Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics nikon vs. weaver vs. ...

looks like a nice piece of glass may be in my near future. so, i need some advice on a scope that eventually will find its way on a heavy hunter project. for this whitetail season, it'll ride on the .270 rem 700 adl syn donor.
4.75 weaver grand slam vs. leupold 6x42 fx3 vs. nikon monarch 6x42 vs. burris fullfield 6x40 vs. leupold fx2 6x36 vs. ????.
prices new range from $224 (burris) to $379 for the leup fx3. as you can see, only a fixed power will do. project rifle eventually will be a 10 pounder or so, dedicated to powerlines, greenfields, etc.
i sure don't mind buyin' used, 'specially a leup. anybody know about a sale or two? rick?

I have the 6x42 leupold and it is one fine scope. I am told that a fixed power scope is typically brighter (all things being equal) than a variable as with the fixed, there are fewer glass surfaces to rob incoming light.

i've had both. i'm a simple dude. fixed it best for me.

Leupold 6x42 or Sightron 6x42. Go with the FXIII or the SIII; either will make you a happy camper.

My sightrons are brighter than most of all my Leupys, but
that's probably because of the larger bell? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

the sightron seems to have awfully short spaces between the turret pumpkin and the bells. my remy's a long action. issues on eye relief?

6x42 FXIII

I have the 6x36 FXII, and if weight is no concern go with the 6x42

My Sightron was first put on a Kimber 89 using Leupold dual
dovetail mounts/rings. It did just barely fit! Eye relief
is not a problem! And I am a "stock crawler"! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

It now resides on a custom mauser 30-06 which is
at present my primary hunting rifle. I like this scope
so much I seem to move it around to whichever gun I am going to use on my next hunting trip! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Mine, however, is the Sightron II in the 3X9X42, which
I keep on 6x all the time? I didn't buy the straight 6x
because my local gunshop didn't have one and I was
pressed for time.

The rest of my scopes are all Leupys. To me, this says a lot about the sightron scope. What I like best is that it shoots
where you adjust it, and stays there! New Leupys especially
can be, well finicky?

I'm in the same boat as you. I now need a scope for the Kimber 89, and will probably choose between the Leupold
6X36 or the sightron in 3x9 again or the straight 6x.

I don't think you can go wrong with either scope, fish! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Just checked the Sightron homepage. The Sightron II 6x
has 6.18" of mounting space. This should fit just about
anything! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Not a lemon in the bunch ! All are good choices. I have both the Burris FFII 6x40 and the Leupold M8 6x42 as well as a Meopta 6x42 and a Weaver classic 6x38. I looked through the Nikon but the eye relief seemed real critical to me, although if mounted right I am sure they would be very nice. I prefer german reticles and all my scopes have them. That has influenced my decision to a degree. The Meopta ($249) is always thought of as the best one when folks compare those I own. It is a little on the heavy side but that doesn't bother me on the rifle it is mounted. The same comparisons indicate that the Burris is preferred to the Leupold. Incidentally, it sits atop a very pretty older ADL Deluxe in 6mm and the two look wonderful together. Burris calls their german reticles 3p#4. I got mine new for $215 and as you probably surmise I am very, very happy with it. The wind & elevation are finger adjustable click types that are easier on your fingers than that tough little bar that are on most finger adjustable models. The Grand Slam adjustments appear to be similar and equally ergonomic. I am sure the new FX-II would be an extremly good scope but it is hard to justify such a large difference in the cost when compared with the other fine options. For instance, most folks absolutely dote on their Grand Slams - I just convinced my brother to buy one. I didn't get one because I wanted 6x across the board though the difference between that and 4.75 is barely discernable. I did however want that retcle. The only thing that doesn't thrill me about the Weaver is the less than aesthetic focus knob - doubt that would reason to stop me from buying such a nice scope. Quite honestly I think the differnce between them all is splitting hairs. Congrats on the ADL. Hope you got a good deal on it - I am seeing them new for about $375 or so. Keep us informed. Sorry if I rambled on unduly.

I'm with you on the weaver ugly. Too bad, as 4.5X is
just about right! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

I now have 3 of the Monarchs and friends have purchased 5 more after looking through them. Very good scope for the money. Good luck.

The 6X42 Monarch is very clear and the eye relief is fine for a 300 Wby. The only problem I had with the scope is that it lasted 48 rounds before something came loose inside.
Go with the Leupold.
Mike D.

Ah, yes. Most discussions about scopes are about which one will do the best job of discerning individual hairs on an elk's butt. My number one priority has always been mechanical reliability, especially holding zero. I just mounted a new Leupold Vari-X III 2.5x8 on my sons .30-06, and the adjustments seem hinkey, so I'm going to have to check it further or send it to Leupold. Since he's going elk hunting in a few weeks, I just loaned him a Burris with Posi-lock that I'm not using. There are things I don't care for in that Burris, but it damned sure doesn't change zero. Oh yeah, I meant what I wrote - it is a NEW Vari-X III, never before mounted.

"Oh yeah, I meant what I wrote - it is a NEW Vari-X III, never before mounted."

So, this was not the new VX-III, just for clarification. I recently bouught a new VX-III 2.5x8 for my sons (three of them) rifle. like it so far but have not sighted it in yet.

257Bob,

Correct. FWIW, I don't have blind faith in any scope. I like Leupolds mainly for their warranty, but the warranty won't do you much good if a scope fails in the field.

Paul

I'm with you, Paul.

That's why I keep changing that Sightron to my current
rifle in use. Shoots where you set it, and stays there! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Forgot about the "posi lock". Might give that a try too?

i'd really like to take a gander through all the scopes i am considering, but mid- to higher-priced fixed powers are way, way rare around here. b'ham is variable city.

i have considered the meopta. where ya get 'em fixed if they break?
rick has a nice price on the burris 6x40 at $204 ... but it's in plex rather burris' version of the so-called german reticle, which i kinda favor.

rats, i thought i'd get outfitter status with that post ...

oh, ho! it was the 2,501st one!