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The 2.5x8 is my hands down Leupold favorite.
I have and use 2x7’s, 3x9’s, 3.5x10’s and a single 30mm 4.5x14sf.
They all have their place depending on the size of game and particular rifle......
If I had to narrow it to one however, it would be the 2.5x8.
They’re all “set and forget” scopes and I’m fine with that.


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Originally Posted by Brad
I think I currently have seven 2.5-8x36's and one 3.5-10x40. That answers the question.:)


I agree with Brad for the most part, I have five 2.5-8x36 scopes and one 3.5-10x40, to me the 3.5-10x40 is a tweener.
to me the question is 2.5-8x36 or 4.5-14x40, don't think I will ever buy another 3.5-10x40.

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Originally Posted by Blacktail308
I believe that the 2.5-8X Leupold is the greatest HUNTING scope ever built. I do have one 3.5-10X but could certainly use a 2.5-8 on that rifle too.


I agree. I have a few of them. I'd say 90 percent of my scopes have objectives lenses of 36mm or smaller. I'd go the little 2.5-8 over a 3-9x40 any day of the week.

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I have the 2.5-8 on my 308 Norma Mag, worked for years!


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Originally Posted by boatanchor
Originally Posted by Brad
I think I currently have seven 2.5-8x36's and one 3.5-10x40. That answers the question.:)


I agree with Brad for the most part, I have five 2.5-8x36 scopes and one 3.5-10x40, to me the 3.5-10x40 is a tweener.
to me the question is 2.5-8x36 or 4.5-14x40, don't think I will ever buy another 3.5-10x40.


Good comment re 3.5-10 being a tweener, for me anyway. I hadn't thought about it but agree. If I go to a larger objective bell and more magnification than 7 or 8 power, I want a LOT more. I tried a 6.5-20 (?) Leupold for awhile on a small critter long range rifle, and it was good, but I didn't use it enough for anything so specialized. A hunting partner who is a superb hunter has run a 3.5-10 for decades on his 300 Win mag.

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No wrong choice, I have 4 or 5 of the 2.5-8 and three of 3.5-10. I also have 1-6's, 2-7's and some higher power for target/LR plinking. When hunting they are mostly set at 4-6 anyway.

Ring spacing is noted and agreed between the two.


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I've had several 2.5-8X36's over the years but let them all go. You'll NEVER notice the difference between 2.5X and 3.5X on the low end nor 8X and 10X on the upper end. There is 2-3 oz difference in weight.

I could never see enough difference between VX3 and VX2 to justify the money so I've moved to either VX2's or the 3-9X40 Zeiss Conquest on all of my rifles. If I want low power and light weight I chose 1-4X20's. Then 3-9X40's for all around use. I found 2.5-8X and 2-7X neither fish, nor fowl.

Last edited by JMR40; 07/31/20.

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I have and use both. Have 3 3.5-10s and 2 2.5-8s. I've got the smaller scopes on a 7-08 and another on a 375. Both newer model 70s. Using Talleys the 2.5-8 just fits on the 375.

I liked how the Talleys worked on that rifle so I ordered another set of rings and bases to give my supergrade 06 a slight makeover/diet. Right now its got a Bushnell elite 6500 2.5-16x42 using a Leupold standard 1 piece base and 30mm rings. Makes for a bit of a bulky setup and its heavy. I've never shot anything but paper above 10x, and most game is shot on 4x. But I can't decide which one to go with..the 3.5-10 or 2.5-8...I do have a 3.5-10 on 70fwt and like it fine. So I'm no help being I can't seem to make up my mind on my own rifles.

Last edited by Mountain_Buck; 07/31/20.
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Originally Posted by JMR40
You'll NEVER notice the difference between 2.5X and 3.5X on the low end nor 8X and 10X on the upper end.

I could never see enough difference between VX3 and VX2 to justify the money.


WOW, you need a visit to the optometrist !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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I used a variable for years and realized that it was always set on 4x while hunting. For the last 20 years I have shot a Swarovski 4X Fixed and wouldn't shoot anything else.
Darrel


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Apparently there's a vast difference between 8x and 10 in what you can carry on a rifle, and what you can kill in the field. Good to know.


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Neither, my goto scopes on my bolt actions are 1.5-6x4?mm I have 5 or 6 on coyote hunting rifles, 1-4x20mm on my combo guns(3) for coyote hunting and a 2-12x42mm on my open country coyote rifle. I call coyotes so shots from literally my shoelaces to 300 yards are most common, and FOV rules for me. I do have one bolt action set up for open country and it wore a 2.5-10 but just got swapped out for a 2-12x42 even these stay on 2x/2.5x all the time until I have a shot that calls for more X's. It is surprising how many coyotes can appear under 50 yards even when you can see for miles, they know the lay of the land and can find every wrinkle in the landscape to sneak up on their quarry.


After the first shot the rest are just noise.

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had a 2-8 on my steyr 3006 and swaped a 3.5 to 10-40 and so glad I did . the weight difference is not enough to worry about and it is kept on 3.5 all the time. if I need more I will have time to dial up. a couple of times it came in handy. mine is a mod. m professional. had it a longggg time, my go to rifle. it is green by the way. I have its twin in black just to have if the world drops out from us. god bless.

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Originally Posted by Blacktail308
I believe that the 2.5-8X Leupold is the greatest HUNTING scope ever built. I do have one 3.5-10X but could certainly use a 2.5-8 on that rifle too.





^^^This^^^


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Originally Posted by Mule Deer
Apparently there's a vast difference between 8x and 10 in what you can carry on a rifle, and what you can kill in the field. Good to know.


LAFFIN 😄

OK, John...... you’ve been tutored 🍺


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Personally, I would use whichever one of those two scopes that balances well with the rifle. I’m not very familiar with the Steyr but nothing looks worse than a small scope on a big rifle or a huge scope on a lightweight rifle. Happy Trails


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Originally Posted by hookeye
Looking for a VX3i for my Steyr Prohunter .30-06
Who runs what on theirs?


Originally Posted by hookeye
I have a pic rail so ring spacing not a prob.
Had a Redfield Rev 3-9X 50mm in Zee signature mediums, sat a little high.
Slapped a Freedom VX 3-9X 40mm to check, using low regular Zees and it fits fine.

So trying to decide what scope it gets.
Bought a 3.5-10X but it's going on my 700 in .243win.

Wondered if I should buy another or not.
Had a VX3 2.5-8X for a Ruger #1 but it didn't fit and ran it on a .22rf for a while.
Sold the rifle and the scope separately.


I usually prefer lower magnification and less weight, so the .338 has an (older Vari-X III) 2.5-8x36... but I had to use an extension base (backwards) to make that work. I also have an (older Vari-X III) 3.5-10x40, came off a .25-'06 (near perfect application for open country and potentially longer range shots), tried it on the .338, balanced OK, but... I didn't like the reduced field at 3.5x and it's slightly heavier.


Originally Posted by Mule Deer
Apparently there's a vast difference between 8x and 10 in what you can carry on a rifle, and what you can kill in the field. Good to know.


smile

-Chris


Last edited by Ranger4444; 08/01/20.
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I’d been running a Leupold VX3i 2.5-8x36 in my 308 bolt gun for stalking boars. I think it’s a good short range hunting scope. It served me well 4 years for that purpose with no loss of zero. It has excellent eye box and field-of-view up to 6x, but it’s less comfortable to use at 8x. I am replacing it now with a Tract Toric 2-10x42 only because I want to shoot this weapon beyond 100yards.

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I'm cool w just a 4x to 200 yards or so on deer.
There is a 3.5-10X now sitting on my Steyr Prohunter .30-06.
May order a 2.5-8X for my next rifle, something short action.

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Originally Posted by mauserfan
I used a variable for years and realized that it was always set on 4x while hunting. For the last 20 years I have shot a Swarovski 4X Fixed and wouldn't shoot anything else.
Darrel



I bet that would be a great little scope. I wish it was still made.

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