Picked it up yesterday and I have two scores without a home. The obvious choice is an older matte vari x-iii 2.5-8 but I am oddly drawn to a new k6 6x38 Weaver that's been laying around. Honestly the glass in the Weaver doesn't seem at all behind the older Leupold. I've never had a fixed power scope on a hunting rifle but this rifle just seems to be a good fit.

This rifle will be about as general use as it gets in a western environment.

Opinions?

Nick

I would throw the Leupold on and not look back and I own both.

+2 on the Leupold.

If you want a fixed, sell them both and get a 6x42 or 6x36 Leupold.

Kaiser Norton

This^^^, but if you use one of the two that you have, go with the Leupold.

donsm70

Leupold....

I guess the choice is as obvious as I first thought. Thanks for the thoughts, if anyone disagrees then speak up but I will probably get the 2.5-8 mounted up today.
Nick

I went with the 2.5x8 VX3 on my Forbes 20B in 308. Love it. Perfect combo IMO.

Almost as svelte as a 6x36...
Nice rig - enjoy

Looks good STS. Any magic loads so far?
Nick

STS, have you cycled any rounds through that, or even the bolt open and close? The rear mount is backward and the bolt handle will probably rub on it. It did on my 24B.

I have. That is a old pic before I realized my mistake.

Personally I like the Weaver Classic scopes, have a half dozen various versions mounted. I know I'm in the minority here but against the Vari-x III, I'd look through both and mount the K6. I think you will find that it holds up pretty damn good against a 20 year old Leupold.

I'd rank those two scopes as equals for performance. Do you want the variable or the fixed?

I guess that is my real question, fixed vs. variable. I've never team a fixed on a big game rifle but I can't honestly say why. It seems to make perfect sense on this one.

Though thinking about it now I might need to buy something different anyway. Last year in two different situations I needed to rely on a scope with a good holdover reticle due to a couple of shots that just weren't going to get any shorter. That should probably be a consideration on this scope as well so they may be headed down the road to fund a compact scope with a different reticle. I have always a Leupold fixed 6 with an M1 turret was one of the cleanest yet deadly looking scopes going as well...
Nick

Well,the 2.5-8 is going to Leupold for a LR Duplex and cleaning. I put the Weaver on and I have to say, I think it looks better on the rifle. As well as giving me much more room for eye relief. We'll see how it goes but likely when the Leupold is done this will come off.



Nick