Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Leupold vari x III 2.5-8x36 matte/duplex

What are these worth today? I’m looking at a gun and the seller won’t separate and I’m thinking I would swap out the scope. Just curious as to resale value

I've been having a hard time selling one here for $325 with Alumina scope caps if that helps.

The Vari-X III go for about $100 to $150 less than the VX-III series. I just sold a 3.5-10x50 Vari-X III, started at $325.00 and had to drop the price and it finally sold for $275.00 shipped.

I sold a Vari-X III 4.5-14x40 AO for a friend virtually in minutes for $250 back in May. So, I'd say your target price is somewhere in between that and $300. Maybe around $275, as 17varmint mentioned.

You have to look at what a comparable replacement item will run you. There have been some deals as of late on comparable 3.5-10x40mm VX3 scopes. Recent VX2 glass is probably as good or better than 30 year old Vari-X III glass. I know my cousin and uncle are getting ready to replace their well-used Leupold 3.5-10x40 scopes from the early 90's, as the coatings have deteriorated somewhat and they don't compare favorably with some new $150-200 budget scopes when viewed side by side for brightness.

It's all in where you list it. I sold one in very good condition on ebay about 6 month ago for $350.00. A lot of guys really like the older vari-x III 2.5-8x36 rifle scopes. Now that doesn't mean I'd pay that much on top of the cost of a rifle if I were purchasing them as a package deal. I'd probably add $300.00 to the cost of the rifle, if it was in like new condition and I really wanted to buy the rifle.



Like I said, it's all in where you list it...

Realistic resale on one in excellent shape is around $250, maybe more if you still have the box...anything higher than $250 or so and you are better off buying a current scope with better glass.

I’d send’em back. Likely Leupold may replace them if lens coatings have deteriorated.

DF

Lots of good deals on VX III and VX3i scopes, which I think have better glass. Two years ago I pulled my old Vari X III scope off my .338 and I believe it had over 20 years of absorbing recoil from 250 grain bullets. It now sits on a 338-06 I made up for my grandson. I doubt I would pay over $200.00 for a used Vari X III.

Time will tell if my VX III and VX III I scopes last as long.

The VX2 has better glass so why would I pay top dollar for a 30 year old scope with inferior glass?

VX-2 glass is pretty close to VX-3 glass IMO

Lot better than the older Vari-X glass.

DF

Glass is all that matters, eh?

No, but good glass helps.

DF

Add 200-300 on top of the rifle value depending on how bad you want the rifle.

It might sell quickly if it were gloss, not to me, but that seems to be "thing" now. As soon as something's no longer available, it gets trendy.

If I really wanted the rifle and the price was decent, I'd buy it. Everybody needs a dependable spare, or an excuse to buy another rifle.

Bought a used matte version, sold it a yr later.
$200.

I had a Vari-X III 2.5-8x on my Whelen for a long time. It was a great scope and performed quite well in low light. I had NO complaints.

After the VX-3i models appeared the VX-3 was being blown out at a good price, so I decided to upgrade from Vari-X III to the bargain-priced VX-3. I took a few moments to compare the two models side by side when the new scope arrived, and the VX-3 blew the old Vari-X III out of the water in terms of clarity and brightness. I could most definitely see a difference.

I still would not call the old Vari-X IIs and -IIIs junk, though. They were damned good optics.