I have a 3 scopes on hand from which to choose.

Question:
Which one would look best? Caliber is 7X57 Mauser, barrel is 20 inch octagon. All are matte black.

Choices:
Bushnell Elite 3200 4-12X40AO
Leupold VX3 3.5-10X40
Zeiss Conquest 3-9X40

 

c-b,

quote:

I have a 3 scopes on hand from which to choose.

.... understand.

I've got a Zeiss Conquest 3-9x50 on mine at the moment.

IMO the real issue here is mounting a scope that affords the optic you require for your type and style of hunting without overwhelming this small rifle. I started off with a 6x42 Schmidt & Bender which in itself is a superb optic but somehow appeared to me to be just a tad too long for my taste and obtaining a Blaser Saddle Mount 26mm ring set; even here in The Fatherland was not easy.

I need something that affords at least some twilight factor for sitting/stalking in the early mornings and late evening into the night time; that that was my dilema.

For stateside hunting where easily with 1/2 hour prior/after sunrise/sunset you can easily get by with something .... let's say more compact, not only to compliment the looks of the rifle but not too long so as to interfere with the rear sight, too..

On a Ruger RSI or K95 Blaser Stutzen I prefer something akin to 1.5-4.5x24-26 or IMO the scope that really does the job are the older Zeiss 3-9x36, it was a very compact, outstanding optic. Leupold has a similar 3-9x32 offering, too. Looks great on these small rifles, comparable to the older no longer in production Zeiss', today is the Swarovski 3-9x36.

Good luck with your choice.

I have a Leupold 6x36 FXII on mine. Super light weight and fits the rifle nicely.

Only complaint is I would like it to sit lower on the rifle. Blaser really needs to make lower height rings IMO.

I wouldn't put anything huge on that rifle.

I put a rail mount on mine. Right now, I have a 1,7-10 Swaro on it and it fits it well.

I have heard of guys milling the rings down to lower them onto the saddle mounts but don't know who does it.

Thanks all. Cat Power: Can you focus quickly with your FX-II? I have a couple FX-3 2.5-8X36 Leupolds on other rifles and the focal point is really narrow at the higher settings. Ray

I think you will have to try them on the rifle and see which one you like he best that way. That seems to be a good problem to have. Good shooting!

quote:

Originally posted by custombolt:
Thanks all. Cat Power: Can you focus quickly with your FX-II? I have a couple FX-3 2.5-8X36 Leupolds on other rifles and the focal point is really narrow at the higher settings. Ray

The eye box is huge on the 6x36, making it very friendly to get complete sight picture

I like the simplicity of the straight 6.

I will probably have a German #4 reticle installed into it soon. Currently has the wide duplex

I have put the Zeiss Conquest on several rifles and (at the risk of being burned at the stake) prefer it over any of the similar scopes from Leupold. That Zeiss scope is a lot of scope for the money and has an incredible long eye relief.

Actually, I don't think I like any of those choices.

My wife has a Merkel K3 stutzen in 7x57r. I topped it with a Leupold VX6 circle dot, 1-6x and it's perfection on that rifle. I wouldn't bother with anything over 6x for the 7x57. It's just unnecessary. Personally, on my K1 I have a 6x42 FX3 and it's just great.

That's part of the plan. Thanks.

quote:

Originally posted by Mikelravy:
I think you will have to try them on the rifle and see which one you like he best that way. That seems to be a good problem to have. Good shooting!

Good to hear of the friendly eye box and I like the cleaner lines of the FX's as well. So many good choices out there. I'll add a 6X36 to the possibilities along with a FX3-6X42 and even a R8 in 6X42 that has the multicoat lenses which may be period correct for 2004 which is when the rifle was built. I may even pull one of the variable VX3's (ooops, not FX3) to see how I like the profile. Might be a while. Just had a hernia repair. Got to take it easy for a while.

quote:

Originally posted by Cat Power:

quote:

Originally posted by custombolt:
Thanks all. Cat Power: Can you focus quickly with your FX-II? I have a couple FX-3 2.5-8X36 Leupolds on other rifles and the focal point is really narrow at the higher settings. Ray

The eye box is huge on the 6x36, making it very friendly to get complete sight picture

I like the simplicity of the straight 6.

I will probably have a German #4 reticle installed into it soon. Currently has the wide duplex

quote:

Originally posted by rnovi:
Actually, I don't think I like any of those choices.

My wife has a Merkel K3 stutzen in 7x57r. I topped it with a Leupold VX6 circle dot, 1-6x and it's perfection on that rifle. I wouldn't bother with anything over 6x for the 7x57. It's just unnecessary. Personally, on my K1 I have a 6x42 FX3 and it's just great.

Thanks Robert. That 6X42 model is coming up a lot lately. I appreciate your input.

quote:

Originally posted by custombolt:

quote:

Originally posted by rnovi:
Actually, I don't think I like any of those choices.

My wife has a Merkel K3 stutzen in 7x57r. I topped it with a Leupold VX6 circle dot, 1-6x and it's perfection on that rifle. I wouldn't bother with anything over 6x for the 7x57. It's just unnecessary. Personally, on my K1 I have a 6x42 FX3 and it's just great.

Thanks Robert. That 6X42 model is coming up a lot lately. I appreciate your input.

I have one of the early M8 6x42mm scopes that Premier Reticles converted to a Mil-dot. Sold it to a friend and he sold it back to me, good thing. They are great scopes.

quote:

Originally posted by f224:

quote:

Originally posted by custombolt:

quote:

Originally posted by rnovi:
Actually, I don't think I like any of those choices.

My wife has a Merkel K3 stutzen in 7x57r. I topped it with a Leupold VX6 circle dot, 1-6x and it's perfection on that rifle. I wouldn't bother with anything over 6x for the 7x57. It's just unnecessary. Personally, on my K1 I have a 6x42 FX3 and it's just great.

Thanks Robert. That 6X42 model is coming up a lot lately. I appreciate your input.

I have one of the early M8 6x42mm scopes that Premier Reticles converted to a Mil-dot. Sold it to a friend and he sold it back to me, good thing. They are great scopes.

What a dummy...

quote:

wouldn't bother with anything over 6x for the 7x57

+1....I have a S&B 1.5-6x42 on my K3...does everything I need.

Excellent replies. I should have added 42's to the list. I never owned one but will soon. I'm surprised that not one person picked the 3200 Elite. I think the clarity of optics is slightly better than a similarly profiled VX2 or VX3 Lupey. Anyone care to add their thoughts on those? The only discontent I ever had with my 3200's was the tracking needed to be over-clicked then backed off. My Lupeys also needed that attention albeit to a lesser degree. Also, my Conquest lost POI after just 5 shots. So, I sent that back and they swapped it for another new one. So, fixed power scopes are sounding real good at 6X. No jittery tracking issues.

I like Bushnell's 3200 Elite series. The 4200 series represents a fantastic value for the quality of optics received and the 6500's are even better.
For vanity purposes, I like putting German optics on a German rifle.

The 3200s are ok for the money, but their eye relief is too critical for my taste.

Cliff: I'd like to put a fixed power German optic on here, too. I just find many European style scopes to appear thick about the eyepiece and the amount of improvement in optical clarity didn't warrant the higher price at a similar amount. EX: 1.5X the optical clarity doesn't = 5 times the price. I can afford them. I don't see the bang for the buck.

Mike. I agree the focal point is short and takes some getting used to. But, those Bausch & Lomb lenses are so clear at least to my eyes. Scopes are like rifles. There are many good choices out there. Aye? I put a bid in on a Leupy 6X42. Since the new Dakota is here now, I'll use the 3.5-10 VX3 on that as originally planned.

Sounds good My 3200 is on my "rain gun". The Rainguard coating does seem to work.

Gerry. Do German hunters like Leupold scopes? I'm curious about which scopes German hunters use over there the most and also if American scopes cost more over there. Thanks.

Just ordered a VX3 Leupold in 6X42. Part #66815. Thanks to all.

quote:

Gerry. Do German hunters like Leupold scopes? I'm curious about which scopes German hunters use over there the most and also if American scopes cost more over there. Thanks.

Yes, Leupold has a solid foothold here and elsewhere in Europe too.

Mostly the 40mm objective bell scopes get the nod for target shooting and daylight stalking or on rifles intended for hunting abroad. The Euro Leupold range with their larger objective bells for hunting.

quote:

Originally posted by custombolt:
Cliff: I'd like to put a fixed power German optic on here, too. I just find many European style scopes to appear thick about the eyepiece and the amount of improvement in optical clarity didn't warrant the higher price at a similar amount. EX: 1.5X the optical clarity doesn't = 5 times the price. I can afford them. I don't see the bang for the buck.

Well, you might look at the Swarovski 3-9x36. It's a nice, trim scope that is very reasonably priced and allows the rifle to maintain its heritage.

I personally have a Kahles CT 3-9x42 mounted. However it should be noted that the Blaser mounts do not allow to benefit much in the sense of low mounting by using 42/36. That is the reasons that Blaser uses in 99% of all marketing pictures a 50mm objective Scope because then the gab between barrel and scope is optimised.

quote:

Originally posted by Cliff Lyle:
Well, you might look at the Swarovski 3-9x36. It's a nice, trim scope that is very reasonably priced and allows the rifle to maintain its heritage.

Actually it wouldn't be maintaining its heritage. Very few Germans would mount an Austrian scope, and the reverse is also the same.

I just purchased a K95 standard model with the American-style stock that came with a Leupold 2x7 mounted on it and although I'm not much of a Leupold fan I must admit the scope seems to be almost perfect on the rifle.

However, as soon as the waiting is up I'll be pulling the Leupold and replacing it with a new Swarovski Z3 3-10x42mm with a #4A reticle - which I currently have on each of my rifles except for my new ,223 which I am still on the fence for a scope. I had ordered one of the new Zeiss Conquest HD5 3-15x44 (or 42mm) but I didn't like so the ,223 is still naked,

Of the 3 scopes you listed, I like the Zeiss much more than either of the other two.

Thanks Bill. Most picked the Zeiss. I actually have a Conquest 3-9X40 that I could have used. But, I think the 6X42 is more streamlined. So, I went with that even though it is a bit large for this petite rifle. The 2-7X36 or 33 actually are a better fit. But these old eyes need all the light they can get.

quote:

Originally posted by custombolt:
Thanks Bill. Most picked the Zeiss. I actually have a Conquest 3-9X40 that I could have used. But, I think the 6X42 is more streamlined. So, I went with that even though it is a bit large for this petite rifle. The 2-7X36 or 33 actually are a better fit. But these old eyes need all the light they can get.

Lookin' Good!

I have a Duralyt 2-8x42 on my Merkel K3..I'm very happy with it.

Nice.

I hate the gap twixt barrel and objective on mine with a 6x42 and also that the turret isn't central in between the rings. IMHO it turns a stunning rifle into merely a nice one.

I know the stock design doesn't require a very low mounted scope but I happen to think it would be a lot better if it were.

The best aesthetic is a 50mm objective to fill the gap and a rail mount with a 1" tube.

looks nice with that 6x42

Looks mighty fine........


I went with a Diavari 3 x 9 on My K1 Stutzen in 7mm-08



It wants to be a K95 when it grows up. LOL

Best,

GWB

I feel my 3200 has let me down( not a lot but a little). It has clear glass and looks great but my shot placement tends to suffer off a rest. I feel a little unsure what the problem is. I'm going to try it one more time and if it gives same service I will find another scope.

I currently have a S&B 4x on my K95 Stutzen.

Thanks for all the replies. I carried this gun last season and it feels really well balanced. I may actually move the scope back a little bit to where it's more centered in the rings.

GWB Thanks for the input. That's some decent wood on your Merkel.

loiblb One of the 4 3200's I own did wander a bit. Sent it in to Bushnell and it was tweaked and back in my hands in about 2 weeks.

quote:

Originally posted by Big Wonderful Wyoming:

quote:

Originally posted by Cliff Lyle:
Well, you might look at the Swarovski 3-9x36. It's a nice, trim scope that is very reasonably priced and allows the rifle to maintain its heritage.

Actually it wouldn't be maintaining its heritage. Very few Germans would mount an Austrian scope, and the reverse is also the same.

I should have inserted the word "European" heritage. My mistake.