Leupold 2-7x33 Vari-X II compact or 2.5-8x36 Vari-X III?

[98s1lightning]

Which scope should I go with for Maine hunting a 284 Winchester bolt action.

2-7x33 compact
2.5-8x36

I want a 2-12x42 fire dot with zero lock bdc BUT I can't pick either of the two above up second hand for less than half the cost of the 2-12 to get me going for a while, or maybe never change it!

I like the idea of the 8 power zoom and the slightly bigger bell. I don't usually find myself on 2 power much, more like 2.5 anyhow.

 

[Chuck R.]

Which scope should I go with for Maine hunting a 284 Winchester bolt action.

2-7x33 compact
2.5-8x36

I want a 2-12x42 fire dot with zero lock bdc BUT I can't pick either of the two above up second hand for less than half the cost of the 2-12 to get me going for a while, or maybe never change it!

I like the idea of the 8 power zoom and the slightly bigger bell. I don't usually find myself on 2 power much, more like 2.5 anyhow.

I've got a 2.5-8x36 VX-3 that I mounted on my boys M7 in .260. Very good all around scope IMHO, especially when mated to a compact rifle/carbine. He's taken a few derr with it out of stands at just shy of 200yards (cornfields)

I've also got a VX6HD 2-12x42 BDC FireDot with CDS, which is on a .270. Awesome scope for an open country deer rifle. Different animals...the 2-12 isn't something I'd put on a compact deer rifle that I thought would see use in normal under 200 yards shots.

 

[earlthegoat2]

I’d go 2.5-8x36 and never look at another scope for that rifle again.

I have a 2-7x33 on my 22 Mag and I have had one on a slug gun. I consider that scope to be a good rimfire/shotgun/muzzleloader scope.

I have a 2.5-8x36 on my LR308 and like that setup a lot.

The 2.5-8x36 is a proper riflescope and as being a VX3, the optics are a little better than the VX2 you are also considering.

 

[98s1lightning]

This is a compact deer rifle for walking and ground blind hunting. Shots will be inside 300yds. The rifle is so light that some of the want for the 2.5-8x36 over the compact is to give the gun some weight to soak up recoil a bit. I plan to shoot 145 boat tails at 2900fps

Whats the going rate on the vx iii. It looks like up to 400 for a mint one???

 

[eastbank]

I own and use both leupolds and lean towards the 2.5x8x36.

 

[jmr40]

You'll never notice the difference in magnification. Both are long discontinued. The VX 3 is the replacement for varix 3. The VX-Freedom replaced the Varix 2. The VX 3 is better quality. If you can afford it go that way . The VX Freedom in 2-7x32 is a voog sub $200 scope. Either will be fine.

 

[DM~]

I also have multiples of both scopes and they both are good.

I think the 2.5 x 8 is a bit brighter scope in low light.

DM

 

[LoonWulf]

I'd go for the 2.5-8, but I actually see thru the vx-freedom better than even the iii variants of the older leupolds.
Another scope you may want to consider would be
A Burris ff2 3-9x40

 

[earlthegoat2]

$250-$300 for the VX3 2.5-8x36 and $150 for the 2-7x33.

These are the low end of the range of prices I see them sell for on eBay. I have bought a few off some forums like these for similar prices.

 

[98s1lightning]

The vari-x series long discontinued like how long. The rifle is a 1990 model year...would a vari-x scope be period correct????

 

[98s1lightning]

VX-3. 2.5-8x36 Gloss Duplex #66330

Looks like the baby!!!

 

[Walkalong]

2.5-8x36 Vari-X III?

I have one of these and 30 years ago it was a great scope. Advances in glass per dollar in the last 15 plus years has made it look poor compared to the new ones and lesser dollar scopes can be better now.

VX-3. 2.5-8x36

Will be a much better scope, and a great choice for all around hunting use.

 

[cdb1]

VX-3 2.5-8x36

 

[magnatecman]

VX3 2.5x8x36 is my favorite scope for a carrying rifle for my normal hunting ranges inside 400 yards. I also have a couple 2x7’s that I really like too, but I prefer the slightly bigger objective.

 

[98s1lightning]

Thanks guys. I'm gonna get me a VX-3 2.5-8x36.

 

[cdb1]

Thanks guys. I'm gonna get me a VX-3 2.5-8x36.

If I could only have one scope for all of my needs that cost under $500.00 it would be a VX-3i 2.5-7x36.

 

[98s1lightning]

Does anyone know what year Leupold replaced the Vari-X III with the VX-3????
I see a lot of people advertising these scopes wrong (for sale used) labeling a Vari as a VX

 

[98s1lightning]

I should have done a search, I find someone lists that Leupold stated the Vari-X III was discontinued in 2004 and replaced by the VX-3

 

[Sniper66]

Which scope should I go with for Maine hunting a 284 Winchester bolt action.

2-7x33 compact
2.5-8x36

I want a 2-12x42 fire dot with zero lock bdc BUT I can't pick either of the two above up second hand for less than half the cost of the 2-12 to get me going for a while, or maybe never change it!

I like the idea of the 8 power zoom and the slightly bigger bell. I don't usually find myself on 2 power much, more like 2.5 anyhow.

I have both of these scopes and like the 2.5-8x better, shooting mostly in the woods and not long shots. For longer shots I have several other options on several other rifles.

 

[Garandimal]

The vari-x series long discontinued like how long. The rifle is a 1990 model year...would a vari-x scope be period correct????

Got my Vari-X II 3-9x40 in the early '80's, and it wasn't the top of the line then.

For $300? You can get into a new VX-3i 2.5-8x36...




GR

 

[cdb1]

I’m pretty sure the VX-3 line came out in 2012 or 2013.

 

[98s1lightning]

I bought a mint vari-x III from a member here for a sweet price. I'm happy with it. I'm actually shocked at how much power the scope has on its lowest setting, 2.5. It's marked on the dial as the zoom for 200yds. I seem to think, now, that cheap brand scopes are NOT actually the zoom the say they are. This 2.5 is a bit much for close range, say 25-50 yards woods shot, which I have not experienced this same issue with other scopes of same power being "too powerful". Either way I think I made the right choice. The glass is super clear, and the scope really does look proper on the rifle.

 

[98s1lightning]

My vari-x III is a 2003 the last year of production, the vx-3 came out in 2004.

 

[cdb1]

My vari-x III is a 2003 the last year of production, the vx-3 came out in 2004.

That goes against every bit of information I have. My understanding is the VX-III came out in 2004.

 

[98s1lightning]

That goes against every bit of information I have. My understanding is the VX-III came out in 2004.

Wait what? Aren't we both saying the VX-3 came out in 2004????

I got my information from Leupold's website.