Ran across a nice gloss finish vari-x III leupy 2.5-8x36 (duplex reticle) and wanted to know what these things are selling for used. Also since it is a vari-x and not vx how is the glass in these things (low light, clarity etc.). Thanks for the help...

It'd bring $185-$200 in the classifieds here pretty easily. Maybe more, but not much more.

$250 pretty easy. The glass is good. Just make sure it's not a vari x-111 that is old enough that it has friction adjustment and not clicks.

They seem to bring more than you'd think on ebay. I've bid on a couple and quit when they got to around $100 difference or less for a new VX3.

In my opinion, and i understand it is just that, my opinion, they bring way more than they should be worth. The older ones (vari-x) are the worst. No dought they are good scopes but compared to the new stuff i just don't think they are worth what they seem to bring. I think that old scope SHOULD be worth about 150.00 if it's nice. I know it'll bring lots more, just my .02 worth.

Guy

I agree

$250

I have a vari X III 2.5x8 that has click adjustments, are they suppose to have friction of click?

Suppose to have click, some older ones have friction which I don't like

I must have bought at the right time!

BSA, I had at least 4 of those click-adjust Vari-X III 2.5-8's. I still have one.

They are good scopes... with the caveat that they are not particularly good in low, grey, western Oregon November light. At least not to my eye.

I sold several on the classifieds for $250 if memory serves. They were matte.

I agree as well.

Heck brand new VX-3's can be gotten for ~$350 with a C&R.

I often wonder if all of these buyers know the difference in the models or just know they are buying a Leupold? I just wonder because some people are loonies and, some just hunt once in a while. No knock intended to anyone as i know jobs and family take up a lot of time in our lives.

Guy

Thanks Jeff, you still getting along well with the VX-III 2.5-8 or are you ready to sell it off too . I agree with some of these other posters that leupolds seem to be higher priced for what you actually get, but you are actually paying for a great warranty and CS as well and that may be worth paying the premium. I may be wrong, but after dealing with bushnell, I don't think I'll ever buy another one, unless nsaqam has another 4200 like the one he sold for dirt cheap last week

NO arguement about Leupolds warranty or CS. I guess it just depends on what each person thinks it's worth. For that matter NO arguement about the quality of Leupold scopes in general. I've only had one experence with Bushnell CS and it was as pleasant as i could ask for (even better). Right now i have four 4200s and one 3200. I don't know if the glass is as good as a new VX-3 because i don't have one to compare to. IF its not as good it sure as hell is close. I guess for less than half the money i'll use the Bushnell's untill they give me a reason to change.

Guy

The 4200 glass is EVERY bit as good as the VX-3 glass.

I haven't honestly used it for a few weeks. I got my 7WSM finally and have been working with that getting it sorted out. You know how sometimes, you rebarrel a rifle, and virtually any load you throw at it, shoots? Well... this hasn't been like that.

I just swapped scopes over on it, hopefully that's what's up.

I forget, BSA... have you used a 3-9x40 Conquest?

Hope you start having some better luck with that 7. I know you've been anxiously waiting on that one and finally got it back from the smith.
I haven't used a conquest before, but have seriously considerd one. I've looked thru them many times at wholesale sports. Very nice scopes for the money for sure.....

They have Rainguard so, IMO, that qualifies as better quite easily.

Why did you sell the 4200 so cheap last week or was it 2 weeks ago now?????

Yeah... what it's been doing reeks of bedding and/or scope problems. Fixed the bedding, now as soon as I get the chance I'll find out if it was the scope. Aargh.

You really get a sense of just how good that particular Conquest is when you mount it up and use it a while. 4" of constant eye relief will spoil ya! Plus they are so bright and clear and track so reliably. I'll put a Leup on a featherweight but beyond that, I'm a Conquest slut <g>.

(It's kind of funny to be rooting for a busted $800 scope but that's the position I find myself in! The alternative sux worse...)

Jeff O
I feel for ya. I didn't rebarrel but bought a 700 LSS Mountain in 260 and it's kinda giving me fits too.

Good luck, Guy

Guy, I've had 3 LSS's... bedding those stocks really helps (though my 7-08 didn't need it), and look closely at the barrel channel for side contact. They made some crooked stocks for those... the one on my M7 was WAY crooked.

Once you get it shooting you can really improve the balance (IMHO) by hollowing out the buttstock.

Or rebarrel <g>. I ended up doing that with two of mine.

This rifle (my 7wsm) is showing things like two shots touching... then two more touching, but 3" away. So... bedding or scope makes the most sense.

Jeff
Haven't decided to bed and hollow or go with a B&C Ti stock. The last test group wasn't that bad, 125 Part. at 2855 to 2875, 7/8inch. If i can get just a tad tighter and repeat consistantly i'll probably stay with the heavy lam. stock. No side contact, no speed bumps either. Actually if i can stay at the 7/8inch it would be ok also, although will probably bed anyway. I've got a 700 Mountain guide in 243 that does that with SOME loads (87grn. v-maxs) drives me nuts. Been trying to solve with seating depth, we'll see.

Guy

BUT... nothing else about the scope or the company that imports it is.

Bushnell = trouble+ no customer service.

I am original owner of a 1984 vintage VARI-X III 2.5-8x36, it has click adjustments. Compared to my Swaro AV, its not as good, but it ain't bad.

I have an old Vari-X III with friction adjustments, but I don't recall the year of manufacture.

7. When was my scope manufactured?
Every Leupold scope produced since 1974 will have a letter included in the serial number acting as a date-code. Scopes using a letter as a prefix (the beginning of the serial number) were produced between 1974 and 1992. Scopes using a letter as a suffix (the end of the serial number) have been produced after 1992. On the chart below, you will notice the letters �I,� �O,� and �Q� have been omitted as they are easily mistaken for �1,� �0,� and �0� respectively.
Prefix: Suffix:
E = 1974 A = 1993
F = 1975 B = 1994
G = 1976 C = 1995
H = 1977 D = 1996
J = 1978 E = 1997
K =1979 F = 1998
L = 1980 G = 1999
M = 1981 H = 2000
N = 1982 J = 2001
P = 1983 K = 2002
R = 1984 L = 2003
S = 1985 M = 2004
T = 1986 N = 2005
U = 1987 P = 2006
V = 1988 R = 2007
W = 1989
X = 1990
Y = 1991
Z = 1992