Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics VX-R vs VX3i??

I’m looking to put a scope on my kimber montana 308. It’s down to either the vxr 4-12x40 cds or the vx3i 4.5-14x40 cds. I like the idea of being able to use the red dot or shut it off when I want to use it, but is the glass not the same quality as the vx3i? Seems like the vxr has better eye relief and sounds easier to get quick target acquisition. But I’ve never used a red dot in a hunting situation. What is everybody’s opinion on these scopes? Any personal experience would be appreciated. Can’t seem to make up my mind.

I think with a Kimber I'd want something lighter than a VX3.

The vx3 is 13oz and the vxr is 14oz. I know there’s lighter scopes out there but I’m willing to throw it on and end up with a rifle around 6lbs. Still much lighter than my 9lb magnum I’m used to hauling around...

Top heavy is a pain in the azz. Not that the entire package is heavy but that the balance is off.
Follow your head. Buddy put a big trijjicon on a steyr one time against my advice and hated it all season. Sold it at a loss and now has a simple 3-9x40.
I've got a couple VXR one on a 375. 2-7 and another in an AR.
Irregardless, the vxris not the same glass as a3. But it's separate features I like.

Point well taken. But does the vxr seem reliable? And does the illuminated reticle seem to help? And is the difference in glass really noticeable in a hunting situation? Scopes are always tough to decide on ...

I've got a VX3I 4.5-14x40 CDS on a Model Seven and love it.

I have a VX-3 4.5-14x40 on my Model Seven and have no complaints.

Who makes a significantly lighter variable?

I have one VX-3 4.5-14 x 40, a VX-R 2-7x33 Firedot-4, and a VX-R 3-9x40 Firedot Duplex. I can't tell a difference in the glass quality and I really like the Firedot reticles.

The Firedot reticles are very quick to acquire a target and there is sufficient adjustment to use it in bright daylight if you wish and a really faint dot for very dark applications. I have hunted hogs, whitetails, coyotes, several exotic antelope, and bobcats with them and have no complaints. The Firedot-4 is on an AR that has probably 1,000 rounds through it since I mounted the scope and has never hiccuped.

The Firedot Duplex is on a Remington Mountain Rifle in .30-06 and I use max loads of IMR-4350 under Hornady 165gr BTSP for most of my shooting. That scope also has operated flawlessly.

Know that the Firedot subtends between 3/4" and 1" @ 100 yards, so extreme precision at very long range is not the best, but then, that's not what they were designed for.

Ed

I have both scopes. My VX-R is not CDS, but the VX-3i is. I have not yet noticed a big difference in the glass. I would say it depends on the application. If it is longer range, more open, then probably the VX-3i, because of possibly better glass. If it is shorter range, wooded, or dusk shots are expected, that red dot is sure nice.

This.

They make a 2-7 with a lighted reticle or dot, don't they?

Putting a sewer pipe size scope on a light rifle wants to make it flip over like a turtle........