Help Choosing between 3 scopes Swaro & Leupold

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   I'm trying to decide on a scope for a 6.5 CM for whitetail hunting. Going on a new Browning HC Speed. This is mainly for hardwood hunting and most shots are under 200y with the slight possibility of a longer field shot. 
I have never dabbled in long range shooting. Plan on working a load for 142 eld-x or 123grn SST(I just bought 100 pack of each)

If these 3 scopes all cost the same to you(a little complicated to why that is the case), which would you decide on and can you lend some insight as to why?

Leupold VX5 2-10x42 with CDS & Firedot
Leupold VX5 3-15x44 with CDS & Firedot
Swaro Z3 3-10x42---these are backordered with no timeline in sight for arrival

I have never needed/used a scope with dials and am usually more of a set it and forget type person. Weight is a partial consideration on the scope. 

I guess my main decision is does the features of the Leupold over ride the glass quality of the Z3. I have had no side by side comparisons so that opinion is going off of research. 

Thanks for help or any other options you may go with. I was also looking at Zeiss' in that range but it seems like their lower cost scopes are the same quality as in the past. 

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Duckbutter100 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Optics GrassHopper Joined: August/15/2018 Location: Inwood Status: Offline Points: 12	Post Options Post Reply Quote Duckbutter100 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Help Choosing between 3 scopes Swaro & Leupold Posted: January/12/2021 at 16:00
	I'm trying to decide on a scope for a 6.5 CM for whitetail hunting. Going on a new Browning HC Speed. This is mainly for hardwood hunting and most shots are under 200y with the slight possibility of a longer field shot. I have never dabbled in long range shooting. Plan on working a load for 142 eld-x or 123grn SST(I just bought 100 pack of each) If these 3 scopes all cost the same to you(a little complicated to why that is the case), which would you decide on and can you lend some insight as to why? Leupold VX5 2-10x42 with CDS & Firedot Leupold VX5 3-15x44 with CDS & Firedot Swaro Z3 3-10x42---these are backordered with no timeline in sight for arrival I have never needed/used a scope with dials and am usually more of a set it and forget type person. Weight is a partial consideration on the scope. I guess my main decision is does the features of the Leupold over ride the glass quality of the Z3. I have had no side by side comparisons so that opinion is going off of research. Thanks for help or any other options you may go with. I was also looking at Zeiss' in that range but it seems like their lower cost scopes are the same quality as in the past.

supertool73 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Optics God Superstool Joined: January/03/2008 Status: Offline Points: 11801	Post Options Post Reply Quote supertool73 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: January/12/2021 at 19:48
	i have the vx52-10x firedot zl2 and a 3-9x36 swaro. Yes the glass is a little better on swaro. But definitely not make it or break it better. For my hunting purposes i pick the Leupold on my hunting 6.5 creed. I loce the zl2 turrets and the illumination is great. I run my swaro on a 223 ar and it works great too
	Lifetime warranty and excellent customer service don't mean a thing when your gun fails during a zombie attack. "A Liberal is a person who will give away everything they don't own."

Urimaginaryfrnd Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List MODERATOR Resident Redneck Joined: June/20/2005 Location: Iowa Status: Offline Points: 14714	Post Options Post Reply Quote Urimaginaryfrnd Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: January/13/2021 at 02:24
	3-15
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cbm Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Optics Journeyman Joined: January/11/2008 Location: SC Status: Offline Points: 574	Post Options Post Reply Quote cbm Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: January/13/2021 at 11:30
	I have a Leupold VX-6HD 2-12X42 Firedot and I picked up a Swaro A 3-10X42 before this season. I used both of them most of the year. Not quite what your asking about but close. I also picked up a Swaro Z6 1.7-10X42 this year. They all are great scopes. I just bought a Z3 3-9X36 4a the other day and I the only negative I have is the wire reticle. The older Swaro A I bought has a nice dark #4 reticle. I am assuming it is etched, not sure, but it is better than the Z3. The Leupold is a really nice scope. I would put it against anything in the same size range for low light deer/hog hunting. I kept one VX6 HD and sold one. The one I sold was just because I didn't like all the knobs and buttons on that particular gun. I put the Swaro A 3-10x42 on that rifle. I would probably say the VX5 if you don't mind the dial/looks of that scope. If you do, then I would go with the Swaro for a cleaner look.

Duckbutter100 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Optics GrassHopper Joined: August/15/2018 Location: Inwood Status: Offline Points: 12	Post Options Post Reply Quote Duckbutter100 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: January/13/2021 at 14:40
	I appreciate the info so far. Im still struggling with which to get. The fact the Swaro's have no time table for being in stock makes it tough. Also trying to find a store which may have both brands to look at. I just hate going somewhere knowing I prob not going to buy it from the store. I'm not sure why the decisions is so tough.

koshkin Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List MODERATOR Dark Lord of Optics Joined: June/15/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 13057	Post Options Post Reply Quote koshkin Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: January/13/2021 at 23:46
	All of these will serve you well. VX-5 and VX-6 are really competent designs. You kinda need to decide what configuration you want. If you want 2x on the low end, get the VX-5HD. If you are would prefer a 3-15x, I would consider Vortex Razor HD-LHT 3-15x42 as well. I did a video on my hunting scope recommendations a while back. Not sure if that will help you, but just in case: ILya
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Duckbutter100 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Optics GrassHopper Joined: August/15/2018 Location: Inwood Status: Offline Points: 12	Post Options Post Reply Quote Duckbutter100 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: January/14/2021 at 11:50
	Really appreciate you sharing the video. A lot of good info. I may check out a Vortex but honestly I sometimes feel like they have went the way of Bushnell. They make nice high end stuff but the fact they make low end walmart "junk"(that may be unfair) it leaves a bad taste in my mouth to even look at their scope lines. I really bought into the Elite scopes back in teh day but if I had a dollar for every time someone asked me if the scope was a Banner or Trophy line scope, Id be buying a Victory. Maybe I shouldn't think that way but it is reality. I think if the Swaro's were in stock or I had a reliable time table of being in stock I would go that route. Leupold does make a clean 2-10 VX5 without all the extra dials on the scope but of course it doesn't come with the firedot. Based on your video, I'm starting to dig more into what Meopta offers. It just seems many of them have huge 56mm front lenses, seems like overkill Thanks again for the great info.

tpcollins Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Optics Journeyman Joined: January/12/2009 Status: Offline Points: 418	Post Options Post Reply Quote tpcollins Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 2 hours 36 minutes ago at 13:32
	Buy once, cry once. I have 4 Zeiss, 1 Swaro, and 2 Leupolds. The Leupolds are at the bottom.

tahqua Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List MODERATOR Have You Driven A Ford Lately? Joined: March/27/2006 Location: Michigan, USA Status: Offline Points: 8899	Post Options Post Reply Quote tahqua Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 1 hour 29 minutes ago at 14:39
	I believe the Z3 line is discontinued
	Doug