Wanting a new scope for a Bergara Woodsman that is extremely accurate and could quite possibly benefit from a scope with a bit more power. Currently the rifle has a 3-9x40 Freedom w/ CDS (surprisingly good scope BTW). I'm a little nervous about a scope with that much power having parallax issues. I have seen a version with side focus but it's a 30mm tube which I'm not crazy about. I do really like the CDS with a simple duplex reticle Don't care for busy reticles, dots that are only accurate on max power or growing/shrinking reticles (FFP). This rifle ultimately is a deer/elk rifle used in open country, but is a lot of fun to shoot little groups with at 100 yards or ding steel plates out to 5-600 yards. Would like to keep it around $500 but have also considered the Nightforce SHV - that would really stretch what I'm willing to pay for a scope though. I currently think that the VX3i 3.5-10x40 CDS is my first choice. Thoughts?

Centershot: I own several Leupold 4.5x14 variable scopes. I have them on both Varmint and Rifles.
They are great scopes. Reliable, bright and indeed the "extra" power comes in very handy.
All of mine have the fine Du-Plex reticles and that is a handy aid in long range shooting as well - once set-up for use of the top of the vertical Du-Plex diminishing point.
On the used market (remember the Leupold lifetime warranty!) you can find them for well under your "$500.00" mark!
I have several 3.5x10 Leupolds also and for your stated purposes I would opt for the 4.5x14.
Best of luck to you with whichever you choose.
By the way I much prefer the Leupold 4.5x14's with the adjustable objectives.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

That would be a good option you will be right on the line as far as needing parallax adjustment. This is why I usually stop at 10x. I have an older VX-3 on a 300 WM and I have never once wanted either more or less scope. I have wished someone else could carry it for me while elk hunting but that is par for the course.

You might want to also look at some of the Meopta scopes Cameraland has on sale. Here is a nice one in your price range, https://cameralandny.com/shop/brand...0137-06f9-00163e90e196?variation=1927203

A little heavier, good optics, less eye relief/eyebox but good enough. I would have to look at them side by side with the VX3i to see the differences but I think the Meopro will win out.

It's all about what you like, the only two scopes I've owned over 12x I sold. I hate a parallax adjustment personally.
Recently purchased two Leupold 2-12 power and I believe they are perfect for my hunting style.

I have one with the b&c reticle and love it. Very clear

I have some 3.5x10’s, but a good many 4.5x14’s. I would go with the 4.5x14x40’s. I got lucky, got a new CDS model today on GunBroker for 300.00. I can see well before and well after legal shooting hours. I have some 50 mm, but the 40’s are just as good.

Hanco, do the models you have, have the side focus(parallax adjustment)? and how do you like them. I have been looking at these models in 30mm and 1'', also looked at the VX5 3-15, currently debating between the 3 for my 85 Finnlight 270 wsm

Some of each. 30mm tubesx 40mm. 30mm tubesx50mm 1”x40, 1”x 50. I like them all. I have the 30mmx50mm side focus models on 300 Win mags, 300 Weatherby’s, 26 Nosler rifles.

I have have owned 3 Leupold 4.5-14x40s. The first was std duplex, AO. I bought it in the early-mid '90s to go on a Ruger 77 VT .25-'06. I kept it when I sold the gun. It became my long action varmint / sendero scope of choice, then rode on a .221 FB LVSF and on a .17 FB SPS. Someone offered me more money for the SPS than I had into it, including scope, brass, bullets, etc, so I took their offer .. a mistake I think. I replaced it with a non-AO version with the Varmint Hunter crosshairs. That scope rides on a very light 700 .204 Ruger. The other came from the custom shop. I wanted AO, FD crosshairs, and CDS, and those weren't offered together. It's been on a number of rifles. Currently it is on a Ruger MPR.

I like these scopes quite a lot. I haven't had any issues, optical or mechanical. I think they're a great fit for something like a Sendero in .300 Win Mag or 7mm Rem Mag, or even for a heavy sporter in a slightly lighter chambering. The bottom end is comfortable for most hunting use ... there isn't a lot of general purpose need for anything below 4X. Top end is high enough to spot your holes on paper at 200 yards .. and a 300 yards for ,30 cal. Useful. Just plain useful.

Tom

They are great for my use! The rifles that have Redfield scopes have Leupolds now

I have a couple of the 4.5-14x40 AO, both with the Varmint Hunter reticle. Excellent scopes.

I've never fingered a VX3i 4.5-14x40, but a 4.5-14x40 VXII AO is on my .221 Fireball and while I like it a lot on a varmint rifle, the exit pupil diameter is very small compared to my other scopes. That is okay when one has lots of time to perfectly align ones head behind the scope for the full fov, but not so good for a faster shot opportunity. I bought the scope used from a guy who had the same complaint when he had it on his deer rifle.

Interesting thread.

I’m currently on the verge of ordering a vx3i in 4.5x14x40, 30mm, sf to run on my SPS 700 in .204.
There’s an inexpensive variable on board now that goes to 21x with sf - but its clarity runs out (for me) at about 12x and the reticle is thicker than I like.

I’ve heard complaints about the eye box @ high power, but since it’s on a dedicated small varmint rig I don’t believe that’ll be an issue.
Really looking for a clean, clear field of view and the ability to rule out parallax and better reticle (Duplex for me).

1” vs 30mm is irrelevant, as I won’t need the extra ele/wind adjustment, but I can’t seem to find it in 1” with sf.

This is really just a fun gun for ground squirrels, sage rats/chucks and staffing rocks as far off as I think I can - so pretty deliberate shooting. For a walk about coyote calling/truck rig I have a .223 with a Leupold 3x9 and a more sensible trigger.

About the only question I may have is: how important is sf for this use?
JB wrote that anything around 12x and up would benefit from it - what are you guys that have them finding?

BT

I own several of the VX3i 4.5x14x40 scopes, I have 2 that don't have the A.O. or the side focus. they do have a bit of an issue with parallax in certain conditions 12x and above. I was shooting one yesterday and didn't even notice it, other times it will get me a bit tense.
I have several with the AO and no complaints but the side focus is faster and easier, it's just that you have to go 30mm to get side focus.
As for reticles I have tried most of the one's that Leupold offer's, The target crosshair was a mistake for a hunting rifle (crosshairs so small you can't see them in certain situations) The mil dot reticle is dreadful. Not really even much of a fan of the Boone&Crockett, my favorite is just the fine duplex

I like the fine duplex too. I don’t like the thick one.

Boatanchor/handco,

Thanks for the replies 👍

I don’t like a messy reticle and prefer the standard or even a fine duplex.
So it looks like my mind is made up, now.

I can buy the scope in 30mm with sf and duplex for $533.
I’ll get it ordered this week and go find some rings.

I think you will like it, let us know how it works for you.

Will do 👍

That .204 is a laser! Tiny little groups with the 39 gr Sierra.
But, can’t hit what can’t see, hoping this will be a big step forward.

Will be interested in what you think of this scope. I'm leaning 3.5-10x40 - it's a little leaner with the 1" tube (and I already have Tally 1" rings) 10X top end should be fine without side focus and it primarily is a big game hunting rifle. 500 yards is still a very long shot to me. But - a Nightforce SVH 3-10 is still weighing on my mind - buy once, cry once?

Our needs are different. Mine is for a light varminter where I need a bit more power and better resolution than I’m currently getting.
If it were for a big game rifle, I’d definitely lean towards the 3.5x10 or more so the 2.5x8.... my fav.

This rig will see way more shooting than carrying, while my game guns get to go for long walks.
I like your thinking here: “Buy once, cry once”...... this will be a $100 saddle on a $20 horse.

i have tried to like them several times but find the eye box to be hard to get behind....

I prefer the zeiss/meopta 4-14x44 scope and they are on sale at cameland and probably cheaper than the leupolds currently

Don't really think of my Bergara Woodsman as a $20 horse, but if it is - it runs like a racehorse. I almost have myself talked into a Nightforce SHV 3-10x42.

Keep talkin'.

I have that scope and really like it.

Centershot,

Lots of good feedback here! I want to address a couple technical topics that have come up. You mention a concern about parallax and high power in your original message, but not to worry. A higher power optic is not inherently more less susceptible to parallax than a lower power scope. What is more important is objective lens size. You will experience more parallax (The change in point of impact due to a change in eye position) on a scope with a larger objective lens. The reason you usually see less parallax when you turn a scope's magnification down is not because of the reduced power, but because your image is coming from a smaller portion of the objective lens.

Gene270 mentioned eyebox, and that is a real trade off to consider. With something like a 4.5-14 power scope, it will be much more important that you mount it carefully fro eye relief. We recommend positioning the scope as far from your eye as you can at high power and still get a full field of view. This will help ensure you get the best image at all magnifications. Carrying it in the field at a lower power will help you get on target faster as well. Hope this is helpful!

That is good information, I didn’t know that!

That IS good information 👍
OK, the scope is here and mounted. I did as recommended above by Leupold and set my eye relief while on 14x.
It sits nice and low in the Leupold standard mounts (windage adj base) and Low rings.

Clears both the bolt and barrel just fine. I like my scopes mounted as close to the bore as possible.
It’s been pouring rain here in S Oregon, so haven’t gotten to the range yet - will bore sight it tomorrow and shoot ASAP.
It’s obviously a huge improvement over the inexpensive scope it replaced.

My Vx-3i was toast right out of the box... sending it in for warranty repairs today.

I've used one extensively over the last 2 years. It has done everything I wanted it to do. To my eyes, good glass for the money, clear, pretty bright during dawn and dusk. I'd buy another.

Only time I have seen this happen is if it is a counterfeit, you might want to talk with Leupold first and give them the serial#

Did you buy it on E-BAY ?????

I have at least 25 of them, nary a problem with them.

Nope, purchased through a very reputable retailer up here in Canada that is listed as Leupold dealer. If it's a knockoff they did a damn good job as it's identical in every way to the same scope I have sitting on another rifle just won't shoot or hold zero. It was delivered by mail though so who knows how it was treated in transit...

I have owned about dozen and a half or so of the Vari-X III, VX-III, VX-3, and VX-3i 4.4-14x40mm scopes, and I liked every one of them (except the single non-AO version I had). Still own 3 of them I think. I also have several VX-5s and I'd say the VX-5HD 3-15x really outclasses the VX-3i line. If you have not looked through one, you really ought to check one out to find out whether or not you think the price difference is justified. I think it's worth the difference and I'd upgrade everything to VX-5 if I could afford it.