i just recently purchased a nice sako 308 deluxe forester and I'm trying to decide what scope to put on it. i came down to two choices a Zeiss conquest 2.5-8 or a Leupold v-3 2.5-8 not sure which one to choose they are both good scopes and the 2.5 -8 is the power range that i would like to stay with any suggestions ether way.

Well as you probably know they are both really on a level playing field.

Individuals perceive differences in identical scopes so I suppose it comes down to which one looks the best through your eyes.

I'd also consider their weight and bulk to see if one or the other overbalances your rifle. Nothing like having a top heavy rifle to make it harder to shoot and carry. Also will the occular (rear) lens foul the bolt handle ?

They are both good medium quality scopes.

The size and power range is perfect for your trim Sako sporter!

The Leupold is a long-proven design with a solid reputation and has the excellent Leupold lifetime service behind it.

Lots of shooters are praising the Zeiss, particularly the apparent "brightness" of its optics.

Both scopes are similar in price, and spending any more won't buy you anything but status and weight. Speaking of weight, that is very important on a light sporter. Check the weight of each scope. All things being equal, I would go with the lighter one.

I'm told by my dealer that the eye positioning is somewhat more critical with the Zeiss than with the Leupold. This is important to quick acquisition of the sight picture, so check out this feature before making your selection to assure the scope works for you.

Get a Leupold fixed 6x.

All of my short action rifles have Burris 2X7 compact scopes.

well i know the scope are very comparable i did look at the length and weight and the Leupold is lighter ans shorter so i think that the Leupold is the winner thank for the impute.

A good 3x9 is hard to beat and probably easier to find.

There is a new version of the V-III, I haven't looked through any of them yet. The Conquest is much superior optically than the previous V-III, it isn't even close to me and many friends, young eyes and older eyes.

Caveat emptor for the 'New' V-III, the Conquest by a bunch, it's worth whatever weight, and the length, well, I have found scopes to be to short to even mount a lot, not often too long.

Have quite a few 308's and scopes are either Leupold FXIII-6xLR or Leupold VX 3's in 2.5x8. Personally I am not a big fan of variables and find for my purposes that FXIII w/ 42mm obj. lens is very, very clear and good at early dawn or dusk. Either model can be modified to suit you via Leupold's Custom Shop and purchased via internet and no freight and most likely no state tax either. Good deal all around for me.

another vote for the 2.5x8 leupold with the big game or long range reticle.

Chime in for the Conquest. Takes a beating and glass is very crisp out the edges. Not to mention bright in twilight. Love the bunch I have.

Nice rifle !
I have 2 of the Leupold 2.5X8s and a Ziess conquest 2.5X8 sits on my kimber 84 .308.
They are close enought that I would buy the leupold next time just beacuse its american...tj3006

Those are the only scopes I would choose. All my big game rifles wear them, except for the 3-9 compact Leup I have on my 280 (wanted the lightest good quality scope I could find)& a VXIII 1.75x5 on my 404j.

IMHO, It's not the rifle, cartridge or game, it's the range you'll be engaging the target, that determines the scope.

I purchased a Ruger Compact several years ago and mounted a Burris 1.5x6x32 on top. It has served myself and several others very well.

While not one of the choices you picked, the power range you chose I think will serve you well. I have easily made shots out to 400 yards using mine, so I do not believe you will be handicapped in the least with either of those. The lower power is also excellent in low light situations and in thick woods as well. Mine is also equipped with the Electro Dot feature and for use on hogs, it is a dream when trying to place the black reticle on a black hog in dim light.

Wish you the best with your decision.

Leupold is the only brand of scope. You could not trade me a Zeiss for a VX-III or greater Leupold.

I forget when I first put a 2.5 x 8 Leupold on my .338. It was many years ago. It is still on there. I had to shoot a 7.5 foot brown bear sow in a hurry late one night at about 30'. I was very thankful for the eye relief of the 2.5 power setting and the light transmitting abilities of the 36 mm objective lens. When set on 6 power the scope is still very fast to use, has plenty of eye relief and I can easily focus on an object as close as 10'. When set on 8 power a guy can go prone in a tight sling and make as long a shot as his ability and ethics allow. Probably 90% of my shots with that scope have been on the 2.5 power setting. My 30-06 wears a Leupold VX III 1.75 X 6 by 32mm with their Custom Shops Post/Duplex reticle. For me it is a toss up between it and the 2.5 x 8 for all my Alaska hunting. Great scopes!

I would choose the Conquest without doubt.
I have several models of Leupold, Schmidt&Bender and Zeiss, and I have been always impressed by the relation quality/cost of the Conquest. A great scope for the money!!

L

Another vote for the Conquest.
In my view they are far better than any Leupold, I've owned the 1.5-5x 1.75-6x and the 2.5-8x Loopies, all of which are good for the 308 but none as good as the Conquest.
My 2c comment.

I shoot two 308 rifles. On a heavy target barrel I have a 6x24 which works well for far targets and long range shooting out past 300 yds.
On a lightweight "pencil barrel"there is a
Leupold 1.5x5 VX 3. This is by far (IMHO) best
all around hunting scope out there. Short,light with a power range for moving targets and
close shooting in heavy cover to longe range shooting out to 300 yds or better with a rest. The more I use these 1.5 to 5s the more I like them and find my setup as fast or faster then
irons with the option of fine long range hunting
situations. If I could only have one scope, its a Leupold 1.5x5 VX3!