Hi All, just looking for opinions on a scope for an all purpose 308.I want to keep the outfit as light as possible but also have quality optics at a reasonable price.I don't want a fixed power or Chinese scope. Right now I'm leaning towards the Leupold VXII 2X7 but would welcome other opinions. How does the Leupold VX3 1.75X6 fare against the VX2, is it noticeably better? Anyway, I'd appreciate your opinions. Thanks!

I'd run the 2-7x

What's wrong with a fixed power scope? For light weight aLeupold FXII 4x33 would be your best bet; even better would be a Leupold 2.5x20.

But he don't want a fixed power.

I'm using the VX-III version and I like it a lot. The VX-3 should be even better.

m

Thanks for the reply's! The reason i don't want a fixed power scope is due to antler restrictions in our area. I have an FX2 4X on my Marlin 444 and like it alot but it's sometimes hard to get a quick point count on 4X. Last Saturday I saw a buck doing a quick walk through some thick slashings on the hillside behind my house at about 60 yards and couldn't count the points. The action in some of the thick stuff around here doesn't give you time to fumble with binoculars either.

The 2x7 VXII is hard to beat for a lightwweight scope. I've got a 2.5x8 Conquest which I like a little better...although it's a few ounces heavier.

Have two of the VX11 2-7,only complaint is the power rings are too tight.I would spend the extra and go to a VX3.

For price, quality of optics, and lightweight, the 2x7 would be my choice....


Casey

I've never used a Leupold 2X7 but have and like the 2.5X8. It's really a great scope. A little more money but only about a ounce heavier then the 2X7. I've always wanted to try the 1.75X6 but never have.

270

I've got this one (http://www.vortexoptics.com/product/vortex-viper-2-7x32-riflescope-v-plex-reticle), and I love it! Mine's on a 700 Mountain Rifle, and (to me) it's a nice lightweight, fast-handling package.

It looks to be about �" longer than the Leupold VXII 2-7 x 33, and about 3 ounces heavier. It's smaller & lighter than the Zeiss 2�-8, but it's still neck-and-neck with the Conquest's glass. If you have any way to look through one, I'd strongly encourage you to do so. If I'm not mistaken, there's a $50 rebate now, as well. That would put you at $249.

This Viper was the first scope I ever bought from Doug @ CameraLand. I've been so happy with the scope, and with the transaction, that I've bought every scope since then from him. Tremendous people.

Good Luck,

FC

I agree with you that more power can help one make out details.

Each persons eyesight varies and each of us should select what we have looked at and know is best for us. In VT there are antler restrictions that require a 1" fork on an antler. Not that easy to see!

As for my eye I have 2-7 and 2.5-8 Leu's on lightweights and they are good. Also the 4X's with the heavy crosshairs (Zeiss Diatal) cut it for my eye. On my Kimber 308 which is pretty much my go to rifle for a lot of hunting there is a 2.5-8 Conquest. While that scope is larger and heavier than some Leu's its comfortable on the light Kimber Montana.

The Conquests do have superior optics and crosshairs to the Leu's to my eye.

I used to get by with the old 1st focal plane 4X Lyman All Americans. They are good scopes to my eye. Later I got about a dozen Leupolds. Glad I did not buy something cheap. Variables are in.

Now that the Conquest is here I fit them where they are 'comfortable' considering their bulkier than the Leu's.

My suggestion is to look through the scopes at a dealer, mounted ones on rifles for sale at a gunshop and for sure check out a Conquest.

I'd go with a VX-11 3-9x40 plenty light enough and you get a 40 mm objective,only weighs like 2 ounces more than the 2-7 I just don't see the need to pay $100 more for a 2.5-8

The voice from the wilderness keeps shouting Leupold 1.5-5x20, but few answer back....big grins

An ugly ducking, but a close to perfect LW for Pa.

Take the little allen head screw out of the magnification ring, and put a drop of silicon lube in the hole. Work it back and forth, sometimes another drop will help more. Every Leupy 2x7 of mine going back to the mid 80's had the same tight magnification adjustment--drove me nuts for a long time.......



Casey

Casey:

Leupold product warning:"Do not loosen the screw in the power selector ring. Doing so will release the internal nitrogen that keeps the scope fog free. Loosening the screw will also disconnect a pin that controls the internal operations, causing other problems that would require factory repairs. Do not lubricate the power selector ring; doing so is unnecessary."

I disagree with the last sentence in it not being necessary, but are we talking about a different screw than the on the power selector?

I forgot to add: DON'T MOVE THE SELECTOR RING UNTIL THE SCREW IS BACK IN PLACE.

Now, the newest 2x7 I have is a 2003 model VX II, the rest are Vari-X II's, maybe something has changed?


Casey

The one I have I bought last year and the ring is tight. I started to loosen and after a quarter turn thought maybe I should read the manual first. That is where I obtained the warning. I called Leupold and they said to send it back and they will check if any nitrogen was released and loosen the ring.

However, the rep said he doubted a quarter turn would cause any problems. All I know.

I sold off most of my VX-II's in favor of III's because of the tight zoom rings, even in lapped rings. My Vari x-II is fine though. The weight and length difference between the 1.75-6x32 and the 2-8 is so little I've gone with the 2.5-8x36 on all my midrange rifles including my TI. Nice having things all the same. 10.9 to 11.4oz. with a VX-III vs 10.5 for a VX-II 2-7x33 for 1oz you get a lot more scope!

All that said, If I was tempted to go 2-7 the Vortex Viper 2-7x32 with the BDC reticle for $259.00 before the rebate is over. That's half a new VX-3!

TK

1.75X6

You couldn't count the points with a 4X at 60 yds. ? I find that surprising. I can count .30 caliber bullet holes at 100 yds. with mine. If you'd like, we can discuss focusing procedures that might help.
As to your question, I'd probably go with the VX3 simply because I like having the far harder coatings and the finger tip adjustable adjustment dials. If that doesn't appeal to you, I'm sure the 2-7X33 will make you happy. Very bright, sharp and has lots of eyebox. E

For your application "my" personal choice would be the 2-7X33

the 1.75-6 has a field of view so wide you can see your own ass.

Yeah, but it isn't wide enough to view Mayra's ass all at once.

My vote is for this one. 1.5-5 Leupold. Fits the Kimber real good.

theres a reason. you shouldnt see that ass all at once... its like staring into the sun. too much goodness for one man to behold.

You might want to take a look at the Burris 2X-7X-35mm Fullfield II with a Ballistic Plex reticle.

How about a Leupold 3-9x33 ultralight? no personal experience, but it would seem to fit your want.

Compared to the two models the OP mentioned I find the Leupold Compact/Ultralight variable power scopes to be compromised in eye relief, both in length and critical nature.

I have Leupolds in 1.5-5x20, 1.75-6x32, 2-7x28, 2-7x33, and 2.5-8x36. I don't like the Vari-X III 1.5-5x20 as much as the other scopes that I have listed, as I don't think that it is as bright. For me, the 1.75-6x32, 2-7x33, and 2.5-8x36 are so similar as to be a wash, IOW, try them and pick the style that you like. The older 2-7x28 Vari-X IIc doesn't seem as bright to my 50+ year old eyes, but they have been great scopes that have worked for me for over 25 years.

I have more a couple doxen 2-7x33s in Rifleman, VX1, and VX2 configurations that all seem to work well enough for my purposes. I particularly like the heavy duplex reticle.

Jeff

I also have 1,5x5, 1.75x6, 2x7 and a few 2.5x8's. I like them all but the 2.5x8's are my favorites.

Any of the current offerings have ballistic reticles that work out nicely with the .308 150grain bullet drops?

Wondering about that Vortex BDC...

VXIII 1.75x6, VXII 2x7, VXIII 2.5x8 for variables.

I'd lean towards the VXII 2x7 for the LRD. It's simple and works. The VXII is the lightest of the bunc as well...but only by a partial ounce... It has good eye relief as well.

Leu should put the LRD in all their scopes.

I opted for the 2.5-8 for my .308 BLR. I have the old vari-x II on a 22 mag and glass is alot better with the VXIII.

I'd have to vote vari-x-III/vx-III 1.75-6. It can't get much better for a quality lower pwr compact scope.

My eyes have celebrated their seventy-fifth birthday and if my 1.5 X 5 was any brighter, I'd have to wear colored glasses while night shooting.

Yea, the VX-111 are crystal sharp. Not sure the VX-3 can be better.

Just recounting my impressions of what has, or has not, worked well for me. The only reason that I keep a couple of 1.5-5x20s mounted is that they just look "right" on some rifles, 1 of which being, to my eyes, the Ruger 44 International.

Jeff

Could be the difference between vari and vx. Coatings have certainly improved. Not sure on the glass quality.

My Vari-X IIIs are good, but my VX-IIIs are better. Some folks whose opinions I trust say their VX-3s are better yet.

I managed just fine for years with pre-Vari-X IIs and Vari-X IIs that have lens coatings in the Rifleman and VX1 catagory, scopes that are now considered by some to not be worth the effort of mounting.

But what the heck, I regularly get by with inferior Nikon, Redfield, Simmons, and Weaver scopes too.

Jeff

Can't argue with what works for each individual. They all are way ahead of what I started with. (A Lyman-2x-I think, with 1/2in tube.)

Still remember the first Buck I shot with that scope at around 100yards on a day with the snow coming down.

Thanks for all the reply's! Looks like it comes down to the 2X7 or 1.75X6. The staight tube (objective) scopes look nice but I find them a little too dim in poor light.

I have a couple of 2x7x33 and have used them for years and I have two 2.5x8s and don't see much difference..Actually for a light compact rifle in .308 my choice of scope would be a to find an old used 3X M8 or 4X..They are tough and all the scope you will ever need for big game hunting..varibles are the product of some pretty fancy marketing and a gullible public.