I’m looking to put a new scope on my .270 deer rifle. My current setup is a Vortex Viper HS 2.5-10. The Zeiss V4 and Leupold vx-5 seem to be within $100 of each other on the deals I’ve been able to find. Which would you go with and why?

I have a VX-5HD ZL2, 2-12x42, and for me it is just about perfect. I used the free coupon to get a custom dial from Leupold, and since I pretty much stick to one load in my .270 WSM it works very well at reasonable hunting ranges. The glass is excellent, so far the turrets work very well, and it's a light scope. Some don't care for the wide duplex, but I don't mind it. Mine also has illumination. If you qualify for veteran/first responder discounts, you can buy direct from Leupold cheaper than most of the used deals you find.

Have both. The Zeiss tracks well and is a very good scopes but I would give a Leupold VX5 or VX6 the edge for glass clarity and light transmission. My Leupolds are recent purchases so I haven't run them through any dialing tests to compare.

I would put the leupold glass on par, if not slightly better than my swaros, even my Z6 Swarovski 1,7x10x42. Biggest complaints about my VX5 3x15x44 is the short tube length. Mounted on a short action M70 FW in Talley steel bases/rings and absolutely no room to adjust. Long action will require a rail mount or offset rings.

I believe you could reach into a bag and which ever one you pulled out, you’d be pleased with. I run mostly V4’s but would not feel handicapped with the Leupold. Chances are if you compare them side by side, one of them is going to appeal to you more than the other. You’ll know which one.