Visit the SWFA.com site to check out our current specials. |
Scope Suggestions |
Post Reply | Page <123> |
Author | ||
osprey
Optics Apprentice Joined: November/11/2014 Status: Offline Points: 111 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
Makes sense, I babied the conquest I have and it did fail after a few years. And if I recall it said on the box constant eye relief not, to my eye its variable which doesn't bother me to some it may.
Another thing, weight/profile I can see were it matters a ton depending on the type of hunting. |
||
parshal
Optics GrassHopper Joined: December/09/2014 Location: Colorado Status: Offline Points: 13 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
I went by Cabela's and looked through the Leupold again alongside a Vortex HS-LR 44m scope. The Leupold was much clearer even at 18x vs the Vortex at 16x. At lower powers they were similar enough to not be of consequence. What annoyed me is that the eyebox on the Vortex was much, much more forgiving. I would choose the Vortex over the Leupold if it weren't for the lack of clarity at higher power. For a target scope, I'd spend most time at high power. For that matter, I've not dialed my 14x Leupold lower than 14x, ever. Of course, I've been hunting very open areas. I looked through a Zeiss Conquest HD5 3-15x42 and the glass is much brighter than the Leupold. Of course, I expected that to be the case. I'll need to research that one a bit more. It looks like you can get a free Kenton custom turret with the purchase of that scope through December 31. The warranty of the Leupold and Vortex has an impact on my decision which is a shame. |
||
parshal
Optics GrassHopper Joined: December/09/2014 Location: Colorado Status: Offline Points: 13 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
I did notice a bit of distortion at the edges of the Conquest that I didn't notice on the other two. It's possible the clarity isn't there on the others to actually notice it.
|
||
osprey
Optics Apprentice Joined: November/11/2014 Status: Offline Points: 111 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
I don't think I would have any problem buying a Leupold. The vx 3 line is really attractive because of the CDS and shaving of unneeded weight along with very reasonable price. I do have few acquaintances that have nothing but good things to say about Leupolds and their warranty, just acquaintances though.
But, at the same time I am like you a little hesitant. Not many here are overly fond of them some I would take with grain of salt like Star Wars guy seems to be a hack. The only scope I have had any problem with is my conquest which I will be getting back in February but, I have not owned many scopes at all. I like the conquest so it's worth it to me to pay for the repair and shipping it's only $211 and some change. Leupold might be the right future scope for me and the type of hunting I do out west here. I have no need for a low light and/or illuminated scope. I mainly spot and stalk open river breaks on public ground, lots of mileage. So an overly durable scope is unnecessary, light weight low profile is much more important. CDS is Taylor made for out here because guessing yardage is a no-go in this type of terrain. Just some observations I picked up from this sight. |
||
parshal
Optics GrassHopper Joined: December/09/2014 Location: Colorado Status: Offline Points: 13 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
This is very close to my usage as well although I'd add antelope hunting to the mix which is a lot of time in the truck glassing. The rifle sits in the truck getting bounced around and constantly moved. Weight and low light capability mean nothing but clear optics at high magnification can mean a lot. |
||
osprey
Optics Apprentice Joined: November/11/2014 Status: Offline Points: 111 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
I have taken up antelope hunting recently, love it. So, I don't think bouncing around in a truck is an durability issue on most any scope, I was talking about dragging over rocks and such, like rancid said.
What I have done with antelope is what a archery guy showed me a couple years ago. Is I hike around till I see a group, as I get closer I have bright white baseball cap I put on as I walk towards them getting closer. Their curiosity gets the best of them and they come running for a look see, in range. I had worked well for me. Go figure. |
||
parshal
Optics GrassHopper Joined: December/09/2014 Location: Colorado Status: Offline Points: 13 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
Go out sage grouse hunting with a dog and the antelope will come right up to you trying to figure out what you are. It's amazing how close we get to them every year with a dog.
|
||
osprey
Optics Apprentice Joined: November/11/2014 Status: Offline Points: 111 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
Thanks for the comments, seems reasonable. The only thing would I add is someone could hunt a lot in other words carry the rifle a lot in adverse conditions and still not need a tank of a scope. As spot and stalk hunter in big sky country, that being slow careful movement, deliberate actions, a compact lightweight scope can only augment western wide open hunting, seems to be just the ticket. |
||
Alan Robertson
Optics Master Joined: October/31/2009 Location: Oklahoma Status: Offline Points: 1763 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
|
||
"Garg'n uair dhuisgear"
|
||
3_tens
Optics Jedi Master Joined: January/08/2007 Location: Oklahoma Status: Offline Points: 7853 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
Alan. How are you going to get the gun to your shoulder without dropping the boom box. I prefer to go in the field lighter than that. Come to think of it. I have never owned a boom box.
Humor over, now back on topic. |
||
Folks ain't got a sense of humor no more. They don't laugh they just get sore.
Need to follow the rules. Just hard to determine which set of rules to follow Now the rules have changed again. |
||
Son of Ed
Chuck Norris Joined: June/18/2011 Location: TEXAS Status: Online Points: 122215 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
I better give back all those antelope and deer we shot with Weaver scopes......
|
||
Visit the Ed Show
|
||
Kickboxer
MODERATOR Moderator Joined: February/13/2008 Status: Offline Points: 23679 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
I've never shot ANYTHING with a scope… how do you get those???
|
||
Opinion,untempered by fact,is ignorance.
There are some who do not fear death... for they are more afraid of not really living |
||
JGRaider
Optics Master Joined: February/06/2008 Status: Offline Points: 1540 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
I've had numerous scopes up to $1200 on my rifles over the past 41 years of big game hunting. I've also had the luxury to guide over 100 hunters, most of whom hunt all over the world, since 2000. I'm lucky in that I get to see lots and lots of different glass, ask them lots of questions, and test them out somewhat. In short, probably 60-65% of these hunters show up with some sort of Leupold scope mounted on their rifles. FWIW 60-70% of these hunters use Swarovski binos.
I'm obviously very interested in the durability of their gear, and not one single hunter has ever had a Leupold scope go mechanically tits up. A couple of them did break due to being crashed on the rocks, but that's it. Keep in mind these are big game hunters, not tactical, perpetual turret twister types. The only scope I've ever had fail, which happened during a mule deer hunt, was a SwaroA. I'm not a diehard turret twister either, but do find the CDS dial from Leupy to be great fun, and reliable so far (only 200-300 rounds via CDS so far though). Based on my experience, I do not believe the average big game hunter will ever wear out a Leupold, Conquest, Elite 4200, Meopta, etc. I also do not consider glass quality to be the #1 consideration when I buy a scope. I believe durability, CS, quality of reticle, eye relief/eyebox usability, and ease of mounting to be equally or more important because most any $200+ scope will get you well past legal shooting light nowadays. If Leupold's FX3, VX3, or VX6 doesn't float your boat, I'd personally take a long hard look at the Meopta Meopro 3.5-10x44 w/illiminated reticle. Meopta makes some fantastic stuff. |
||
Alan Robertson
Optics Master Joined: October/31/2009 Location: Oklahoma Status: Offline Points: 1763 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
The first Leupold I owned was a fixed power pistol scope which I mounted in the barrel- mounted rear sight housing on an old Mauser, in '78 or'79. It was what is now known as a "scout" config. That was my only centerfire rifle for around 10 years and it went where I went and both the rifle and scope were considerably skint up by the time I traded up for a rifle with a VX-III and that one again for another rifle with a VX-III. That old scout rifle was kind of like a good luck charm because every deer I took with it was before lunch. I'd go wander around in the woods a bit with the sunrise and jump one and fill a tag. The last Leupold I owned was about 8 years ago and I never mounted it. It was still new in box when I sold it at a loss to a friend, because he just had to have it and I just couldn't warm up to it, having already made other trades for something noticeably better.
Speaking of "anything can break", I need to run out to El Reno and have Gene Sears ship a Swarovski back to SONA for me, now that season's over. They'll fix 'er back good as new and I'll get a chance to see what powder Gene might have in stock and stop by his range on my way back and sight in this spare replacement... SONA will have my scope back in a few weeks, but I can't stand to have that rifle blinded and unusable. Leupold used to make a scope with a German #1 post and if I ever see one used for sale, I'll have to get it. |
||
"Garg'n uair dhuisgear"
|
||
Obi Wan Kenobi
Optics Apprentice Joined: December/21/2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 188 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
Great write up my friend, NOT EVEN CLOSE and the prices are nearly the same. That's what gets me hot. NOT EVEN CLOSE and Leupold tries to sell you on every gimmick except what the scope's main purpose is suppose to be. Seeing and making clean shots on animals in the last legal shooting minutes available. |
||
Obi Wan Kenobi
Optics Apprentice Joined: December/21/2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 188 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
All scopes are not made equal, even the ones in the same class for the same amount of money. If you are going to spend 500-1,500$ on a rifle scope get the very best glass for your money, don't fall for gimmicks. The last few minutes of legal shooting light are precious and that's what you are paying for. Leupold is NO WHERE near Zeiss or Swarovski. And like I said, I love what Zeiss has done with their technology. They've made it affordable for almost everyone. |
||
Obi Wan Kenobi
Optics Apprentice Joined: December/21/2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 188 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
Not sure why you think someone's advice is not helpful. If you take hunting as serious as I do, I'm trying to help you avoid the wasted money and the frustration I've had. I have been fortunate enough to shoot 3 deer of a life time. Every deer you see on this wall I shot with a Zeiss Kahles or Swaro. The deer to the far right scores 135 inches 11 point. I hunted him for 2 seasons with a Leupold Vari X III scope and could barely make him out when he entered fields at dusk. He was shot the first time I saw him November 2007 on a miserable overcast afternoon right at dark with a Kahles I bought from SWFA. The deer to the far left was shot at dawn with a Z5 walking through a swamp heading back to bed down. http://www.pix8.net/pro/pic.php?u=1660JoOUc&i=11591537 I've been lucky enough to shoot 3 bucks of a life time in 26 years of hunting. The buck on the right was shot at dawn on a logging road in Saskatchewan he scores 177 inches shot with the same Z5. The buck in the middle my favorite would have broken the holy grail of 200 inches but his tines on the back are broken off from fighting. He scores 194 inches shot with a Zeiss I bought from here. He was shot at twilight in a corn field about 6 minutes left while it was snowing. The double drop on the left was shot on a friends farm in the mid west working a scrape line right at day break at 160 yards before he was about to step in the woods, he stayed right on the edge of the woods until the sun was up enough and it was just legal to shoot before he left. I can ASSURE YOU SIR. If I had been using a Leupold none of these deer would be on my wall. They'd still be living or fallen to some bow hunters I know. BTW my brother in law 2 weeks ago just shot a 200 pound 8 point clean typical with a 21 inch spread, with a Zeiss HD on is Browning 30-06 after trading his Leupold. The deer was shot 45 minutes past sunset crossing a logging road in the woods at 75 yards. My bro in law said he had no problems seeing him when he stepped out broad side. But go ahead and ignore my advice. Go on out and by yourself a Leupold, all I can say to you is good luck and I hope you are hunting unpressured private ranches during mid day and early afternoon like David Morris & Gary Swartz Tecomate ranch on their TV show. Where we hunt big wild free roaming deer are rarely seen at that time & they don't act like the deer you see on tv. http://www.pix8.net/pro/pic.php?u=1660JoOUc&i=11591538 Edited by Obi Wan Kenobi - December/11/2014 at 03:19 |
||
Kickboxer
MODERATOR Moderator Joined: February/13/2008 Status: Offline Points: 23679 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
Obi Wan, those deer are ALL magnificent. Must have been some great hunting memories constructed getting those...
I agree with your comments. I own a few cheap scopes, a few inexpensive scopes, a few moderately priced scopes and a some "alpha" scopes. The alphas kick in at about the "85-90 percent" of my requirements. In most cases, 90% is OK… but there are cases where it is not. If one encounters bucks like the ones in your picture at a point in time where the 90%er fails… the opportunity remains only that… or one takes a "WAG" shot with, many times, failure. I spend a lot of time looking through my scopes at varying times of day under varying conditions. My wife sometimes just shakes her head because I have a rifle and scope out just looking at things. I know the limitations of all of them, know when they can/can't be used. Sometimes, I don't intend to, and won't, shoot at the "last possible minute". I don't really hunt trophies, though have taken a few really nice deer, so on days where I know I'm not "there" until the last possible minute it is OK to take a scope that only meets 90% of what I really want. If I've invested time, effort and money in getting to a hunt, I'll take the best I've got because you generally don't get "do overs" (nor do I want to "do over"…). I enjoyed your comments and the photos. Just awesome deer (those are trophies I would like to have).
|
||
Opinion,untempered by fact,is ignorance.
There are some who do not fear death... for they are more afraid of not really living |
||
JGRaider
Optics Master Joined: February/06/2008 Status: Offline Points: 1540 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
OWK, those are some fantastic bucks, indeed bucks of several lifetimes. I hear what you're saying about scopes, and this is nothing personal towards you, but I couldn't disagree more about the differences in "alpha" glass and Leupold, especially the VX3, VX6, and FX3 (substitue with Conquest, Elite, Meopta and you'd have the same result though). I own or have owned scopes such as SwaroA, S&B, and many others.
The handicap I have here is that I cannot remember how to post pics, BUT, my friends and I have taken 11 "bucks of a lifetime" (muley bucks, all but 2 from the same ranch unguided) since 2008. They include: Friend: 196" )VX3 Friend: 190" Vari XIIc Big Al: 201", 190", 191", 201", 185" (all with VX3) Myself 190", 190", 194", 212". (all but one with VX3) I won't even get into the numerous whitetails between 150"-167" (that's big for us!) taken with VX3's. I'm not tooting my own horn, but I've hunted in most every conceivable condition regarding light, or the lack thereof in the last 41 yrs. As I also mentioned, I've seen most every high end hunting scope made...Diavari's, S&B's. Z5, Z6....seen 'em all and they are fantastic, as you say, but the duplex reticles suck IMO..... thin wired way too thin. Every VX3/VX6/FX3 I've personally owned or used will easily get you past legal shooting light, at least where I go. Edited by JGRaider - December/11/2014 at 10:29 |
||
osprey
Optics Apprentice Joined: November/11/2014 Status: Offline Points: 111 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
First of all as Christopher Walken would say your tone is all wrong. I only hunt on public land also, no food plots, no corn fields, no tree stands, no blinds, no road hunting, no calling/rattling or using of scents/baiting. So no need for a low light and/or illuminated reticle scope. FYI I have been looking a few different brands all have been compact/lightweight I really like the z3 but, not the best for dialing. CDS is attractive because of multiple dials for more than just one rifle. I am sure for your type of hunting your advice is just fine but, the OPs hunting etc. is at least much more similar to what I hunt like. Those are some very fine trophys, much better than I have ever shot. Much larger than anything around my neck of the woods. That being said I like the journey as much as the result is some cases more so. Again your know it all car salesmen tone is all wrong. Thanks |
||
Post Reply | Page <123> |
Tweet
|
Forum Jump | Forum Permissions You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot create polls in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum |