Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Bought a VX3

First Leup in a while. I'll do a much more rigorous test later, but just had it out at last light next to my 3-10x42 Swaro. Initial impression- the color balance of the new coatings REALLY works better for my eye. The Swaro was brighter, but the Leup appears at first blush to be very good.

It's a 2.5-8x36, just the straight duplex. I'll add a turret later; dunno which one yet. I'd been looking hard at the 3.5-10 but for what I want to do with it the 2.5-8 is better.

The power ring, when turned, has a very fine "zzzzz" to it. Like a super fine gear type feel. Are they all like that now?

This was a real PITA choice for me. Sure wish there was such thing as a light, trim Conquest.

What are you going to put it on, Jeff?

Hmmm...

Well, see that's the thing. It's going to do double duty. I've got a Rem 700 MR in 7mm-08 that's had a few other Leup 2.5-8's on it; great scope for that rifle. Then, I have my .325 BLR, which really is a cool rifle, especially post-trigger-job. However, the comb of the stock is such that scopes need to be really low. A Leup 2.5-8 in xtra-lows works, this I already know.

So it'll depend on whats got me horned up at the time, or what's getting hunted, but it's mission is those two rifles.

A 3.5-10x40 won't clear the barrel on the BLR in the x-lows. Also not ideal sizewise for the 7-08. IMHO.

I had to fester on this one a bit, but in the end Leup was the obvious choice and I've got no problem giving them my money!

You do realize that Leupold jacks up the price $100 on their new scopes to cover the warranty.

Yes, I do realize that.

Why? There are several greats scopes in that price range, and a few that are indeed better than Leupold. You could have gotten a new Monarch with a turret kit for less money for example...

Ruh roh. Here we go!

Well, that'd mean branching out into untested waters <grin>. I'm comfortable with a Leup or a Conquest on a hunting rifle and my Swaro is proving to be solid. Don't know nuthin' about no Nikons.

DC223- you running a 2-8 Nikon? If so, chime in on it.

Jeff, sounds like you got just what the Dr. ordered for your needs. Enjoy.

There's also a commonality thing going. I've got a Vari-X 2.5-8 on my .223, which is my kids training "real" rifle. So having one on the 7-08, which is their next step up, makes sense.

This scope choice was complex (yeah, I know, I'm an overthinker +P <g>); it tied all the way into my 7WSM that I'm PATIENTLY WAITING FOR!

IMHO that is part of the fun.

It should look brighter than the Swaro because thew Swaro is bigger. That will allow more light to hit the eye.
They might be more expensive than a comparable brand from another source. The trouble is, there are no competing brands. For instance, how much do those super hard coatings add to the scope ? For a hint, take a look at their prismatic scope with and w/o the super hard coatings.
Then there are the costs associated with Leupold's extensive testing. They aren't free either. E

haha! Like other optics makers don't test? Leupold has all the testing they need for free, with all the returns they get.

They do have a good warranty, I've used it <grin>. I'm quite sure the fact that every single Leup product ever made is still warrantied, is factored into the cost of the new scopes. How could it not be?

Otoh, good product IMHO and whenthey are the rught fit for a given rifle, I like them just fine.

Hey, I've bashed Leup. And my last half-dozen scope purchases before this have been Zeiss. But they've fixed the color balance issue, I'll soon find out if the erectors are any good, and it's a light, trim scope for $399 with a great company behind it.

I can like all that...

I disagree with your assertion.

Are you comparing the VX3 against a Nikon?

Where is the Nikon manufactured, Phillipines? I'm curious what their pay scale is compared to the hard working people of Beaverton, Oregon. I'd pay a little more for "Made in the USA."

Who has the better warranty and re-sale?

Jeff-O, I'm glad you posted this review. I found a minty tang safety Ruger UL and you helped me decide the VX3 2.5-8 is the way to go.

Leupold only tests a few scopes from a production run. If they tested thoroughly like Zeiss does, they'd cost even more.

Oh, I think it's much more than that...................

Bastid.... grin...

They, for a long time, actually recoil tested their scopes. They still do as well as impact test them. Until very recently nobody else did. One of the major reason's why they have such a solid rep for reliability world wide among serious hunters. E

Tracking woes, expensive warranties, fuzzy resolution, and all that "bling"... I can't believe anybody would even consider a Leupold these days.

I hear good things about March scopes tho!