Leupold VX-3L

[joelkdouglas]

Gents

I'm thinking of acquiring a new scope for my .30-06. It wears a VX-III 3.5 - 10 x 40mm scope now, which has always served me well. But I want the CDS dials.

So I could:

1. Send the scope in to have the CDS dials installed. Cost around $150, and I'll likely have them replace the maintube to remove some ring scratches, another $150. Even though it doubles the price I can't not do it. +1 CDS dials. +1 my wife purchased this scope for me (and it's the only scope I have, on my only rifle) +1 cheapest route

2. Get a VX-3L, 3.5 - 10 x 50mm scope with CDS dials. I think this would give me a tighter cheek to stock position. $700 -1 these are ugly. +1 CDS dials

3. Wait for and acquire the VX-6. +1 CDS dials. +1 illuminated reticle -2 $1000

My point total says keep the one I've got. But I'm getting my elk killer a new barrel and having the receiver / bolt etc. trued, so I'm not against a nicer scope.

Opinions?

Any of you used an illuminated reticle? Definite advantage, or just a nice to have?

Anybody have opinions about the VX-3L other than she's one ugly bride? Is the 50 mm objective a definite step up from a 40 mm objective?

Anybody have a VX-6 yet? Are they optically better than the VX-3? I understand they have a 30mm tube, but it's only a .30-06, and I've never had problems with my 1" tube.

And I know it's heresy, but anybody used Swarovski's BT system?

Thanks gents.
v/r
Joel

 

[DrMike]

Joel,

I've acquired the Swarovski BT for my newest .280. I have not yet set the turret as I haven't finalised the load. I have ordered the VX6, but it is scheduled to be released sometime this month. I don't imagine that it will be optically superior to the VX3, only a wider range of magnification. The illuminated reticle can be nice, but I suppose I've lived for quite a few years without owning one. There have been times that it would have extended my shooting time by a matter of minutes, and that can make a difference. On the other hand, I can count only a few times when such an accoutrement would have really made a difference. A 50 mm objective is not very attractive for me, other than in my VXL. I don't much care to have my scope set that far about the barrel. Forty-four mm is about my practical limit. All-in-all, it seems as if you've counted the reasons you should upgrade the scope you have. It has a story to tell, and it would seem a shame for it to be relegated to obscurity. Besides, a spare scope is a dangerous thing for a rifle looney; it will only attract rifles. Beware of loose scopes.

 

[gerry]

If it were me I would choose option 1 upgrade your current scope for all the reasons you listed. The 3.5-10x40 is an outstanding scope I have an older gloss duplex on my 264 WM and love it.

 

[Oldtrader3]

I agree with DrMike, in that I do not know yet whether the new VX6 will be any better scope than the VX-3L or the plain VX 3. It is reputed to be as good as for contrast and resolution as the VX-7 was. We shall all have to wait until sometime this fall to find out.

I personally own two 50mm objective scopes which do not have the "L" model Leupold notch in them and I am fond of the performance of both. For the 3.5-10x50 Kahles, I would prefer a 42 mm objective but have gotten used to the 50mm and have both of these scopes are mounted on high combed rifles so cheek weld is not an issue. The 4-12x50 Swarovski that I have is not an issue and works fine. I am using medium TPS rings which are not really that high and it works for me.

I have no objection to the notch on the 50mm L-type Leupold scopes and would only be concerned if their seals leaked out the Argon gas. They would look fine mounted and only look weird when not on a rifle. I have personally not seen that much practical advantage to the 50mm versus 40mm objective in practical terms except maybe a few extra minutes at dusk. I would probably just buy the CDS dials and upgrade what I have for a practical hunting rifle. Just my $.02 worth. I personally like the VX3, 3.5-10x40 Leupold scope for a hunting rifle, especially for elk, just fine.

 

[SJB358]

If it were me I would choose option 1 upgrade your current scope for all the reasons you listed. The 3.5-10x40 is an outstanding scope I have an older gloss duplex on my 264 WM and love it.

Joel, I think you should just add the CDS dials to your current scope. This is the scope I have on my 270WSM and it has become a favorite. The 3.5x10 is just a great powered scope and works well for the majority of hunting we do. With CDS dials it would be even better I think. Scotty

 

[jimbires]

kenton industries makes knobs for scopes . these would turn a standard scope into a CDS type . you need to supply your drop info to them so they can engrave your knob , just like you would need to with a new Leupold . so if you like the scope you have now here is another option . Jim


http://www.kentonindustries.com/

 

[joelkdouglas]

Thanks gents.

Any of you ever have to return a Leupold, Swarovski or Zeiss? I know Leupold has fantastic customer service. Many posts believe Zeiss has better optics, for roughly the same price. I do adore looking through Swaro glass, but I've never purchased anything from Swaro because I don't know that it's necessary.

But #1 is, if in Wyoming hunting elk or the Mackenzie mountains hunting caribou, I want to be able to see something in low light, and I want it to be dependable. If I fall and drop my rifle I don't want the scope to break, and I want it to still shoot to the same POI. I've never been to the Mackenzie mountains, but I'm betting there's no Cabela's there.

So price aside, do you think the Swaro is tougher than a Leupold? Other posts have said a Z3 has only a leaf spring, but a Z5 has a 4-coil spring. Evidently a VX-3 has a dual coil spring. Does that make any difference?

Joel

 

[Oldtrader3]

Thanks gents.

Any of you ever have to return a Leupold, Swarovski or Zeiss? I know Leupold has fantastic customer service. Many posts believe Zeiss has better optics, for roughly the same price. I do adore looking through Swaro glass, but I've never purchased anything from Swaro because I don't know that it's necessary.

But #1 is, if in Wyoming hunting elk or the Mackenzie mountains hunting caribou, I want to be able to see something in low light, and I want it to be dependable. If I fall and drop my rifle I don't want the scope to break, and I want it to still shoot to the same POI. I've never been to the Mackenzie mountains, but I'm betting there's no Cabela's there.

So price aside, do you think the Swaro is tougher than a Leupold? Other posts have said a Z3 has only a leaf spring, but a Z5 has a 4-coil spring. Evidently a VX-3 has a dual coil spring. Does that make any difference?

Joel

The VX-3L has a twin bias spring which to me means that it is on an angle of some sort. Nowhere does it say the the Leupold has coil spring in the erector box assembly anywhere, in any model. It does say that Leupold uses a double bias spring, whatever that means?

The ONLY scope manfacturer that I am aware of who put coil springs in the erector assembly is Swarovski and then only in the Z5 and Z6 models. The Z6 scopes have (8) coiled springs pushing on the bottom of the erector assembly to control elevation and windage position.

 

[DrMike]

I've never returned a Swarovski or a Leupold scope for service. I've recommended several Leupold scopes be returned, and the customers were entirely happy with the service they received. I've sent two Zeiss Diavari scopes back for service. The issues were minor, but the company moved with due speed and did far more than I requested. I have only good to say about Zeiss service, and all my Zeiss scopes and binoculars have served me well for many years.

 

[Oldtrader3]

Me also, I have owned (2) Zeiss Davari's (I still have one, my son has the other), both are mounted on magnum rifles. I own one Swarovski Model AV and two Kahles AH scopes. I have not had any issues with any of these Austrian or German scopes in all the years that I have owned them. I have had all of them for at least 7 years. They all are optically superior to the VXIII Leupolds that I have owned. However, I have never owned a VX-3 or VX-7 leupold.

I also have owned several Zeiss Conquests and several Leupold VXII and VXIII's. The only scopes that I personally have had to return to the manufacturer for service were all Leupold VXII's and one VXIII. All of these scopes would no longer hold zero and had lost the inert gas sealed inside the tube. Leupold fixed all of them quickly and competently. I have no complaints with Leupold service.

If I was going to spend $800+ dollars on a new scope, I would buy a Swarovski Z3 because they are optically excellent and are very robustly built as well. My second choice would be a Leupold VX-6 Leupold but they are not available on the market yet.

 

[tddeangelo]

A couple of tidbits to toss into the mix...

The VX6 is available withOUT an illuminated reticle. SWFA is taking orders for the VX6 with a duplex, non-lit reticle for $900.

I was in line for a VX6 till I caught a VX7 on closeout for the same price. Don't discount this as an option. As places want the 7's gone, they are willing to price them aggressively. I got a VX7 to my door for $1004, which is about 2/3 the original price Leupold charged. They are optically identical to the VX6 from what Leupold tells me.

The VXIII is no slouch. It's a fine scope.

The Swarovski Z3 series is on sale now. You can get one for well under $1000, depending on the specs you want.

There's no wrong answer here from the technical side of things, really.

Oh, and on a VX6/VX7, I'd never pay for a CDS. Those turrets should be adequate for all but the most serious tactical shooters, I'd think.

 

[joelkdouglas]

Oh, and on a VX6/VX7, I'd never pay for a CDS. Those turrets should be adequate for all but the most serious tactical shooters, I'd think.

tddeangelo, can you tell me more about the VX6/VX7 turrets? They sound different than the standard VXIII "field click" turrets I'm familiar with. Are they external MOA turrets?

The VX6 says it will come with a free CDS turret, and I was thinking that one would be dedicated to elk season, and it would have to be close enough for everything else on the range.

Thanks.

 

[tddeangelo]

Oh, and on a VX6/VX7, I'd never pay for a CDS. Those turrets should be adequate for all but the most serious tactical shooters, I'd think.

tddeangelo, can you tell me more about the VX6/VX7 turrets? They sound different than the standard VXIII "field click" turrets I'm familiar with. Are they external MOA turrets?

The VX6 says it will come with a free CDS turret, and I was thinking that one would be dedicated to elk season, and it would have to be close enough for everything else on the range.

Thanks.

You unscrew the cap, but instead of it coming free of the tube, and it pops up (spring-loaded). That reveals an MOA gradation on the turret, and the cap acts as the top of the turret that you use to turn it with your fingers.

I'm not sure how it would differ from a CDS indexed in MOA, really.

That's how the '7's turret works. I'm told the '6 is the same, but obviously have not put hands on one to really know. I'll try to take pics tonight if I can.