I agree with Terry on this. I have tried Leupold and can't fault them; it's just that we don't get on.Value can't be beaten, nor (from coments on this site) can toughness. I have a S&B flashdot on my .375 and I have failed to break it in 3 African hunts and numerous bumps. The red dot is not vital but it certainly helps me. I have S&B on smaller calibres, with Zeiss variables on 7x64 and .300WM. The latter has been going 12 years in 3 continents and still keeps zero'd despite cavalier treatment.
Mounts either Warne or Apel.

I'm afraid that I must disagree with Ray, and it appears most of you. Having used Schmidt & Bender, Kahles, Swrovski, and Leupold, I find S&B and Swarovski to be clearer and brighter than the others. I believe that you will be able to hunt later in fading light with these scopes than any others. Having said that, the cost difference is significant. I would not disagree that Leupold is the best combination of cost and performance available, followed by Kahles. If cost isn't a concern, go for S&B, with are my fevorites, or swarovski. If cost is an issue, which it is for most people, go for leupold. I usually suggest Leupold to others because of the cost factor. I have no experience with S&B zenith scopes, or illuminated scopes in general. I believe that illuminated scopes are an ingenious answer to a non existant problem. If you can't see the target, what good is lighting up the cross hairs?

I have used a 3x9x40 Leupold on my 338 Win with no problems, put on my 300 Win and still getting great service, I am married to Leupold from know on

Well it certainly looks like when it comes to African hunting, Leupolds rule the roost anf for good reasons. I just wonder where the Zeiss Conquest and Swaro AV ankle biters are? jorge

Jorge,

Remember the old saying about pearls and swine?

Seriously, we both know what the results would have been if this question had been asked on a German or European hunting forum and they would be equally valid or not depending upon your perception

Regards,

Pete

Pete: The saying escapes me and your comment about a Euro site are probably valid. One thing you can't get away from is eye relief, value and the fact that this is an international forum where folks from all over post. Even our gracious host, Saeed, uses Leupolds and THAT speaks volumes. jorge

I think Leupold is great for all hunting and the extended eyerelief is good for heavier calibers. Personally I love Leupolds and was sad to hear that they seem to have discontinued their fixed power sights -a 2.5X would have been perfect on my .416

.22 LR has a Bushnell 1x4
6.5X55 is scoped with a Redfield 3-7X
30-06 has a Pecar 3-7X
8.2x53 has a Zeiss Jena 8X (got that for a steal...)
.375 uses the Lepold Vari II 1-4X
.416 uses the same as the above