Hunting optic suggestions

Status
Not open for further replies.
gotboostvr

gotboostvr

Member
Joined
Feb 13, 2007
Messages
5,320
Location
Phoenix Arizona
I'm looking into upgrading the glass on a hunting rifle. Rifle is a very nice shooting 308win Remington 700.

Uses will be all my mammalian hunting, coyote, javalina, antelope, mule deer, maybe elk one day, but unlikely. Plus ringing steel plates as far away as possible.

My budget is around $500.

I think my best choices in my budget are:
Leupold VX-3i 3.5-10X40 CDS-ZL
Leupold VX-Freedom 4-12X40 Tri-MOA
Vortex Viper HS 2.5-10X

On paper there's alot to like about all these scopes. There's also a few things I don't care for.

Things I like:
The Vortex's reticle & 30mm tube. The VX-3i's CDS system is nice, as is both Leupy's very light weight.

Things I don't like:
None of them have parallax adjustment. The VX3i has a very plain reticle which necessitates dialing for elevation. Both Leupy's have 1" tubes.

Things I don't know:
Hows the glass compare? The VX-Freedom is the cheapest, but has a manageable reticle, nice light weight and power range. It's gotta be cheaper for a reason though.

Let's get some opinions in here. I'm not married to these scopes, but keep in mind if I can get it at Cabela's I have giftcards there I can use to stretch my budget.
 
Of whats listed id go with the VX-F

Its not quite as nice as the vx-3i, and the turrets are noticeably squishier, but as a set and forget hunting scope your not loosing much and those are generally available for noticeably less.

Ive never used the Viper HS scopes, but have not been a fan of the other Vortex scopes in the Viper line. If you DO like them it probably is a good option for you.

Were i to recommend a sub 500 dollar hunting optic, it will would probably be an Athlon HMR in 2-12x42 or 4-20x50. I have one of each and REALLY like them.
The OTHER option id suggest are cameralands sale on open box Meoptas those are just shy of 500 after shipping.


Those are just my opinion of course and theres other scopes like the Burris FF2 and E1s that i think are excellent options.
 
The Burris's (Burri?) are significantly less expensive, are they on the same plane as the Leupold and Vortex's glass-wise? The reticles look useful.

Those Athlon's look interesting, but weigh an extra >10oz on a rifle I'm trying to shed weight from.

The rifle is already wearing a 4-14X Primary Arms FFP MILDOT scope that weighs something like 24oz. I'd like brighter glass, capped or locking turrets and less weight. I'll regulate the old Primary Arms to a range only gun after the upgrade.
 
Of those options I'd get the VX-3i. Maybe pony up the extra for the B&C reticle if you like that. To me, weight is important on a hunting rifle. If you sit in a blind it doesn't matter but I still like to move around. I don't think a 30mm tube is necessary on a hunting rifle, and adds weight you don't need.
 
gotboostvr said:
The Burris's (Burri?) are significantly less expensive, are they on the same plane as the Leupold and Vortex's glass-wise? The reticles look useful.

Those Athlon's look interesting, but weigh an extra >10oz on a rifle I'm trying to shed weight from.

The rifle is already wearing a 4-14X Primary Arms FFP MILDOT scope that weighs something like 24oz. I'd like brighter glass, capped or locking turrets and less weight. I'll regulate the old Primary Arms to a range only gun after the upgrade.
Click to expand...
To MY eye the ff2 e1s match leupy glass, and i actually prefer them except they have shorter eye relief and are heavier.....which is the only reason a leupy is on my favorite rifle.

Again MY opinion is bassed on other Vortex scopes, but i like the ffs as well or better than the similar power vipers ive used.... the viper gen2s are supposed to be a notch above but I havent used one.

The Vipers do have noticeably nicer turrets, but again personal preference and needs etc.




The Athlons do tend to the heavier side and if saving weight not The scopes to be looking at. They also tend to offer better than average optics and adjustment, but yeah they arnt light.
 
Laphroaig said:
Of those options I'd get the VX-3i. Maybe pony up the extra for the B&C reticle if you like that. To me, weight is important on a hunting rifle. If you sit in a blind it doesn't matter but I still like to move around. I don't think a 30mm tube is necessary on a hunting rifle, and adds weight you don't need.
Click to expand...

The B&C isn't my favorite reticle, but it's certainly very serviceable. Problem is they only offer it on one scope currently, a VX-3i 4.5-14x40mm which does seem nice. It's about the absolute max I could possibly stretch my budget. I'd have to start saving all over again to get some other equipment I'd like though.

I was hoping to be able to spend some on a chrono, range finder and a new predator call.
 
To my eyes Viper glass is not as good as a Fullfield II, VX-3 or VX-Freedom and the disparity is more pronounced in low light. Also to my eyes VX-Freedom glass and Fullfield II glass are pretty close with a slight edge to the Freedom. VX-3i glass is obviously better.
 
Leupold VX-3i 3.5-10X40 CDS-ZL
Click to expand...

I have this and like it a lot.

Leupold VX-Freedom 4-12X40 Tri-MOA
Click to expand...

A basic VX-Freedom is a lot of scope for the money. The VX3i is a better scope, but I'm not 100% sure it is enough better to justify the cost. I can get a VX-Freedom with a standard duplex reticle for around $200, the VX3i is $400-$500 depending on options. I tried one with the Tri-MOA reticle and found it too busy and did not like it.
 
I also have the Leupold VX3i 3.5x10x40 CDS and it's a great lightweight scope.

My original intent was to get one from the custom shop with the B&C reticle and the CDS, kind of he best of both worlds for a light weight hunting scope. Buuut then the custom shop stopped taking orders. IF they do ever come back, I'll still get one put together, or the 2.5-8X. The standard Leupold Duplex is GTG out to 300yds for a lot of cartridges when zeroid at 200, just by using the lower duplex juncture. It's not perfect, but better than holding "a little high".

For a hunting rifle I actually try to avoid adjustable parallax, unless it's going to be a long range rig. It's one less thing I'd rather not screw with IF I really have to take a quick shot. I bought the Leupold VX6 HD 2-12X rather than the 3-18X just to avoid it.
 
Chuck R. said:
For a hunting rifle I actually try to avoid adjustable parallax, unless it's going to be a long range rig
Click to expand...
Certainly a reasonable reason to chose a non adjustable scope.
I would counter point that while a fixed parallax IS far simpler, you can just leave an adjustable set at 100-150 or what ever range you expect to need it at.
I really prefer to have them on everything, and will pay the cost and weight penalty for them.
Again thats just my opinion and what works for my usages tho.

Actually the only fixed scope ive got on one of the guns i use with any regularity is the xv-3i 3.5-10x40cds on my .375. I do really like that scope and its a great match for my rifle, but Its more about the whole package than the optical quality.
 
Last edited:
Looking around a little, the Meopta Optika 5, 3-15X44 Z-Plus Reticle might be in consideration.

The adjustment range is nice, reticle is nice, parallax adjustments, capped turrets, it checks alot of boxes and should be good glass. It's a little heavier at 21oz, but offers alot for the extra weight.

I'd like to look through one first though and don't know where I can get hands on one locally.
 
gotboostvr said:
Hows the glass and adjustments compared to say, a VX-3i?
Click to expand...
The adjustments are good enough to sight in the scope easily. Since I set and forget I can’t speak to the dialing accuracy but I’d bet money they beat the VX-3i in that regard, and I’m not a Leupold basher. I really like my Leupold’s.

When it comes to glass they seem pretty close in good light to my eyes. In low light the MeoPro starts to distance itself a bit. I pay more attention to low light performance because it seems to be in low light when I shoot the most animals.
 
Update/resolution:
Got to play with some glass today.

Online it showed they didn't have the model I was leaning towards, but they had the range finder in stock and I had some free time while the kiddo was napping so I figured I could go and compare similar models and at least get an idea to help narrow it down a little.

They had a couple 1" Leupold's both VX3i's and VX-Freedoms as well as a 2.5-10x and 4-16x Vortex Viper HS. Even played with one of the Leupold Patrol Rifle Optics.

The Patrol Rifle Optic had real mushy adjustments, but was pretty neat. The 1" VX3i's and VX-Freedom's were pretty close in clarity/contrast/brightness and glare. The Vortex's were a little brighter, but glare was notably worse. Definitely noticeably heavier too.

I was waffling pretty hard and about to leave without buying anything, lamenting that they were out of stock on so much. "I was really hoping to try one of the Leupold 30mm tubes, and wanted to see the "Tri-MOA" reticle in person. I'd really like something with parallax adjustment too" and the guy offers to go check the back for me. I'd never ask him to myself, I hate those people but he volunteered so maybe he knows something the website dosen't.

He brings out one of these:
https://www.leupold.com/scopes/rifle-scopes/vx-freedom-4-12x40-cds-30mm

That's the model I really, really wanted to get my hands on. I wanted to see if the 30mm tube made a difference, if the "Tri-MOA" reticle was too busy as some people think so and how the turret adjustments were.

It was definitely the brightest, most clear of the one I played with. Glare was as good as the rest of the Leupold's which is a testament to their coatings. The reticle is a little cluttered near the cross hairs, but not too bad, I liked it better than any of their other reticles. It also has the parallax adjustment I wanted. The turret adjustments are very positive, and the CDS turret is icing on the cake.

Told him to ring my happy *** up!

The CDS turret wasn't something I really wanted, but they don't make an otherwise similar model without it and it is nice. It'll pair nicely with the Sig Sauer Kilo 2000 I also picked up while I was there if nothing else.

It's good glass, and alot of features in a very handy lightweight package for right at $500. It's far and away the nicest glass I own currently.
 
redneck2 said:
While there are some here that don’t care for Leupold, I suspect you will be quite pleased with your choice
Click to expand...

There's certainly alot of things they do that I don't care for. Their predilection for 1" tubes, and basic duplex reticles are two of them.

They do make very bright, clear glass and they do a good job of keeping the weight down. If that's your two biggest concerns, they're hard to argue against.
 
gotboostvr said:
The CDS turret wasn't something I really wanted, but they don't make an otherwise similar model without it and it is nice.
Click to expand...
I could be wrong but I think you can order a regular turret from Leupold if you decide you just don’t like the CDS turret. I don’t care for them myself.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

jmr40
  • Locked
Heads up on a scope sale, Leupold VX3i
Replies
13
Views
969
Chuck R.
Chuck R.
Macchina
  • Locked
Leupold VX-3i: why so cheap?
Replies
22
Views
8K
mshootnit
M
gotboostvr
  • Locked
Scope suggestions
Replies
16
Views
2K
gotboostvr
gotboostvr
L
New scope opinions
Replies
24
Views
998
LoonWulf
LoonWulf
C
  • Locked
Scope questions
Replies
14
Views
812
Ks5shooter
Ks5shooter
Back
Top