Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Swarovski z3 3-9x36 or leupold vx3i 2.5-8x36

For a 260 Remington
Wisconsin whitetail to 200 yards

Thanks

I have owned every Z3 made except that model and 1/2 dozen Vx3 2.5-8x36. I would buy the Leupold and not even think about it.

I compared the 2 a year or two ago. To my eyes the Leupold was more clear and sharp and was $300-$400 cheaper. I actually went with the idea of getting a Z3 or Z5 and liked the Leupold better than both of those.

I think the Leupold may be more reliable but have only owned one Swaro Z3 3-9x36 as opposed to several Leupold's mostly the 3x and earlier versions. I wanted to get the Swaro refurbished and they said $700. I have sent other Leupolds in and in every case they replaced them with no charge and a newer model, they even gave me full MSRP credit on upgrading a 2-7x to the 2.5x8x. I don't dial turrets so will continue to be a Leupold fan as long as quality and customer service continue at their previous levels.

I have several of both and would take the Z3, to my eyes it is much brighter than the leupy and you can get it with the wonderful 4a reticle.

I’ve owned both. None tracked well or were repeatable. Both have good optics. Not all Z3 glass seems to be of the same quality. I have one that is Z5 bright and another that’s on par with the Leupold V3 series. Sadly, I’ve had to deal with CS of both....which was good. I’ve probably purchased my last Swaro or Leupold scopes. One you’ve used great optics that track and are repeatable, there’s no going back...life is simply too short.

Leupold and Swarovski Z3 and Z5 are all I've ever had. I bought the Swarovskis based on my awesome spotter and their killer binos but the rifle scopes have me scratching my head. My Leupold have always delivered what I expected but I only own VX3. Rifle season is over for me this year so I'll think about it again before next August. I guess what I would advise is to be skeptical that you will get much more for the much higher price of the Z3. To me, both leave something to be desired but I can't give you a better alternative from my experience. To 200 yards with a 260 you don't need to dial, so I would prioritize optics rather than tracking.

I would suggest the Z3, 3-10x42. It’s only 0.7oz heavier but with better light transmission and a little extra magnification.

To my eyes there is no comparison the Z3 in 4a every time, it brighter and its a better picture.
I've been running the Z3's on a 30-06 nula and an 8lb 338 win for a few years and they have been first rate.

I have several of both. When I bought my first Z3 3-9x36 they were $1200 and the Leupolds were around $600. The Z3 is a great little scope but it isn't twice as good as a Leupold 2-5-8. I said I probably wouldn't buy another one. Then earlier this year a brand new Z3 popped up for sale for $800 (a young bloke was about to have a family and needed some quick cash) and the Leupolds had gone up to $780, so I bought the Z3. I really do like the 4a reticle too as a couple of fellas have stated above. I'd say the Swarovskis have a slight edge in brightness but it's not really much and would be happy to use either right on dusk. I think Swarovski trade on their name a bit and charge a bit extra for the "Swarovski' name, but Leupold scopes have risen quite a bit in price the last couple of years where Swarovskis have stayed the same and the the gap in price is narrowing, making the Swaros a bit more attractive. Both have very nice lines as well.

The Australian prices are almost double for the Leupolds, but may be better for the Swarovsky's than stateside. If possible look through both side by side. The Z3 had a slight blueish tint to me that may look sharper to some eyes. If it were me I would look for a used Leupold or wait for a good sale. But I doubt you would be disappointed with either, but the price difference makes me go back to Leupold.

I have the Leupold on my 260 and love it!

On another note, while I know this isn't on your list, the Tract Toric beats them both for me. I have their 2-10x42, I like everything about better than the other two. It is cheaper than the Z3 and more than the VX3i.

I have both and like the Z3 as well. My older VX3 is better than my new ones to my eyes. I like the 4A reticle as well. I had to send a 3-10x42 back to Swaro they repaired and sent it back with new flip open caps no charge. I like Swaros turret design better than Leupold as well per above neither has the type of repeatability for long range. What you and I see through a scope is very subjective. Always spend the extra time mounting a Swaro. Leupold not as particular when mounting. The difference in price point is also hard to ignore.

Swaro has not changed the design of the Z3 in 30 years while the VX3 has gone through several changes some not for the better IMO. A good thing IMO they will always repair if ever needed the Leupold your liable to get the new version.

My 2 current 260's have an older Zeiss conquest or a V4 so go figure they also change versions.

Good luck and shoot straight y'all.

I can only address the Leupold VX3i 2.5-8x36 because I used one of those for several years of hunting. My assessment is that it’s a great scope for 100yards or less. I never had any problems with losing zero. It really shined at short distance with great field of view and 4-1/2 inch eye relief at 2.5x magnification. I did not like it above 6x magnification because eye relief reduced to 3.6 inches and I was not happy with view detail at higher magnification.

I replaced this scope earlier this year with a Tract Toric 2-10x42 which has constant 4 inch eye relief and great detail at all magnifications and I never have any problems holding zero. But of course better results with Tract should be expected because it is a higher class of scope than Leupold VX3i.

I of course recommend the Tract, or maybe a VX5hd if you really want a Leupold

cant imagine what you could kill with one you couldnt with the other....

I shot a buck Oct 26 2020 with a Swarovski Optik Z3 3-10 x 42 BRH 
That cost me $700 in 2019.

I put a Leupold VX-3i 3.5x10x40mm Rifle Scope on a rifle and sighted it in in 2019.
I paid $435 used here on the fire in 2013, it was made in 2009.

I am looking through them right now. The Swarovski has a better reticle, the Leupold has a better vertical turret, they are both about as clear.

Exactly this ^^^^ I really boils down to what your inividual eye likes better. Could not be happier with my Z3 3.5-10X42's. Unless I could buy them at the Leupold price point!

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3-10x42 Swarovski will be way better than the other choices at low light conditions. That is when the old bucks come out.

Like to hear your take on comparing the 42 vs Z3 in 36 side by side.