I see this is pretty popular for lightweight rifles. Other than weight savings, why?

What are you using it for? What ranges? Do you use a different scope for load work up?

Any other comments?

I'm trying to figure out if I want a 3.5-10 or 2.5-8...

Thanks

IMO, the 2.5-8x36 is one of the most versatile, and useful scopes, you can mount on a hunting rifle.
Relatively lightweight, very durable, with great optics. I have them mounted on three rifles, with two more sitting on the shelf as spares (never needed them, so far). Mine all have duplex reticles, useful in most light situations and easy and quick to get on target.
At 8x, there is plenty of magnification for longish shots, and when mounted up on a DG rifle (my .375 Ruger wears one), 2.5x magnification is low enough for close shots at big stuff. I used mine on African Lion, at extremely close range.
I have three 3.5-10's on my rifles, two with CDS turrets, and one with a 50mm objective lens, on my .257 Wby, for very low-light shooting at whitetails across my hayfields.
In general, however, I don't think the 3.5-10 is as versatile as the 2.5-8, but it is nice to have both.

On such a rifle I don't believe you'd need a different scope for load workup. This is particularly true if you use a target with an aim point whose size and shape is well matched to the magnification/reticle/distance combination.

2.5-8 will do anything I need a scope to do in Michigan, slight chance its short on magnification for real long shots out west but I doubt it. Its easy to get behind and good in low light. I had a 3.5-10 on my short actions and IMO it made them feel top heavy, the smaller 2.5-8 seems to fit the gun better in size and weight and makes the overall balance better.

For a hunting scope its hard to beat IMO....

It is my favorite scope. Perfect in size, weight, and power range. The optics are great to my eyes. I've done load development with them from from 270s to a 338 Win and used them at ranges over 500 yards.

After owning and using 2 of them, a Vari X III and a VX3 in 2.5-8, if money was no object I would replace all my other scopes with them (except my lever guns, maybe). Durable, light, good glass, and just plain looks good, especially on lighter, slimmer rifles such as Mod. 70 fwts, Ruger Ultralights, etc. I don't think you can go wrong with one.
John

I'll just add that I agree with the previous comments. Mine is on my 375H&H. I do load development at 200 yards. Never thought is was a disadvantage. If you can't make a shot with 8x, it's probably longer than you should be shooting.

Why? Just to be different from all the hoards of literally millions of 3-9x40s.........LOl!!!!!!!!

The 2.5-8 is my favorite scope. It is shorter and gives more clearance when mounted low than a 3-9x40 or 3.5-10x40.

It is as useful at short range as a 1.75-6 [I bought one for my .375 and now wish I had spent the money on a 2.5-8x36] and better at longe range.

The lowest setting allows me to see the target easily with both eyes open, I use that in close cover.

It has enough power on the upper end to see .30 cal bullet strikes at 200 yds and .22 strikes at 100.

I am used to the range finder option.

I use it for big game and varmints. I have them on an 84L Montanna '06, a M70 SS FW '06 and a Classic M70 SS .338. I plan to have one on my .375 by next fall.

I tend to hunt careas of close cover and like to stalk so I rarely shoot a first shot at game past 300 yards. In the last twenty years I have shot 4 deer at around 285 yards, an elk at 250 or so and an antelope this year at 268 yards as near as I could tell.

I have had opportunities at longer ranges and would take one if the presentation was very good. The 2.5-8 scopes are certainly up to the task. I had a very nice antelope in my sights at a bit over 400 yards this year and it was easy to see. It was rump on to me though. I had it ranged so the holdover would have been easy enough. The wind was about 30 mph though. I passed.

No, I do not use a different scope for load work up.

The 3.5-10 is a nice scope too. I put those kind of scopes on 7mm and .300 mags though.

One of my least favorite Leupold scopes, though ahead of the 4.5-14 and 1.75-6x.

I'm with the crowd. I have 4 sitting on my main hunting rifles, including a 375 Ruger. They are a very good value for the money, has generous eye relief, and decent glass. Whats not to like?

I also have a couple of 3.5-10 on rifles, one with their CDS dial. I haven't played much with it but it does seem to work. I need to put it through a bunch more paces before I proclaim it good.

One common comment on the 2.5x8 is the short mounting length, good for short actions, not so handy for some longer actions. I personally think the power range is ideal for most hunting.

I'll take the 3.5-10 every time

The reason(s) defy logic. It's just like people spending several thousand dollars on wristwatch with little gold crown on dial when something like Citizen, Seiko,....mobile phone tells time more accurately.

Not sure what your point is?

Me either...

I have at least 10 2.5-8 Leupolds on rifles and three others in the safe. Best scope for any of my big game hunting. Even have one on my 223 for varmints and coyotes.

Only have 2 3.5-10s.

I've got a couple of them but they're not my favorites. For some reason they seem limited in low light situations, the 3.5-10 seems to be significantly brighter. The short mounting length does seem to look better on short action rifles, but other than aesthetics there's no real reason I can think of to pick one over the 3.5-10

probably one of, if not the, best pure hunting scope around.

Really?!? Why the dislike Scott?

Great for a short action receiver, but a pain in the ass to mount on a long. Other than that, a wonderful scope.

Dan

Because a 2-7x trumps if for a short action and a 3.5-10x for a long. Easier to get behind and lighter to boot.

The best thing about a 2.5-8x is that it allows a person to spend and extra $100.

LOL, well there's that..

My favorite scope. It works well on LA for me but most of my setups tend to be the same in terms of mounts, LOP etc.

I have one on my 375 Ruger and have worked up loads with it. 8 power is enough to work up loads with. I like the field of view of the 2.5 power in heavy timber. When I am hunting the CRP and wheat fields it is on 6 power.

x2

I know my guns don't work for most, set up the way they are, but they work perfect for me. I mainly hunt with one rifle, a M70 3o-o6 with the VX3 2.5-8... Should have a 6mm Rem set up exactly the same soon tho...

^^^^^^ This......

My favorite hunting scope; 2x7 is next preferred.

2.5x8 has the best eyebox & more than enough magnification; balances most light/midweight hunting rifles very well........way better than 3.5x10 or 3x9's

MM

Why? Because while most people fix on the max power of a model one should consider lowest power with equal interest.

After years of nothing but 6x I find myself most often using my 3.5-10 at or near its lowest setting for ease of use and field of view. When I bought it I thought having 10x would be the more important factor but it has not proved to be the case - at least in the field.

The 3.5x10 vx3 is so light the weight saving is negligible going to a 2.5-8x so when deciding between the two I would consider what is worth more to me. The 2.5x8 bit larger field of view at lowest setting against having a bit more magnification and larger objective in low light of the 3.5-10.

Personally, I'm a big fan of it as I just prefer smaller scopes on most rifles. I've got one on a LA Ruger M77 in Low Leupold rings and it fits just right. The other is on a Short Action Remington. I guess it's personal preference but I was never really a fan of the 3.5x10. I never found myself needing 10x and just preferred the appearance of the smaller scope. I guess it's whatever floats your boat.