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Leupold will do anything other low end scopes will do. Nothing wrong with hunting a Leupold

I have used the Leupold 2.5-8x36 more then any other scope and one was used on my .338 Winny since they first came out. I used the standard duplex as a "set & forget" scope. I gave my old one to a grandson for a 338-06 I made up for him. I switched to a Nightforce 3-10x40 SHV this year on the .338, as I want to try dialing to 600 yards.

I have the new VX3i version on a little Husky Lite ought six and the 3.5-10x40 on my old Mod. 70 Featherweight ought six. Both are good "set & forget" scopes. I don't think Leupold has a very good reputation if one wants to twist turrets and I personally no longer trust them to do it. But, for Alaska and my hunting they work fine as a "set & forget".

I don't think Leupold's Custom Shop offers the B&C reticle for the 2.5-8x36 any more, but a call to them is the most reliable way to find out. A friend of mine is a hard core sheep hunter and uses the B&C reticle in a Leupold 4.5-14x40 on his .270. He loves the reticle and scope and is good to go out to 500 yards with it.

They do offer it out of the custom shop. I have one on order.

I would have liked the LR Duplex, i had one on an FXII 6x. But I’ll see how the duplex works. As long as I can see it in the dark timber at first and last light all will be well.

The 2.5-8x is my all-time favorite scope. I have several. Light, dependable with a great power range. I have one on a couple of my favorite rifles, including this customized Ruger 77.
Bob

The 3.5-10 is easier to fit on a long action because of its longer tube.

For what it's worth, I currently own a Leupold VX-3i 3.5-10x40mm and it's a great scope. That being said, the 2.5-8x is about an ounce lighter. I do a lot of hunting in relatively open areas and I haven't taken a shot on a big game animal inside 200 yards in years. Since you do a lot of climbing and want a really light rifle, I recommend going with the 2.5-8x then. I'm sure it will still treat you well.

Great advice!

I have the 3.5 x 10’s on several rifles. They are great scopes. I’ve never had a 2.5x8.

Call today for VX3i Duplex
3.5-10x40's for $299.99
3.5-10x50's for $399.99
Doug
516-217-1000

I have the 2.5-8x with B&C reticle on my .25 bob, and the 3.5-10x CDS with windplex reticle on my 6.5 creed.

Bad answer - you'd luv either one.

Wow! an ounce lighter, a whole ounce?

I have several of both, although only the 3.5-10 in the "i" version. They are both good set and forget scopes and quite light. Either will work well. I think the choice has to do with whether you think a little more magnification for longer shots is worth an ounce and a half in weight.

Like most everybody else here who doesn't dial for hunting, all my lightweight hunting rifles have Leupold 2.5-8's. And I have every generation of them. Yes, the older Vari-X Leupold's do seem to be more likely to adjust accurately. I like the magnification range of the 2.5-8's--they seem to be the most useful for hunting in the country I find myself hunting in. I killed this year's bull at 50 yds, but there was a chance I might break out on the side of a canyon and see an eligible critter at 400 across the way. And like Jorge, I've been transitioning all my scopes to a ballistic reticle as I can afford it or if they are eligible according to Leupold. I'm not ever going to shoot at big game beyond 500 yds and even then conditions have to be very much in my favor.

Also, the lighter weight and probably more importantly the smaller size of the 2.5-8 makes the rifle so much easier to carry and better handling--especially when crawling through thick-azz timber trying to jump shoot elk........

Guys have spent a lot of money to lose an ounce off a rifle.