Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Leupold FXII 6x36 vs Leupold FX3 6x42

There is a pretty good chance that I will be buying one of these scopes (with LR Duplex) to go on a .270 Winchester. I'm sure both will fit my needs and both are within budget but the $100 price difference is worth paying attention to.

Since I can't have both of these in front of me for examination what differences would I see? What differences would I find in the field?

I realize that 1/3 more cost won't equal 1/3 better but if there is a worthwhile improvement I'm open to it.

I don't know about the FX-II, but even Leupold haters love the 6x42 FX-III when they look through it.

I haven't done a real even comparison yet but doubt you'll notice much difference. Some people don't like the 6x36 but for my crude eye they both are fine.

The 6x42 is a little bigger though....grin

FX3/300WSM and FXII/270.

That side by side picture is handy!

I havn't compared the FxII 6x36 to the FX3 6x42, but I have done a side by side comparison of the FXII 6x36 and a Multicoat 4 M8 6x42. I liked the FXII 6x36 better (smaller size, lighter and just as good optics).

i have both too...

for a smaller rifle with an eye toward light/compact, go 6x36.

for mid-sized rig built for precision, go 6x42.

i prefer the 6x42 optically, but i have no prob. runnin' the 3x36 on a hunting rig

Now that the days are getting longer, one of these evenings I will compare them shooting steel until dark.
That would be a good test.




10-4, old pic from a PM!

speaking of shooting steel, when we were cleaning out the upstairs of the Elks last Sunday some how one of the old round steel bottoms of a table made its way to the back of my truck

Think you'll be able to hit it?



grin

think ive got a shot at 100.......may have problems at 200......

6x42 will work fine with Talley Ltwt lows on a M700.

6x42 has better lens coating. Larger exit pupil, bigger eye box. Not sure of field of view, but wouldn't be hard to find in specs. I just prefer the 6x42. If you can, go to Cabelas or Gander Mountain or wherever and try both of them out.

It will be on a medium sized rig built for precision. It would be going on a semi-custom Remington 700, 24" barrel, currently weighing about around 8.75 with a 12 ounce scope. I've had some thought that I could lighten it with Talley lightweights and a lighter stock but realistically I might not make that change.

My search showed a difference in price of less than $50 on in stock scopes.

Leupold #63085 for ~$300-$310

Leupold #66820 for $350

For $40 I'd go with the FX3

What? Nobody is bashing the LR duplex.? It is getting civil around here.

I have both. I personally like the 6x36 better, I don't shoot enough at night to make a difference.

Leupold FXII 6x36 vs Leupold FX3 6x42

Started out with one of each but now have 3 of the Leupold FXII 6x36 LR and no Leupold FX3 6x42's. I really am happy with the 6x36 size and brightness.

There are three things about the FX3 that makes it preferable for me over the FXII.
The FXII's don't have finger tip adjustable dials which I find useful. The FX3 does.
The FX3 comes with Leupold's super tough Diamond Coat 2 coatings. That alone would make the extra money worth it to me.
The FX3 will work on the darkest nights. Nights, not twilight or "bright, clear" nighttime conditions. Since I do alot of walking to and from my hunting areas under nightime conditions, I insist on a scope that will work for me at night. I might add if you have any loss of night vision, which is common after the age of 40, this may not apply to you. E

I've had both the 6x36 and the 6x42 and for me I'll go 6x36 w/dotz.

If I wanted more than the 6x36 and was going to the size of the 6x42 I'd go 3-9 or 3-10 and rock on.

Dober

+1

Sam, how does that POS "Socko" shoot with that POS "Leupy"??????