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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,210
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,210 |
If you like shooting in low light forget about the 4.5x15x40 LR. I have several of them, light gathering is not very good. The more I shoot long range the more I am learning that high magnification is not needed, or aften desirable.
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 733
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 733 |
Does the VX-3 with the 50mm bell provide any larger field of view at the lower settings that its x40mm counterpart?
BBerg
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 10,817
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 10,817 |
Ok, let me start off by saying that I've searched, googled, you name it! My intention is not to start a battle on the forum, but one of the problems I've come across researching the internet is there is too much info out there. I have more questions now then before...
Here's the deal - I am in the market for two new scopes. One for a 22-250 (coyote gun) and the other for a 257 Wby Mag (big game gun). I had been leaning toward the VX-3 4.5-14 with CDS, but I started looking closely at the specs and didn't like the FOV at the lowest setting. Odd that other brands in the same power range tend to have a slightly better FOV. This triggered hours and hours of searching to discover that this particular Leupold is not held in high regard. The rest of the VX-3 line has respect, just not that one model.
So, what's the deal? Is this the "lemon" in the VX-3 lineup, or am I seeing extreme opinions? The nearest store is 100 miles away, so it's tough for me to hop on down to the store and have a look.
1) With both guns being "long range" calibers, I would hate to not have "enough" scope on them. But, what is "enough"?
2) Do all 4.5-14 scopes have similar issues? Monarch? Conquest? Etc., or is this a Leupold issue?
3) For the 257 Wby, I am not after a 1,000 yard gun, regardless of the rounds capability. I would like to be capable at 500 yards if necessary. Of course, a 100 yard shot is preferred, but out here in the west on public land, you have to play the hand you're dealt. Sometimes that means a shot at 300 yards or greater. Would a 3.5-10 VX-3 be sufficient on this gun, or is it not "enough" scope?
4) For the 22-250, I've shot coyotes from 50 ft to 300 yards. What is enough scope for that gun? I currently have a 3-9 vari-x II on it now (going on my son's gun), but find that even at 9x a coyote at 300 yards is still pretty small, I wouldn't mind a little more, but not at the expense of optical quality.
5) I would love nothing but Conquests or better on all my rifles, but that's tough to do financially. I've got a Conquest on my 300 win mag, and it's awesome. But, I also got it when Conquests were new to the market, and they were actually less $$ than a vari-x III. My Conquest was $440 new in 2003, it is now $700. At the same time, I do want a quality scope on both guns.
6) Should I stay in the 14x range, and look to another brand? Should I go to a 10x max power, for which the VX-3 seems to have the goods for?
BTW - You'll notice that I didn't even bring up the topic of reticles vs. turrets. That's another thing that has my head swimming.... ...................Agar..........You are going to get varying opinions going from one extreme, that the 4.5-14x40 is junk, to the flip side where others including myself own and like this scope. First off, the FOV on the 4.5-14x40 VX3, which is 19.9' on the low setting @ 100 yards, is narrower by nearly 10' when compared to the 3.5-10x40 VX3`s 29.8' on its low setting. The 4.5x14 VX3 is a longer ranged variable and is not a shorter ranged woods scope where a wider FOV would be more favorable. Imo, for open country longer ranged hunting, a 10' narrower FOV at 100 yards is not all that much of a critical issue. The highly vaunted and very popular FX3 6x has a listed FOV of 17.7' at 100 yards, and the 4x FX2 has a listed FOV of 24 feet. And yet most find both very acceptable for just about all hunting including hunting in the woods and timbers. With regards to eye relief, some state that there is a wider variance from the low to the high power for the 4.5x14 vs the 3.5x10. According to all the specs I`m seeing and from different sources, the 3.5-10x40 VX3 has a listed eye relief from between 3.6" to 4.4", while the 4.5-14x40 has a listed eye relief from between 3.7" to 4.4". The 3.5-10x40 is a very suitable and versatile longer ranged scope and would be very do-able for what you seek. IF your hunting includes some shorter ranged work, its 10' wider FOV on the lower setting will be better. But strictly used as a long ranged open country hunting variable, and setting aside the FOV difference between them on the low setting, I fail to see why the 3.5-10x40 VX3 would be a superior scope to the 4.5-14x40 VX3. And their length and weight are nearly the same. The 10x max vs the 14x max, really depends on your personal preference and/or what your paper punching ranges will be and the size of game you`ll be hunting. If I were hunting smaller varmits at longer extended ranges, I`d personally prefer the 14x vs the 10x for my eye balls. A 4.5-14x40 VX3 sits atop my 338-378 Wby Accumark. Not a shorter to moderate ranged woods or timbers rifle and scope. It is an open country and longer ranged big game powerhouse. No issues or problems to report with this scope.
28 Nosler,,,,300WSM,,,,338-378 Wby,,,,375 Ruger
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 10,817
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 10,817 |
And to add on an after thought, the 3.5x10 will bring in a little more light for low light hunting. Very low light hunting is usually never part of my agenda anyway.
So for my usage, the 4.5-14x40 suites me fine.
28 Nosler,,,,300WSM,,,,338-378 Wby,,,,375 Ruger
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 7,114 Likes: 3
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 7,114 Likes: 3 |
I have a vx 3 3.5-10 which has the power to shoot even coyotes at 1000 yards for hunting it has enough power for my needs. however with the 4.5-14 model you have an option of getting parralax adjustment which should allow you to shoot a little tighter way out there once the parralax is removed. thats the only reason why I am wanting to buy the 4.5-14 model
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 27,500
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 27,500 |
I have two 4.5-14x40's in gloss. 1 on my Biesen stocked Sako Riihimaki 222 and one on my full custom 257 WBY. LOVE 'em. Would not put one, or any Leopould for that matter, on my 416 Rigby or 340 Tyrannosaur but on non severe use and non DGR rifles such as a varmint rifle or a 25 something or other thay are great. Been using them since they came out in that power range I think, About 20 or so years now. IMO, ideal for the applications you mentioned.
LOVE God, LOVE your family, LOVE your country, LIKE guns and sports.
About 2016 team "R" candidates "We definitely need a crew with a sack of balls the size of hot water bottles, bloviated estrogen leaking feel-gooders need not apply." Gunner 500
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,889
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,889 |
Here is an artist's rendition of the various 4-14x40/50 models. He nailed the FOV experience, not sure on the rest of it... ![[Linked Image]](http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y76/rbhutch/IMG_0152.jpg)
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