I've had Leupold 2.5-8x36's on my rifles for many years, in Vari-X III thru VX 3 models, and still have one on my .300 Wby.

However- over the past year or so, I have been swapping them out for VX 3 3.5-10x40's, the last two in CDS models.

Reasons? I like the greater magnification, better light gathering, and now that I have gotten used to the CDS system, I wouldn't go back.

I'd rather be a free man in my grave, than living as a puppet or a slave....