Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Leupold FX-II 2.5x20 Ultralight

I needed a new scope for my Marlin 1894S .44 Mag. I saw these in the gear shop at a competitive price, and ordered one.
Does anyone have any experience with this scope? I am not concerned that it won't be a good scope, but how does it compare to others with regards to clarity, ability in low light, and ability to take recoil?

I've got one on a Ruger 7x57 No. 1 and have had them on 458 Win Mags, 9.x3x62's and a 338 Win Mag. Very tough, very bright and good eye relief. I like them as much, if not more, than the "legendary" Leupold 3x, which I have a few of as well. For your levergun there isn't a better scope on the market. I chose a 2.5x for my No. 1 because I didn't want to materially alter the gun's balance; the ultralight is light enough that you barely notice it there. Mount it low to the receiver and it won't interfere with one- handed carry either.

I put this scope on my ultra light 50cal MZ. It is a very tough nice bright scope. Some have shot it at the range and thought it didn't have enough magnification but it is for hunting and it perfect at the range I use it for and for what you will be using that lovely 44 for. I have a VX-II 1-4 on my 44 like yours and it will probably have a 2.5 on it one day....

I remember using an M8 2.5x on a Marlin 995 22 for tree squirrel hunting, seemed low on mag, but I got squirrels......do have to say for those small rodents, a 6x was/is preferred but my custom bbl 77/22 wears a B&L 4x right now, satisfactorily. Was looking for a 2.5 awhile back for a 357 lever. Good scopes for certain applications, esp on carbines, preserves balance/handiness.

Put one on my 458 Lott and so far so good.

Probably the most reliable scope on the market for the hard kickers. The one on my Lott has (knock on wood) held up extremely well.

I have also used the scope on slug guns and my .444 Marlin. Not especially bright or good in very low light (small objective), but I have found them to be clear and to work well enough in the heavy brush and timber for short range thumpers.

Thanks very much for your input. I have used several old Weaver K2.5 scopes in the past. I still have one mounted on my old Savage 170 30-30 pump rifle.
There is no doubt that this new Leupold will be brighter and will extend my hunting time in the early morning and twilight times.

The new scope showed up today on the Big Brown truck. Pretty speedy shipping, and free!

I mounted it right away on my Marlin 1894S. I have never seen a scope that so much looked like it 'belonged' on a Marlin. I took it out back, about 8:15. Dusk, and looking into the corner of the yard, some 75 yards away, I could pick out the ferns and vines like it was bright daylight.
I know a lot of guys here spend a lot of money on scopes. Although I have a few Pentax and Leupold scopes, I also have a number of Bushnell, older Weavers and Redfields. I have decided that the days of the 'good' but 'inexpensive' scopes for me are gone.
This is one fine little scope.

Looks very nice!

Really does sit up there like it was made for it!

What I was looking for to go on a 357 Marlin of mine....but looks like an M8 4x33 is coming back from Leupy in German #1. Think it will be a compact set up, and fast to target.