New scope help

[Qaib Thai]

i have an old scope on my remington 30-06 rifle so its about time i get a new scope. been looking around and im also on a budget of around 350 so i was looking at the leupold vx-II or the vx-I and either in 3X9X40 or the 4X12X40. i am also a newb at scopes so was wondering if the objective lense of 50 would give you a larger field of view over the 40. i like the higher magnification so i can take shots of 300-600 yards. would the long range duplex be helpful or just the regular duplex be good enough. also was looking at nikon and bushnell scopes and they are cheaper than leupolds but i think that leupold will hold more accuracy shot after shot. So would like your guys opinion before i do my purchase. i will be shooting deer/elk

[Firing Pin]

Get the best scope that you can, the VX-II over the VX-I, and go with a 40mm! 

But much more importantly, if you plan on shooting anything between 300 and 600 yds you really need to have spent ALOT of time at a range to know exactly were your rifle is hitting.  FYI, most HUNTERS will not shoot that past 400 yds.  The ones that do shoot a ton and have for so for a long time!  Just sayin

[h20hunter]

I agre with the opinion on long range. A high magnification scope with a ballistit reticle does not make you a long range shooter. Experience and hundreds and hundreds of rounds down range, knowlege, and experience (did I mention experience?), make you a long range shooter.

[GoldTip]

I would certainly choose the VX-II over the VX-I.  If the cost is a factor, stick with the 3x9x40 versus stepping up to the 4x12x40mm.  You will appreciate the better glass at 9 power more than the extra magnification with lesser glass of the VX-I.  Plenty of animals have been killed very well with 9 power at 500 yards.

[BULLBLASTER]

May also want to look into Burris scopes. Fullfield 2 are great scopes for the money.

[Huntbear]

Look at the Redfield scopes.  They are made by Leupold, and have the same warranty, but at a smaller price tag.

[addicted]

Welcome to the board Qaib,

You have asked a fairly opinionated questions so it will likely come down to you doing a side by side with the scopes at your local gear store. 

The only leupolds i consider purchasing are the ones that have quality/clarity to match their (pricey)price tag. Therefore the only lupy's i consider purchacing are the redfields.  lol

If you are willing to spend 300-400$ you can get some really good glass these days.

Minox Z3 3-9x40 $289
http://www.cameralandny.com/optics/minox.pl?page=66000
Fairly new line of scopes that are getting good reviews and picking up speed

Zeiss Conquest 3-9x40 MC $399
http://www.cameralandny.com/optics/zeiss.pl?page=521460
Many think of the zeiss conquests as the best bang for your buck in the market. It is hard to justify the jump in price to get a scope of greater clarity than this.

Meopta MEOPRO 3-9x42 #4 Riflescope $399
http://eurooptic.com/meopta-meopro-3-9x42-4-riflescope.aspx
Another european company that has assembled a 1" tube scope line in the states to keep costs down and bring us a great product.

Redfield Revolution 3-9x49 $169
http://swfa.com/Redfield-3-9x40-Revolution-Rifle-Scope-P44469.aspx
If your looking at lupy simply for the lifetime warranty, then you can save yourself some cash and go with the lifetime warrantied redfields.

Vortex Viper 2-7x33 %40 off. 149$
http://swfa.com/Vortex-2-7x32-Viper-Rifle-Scope-P11227.aspx
This is supposed to be a steal of a deal. And look, another lifetime warranty. Many people say they are as clear, if not clearer than VX-3 rifle scopes   

[addicted]

also was looking at nikon and bushnell scopes and they are cheaper than leupolds but i think that leupold will hold more accuracy shot after shot.

I have owned 3 bushnell's, and 2 of them crapped out on me. The third i never mounted on a rifle.

I have hunted with 4 nikons(3 prostaff, 1 buckmaster) and all of them shot very accurately. My wife currently has a prostaff 3-9x50 BDC on her CZ 550 luxuz 30.06 and she shoots sup moa with it all day long.

I have read of tracking issues with lupys from the last few years products, let me do a quick google search....
http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f18/leupold-issues-tracking-53737/

To be fair i'll do a quick google search for tracking issues with nikons.....
It took a little longer to find issues. lol. This thread i did find is compairing nikons to lupy's with problems on both sides.
http://www.nodakoutdoors.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=256576

[JimmyHoffa]

I would say Leupold.  I've had Bushnell, Redfield, and Millett; and my opinion is that my Leupold seems to be a bit better in clarity (especially low-light), anti-fogging, and the eye relief I got.

[Bob33]

Dollar for dollar, Nikon optics are better than Leupold.

I like Leupold's customer service better than almost any other optics company.

i own both, and like them both for different reasons.

[addicted]

Dollar for dollar, Nikon optics are better than Leupold.

 

This has been widely noted. 

[smdave]

I just purchased a Minox Z5 3-15x50 w/Side Focus from camerlandny based on what addicted has told me. When I get it I will compare it to my Nikon Buckmaster 4.5-14 side focus. I have never owned a Leupold and never will I think you pay allot for the brand name.

I have shot two deer right at 400 yards measured by range finder with witnesses with my Nikon mounted on a 300 winmag. you could easily shoot out to 400- 500 with a scope in this range if you practice and are comfortable shooting that far.

Dave

[Deep Forks]

Take a look at the Vortex Viper in a 3x9 x 40mm for $379 or cheaper if you shop around.  Also the Diamondback in a 4x12x40mm for about $289.  I currently own several of these scopes and have zero problems and their warranty is excellent.  Check them out at the Outdoorsmans 1-800-291-8065.  There's also a number for camera land on the site that has good buy's.  In my opinion the Diamondbacks beat the vxii and I also own leupey.

[Qaib Thai]

thx for all the replies. since a few of you guys suggested redfield i been looking into them and they seem like a decent price that doesnt break the bank. but if they are made by leupold whats the difference besides different names. is everything still pretty much the same. with scopes im am most concerned with the scope not holding accuracy shot after shot.

[addicted]

thx for all the replies. since a few of you guys suggested redfield i been looking into them and they seem like a decent price that doesnt break the bank. but if they are made by leupold whats the difference besides different names. is everything still pretty much the same. with scopes im am most concerned with the scope not holding accuracy shot after shot.

I don't recall reading any threads(I'm a forum junky) about the new redfields not holding a zero so it must not be a common occurance.

As far as other brands keeping their accuracy shot after shot, I've had a meopta meostar mounted up for a year and a half and never had to adjust the zero except for when i changed ammo about 60 rounds in. I even dropped this one out of a 14 ft tree stand and it kept it's accuracy, shot after shot.