Gene Simillion is building me a matched pair of M70 30-06's - left hand and right hand (my son's a lefty).

I need to decide on the scope and had been planning the z6 1.7-10x42 but have heard a lot about the VX-6 2-12.

The difference in price is dramatic, but this is a buy once, cry once situation and I just want the best scopes for the rifles.

What do you guys think?

I'm no expert by any means but I think you are comparing apples to oranges. The VX-6 is more comparable to the Swaro z3...
But if $$$ is no object then might as well get the z6. My .02

Did you ask Gene?

Gene is one of the best...my friend stops by his shop periodically. A wealth of information. He will tell you the Swarovski Z6 is the best, as will Darcy, and Robert Gradous.

I recommend the VX-6. Z6s are nice, but not at the price delta AND their reticles are too thin and whatever edge they have (if any) for brightness, gets wasted when you can't see the X hairs.

I have a z5 and a VX-6. The VX-6 has noticeably better glass with more natural colors.

Gene built me a Model 70 in .300 Win Mag this year with a VX-6 2-12 and I'm quite happy with it. I also have Z6 but prefer the Leupold. You'll love your Simillion rifles.

Thanks guys - I will talk to Gene as well. Leaning toward the Z6.

How would you all stack up the Leica ERi 2.5-10 vs the VX-6 and Z6i?

I've used and had all three scopes mentioned at the same time. At dusk there is very little difference. Maybe 30 seconds in favour of the Leica and Z6. However, the reticles on those two scopes, as mentioned by jorgeI, were too fine for me, so I sold them and use VX-6’s.

Having had both, I sold the Leupold. I had the firedot in the Leupold but felt it was too big for my use. A standard plex would probably be better. I have the Z-6 3-18 and consider it the better scope. I do have the BR reticle, however...

I'm only looking at illuminated scopes because I like illumination and dislike thin reticles.

Does that change the thinking?

BRH is not a thin reticle BRX is the thinner reticle...

The best killing scopes are the VX6 2-12x42 and the S&B 3-12X42 Klassic. You said you wanted to just cry once. powdr

I've had both and only the Z-6 remains. No flies on the Leupold but I like the Swaro better.