1000 yards.

I'll say. I really like having 18x at 100 yards, or at least 14x. I think once you get past 200-300 or so, you'll want a bare minimum of 20 or 24 power, and very high quality glass. The 600 yard target looks TINY even with a 24-25x magnification. Your best bet, if you cannot afford the $1k- $2k scopes, is to get one of these target scopes, for those crazy distances:

http://theopticzone.com/detail.aspx?ID=2542

Fixed 36 power, fine x-hair, $400.

Or at least the $300 Super Sniper in the fixed 20x42 config.

http://www.swfa.com/pc-4307-231-super-sniper-20x42-30mm-rifle-scope.aspx

You'll also need a special base that elevates your POI for these long ranges, in case you were not aware.

 

[Penzanse]

http://www.rapidreticle.com/

I have the RR800-2.....sweet! comes in variable too!

 

[Billy_H]

You'll also need a special base that elevates your POI for these long ranges, in case you were not aware.

It's not always the case. I have a Super Sniper SS10X40M that has plenty of ups to reach out to 1k yards. I still choose to go with a 20MOA base, I didn't need to do it.

I've been very impressed with the Super Sniper as a budget scope. After reading the reviews I figured I'd give it a try and I haven't been disappointed.

 

[Dirtypacman]

I was just looking at the Super Sniper for a new scope on my 24" AR.

Reading these reviews makes it even more of my top pick for the money.