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I have a 30-06 that needs a new scope. I'm trying to shave ounces. It will have Talley lightweights. I've always used VX-3 or equivalent (VX3, VX iii, etc). A VX-3i 2.5-8 or 3.5-10 weighs 11.4 and 12.6 oz respectively. A CDS adds another 0.5 oz to both. The VX-2 2-7x33 only weighs 9.9 oz.

After talking with Leupold, it seems the VX2 series has been updated significantly in recent years. The tube material in the VX-3i line is a bit heavier than the VX-2 and the VX-3 has twilight max light system lens vs simple index matched lenses in the VX-2. All told, it seems the VX-2 isn't too shabby for a lightweight scope.

Anyone using the VX-2 2-7x33? Thoughts?

Any other lightweight options to consider?

Thanks.


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Bill, open your mind to the 6x36. grin

I've had a pile of 2-7's. Never used them on anything other than the highest setting, including on close cover elk. Finally saw the light, ditched them, and went to the better 6x36.


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The Leupold 2-7 would be a great choice for hunting in the Appalachians. No offence to Brad or any other fixed 6X proponents, but Rhododendron and laurel hells of the Southern Appalachians are unlike any close cover I have seen out West. The 2X setting really has its place where you are hunting. The Leupy VX-2 is a great little scope.


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One of my favorite scopes


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Yep. My 2-7's 2.5-8's are normally on 3x-4x tops when stalking. I could get by with a straight 4x over a straight 6x



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I agree with a 2-7 being tough to beat for any eastern hunting. I have them on several guns. Some of my spots ranges can go several feet to whatever you feel comfortable with. I really like the capability to go down to 2x.

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I can confirm that VX-2's made since 2012 are very nice scopes. I have a couple and can no longer justify the expense of the VX-3. Just not that much difference.

I'd just go with a standard 3-9X40 and I'd pay extra for the long range dots even if you do decide on the 2-7X. The 3-9X40 is 11.2 oz. I'm for cutting weight as much as anyone, but less than 2 oz just isn't important and I like the bigger scope.

Unlike Brad I almost never take my scopes off the lowest setting. I zero at the highest setting and confirm zero at the lowest and do 99% of my hunting on 3X. I've made shots out to nearly 200 yards on 3X and if I need more magnification I go straight to the highest setting where I know it is zeroed. Even the best variables will sometimes hit to a slightly different POI at different magnifications. Just using 2 of them limits possible errors.


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The VX2 in a 2-7X would be an excellent choice.


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Originally Posted by TnBigBore
The Leupold 2-7 would be a great choice for hunting in the Appalachians. No offence to Brad or any other fixed 6X proponents, but Rhododendron and laurel hells of the Southern Appalachians are unlike any close cover I have seen out West. The 2X setting really has its place where you are hunting. The Leupy VX-2 is a great little scope.



Exactly !


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I completely agree on the 2-7 for the South East. I use one on a 7mm Rem Mag and rarely leave 2X. The VX2 2-7 works on the 7 mag so should fit the 30-06 action as well. I may have to crawl a little on 7X but it's no big deal since any quick shot where I mount and shoot quick will be on 2X.

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I have one on a 20" barreled .308 that I use a lot for deer hunting.

It does not appear oversized on the small rifle, has plenty field of view for the typical close-in shots, and the top power is enough for shooting the occasional long shot.

I also leave it on 2X, especially if in the woods.

I am able to shoot during legal hours. The day after Thanksgiving, I had to wait on the clock to shoot a deer that I could see plainly through the scope.

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Thanks for the responses guys!

The rifle will actually see more elk hunting time than about anything else, hence the concentration on weight. In the east, I won't sweat 2-4 ounces, but on a backpack, those ounces add up. I'm leaning hard 2-7x33 CDS. Seems stupid to buy a scope when I have 2 VX3i 3-5-10 sitting in the safe but thats a 4 oz difference.


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Originally Posted by Brad
Bill, open your mind to the 6x36. grin

I've had a pile of 2-7's. Never used them on anything other than the highest setting, including on close cover elk. Finally saw the light, ditched them, and went to the better 6x36.


I hear ya - except they weigh the same (6x36: 10 oz, 2-7: 9.9oz) and I like a bit more versatility with 2-7. My scopes spend alot of time on 3 power. The 2 elk I shot last year in the timber were both shot on 3 power - with a 270 moving a 150 at 3000+. Seems oxymoronic <G>


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Originally Posted by bwinters


Anyone using the VX-2 2-7x33? Thoughts?


Thanks.


Yep. I have one mounted on a Kimber in 308. Seems about perfect.


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My 2-7 VX2 w/ CDS is my favorite Leupold, and I own a few VX3s. Awesome for timber yet I feel comfy placing shots out past 500yds with it as well.


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Put a VX-2 2-7x33 that I got here on the Fire on my Savage 99 in .375 Win. Previous owner had Leupold put a Post and Duplex in it. Awesome woods rig IMO.

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Originally Posted by bwinters
Originally Posted by Brad
Bill, open your mind to the 6x36. grin

I've had a pile of 2-7's. Never used them on anything other than the highest setting, including on close cover elk. Finally saw the light, ditched them, and went to the better 6x36.


I hear ya - except they weigh the same (6x36: 10 oz, 2-7: 9.9oz) and I like a bit more versatility with 2-7. My scopes spend alot of time on 3 power. The 2 elk I shot last year in the timber were both shot on 3 power - with a 270 moving a 150 at 3000+. Seems oxymoronic <G>


On the scale, they're not the same. Close, but the 2-7 is .5 oz heavier. Obviously .5 oz is converstaional.

Had a 2-7x33 LRD here last month. Sent it back. Forgot how much more I like the 2.5-8x36 over it. Ditto the 6x36.

The real weight of the 6x36 is 9.5 oz's per electronic scale.

4 of the last 5 bulls I've shot were with 6x at 50, 40, 40, and 80 yards. The 50 yard one was moving through thick timber, and I put the crosshairs ahead of him in a small opening between two trees and shot the second I got a flash of hide. Anchored him right through both lungs. No need for less than 6X, and really I found it easier with more X's to pick the spot well. That was with a 2-7x33 set on 6x. Had enough of those experiences with the 2-7 over the years I just switched to fixed 6X.

Nothing in the world wrong with the 2-7. Have used them from New York to Alaska, Missouri to Montana. These days I just far and away the simpler, brighter, lighter, more durable 6x36.



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I ran the numbers on scope tube lengths and eye relief. For a long action Leupold VX-2 3x9x40mm, VX-3 3.5x10x40mm, FX-2 3x36, and FX-3 6x42 scopes work best for me. I don't like having to lean my head forward to get the proper alignment. I mount my scopes so I'm looking through them naturally instead of having to move my head to get a proper sight picture. YMMV


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Count me as a big 2-7x fan, I have dozens of them in service. The tubes on the Leupold 2-7x scopes aren't all that long, so you may need to use an extension ring in the front to get the proper eye relief on a long action bolt gun and, for me, on some other actions, like the Remington 760 family.

I'd strongly agree that the VX-2s are superior to their ancestors, but their ancestors aren't all that bad. I have a Vari-X IIc 2-7x28 on a Winchester 70 in 375 H&H that has never missed a beat in over 30 years of service.

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I'm sure you could make a fixed 6X work but I prefer lower power for fast moving whitetails in the thick woods. I prefer a 2X or even better a 1.5.

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