Can anyone tell me the difference between the Leupold Rifleman 3-9X40 and the Leopold Vari-X III 3.5X10X40? I am looking for what the difference between the eye relief, quality of the glass, and the guts for holding on? Thanks for any help in this.

AAdams, I don't know the difference in eye relief, probably on the Leupold web page, but the VX III is several notches above the rifleman series in quality. The lenses have more advanced and more (quantity) of coatings, which translate into better optical quality--clearness,brightness and clarity at the edge of the image.

As far as the guts go in terms of ruggedness, I doubt Leupold would say so, but I would bet that the VX III is built to tighter tolerances--which would yield a 'tighter' product including toughness.

In my experience riflescopes and pretty much optics in general, you seem to get what you pay for.

Good Luck--Don

The Rifleman is basically the old VXII scopes. The coating is diff. the lenses probably are too. The adjustments are tension, not click, eye relief is about the same. Here is a link for you to research. If you can afford it, go VXIII, you won't be dissapointed.
http://www.leupold.com/products/scopes.asp

The rifleman does not have multicoat lenses and has friction adjustment instead of clicks.It is made with cheaper components but as to the effect on durability,I can't say.

My VXII is 23 yrs old and works perfect and looks very clear. I have a VXIII LR 4.5x14 and like the click adjustment better.

There is no comparison between the Rifleman and the VariX-III. The Rifleman is a renamed VariX-II.

Before any comparisons are made, let's be sure of which Leupold scope he is talking about.

There is the current line of VX models (I, II, III), and there is the previous line of Vari-X models (I, II, III).

And if you go back far enough, you will find just the Leupold Vari-X.

quote:

There is the current line of VX models (I, II, III), and there is the previous line of Vari-X models (I, II, III).

Is there any significant difference between the current VX-III and the previous Vari-X-III?

Leupold’s® next generation of Golden Ring® riflescopes, the new VX®-III, offers new lens coatings and innovative reticle options, as well as new finger adjustments, a fast-focus eyepiece and side focus features to help hunters and shooters see and shoot better in the field or at the range. The VX-III replaces and improves on Leupold’s popular Vari-X® III line. One of the key improvements is Leupold’s new Index Matched Lens System™, which is designed to give the VX-III unparalleled optical performance. This lens coating system optimizes light management and maximizes light transmission to the eye, providing an exceptionally bright and crisp sight picture with sharp contrast, even in low-light conditions. In some VX-III scopes, total light transmission can reach as high as 98 percent. Available only in select VX-III models, Leupold’s new Ballistic Aiming System™, including the Boone and Crockett™ Big Game reticle and Varmint Hunter’s reticle, provides multiple range aiming points and can be easily adjusted to work with a particular cartridge by changing the magnification for more precise shooting capability. “Even experienced hunters and shooters are looking for new equipment that can make a big difference in their shooting,†said Mike Slack, Leupold’s marketing communications manager. “This is why we are very excited to introduce the VX-III to replace the Vari-X III, which is widely considered to be one of the most versatile, high-performing series of riflescopes ever made. Of course, the new VX-III offers all the ruggedness and absolute waterproof integrity that are the hallmark of Leupold Golden Ring® scopes while going above and beyond its predecessors in performance and features.†VX-III models are available in the following magnification levels: 1.5-5x20mm, 1.75-6x32mm, 2.5-8x36mm, 3.5-10x40mm, 3.5-10x50mm, 4.5-14x40mm, 4.5-14x50mm, 6.5-20x40mm, 6.5-20x50mm and 8.5-25x50mm. The 4.5-14x40mm Long Range and 4.5-14x50mm Long Range models offer both the Boone and Crockett Club Big Game and Varmint Hunter’s reticles as options. The Varmint Hunter’s reticle is also an option on the 6.5-20x40mm Long Range, 6.5-20x50mm Long Range Target and 8.5-25x50mm Long Range Target models. The Boone and Crockett Big Game reticle is also an option on the 2.5-8x36mm, 3.5-10x40mm, 3.5-10x50mm, 4.5-14x40mm and 4.5-14x50mm models. Other reticle options, depending on model, include the Duplex®, Wide Duplex, Fine Duplex, Heavy Duplex, German #4, Leupold Dot and Target Dot.

The VX-III line also includes Illuminated Reticle models designed to allow fast, accurate target acquisition and shot placement in extreme low-light conditions. With 11 intensity settings, a wide range of adjustments can be made to match the light. Even the brightest setting will not overpower the target or affect low-light vision. The reticle reverts to black when switched off in bright light. Reticle styles offered include the Illuminated Duplex, Illuminated German #4 Dot and Illuminated Circle Dot. All non-target VX-III models offer new finger-adjustable, ¼-MOA “click†windage and elevation adjustment dials with resettable pointer dials marking the zero point. Other key features: • Lockable, fast-focus eyepiece on all models. • Side focus parallax resolution dial on all models of 4.5-14 power and higher (except the EFR and fixed-objective models) for easy adjustment from all shooting positions. • All side focus models have a 30mm maintube for increased range of windage and elevation adjustments. • Scope finish options include gloss black, matte black and silver, depending on model. • Waterproof – each scope is filled with nitrogen and sealed with Leupold’s proven process to keep out moisture. As with all Leupold Golden Ring scopes, the VX-III models are backed by Leupold’s Full Lifetime Guarantee. Electronic components are covered under the Leupold Electronics Warranty.

The Rifleman scopes are fully coated with a coating of magnesium floride on all lens glass surfaces. The windage and elevation adjustments are a silent friction adjustment marked in 1/2" inch increments on the dial. The scopes offer a new Wide Duplex with the thin section opening being twice as open as the Standard Duplex. The scopes are matte finish with a new sleek ergonomic maintube design. The scopes are waterproof, made in the U.S.A. and are covered by the Leupold Lifetime Guarantee.

The VX-I scopes are multicoated on the exterior eyepiece lens and the objective lens and use an industry standard coating throughout. The windage and elevation adjustments are a silent friction adjustment marked in 1/4" inch increments on the dial. The scopes offer a Standard Duplex reticle. The scopes are offered in black gloss or matte finish. The scopes are waterproof, made in the U.S.A. and are covered by the Leupold Lifetime Guarantee.

The VX-II scopes are multicoated on the exterior eyepiece lens and the objective lens and use an industry standard coating throughout. The windage and elevation adjustments are an audible click adjustment in 1/4" inch click increments on the dial. The scopes offer mulitple reticle options. The scopes are offered in black gloss or matte finish and some models are available in silver finish. The scopes are waterproof, made in the U.S.A. and are covered by the Leupold Lifetime Guarantee.

The VX-III scopes use the Leupold Multicoat 4 lens coating on all the lens glass. The windage and elevation adjustments are an audible click adjustment in 1/4" inch click increments on the dial. The scopes offer mulitple reticle options. The scopes are offered in black gloss or matte finish and some models are available in silver finish. Some models are available in a 30mm maintube. These selected hunting models, VX-III 1.75-6x32mm E, 2.5-8x36mm, 3.5-10x40mm, 3.5-10x50mm, 4.5-14x40mm, and 4.5-14x50mm scopes provide a simple built-in range estimating feature that uses the Duplex reticle. The scopes are waterproof, made in the U.S.A. and is covered by the Leupold Lifetime Guarantee.

Steve; thanks for the information.....Jim

quote:

Originally posted by AAdams:
Can anyone tell me the difference between the Leupold Rifleman 3-9X40 and the Leopold Vari-X III 3.5X10X40? I am looking for what the difference between the eye relief, quality of the glass, and the guts for holding on? Thanks for any help in this.

Several hundred dollars and an incremental increase in the quality of the optics.

Some argue that the "Rifleman" line, which was created primarily to get Leupold into the WalMart market, is made with 'reject' materials from the more expensive lines. Whether there is any truth to this, I cannot say.

The "Rifleman", "VX-I" and "VX-II" lines are essentially identical to the old Vari X-IIc in terms of design and manufacture, with the "VX-II" adding the more popular click adjustments. Advertising hype would lead you to belive that there is a difference in either the lenses themselves, or at least in the coatings. I am aware of no after-market testing that confirms this.

Anecdotal evidence tends to indicate that the older design of the Vari-X II might be a little more recoil resistant than the Vari-X III line, but I believe that this is largely because the Vari-X III's were more often mounted on the heavy kickers. At any rate, the Vari-X IIc and its decendants seem adequately "tough".

I avoid the "Rifleman" series largely because I don't care for WalMart and believe Leupold made a marketing mistake in catering to them. I don't mind paying an extra $20 for the "VX-I", and regard it as the biggest bargain available on the market today, as it will do 99% of anything a more expensive scope will do in the same magnification range. The VX-II is fine, but I don't find paying an extra $75-100 for click adjustments worthwhile, but if "clicks" float your boat, then go for it. The Vari-X III and new "VX-III" lines are built for the carriage trade and "snob appeal". They are excellent scopes, but your extra two to four hundred dollars buys you little or nothing in terms of practical usage, other than if you need a magnification range that is unavailable in the other lines.

In order to pay less than the going $200 for the VX-I's, you have to buy an Asian-made instrument which will typically be heavier and bulkier, will likely have somewhat critical eye relief, may exhibit zero shift with power changes, and is next to impossible to obtain warranty work on.

On the other hand, if you insist on paying more to impress your friends, then your excellent VX-III will be derided by the true snobs as inferior to their European-made, fifteen hundred-dollar Baby Hubbells that they have their rifles are slung under.

Buy the model that suits your budget and your personality.

Wow Stone, how do you really feel?

Stonecreek,

So you don't care for multicoating or clicks or big objective lenses?

People who buy VX-3 are wannabe snobs who are ridiculed by the true Zeiss slinging elites?

You know, some people buy stuff that feels good to them. I happen to like Zeiss, finding it optically and mechanically superior to any Leupold. My eyes appreciate the superior resolution and contrast, the superior parallax adjustment and the superior quality of the clicks. There are others like me who feel the same way. We are not snobs. We are discriminating enthusiasts.

In my opinion, the VX-3 will kick the crap out your VX-1 optically. It has waaaaay better contrast. Contrast is sometimes important, especially when the sun goes down.

See what I mean? If you buy the VX-III, excellent scope though it is, it will do your ego little good since real snobs (pardon me, I should say "discriminating enthusiasts") will still denigrate your choice because they "appreciate the superior resolution and contrast, the superior parallax adjustment and the superior quality of the clicks" as compared to your less cocktail party-worthy VX-III.

I prefer the even more humble position of having a scope so pedestrian that the Euro-snobs don't even bother to sniff though their upturned noses. I, in turn, can sniff at Asian-made optical catastrophies from "Big Billy's Discount Mail Order Shootin' Barn".

When you say that someone's choice of optics makes him a snob, be prepared to defend your position. Thus far, you haven't adequately explained the folly of owning a high-end scope. Yet you keep crapping out of your mouth.

There will always be a small group that buys for the "snob" apeal amd a small group that thinks anyone who buy high grade items are snobs.
In real life most of those who buy the premium optics are either involved in something specialized or have had failures at inconvienient times with less well enginered products.
Some of us would rather learn from the trials of others and get the right scope for the right job the first time.

quote:

Originally posted by Ralph Hyrlik:
When you say that someone's choice of optics makes him a snob, be prepared to defend your position. Thus far, you haven't adequately explained the folly of owning a high-end scope. Yet you keep crapping out of your mouth.

Nothing like a nice oral bowel movement to brighten your day. Screw em all and buy a SWFA Super Sniper 10x42m side focus. BTW why are we talking about this in the reloading forum?