Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Leupold M8 vs FX series scopes

Experts, educate me on the difference between these two. I'm looking to upgrade to clearer glass and better low light performance. Currently using a vintage Weaver K3 on a Savage 99. My eyes are not what they used to be @ 52 yrs old. Local gun store has an M8 on the shelf. Thanks in advance, Scott.

I've M8 Leupolds with friction turrets & click turrets and the newer FX-III/3 with finger friendly click turrets. I'm sure there have been coating upgrades and such, but the things I care about (eyebox, durability and FOV) have stayed the same and I don't make any difference between them in the field. I have lots of quality scopes, but for a big game hunting scope make mine a Leupold 6x42--regardless the generation of design..........

Which M8? Some got multicoating, others didn't.

Also price? New 4X & 6X are $300 for comparison. The top of the line is about $400 for the FX-3. Good shopping, jack

Multi-coating I think would benefit my eyes the most. On the M8, is it on the box somewhere saying multi-coat. How can I tell ? Looking to stay around $300.00 if I can. Thanks, Scott.

I've got an M8 2.5x20 with a manufacturing date of 1999(suffix G). Nowhere on the box does it mention about coatings but it's mentioned in general on the last page of the owners handbook. My understanding is that Leupold started sometime in the early 90's with "Multicoat 4". Prior to that supposedly scope lenses were single coated. Best to check the DOM on the scope your looking to purchase if your wanting one that is multicoated.

The M8 6x42 got Multicoat 4 when that came in. The 2.5x, 4x, and smaller 6x36 did not get Multicoat 4.

If the scope has it, it will be on the end of the box with the other scope information.