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Leupold VX6 or Swarovski Z3 |
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djp0623
Optics Apprentice Joined: August/08/2011 Location: Pinehurst, NC Status: Offline Points: 83 |
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Posted: January/08/2012 at 13:11 |
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I bought a .300WM that I want to top with a decent scope. I love the SS 3-9x42 on my FNAR, but I want a little more mag this time around. 95% of time it will be used for hunting.
I can get a good "sample list" deal on the Z3 4-12x50 or for the same money I can get the VX6 2-12x42. I like the idea of 2x on the low end, but I like the idea of 50mm objective for light gathering. I know that both will get me past legal hunting hours. My SS 3-9 does this easily ( I could hunt at night if I had moonlight). This leads me to believe that the 42mm vs 50mm shouldn't be a deciding factor. Which has better glass? I'm looking at ~ $800 for either. I'm having trouble finding a good comparison of these scopes. There doesn't seem to be a lot of info out on the VX6. It's amazing how optics decisions can somehow feel life altering. Thanks!
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Bitterroot Bulls
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: May/07/2009 Location: Montana Status: Offline Points: 3416 |
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I have the Z3 scope, and I like the optical performance a lot. Centerfield performance is astounding. The sweet spot is nice, but the image falls off at the edges like many riflescopes.
The best part of my Z3 is the reticle: the BRH reticle. The BRH is a BDC reticle that is subtended in mils, and so is easy to dope for your load. The windage bars are nice also. Another nice feature of the Z3 is it is light and feels compact for a 50mm objective scope. I had this scope on my 300 Ultra Sendero (the elkinator), but I am moving it to a 7mm magnum build I am doing on a Savage 110 I found. This rifle will be a more traditional hunting rifle in form (compared to the Sendero), and I think the Z3 will be a nice match for it. I haven't seen the VX-6, but it seems like it has a nice set of features and a good company to back it up. If the optical quality is there, it will be a fine scope. the Z3 is a top-end scope at a moderate price.
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-Matt
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Urimaginaryfrnd
MODERATOR Resident Redneck Joined: June/20/2005 Location: Iowa Status: Offline Points: 14964 |
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I have not had the chance to see the VX6 but have had good reports from those who have. Like you mentioned I think it would be really nice to have that 2x on the low end.
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"Always do the right thing, just because it is the right thing to do". Bobby Paul Doherty Texas Ranger |
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bird_hunter66
Optics Apprentice Joined: September/29/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 88 |
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The Z3 4-12-50mm with BRH retical is a great scope. I have one on my Browning X-Bolt in .243 which I do some deer hunting but mostly varmit hunting here in the southeast US. This is my first 50mm and it gathers a lot more light at dusk and dawn and you can count points with this scope and not just tell if a deer has antlers. The view and sweet spot out of it is awsome. This is my first move from Leupolds which I have used for the past 20 years and I'm very impressed. My next scope with be a Swarovski 30mm. Can't beat the view out of them.
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D. Holmes
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Cooper25
Optics Apprentice Joined: December/01/2010 Location: MN Status: Offline Points: 50 |
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my 2 cents is the versatility of the 2-12 would seal the deal for me if the optics are close
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Jeff
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djp0623
Optics Apprentice Joined: August/08/2011 Location: Pinehurst, NC Status: Offline Points: 83 |
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This was my thinking if the optics are close, but unfortunately there hasn't been a good comparison. A forum member has one, but hasn't reported back on wha the thinks. The z3 on the sample list for $799 is tempting.
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R H Clark
Optics Apprentice Joined: July/26/2011 Location: NW Alabama Status: Offline Points: 200 |
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Just flip a coin.Either will be stellar and you will probably hear a lot of reports either way on which is better,depending on the personal bias. My advice would be to wait a bit and go with the Leupold if initial reports are good just to get 2X on the low end.
PS
If you do get the Leupold,please invite me over to look through it in low light.
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dw0229
Optics Apprentice Joined: December/21/2010 Location: boaz,alabama Status: Offline Points: 121 |
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In my opinion,the argument for better glass is definately the Swarovski Z3.I have owned one and compared it to one of my Leupold's in a similar configuration.I own several Leupold scopes and find them do be rugged and well built but to me they lack both in low light and sharpness performance.I recently was deer hunting with a rifle that I traded for that had a vx-3 3.5-10x40 and as I looked through the scope I remember thinking-wow;how unvibrant and dull the woods look after having hunted so much with the European scopes.My eyes definately know the difference.Fromm what I read there is is nothing really different or improved as far as the vx-6's glass or coatings as say compared to a vx-3;plus the vx-6 is kinda expensive.Also consider the z3 in a 3-10x42 with a 4a reticle.If possible do a side by side.
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djp0623
Optics Apprentice Joined: August/08/2011 Location: Pinehurst, NC Status: Offline Points: 83 |
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If glass is better in the z3, is there any other reason to go with the high-end Leupold other than increased field of view at low mag?
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JGRaider
Optics Master Joined: February/06/2008 Status: Offline Points: 1540 |
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I sent my VX6 to a buddy to have him test it alongside these scopes he has on hand.......
Zeiss Victory Diavari 2.5-10x42mm Swarovski Z3 3-10x42mm Zeiss Conquest 4.5-14x44mm and 3-9x40mm Kahles Helia CSX 2.5-10x50mm, I'm interested to get his take on it. |
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Tip69
Optics Master Extraordinaire Tip Stick Joined: September/27/2005 Location: Nebraska Status: Offline Points: 4155 |
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Is there any concern for the Z3 sitting on a hard kicker like the 300WM? Seems like I remember something about that. Or was that the previous generation?
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take em!
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djp0623
Optics Apprentice Joined: August/08/2011 Location: Pinehurst, NC Status: Offline Points: 83 |
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Good question. The more I read, the more I see the z3 is in a lightweight package. This may be the reson for the z5 line. If this is the case, then swaro is out of my spending range.
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Bitterroot Bulls
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: May/07/2009 Location: Montana Status: Offline Points: 3416 |
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I've got over 100 rounds of 300 RUM on mine, no issues.
Lightweight scopes often resist recoil better than heavier scope, due to the decreased inertia.
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-Matt
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djp0623
Optics Apprentice Joined: August/08/2011 Location: Pinehurst, NC Status: Offline Points: 83 |
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Good question. The more I read, the more I see the z3 is in a lightweight package. This may be the reson for the z5 line. If this is the case, then swaro is out of my spending range.
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djp0623
Optics Apprentice Joined: August/08/2011 Location: Pinehurst, NC Status: Offline Points: 83 |
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Oops, sorry about double post
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djp0623
Optics Apprentice Joined: August/08/2011 Location: Pinehurst, NC Status: Offline Points: 83 |
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I pulled the trigger on the Vx6 with the plex reticle today. Not sure if I'll end up keeping it, but I couldn't pass on the price. A friend has many high end scopes Zeiss , S&B, and Swaro both new models and old. He's currently swapping everything to Z6, from diavari, and PH series.
I'm going to let him give his opinion. He hunts all over,and all different terrain. Open plains, mountains, klondike, for a variety of animals white tail, moose, elk, carrabou, mountain goat (that may have just disgraced the actual animal, but it looks lile a goat with big horns to me :)) He's a swaro fan, but I think he'll give me an honest report and if I should send it back for a Z3. I'll post his review to add to the scarce info out there. Hopefully it will be here soon, but I'm not sure where it is shipping from.
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djp0623
Optics Apprentice Joined: August/08/2011 Location: Pinehurst, NC Status: Offline Points: 83 |
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FYI
second set of DCS dials free |
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SVT_Tactical
MODERATOR Chief Sackscratch Joined: December/17/2009 Location: NorthCackalacky Status: Offline Points: 31233 |
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rustic
Optics Master Joined: September/30/2011 Status: Offline Points: 1461 |
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Get any feed-back? |
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JGRaider
Optics Master Joined: February/06/2008 Status: Offline Points: 1540 |
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