Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Z3 vs VX5HD for 35 Whelen

They are both 2-10x42 (1in vs 30mm tubes). I am wanting to put it on a 35 Whelen, no intention of dialing. What would you guys go with?

Either would be good. I think the swaro will have the edge on glass and weight. Btw the z3 is a 3-10

Both made in USA!

If those are the only 2 choices, the Leupold.
You can get a NF SHV 3-10x for less $$ and arguably, a better scope, Japan made though if that’s an issue.

My .358 killed a Swaro Z3 in short order. It now wears a Nightforce SHV 3-10 with no problems. My buds .35 Whelan killed a Leupold 1”, don’t recall which model. It now wears a Meopta Artemis and no problems.

A WAY better scope. No comparison, unless all you care about is pretty glass.

I'll pile on with SD. The NF 3-10 are the best SFP duplex scopes I've ran. I run one on one of my 35 Whelens. That same gun killed a 2.5-8 Leupold. To be fair the Leupold did hold up on that rig for a long time with a lot of shooting and a lot of field carry. Was never codled.

Also lost a Swaro on a 338 WM.

Sitting in my stand with mine all afternoon.

My .35 Whelen Ackley wears a 1.5-5x leupold 30mm illuminated kraut #4. It was on a .376 steyr before. Hasn’t died yet as of this buck yesterday.

Is the VX5 available with anything other than the Wide Duplex? That was the only option I saw when I handled one years ago, and it wasn't a workable option for me.

FC

I think I’d go Trijicon accupoint if needing 1” or the SHV mentioned if 30 mm.

If you are limited to those two choices; I’d pick the vx-5 for ease of warranty.

Huck of a buck there!

Nice. 👍

My 35 Whelen killed a Redfield LPWidefield 2 x7 first shot at a deer broke the horizontal wire. And a VariX111 2.5 x 8 twice. 2nd time less than 2 boxes after going back to Leupold for repair. I wouldn't do Leupold. The only one I own that hasn't failed yet has less than 2 boxes of 30-06 through it.

I have an older Burris on my Whelen. 1.5-6 with light pundit. Very similar to the fourx model they were selling last year. Just over 180rd of heavy 225gr loads and never missed a lick. I’ve found more and more less is more on the scopes.

The LEUPOLD VX-5HD has a very wide plex but I’m pretty sure the VX-6HD has a slightly heavier and not so wide plex. I believe it’s the same as the one that came in the original VX-6. Why they made them different I have no clue.

Tract has a 2-10 that has really good glass. Been thinking about getting one of them. #4 german or a BDC

I’ve owned a couple Z3s. One has been rocking on a 300wby for many years while other is getting ready to go back for repairs a second time. It can’t take 30-06 recoil…. I’m not a fan of modern Leupolds….but wouldn’t hesitate to put a vari-X-III on a Whelen. FWIW, my Whelen has a Zeiss DL 2x8 that has been perfect so far. I’ve become a real fan of Tract binos and scopes. To date, they’ve held up perfectly on multiple rifles.

Maven RS2 2-10.

A Swarovski Z3 can’t stand up to .30-06 recoil? Whodathunkit? I’m hoping mine doesn’t go off the rails.

I’ve had had the following scopes on a M700 .35 Whelen: 2-7x Redfield Widefield, 3-9x VX-II, 3-9x Sightron, currently a 1.5-6x Burris FourX 30mm tube Illuminated dot and only the Leupold had to go back for repair. The power ring would stick and not move.

I have a .300 Weatherby that has wrecked a Leupold; repaired and sent down the road.

Question?
Wonder why the Z3 holds up on the Roy and craps out on a .30-06? Is the ‘06 a lightweight rifle?

Just curious…