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| one of us |
I would suggest a leupold Vari-X III of whatever power you're looking for. I've bought and used a number of the bigger and more expensive foreign scopes(Nightforce, Swarovski, and Schmidt and Bender) and continually come back to the Leupold as the scope to beat. I've been told by those who should know that the Zeiss Conquest is a good scope, as is the Weaver, however, the Leupold is a sure thing in my book. FWIW. Matt. [This message has been edited by Matt in Virginia (edited 09-19-2001).] | |||
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| one of us |
Kahles 3X9 | |||
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| one of us |
Bushnell (Bausch & Lomb) Elite 4200 2.5-10x | |||
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one of us |
I am a huge Leupold fan, but take a long hard look at the new Zeiss Conquest. One feature that no-one seems to mention is that the Zeiss has a longer tube length. I think that it makes a cleaner mount on longer actions. The mounts won't overhang the area that you load the bullets in. | |||
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| <Jeff S> |
I have been a longtime Leupold fan...Own something like six or seven Vari-X IIIs of various flavors. Just recently bought a Zeiss Conquest in 3.5-10 X 44mm. Cost was $499. It is an awesome piece of glass!!! Clear as a Z series scope from Europe. It has German made lenses and components (which are technically the exact same coatings and finish but for copyright reasons cannot be referred to with the same trademarked names here in the US) The scope has the same eye relief throughout its power settings. It looks good too. Leupold has some catching up to do here... If it proves as durable as my other German made Zeiss I'm a convert... | ||
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| <gone hunting> |
my vote for alround best scope under $500 is the Leupold 4.5x14x40 about $470. great glass and a vary usable zoom range. ------------------ | ||
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| <Paul Dustin> |
I would suggest a Burris of whatever power | ||
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| <Sniper> |
Thanks for the replies...keep em' coming! How about a Nikon Monarch 4x12x40AO? [This message has been edited by Sniper (edited 09-20-2001).] | ||
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| <allen day> |
My choice would be a Leupold Var-X III 4.5-14X. Allen | ||
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| <cyberhick> |
Cabela's Alaskan Guide Series optics are real nice. I looked at them once and were very impressed. The only thing that impressed me more was Swarovski. cyberhick | ||
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| <Patrick> |
I too own several Leupolds, but recently, just wanting to try something new, bought a 2.5 Weaver for an old Brno 9.3 and yesterday ordered a 3.5x10 Bushnell for a new custom 6.5 Hawk. One of the catalog companies had the 4200 series Bushnells for $100 off, $299 for mine. The 2.5 is great, no complaints, especially for what? 150 bucks, I have high hopes for the top of the line Bushnell, will report my reaction when I receive it in the next week or two. good shooting | ||
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| <daveinmt> |
I bought a new Burris Fullfield II 4.5 - 14 recently. I have had the chance to compare it with my Leupold 4.5-14 and 6.4-20s, and have to say, I think the Burris is clearer and brighter. It may be a bit heavier, but I was truly impressed by this scope. It only set me back about $325 clams too... daveinmt | ||
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| one of us |
I own only Leupolds as they have served me well for about 50 years or so... Depending on use as to power, but I will say that on a hunting rifle, I don't want any scope without a stright 20MM tube so the Leupold 1x4 or 1.5x5 has been my standby..Big scopes knock off zero to easy for me and the rough use my scopes and rifles get on Safari and horseback...the less tube exposed out the end the more reliable a scope is..Try smacking a 40 or 50mm obj smartly with your hand sometime just after sighting it in... ------------------ | |||
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| one of us |
I agree with Ray on this one. A straight tube smaller than 40 or 50mm doesn't get in the way. That big "bell" is the first thing to put pressure on the tube if you drop the rifle or something like that. I have had a 2.5-8x32 Leupold Vary-X III on my .338 Magnum for a few years now. If you have hunted in Alaska you already know rifle scopes may take some abuse, and at times it may be necessary to send it to the shop for repairs. As you may know, sundown during moose season happens around 9:00 to 10:00 PM (mid September). I have killed moose at 9:30 PM, where I could clearly see through the scope, and to a higher degree than trying to see without the scope. If it is too dark outside, moose and bears are going to see you long before you can. Besides, if you can't see in the dark and don't know an animal is nearby, you are not going to use the scope to "see" if anything out there is waiting for you to shoot. It is not legal in Alaska to hunt aided by artificial light and other night vision enhancing means. One could hunt in the night aided by moonlight, but again you are limited to what you can see with your own eyes, and you will make so much noise walking that moose or bears are not going to stand there waiting for you. What I mean to say is this: A good quality scope such as a Leupold Vary-X III 2.5-8x32 (or a 1.75E-6x) allows you to hunt late in the evening, and early in the morning. Night hunting is not legal in most states; it is legal in Alaska as I explained above, but it is much easier to hunt during the day. Also, if I damage my scope I can send it to Leupold for repairs and have it back within a week. Can you do the same with European scopes? Some European scopes allow you to see a little clearly than Leupold or Burris scopes, but I can't tell nor need the difference for my type of hunting. The way I feel about it: I want a reliable F-150 truck to take my there; a Ferrari could take me there, but it is safer at home in the garage. Burris scopes are very nice, but since I haven't had but excellent service from Leupold I "stick" to them. | |||
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| <Don Martin29> |
It seems that the new rifle will be used for long range hunting. So consider how you are going to do the range estimation. Some scopes have range finders and others do not. A separate laser range finder might be better but you may not have it with you when you need it. I have never knocked a scope out of alignment. But I won't get on a horse either. I like the power of the 3 X 9's and one of my scopes is a L 3.5-10 and they have a range finder. | ||
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| <Sniper> |
Thanks for all the info. The Burris FF2 4.5x14x44mm sounds really good for my needs and this rifle. Thanks again! | ||
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one of us |
I have Nikon's on my serious hunting rifles, junk on the "under a hun-ert yards" deer rifles. cheapie Bushnells and an old redfield. If I were shopping I would look at Nikon and Leupold first. ------------------ | |||
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| one of us |
i took a zeiss conquest 3.5x 10x44 out of the case and looked through it damn that thing was clears as a bell and i looked through it at dusk not in the light when all scopes look pretty good, damn good price | |||
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| <SlimL> |
A Leupold of course! I have never had a problem with them. I have one on my Mod 03-A3 in .308, my Mod 70 in 30-06, and my Encore in .257 Roberts. Slim | ||
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| one of us |
There is a lot of difference between a $300 and a $500 dollar scope. A Zeiss Conquest would be my $400 choice, or maybe a Var III 2.8-8 or 3.5-10. | |||
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| <BillC> |
Leupold VariXIII. I have two 3.5-10's and a 2.5-8. Their warranty is unbelievable and the eye relief and clarity is hard to beat. Oh yeah, it's made in the USA! | ||
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One of Us |
Get a Cabellas catalog and compare features. NOBODY even comes close to the eye relief of a leupold. I think that bushnell may be on to something good with their "rainguard" for cold weather hunting though. | |||
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| one of us |
anybody that wants to come to the gun store with me come on we will take a new conquest 3.5x10 x44 and a vari-x 3 3.5 x 10 x50 out around a beanfield around 7.20 pm this afternoon and i will show you which one is the best, i have leupuld sightron and b&l on my scopes an it doesn't matter what kind of coat they have they are not clearer than the zeiss conquest, i could support any scope i wanted all the reps want you to have their scopes on your rifles | |||
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| one of us |
The Zeiss Conquest matches the eye relief and it doesn't change with the power settings like the Leupold. | |||
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| <DuaneinND> |
B&L Elite 4200 2.5-10 | ||
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| <Delta Hunter> |
I bought a Zeiss Conquest 3-9X40 earlier this year and so far I love it. It sits atop my .300 Weatherby. I've owned several Leupold VX-III's (and still do) and in my opinion this new Zeiss beats them hands down. It's brighter, sharper, clearer and simply easier to use. You can't touch it for the price. | ||
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| One of Us |
quote: Not trying to knock the Zeiss but according to cabellas (which isnt nessesarily gospel) the conquest eye relief is 3.5, the Leupolds are 4.7 to 3.7. If thats correct then that means eaysier target aquisition on lower settings. | |||
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| <Robin> |
Take a look at Weaver's Grand Slams.. I have a 3.5-10. It has quick focus and a very clear view. ------------------ | ||
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| one of us |
West, I have a Leupold Vari-X III 4.5x14 40mm on a 30-06 Supergrade and a Zeiss Conquest 3.5x10 on an identical 30-06 Supergrade. The eye relief does not vary as much as what is written in Cabellas. I really can't tell the difference except for the fact that the Leupold changes as the power is adjusted. | |||
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| <Sniper> |
Made my decision Weaver Grand Slam 4.5x14x40mm!
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| <Bill> |
I love the Zeiss and like the Leupold. I own a grand slam that I hate, it has been demoted to the 22 I shoot offhand at 50 feet indoors. Sorry I ever spent the money. | ||
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| <JoeR> |
Westrnhuntr, the 3-9 Conquest has a constant 4" eye relief. | ||
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one of us |
quote:I have one on my .375 H&H Magnum, and a 6.5-20x on my .280 Ackley Improved. "ALL" things considered, I'm happy. I'm putting another 6.5-20x on my .338 RUM when it's done, since the ballistics are the same as my .280 AI. Russ | |||
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| one of us |
Burris Fullfield II or Signature in whatever power you want. | |||
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| one of us |
ziess conquest | |||
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| one of us |
Well you picked the Grand Slam, but I would have (and did) pick the Zeiss Conquest. | |||
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one of us |
Well, you've picked, but the best in that price range is no doubt the Nikon Monarch. When you consider ALL critical optical areas, the Monarch is, by far, the best. I depend on good glass to make my living, so optics are something I can assess in a logical and unbiased manner. | |||
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| <rws2> |
Leupold Vari X III | ||
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| one of us |
Sightron II better optics than a Leupold, and better eye relief, at less $$. | |||
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