Leupold VX-3 3.5-10x50mm for my 700?

[dooger52287]

Looking to spend between $500-$650 for a new scope. What do you all know about the Leupold VX-3 3.5-10x50mm scope? http://www.opticsplanet.com/leupold-vx3 ... scope.html

If not that, is there another one I should look out for? Looking to shoot from 300-900 yards with my SPS Tactical. Thanks for your advice!

-James

[gunderwood]

The Leupold VX series are good entry level scopes. You'll be very happy with one, but here are some things to consider.

Anything above ~44mm starts to get big and heavy quick. Typically, beyond 44mm and you are starting to optimize for prone shooting vice other positions. Nothing wrong with that (most of my long range scopes are large objectives too), but just be aware that the weight adds up fast.

Do you really want/need variable magnification? Usually for any quantity of cash, a fixed power scope will be much better than a variable. There's less lens in the system and fewer moving parts. My preference is for fixed scopes in this price range because I think the internals are better than the variables. The military used a fixed 10x for decades and only recently shifted to variable scopes en masse.

Tactical scopes are different than hunting or target scopes. Typically with hunting you're shooting only at a very flat part of the projectiles trajectory. Thus, limited drop occurs and there isn't much need for scope tracking. Target scopes optimize for extreme accuracy at long range, but your typical F-class (or other category) shooter shoots at very fixed distances and often with sighters. A tactical scope on the other hand might be used to engage a 100 yard target and then one at 1137 yards and then 681 yards, etc. The ability of the scope to accurately track as windage and elevation are constantly adjusted is very difficult. e.g. when you dial in 11.3mils, you want it to be as close to 11.3 mils as possible and exactly the same every time. You don't want 11.5mils this time, 10.9mils the next, and 11.25mils the third, etc. This is why the high end scopes cost huge piles of cash. IMHO, scope tracking is more important for a tactical scope than variable magnification and why I prefer a fixed power scope in this price range.

Just some thoughts. The Leopold is a decent setup though.

[dooger52287]

@gunderwood, thanks so much for your reply. You've been a great help in all my questions. So:

I like the idea of a fixed scope, is there one in particular in this price range you would recommend?

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[gunderwood]

What exactly is your price range? $100-$200 difference buys a lot of additional scope at the entry level. Also, did you want a large objective or not? Most of the fixed power tactical scopes are going to be around 44mm, but you'll get better low light collection with larger objectives. Some of mine are 56mm, but like I said, the rifle system gets heavy quick.

IOR makes decent scopes. Personally I have no experience with them, but long range shooters I trust and do have first hand experience recommend them all the time as good entry level glass. A basic fixed 10x runs a bit more than your Leupold though:

http://swfa.com/IOR-10x42-Tactical-30mm ... 48778.aspx

Options include parallax correction (often incorrectly called "side focus") and lit reticules. I have lit reticules in mine, but honestly what range will let you shoot at night? If you had land/hog hunting or something that might be a great feature. Cheaper fixed power scopes have parallax correction where you have to twist the objective lens, whereas "side focus" is a knob on the side (some have a fixed parallax correction, typically 100 yards). When behind the scope you really can't operate anything but a side knob. As you're changing ranges you need to change your parallax correction since it's only technically correct at one distance. I personally think that side parrallax focus is a critical feature.

If you want cheaper, this is about the cheapest scope that can be useful for your purpose:
http://swfa.com/Bushnell-10x40-Elite-Ta ... 48273.aspx

Interestingly, either it's gotten cheaper (IIRC, was $399) or this isn't the same model that Barrett use to ship with their fifties. I would recommend this route only if you need a scope now and wanted to buy something better later.


The Leupold Mark LR/T series are nice, but practically a bit more coin than the scope you listed.
http://swfa.com/Leupold-45-14x40-Mark-4 ... P2549.aspx


That's just a initial offering. Couple of things to be aware of. First, notice how lower end tactical scopes which are intended to have their windage/elevation knobs used often, the knobs get real big? Not bigger as in larger around so as to be easier to grip, but longer. It's because they are trying to keep costs down while providing the additional functionality a tactical scope requires over a target/hunting scope. Making the internals small and precise gets expensive quick.

Second, don't get a scope where the turrets and reticle are in different units unless you can NOT avoid it. If the reticle is MOA, get MOA turrets. If the reticle is Mils, get Mil turrets. It just makes sense. However, on the lower end tactical scopes they will often use the old MC Mil-dot reticle (nothing wrong with that, it's a good basic design), but then because most shooters in the USA are only use to MOA, they put MOA turrets on it. I have both, but have been able to avoid mixing. My preference is for Mils. The metric system is makes more sense than fractional systems like MOA. Good idea to know both.

Lastly, you have a .308Win, so even the basic tubes will be fine. However, for very long range shooting you often need the larger 34mm tubes to have enough travel. FYI, gotta make sure your base has a bit of forward cant or else you might not have enough either.

[dooger52287]

Gunderwood, to answer your questions:

$500-$650 range

Shooting a .308Win...so that does change things a little. I'm going to keep doing some research now...

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[dooger52287]

Now I'm looking at the this: http://www.leupold.com/hunting-shooting ... 4-12x50mm/

I think I just need to take a leap of faith...

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[allingeneral]

Now I'm looking at the this: http://www.leupold.com/hunting-shooting ... 4-12x50mm/

I think I just need to take a leap of faith...

AIG Tactical has this one about as cheap as you'll find it, I think. (plus a 5% VGOF discount is available if you look around)

http://all-in-general.com/product_info. ... s_id=75925