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Leupold FX III 6X42

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mwyates View Drop Down
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    Posted: March/01/2006 at 17:58
I posted a while back that I was seaching for a scope for my new Kimber 84 in 7mm-08.  I ended up deciding on the FX III 6X42.  I haven't had a fixed power scope in a long time and was anxious to try it.  It came yesterday and I put it on the 7mm-08 (no time to sight it in) and grabbed my other Kimber 84 in .260 that has a Zeiss Conquest 3-9X40 on it right now, and went hog hunting.  I put the Conquest on 6X and sat from 4:30 til dark, switching rifles the whole time.  The Leupold was the clear winner in all light, but especially when it got late.  It was brighter and sharper, revealing details in all light that the Conquest couldn't resolve.  It's probably not a fair test to compare the variable to the fixed.  I know that the Conquest is brighter than my VX III 2.5-8X36.  But, I'm impressed with the FX III.  It will take some more time in the field to tell if I can be happy with a fixed scope, but so far I'm very happy.
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koshkin View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote koshkin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/01/2006 at 18:16

FX-III 6x42 is a very good scope.  I do not know how valid of a test it is to compare it to the Conquest.  Its closest competitor is probably IOR Tactical 6x42.  Since FX-III is so new I have not had a chance to do the comparison yet, but I will if an opportunity presents itself.  So far I saw the FX-III only briefly and it seemed like a good scope.

 

ILya

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mwyates Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/01/2006 at 19:41

Koshkin

 

Any idea how many fewer lenses would be in a fixed 6X compared to the usual variable? 

 

MY

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote koshkin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/01/2006 at 19:54

That really depends on the optical design.  TYpically, I think, a variable scope wil have one extra lens, but I may be off here..

 

It does not have to be a smaller number of lenses at all.  They sometimes add an extra lens if they want to play some resolution tricks for example.

 

Also, glass etched reticle of the Conquest may be adding a couple of extra surfaces to the Zeiss.

 

Another factor you may want to consider is that it is easier to optimize the design of a fixed magnification scope than that of a variable magnification scope (for obvious reasons).

 

ILya

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote arkhillbilly Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/01/2006 at 20:26
I just got the FX-III 6x42 with the German #4 it looks great but I'm puzzled over what to mount it on.  It was good to get your performance report.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mwyates Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/01/2006 at 21:06

arkhillbilly,

 

I think you'll like it.  I got the heavy Duplex and like the look of it.  It looks a lot like the Z-Plex.  Mine went on my "every day carry" rifle.  6X will be fine out as far as I shoot, and it will be OK at 20yds or less.  I like the simplicity.

 

Koshkin,

 

I guess I'm thinking about camera lenses.  They always tell you how many lenses in how many groups.  Zooms always have several more lenses than fixed focal lengths. 

 

Also, doesn't Leupold use a metal deposit on a lense for the reticle?  That shouldn't be any different than an etched.  I think there quite a bit of misunderstanding about reticles here.  Does any company actually use wire anymore?

 

MY

 

 

 

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koshkin View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote koshkin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/01/2006 at 23:14
I thought that people still used wire, but I certainly could be wrong about this.

ILya
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Urimaginaryfrnd Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/02/2006 at 21:06

I think Im going to have heart faliure --Koshkin -- a kind word about a Leupold  -- boy that must have hurt.

 

I think the 6x42 fixed power scopes represent a great value.  I would really like to get the 6x42 Leupold and the 6x42 IOR Tactical and the Nikon Monarch  6x42 side by side for a good look.  I need to put something on a 300wsm Win CoyoteLight. (and I don't really want to buy another $1000 + scope, well I do but the wife would kill me.) 



Edited by Urimaginaryfrnd

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koshkin View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote koshkin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/03/2006 at 00:40
If you look back at my comments, I never said that Leupolds were bad scopes.  They are good, but over priced.  I suspect that the new FX-III is also over priced, unless it's glass is good enough to match the IOR that is similarly priced.  Other midpack cometitors like Monarch and S2 are $100-$150 cheaper and are in the same price range as FX-II 6x36.

I like 6x scopes and have used a bunch of them.  Nikon Monarch 6x42 is superb for what it costs.  I used to have Leupold M8 6x42 and 6x36.  I have two Nimrod 6x40 scopes.  I also have a Sightron S2 6x42HBR and used to have regular S2 6x42.  I have pretty extensive experience with IOR 6x42 scopes both early 1" hunting model and a current 30mm tactical one, as well as Burris Fullfield II 6x40.   It would be interesting to see where the new FX-III 6x42 fits among these.

ILya
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote arkhillbilly Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/04/2006 at 01:39
Koshkin---What's the best caliber to use a 6X on?? Just general range.  I'm thinking about mounting it on either a 308 or maybe a 280, but I'm not sure that is enough scope for that gun.  Better yet, I may get my kids a gun and mount it on that for the youth hunt.  I think the simplicity would be spectacular for them.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote koshkin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/04/2006 at 02:22
It is a good allround magnification for nearly any big game rifle (unless you hunt in the brush, then it may be a bit too much magnification).

ILya
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Urimaginaryfrnd Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/04/2006 at 21:50

It's not as much a matter of what caliber rifle it is suited for as it is a matter of what style of hunting it is suited for.

For years the most used scopes were 4x and many a deer was taken with a 4x. The 6x is about all the scope you might want to try to hand hold and shoot. Try to shoot a 20X off hand that doesn't work well. If you still hunt from a treestand or blind and use a solid rest you can take advantage of higher power scopes. A 4.5-14 is great for comparing the antlers of multiple deer at 200 to 300 yds. At 500yds with a 10x I couldnt tell which of several deer was the spike but my son looking through a 8.5-25x could see the horns quite well. There is a lot to be said for simplicity - things that move are more prone to break than things that dont. The 42mm objective combined with the 6x is a very bright light gathering optic. The 6x42 optics represent a very good value price wise. If you are a brush hunter stalking in heavy woods or pushing deer the 6x may be way too powerful or at least the maximum you would want. If you have open plains and plan to shoot 600 yds it is not powerful enough to carefully examine the horns but quite adequate to kill the beast. If you carry a spotting scope or higher power binoculars a 6X is all you need at   long range out to about 600yds in open country. It is one of the best all around choices.  When I hunt a 3-9 if I walk its on 3 if Im still its on 9  and 6 is half way in between and could be used for either. You can even use a 10x  or 12x fixed power scope for hunting with good success you just have to know the limitations of your scope and select one that works for you.


"Always do the right thing, just because it is the right thing to do".
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