Hi All,

I need one good/accurate scope for hunting in two different places/climates. This scope can hold out against heavy recoil and following things

In Europe or in US : woods, darkness, rain, cold,....

In Africa : plains, heat, sunshine, dust,....

What will be your best choice with appropriate eyes relief? Why? Pro/Con

Thanks.

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BER007
Keep the faith in any circumstances
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BBER007@HOTMAIL.COM

Any european scope.
Zeiss, S&B, Kahles or Swarowski, does�nt matter.
A scope that fits for all of the above is pretty hard to find, but a scope with 50mm
objective has a good night performance and is smooth and light.
A 56mm obj. would be better at night but is rahter "clumsy".
I would go for the Kahles Helia 2,5-10x50 which has the performance of the more expensive ones but obviously not the high price.

In optics, you really get what you pay for. In other words, between Swarovski (my preference), Zeiss or Schmidt & Bender, you can't go wrong. If money matters more than sheer quality, Leupold Vari-X III offers value for money. This completes the vote of the Belgian jury...

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Andr�

[This message has been edited by Andr� Mertens (edited 01-31-2002).]

I now use only swarovski scopes on my hunting rifles.They are clearer and brighter than the others I have used and are worth the extra money.

I've owned a Swarovski PH, but didn't like it and later sold it. I didn't like it's size (too big) nor its first plane reticle. And although the optics were great, I didn't find $1,200 worth of value in it. My favorite scope is the new Zeiss Conquest 3-9X40. You get optics that surpass the Leupold VXIII line at a price that's very reasonable.

BER007,

I recommend you get a copy of John Barsness' book "Optics for the Hunter". It is available online.

John B.provides his personal test results, as well as lab comparisons done in European optics labs.

The book is an outstanding resource if you are buying optics.

jim dodd

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"if you are to busy to
hunt, you are too busy."

Say HunterJim, where is "optic of the hunter" available online? what web-site? what year was the book published? are there light-meter testing results?

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I have allways felt European Scopes were bulky and heavy and certainly overpriced all to hell....I have chosen to use Leupolds extensively over the last 50 years and I have been very satisfied, and believe me I hunt more than the average bear and my rifles get little pampering...

In the last 10 years I have only bought used ones because I know Leupold will stand behind their guarentee regardless...

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Ray Atkinson

ray@atkinsonhunting.com
atkinsonhunting.com

I'm with Ray, I've been looking for a "dream" scope to put on my "go-to" rifle, and I can't find one that matches my requirements. Who wants a 40mm plus objective on a rifle you have to carry all day up and down mountains and through black timber?

A light, small, hell for stout scope like the Leupold or Burris is an excellent alternative.

I'll go along with Ray and Dutch. I like Leupold scopes, I've used them extensively for twenty-five years, and I trust them. I have a Leica scope (Leupold-made with Leica lenses) on my pet .300 Winchester, a Zeiss VMV 3-9XX42mm (1" tube) on another .300 Winchester, and an old Redfield Bearcub 4X on an even older .270 Win., but everything else wears a Leupold scope of some sort.

To me, most of the European scopes simply don't have enough eye relief to suit.

AD

I just replaced a Zeiss 1.5 X 6 X 42mm on my M70 .375 H&H with a Leupold VX-III 1.5 X 5 X 20mm.

The Zeiss is a great scope but it is heavy and has limited eye relief. It will go on a smaller calibre rifle nicely.

I couldn't be happier with my new, and first, Leupold. Should have done this years ago.

~Holmes

Hi
I have allvays been a "Leupold man". That was until two Leupold scopes broke down internaly for two of my friends.
Since those two guys are a significant percentage of my hunting friends, I did not dare to by a Leupold again.

I bought a Helia instead, time will tell if I made the right choise.
Softlead

I have limited exposure to European scopes mostly due to budget, but I have been buying Leupolds and have yet to have one problem. My neighbor spends $$$ just to say he spent it. He has Zeiss and Swarovski scopes sitting on the shelf in the garage and Leupolds on his favorite hunting guns. Interesting. Kenny Jarrett openly recommends the Leupold, as in his opinion they are as clear, very nearly as bright, and to 99.9% of his clients in-distinguishable to the eye in difference. Save money on the scope and use it toward a spotting scope. You can get both a scope and spotter by Leupold for the money you'd spend on a Zeiss. The lifetime guarantee is hard to beat and they do honor it.

Did you try Meopta ? Meopta company make lenses for Zeiss and Swarowski, the same lenses you can find in their scoopes.

http://www.meopta.cz

Gerard is selling them too . . .

BER007,

I have tried them all, regardless of price, and finally settled on only one make LEUPOLD!

All my own rifles have Leupolds on them. Some have been to Africa several times. In the rain, in the heat, and never, ever has anything gone wrong with them.

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saeed@ emirates.net.ae

www.accuratereloading.com

Jiri,

Thanks for the link I have visited the website and I have found a local dealer.

Could you tell more regarding price and accuracy? Thanks.

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BER007
Keep the faith in any circumstances
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BBER007@HOTMAIL.COM

Thanks to all for your replies. I'm against to nobody, I want that you proove me that I'm wrong with the following.

Except some persons this is all the time same thing when we started a post regarding scope.

Nearly all reply are non objective, according to me.

US citizens are for Leupold, Nightforces,...

EU citizens are for Zeiss, Swarovski,...

I'm an EU citizen, I have some rifles and up to now I have no EU scopes. I have scopes from Japan and US (Leupold).

I'm looking for the best scope for hunting, all details are in my first post. Thnaks to be objective.

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BER007
Keep the faith in any circumstances
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BBER007@HOTMAIL.COM

BER007,

In my collection, I have one Zeiss 1,5-6X42, three leupold 1,75-6X32, one 6,5-20X40, one 3,5-10X40, one 2X20 (EER), one 2-7X28 (vari XII).
The Zeiss is about 10 years old, it never failed but it has little marks on an internal lense, as some of the grease from the zoom system was sprayed on it upon recoil. Still clarity and sharpness are top.

As for leupold, the 3,5-10 fell with the rifle it was on, with the owner on both, which caused the body tube to curve: repair: 100 USD.
Two of the 1,75-6 and also the 2-7 broke internally when mounted on various remington model 7 in 350RM. Once repaired, they are fine (on the very same rifles in the very same mounts).
The last 1,75-6 also lost one of its turrets, but because of a car accident during which the rifle fell from the car (rifle in a leather pouch).
It came back today in pristine condition at no charge.

Conclusion:
First:I prefer leupold, as already said in previous posts, because they are light, compact, clear enough, and the eye relief is generous.
Two: repaired leupold scopes are my best leupolds.
Three: I feel like trying the latest swarovski scopes, as I recently bought binos (8X20 and 8,5X42) that are gems in their class. I also tried a 2,5-10X42 illuminated reticle scope, and was impressed. For a low light scope, we might have a winner here (light, compact, with slightly bettter optics than leupold, and the 30mm tube should be tougher).
Cheers

olivier

I just returned from teh SHOT show last night, and had time to look thru "every" scope there.

The Zeiss (German) is VERY good and I coudl be ahppy with it.

The Conquest disspoointed me a bit.

All the rest of the Tasco, Simmons, and a dozen other manufactures of the most ungodly contraptions called "Scopes" are not worth the trouble to toss them in the file 13.

All of them are Leupold "Want ta be's".

That new VX II is great.

A lot of hunters here use this scoopes. I know one he shooted fox at 500 metres and deer at 300m with it mounted on 30-06 CZ rifle (I am not sure 30-06 or 7x64). Accuracy is good, you can't go wrong with it. Theye make many models, 2000 and 3000 series without iluminated and 2100 and 3100 series with iluminated reticle, 2000 and 2100 series in reticle in front focal plain and 3000 and 3100 in ret. in rear focal plain.

Example prices in Euro :

2000 series:

7x50 - 235
3-9x42 - 274
3-12x50 - 362

3000 series

3-9x42 - 307

This prices are seller's prices, maybe it could be ordered 10 to 20 percent cheaper . . .

Hope it will help

Jiri

Visit also this page for "temperature" compenzation" questions . . .

http://www.meopta.cz/products/scopes/riflescopes/about/index.phtml.en

[This message has been edited by Jiri (edited 02-07-2002).]

My Meopta 7x50 is very good indeed in low light and allthough I haven't side by side tested with Zeiss etc it I do not think I am disadvantaged by it when I put it on my 222.

During my hunting I have used most of the famous scopes.

I like the Swarowski very much because they are light clear and has good lightgathering which keep us in Europe who hunt at dusk or dawn happy.

Leupold are great scopes, ut not good tor use when light is poor. I like when the reticle gets larger when you change for higher magnification. I have three 3-12X50 Swarowski's with illuminated reticle.

I think Zeiss make good scopes but are not worth the extra money compared to Swarowski. I have been owning four Zeiss scopes and have not been happy with any of them.