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Leupold 6x36 or 2.5-8x36

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Category: Scopes
Forum Name: Rifle Scopes
Forum Description: Centerfire long gun scopes
URL: http://www.opticstalk.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=31017
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Topic: Leupold 6x36 or 2.5-8x36
Posted By: jason miller
Subject: Leupold 6x36 or 2.5-8x36
Date Posted: November/16/2011 at 22:17
Just out of curiosity, which would the board members here rather have on a hunting rifle?

I currently have a Viper 2-7x32 on a new(2008) M70 featherweight 30-06, and I just feel like this rifle is begging for a Leupold.  The 6x36 and 2.5-8x36 are the models/size that most interest me.  Oh, and I'll be joining my long-time girlfriend in Colorado soon, so this puppy will actually get used the way it was meant to be.  I think I'd be more than happy with a fixed 6, and I like the idea of having one less thing to worry about.  And it may seem silly, but I can turn the rear base so that it doesn't hang over the top of the action with the long 5.9" tube on the 6x36.  But then I can also see how it would be nice to have 2.5x while working timber for elk, and then a bit more for pronghorn on the plains.  The VX3 would have better glass also.

Then again, maybe I should just stick with the Viper...  Thoughts?



Replies:
Posted By: SVT_Tactical
Date Posted: November/17/2011 at 07:12
skip leupold go right to these, no since in upgrading unless you're really going to be able to tell a difference -
 
SPL14483 http://www.samplelist.com/Zeiss-11-4x24-Varipoint-V-T-Rifle-Scope-DEMO-B-P3204.aspx - Zeiss 1.1-4x24 Varipoint V T* Rifle Scope DEMO-B
http://www.samplelist.com/Assets/ProductImages/spl14483.jpg">Click to view Matte, Illum #0, 30mm
$999.95
SPL7329 http://www.samplelist.com/Zeiss-11-4x24-Varipoint-VMV-T-DEMO-B-P282.aspx - Zeiss 1.1-4x24 Varipoint VM/V T* DEMO-B
http://www.samplelist.com/Assets/ProductImages/spl7329.jpg">Click to view 5216050000, Matte, Illuminated #0, 30mm
$999.95
SPL10400 http://www.samplelist.com/Zeiss-11-4x24-Victory-Varipoint-DEMO-B-P195.aspx - Zeiss 1.1-4x24 Victory Varipoint DEMO-B
http://www.samplelist.com/Assets/ProductImages/spl10400.jpg">Click to view 5217070000, Matte, Illuminated #0, 30mm
$1,399.95
SPL12979 http://www.samplelist.com/Zeiss-15-6x42-Diavari-VMV-Rifle-Scope-DEMO-B-P1688.aspx - Zeiss 1.5-6x42 Diavari VM/V Rifle Scope DEMO-B
http://www.samplelist.com/Assets/ProductImages/spl12979.jpg">Click to view 5216119908, Matte, #8, 30mm
$999.95
SPL12968 http://www.samplelist.com/Zeiss-15-6x42-Diavari-VMV-Rifle-Scope-DEMO-C-P1677.aspx - Zeiss 1.5-6x42 Diavari VM/V Rifle Scope DEMO-C
http://www.samplelist.com/Assets/ProductImages/spl12968.jpg">Click to view 5216119908, Matte, #8, 30mm
$999.95
SPL12983 http://www.samplelist.com/Zeiss-15-6x42-Victory-Diavari-DEMO-B-P1692.aspx - Zeiss 1.5-6x42 Victory Diavari DEMO-B
http://www.samplelist.com/Assets/ProductImages/spl12983.jpg">Click to view 5217119908, Matte, #8, 30mm
$1,099.95
SPL10394 http://www.samplelist.com/Zeiss-15-6x42-Victory-Diavari-DEMO-B-P197.aspx - Zeiss 1.5-6x42 Victory Diavari DEMO-B
http://www.samplelist.com/Assets/ProductImages/spl10394.jpg">Click to view 5217179956, Matte, Illuminated #56, 30mm
$1,299.95
SPL12298 http://www.samplelist.com/Zeiss-25-10x42-Victory-Varipoint-Rifle-Scope-DEMO-B-P997.aspx - Zeiss 2.5-10x42 Victory Varipoint Rifle Scope DEMO-B
http://www.samplelist.com/Assets/ProductImages/spl12298.jpg">Click to view 5217279960, Matte, Illuminated #60, 30mm
$1,799.99
SPL14592 http://www.samplelist.com/Swarovski-15-6x42-Professional-Hunter-Rifle-Scope-DEMO-B-P3282.aspx - Swarovski 1.5-6x42 Professional Hunter Rifle Scope DEMO-B
http://www.samplelist.com/Assets/ProductImages/spl14592.jpg">Click to view 57026, Matte, FFP #24, 30mm
$979.95
SPL10350 http://www.samplelist.com/Swarovski-15-6x42-Professional-Hunter-Riflescope-DEMO-B-P171.aspx - Swarovski 1.5-6x42 Professional Hunter Riflescope DEMO-B
http://www.samplelist.com/Assets/ProductImages/spl10350.jpg">Click to view 57026, Matte, FFP #24, 30mm
$999.95
SPL14819 http://www.samplelist.com/Swarovski-17-10x42-Z6i-Rifle-Scope-DEMO-A-P3470.aspx - Swarovski 1.7-10x42 Z6i Rifle Scope DEMO-A
http://www.samplelist.com/Assets/ProductImages/spl14819.jpg">Click to view 59237, Matte, Illuminated 4A, Ballistic Turret
$2,199.95
SPL13594


Posted By: 300S&W
Date Posted: November/17/2011 at 07:45
 
  To MY EYES the next noticeable step up from the Viper is the Conquest and not by a whole lot but noticeable.  I've got both plus one Leupold. 


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"I ain't got time to bleed!"


Posted By: Bitterroot Bulls
Date Posted: November/17/2011 at 08:24
I have that little Viper (BDC ret.), several Leupys, SS 10x and 6x, and a Swarovski Z3.
 
The Viper is my favorite scope.
 
Go figure.


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-Matt


Posted By: 300S&W
Date Posted: November/17/2011 at 09:24
 
     Yep. Same here except mine has the C3 reticile.


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"I ain't got time to bleed!"


Posted By: lucytuma
Date Posted: November/17/2011 at 10:52
If these are your choices, I like the 2.5-8x36 particularly for being able to lower the power range.  Out of all the leupold scopes the 6x and 2.5-8 seem to receive the most favorable reviews.

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"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not." - Thomas Jefferson


Posted By: silver
Date Posted: November/17/2011 at 21:25
None of the above.  The 6x36 uses the VXII glass.  The 6x42 uses the VXIII/3 glass. 
 
Then again I've seen what passes for greek girls @PU and he may not notice the differance... (Go ugly early?)
Whistling
 
If I'm spending that kind of money then I'd get a Zeiss Conquest. 


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"If we weren't all crazy we, We would go insane."   Jimmie Buffet

WWW.formitch.com



Posted By: Johnny
Date Posted: November/17/2011 at 21:45
I have a 2.5X8 Leupold on 300 mag that I have used for elk hunting for 20 years. At first I had a 2 X 7 Leupold for several years. Both of these fit into a scabbard on the horse real well! I'm sure the newer glass is better than what I have, but so are the new Leupolds. I don't want a 4 X 14 to put on the horse, perhaps that's just me. The smaller scope goes into and out of the scabbard easier than the larger scopes. I would not want a 6 power for elk hunting because it will be too much power many times, more so than not enough sometimes. I like the 2.5 X 8. There are some 2.5 or 3 to 10 that might be ok if they are 40mm objective, IMHO!Bucky

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Black Bear Road


Posted By: jason miller
Date Posted: November/17/2011 at 22:52
Originally posted by silver silver wrote:

None of the above.  The 6x36 uses the VXII glass.  The 6x42 uses the VXIII/3 glass. 
 
Then again I've seen what passes for greek girls @PU and he may not notice the differance... (Go ugly early?)
Whistling
 
If I'm spending that kind of money then I'd get a Zeiss Conquest. 


Haha!  I will admit that Purdue isn't up to the standards of some colleges, but there are still plenty to pick from with a student body of 40,000.  Besides, I already picked one out years ago.  Not only is she pretty, she's also brilliant, practical, and has a good job.  The SEC can keep all their debutantes.  And thanks for the suggestions, but both of the scopes you mentioned are bigger than I'd prefer for this rifle. 

As always, I appreciate everyone's input.  But there are really only two scopes I'm interested in.  If nothing else, the Viper works fine.  I just think the eye box is slightly sensitive to head placement, and it looks a little out of place to me.  Call me vain, but a Win 70 FWT with an exquisite piece of walnut(has some tiger striping in it) just seems like it needs a Leupold.  I know you guys here aren't high on Leupold, and it would probably be the only one I'd ever own...


If anyone else has experience with these two scopes in particular, or would compare the practicality of 2-7ish scopes vs. fixed 6's, I'd LOVE to read about it.  Thanks!

And I don't mean to seem disrespectful with this post, just wanting to clarify my reasoning and what I'm getting at...


Posted By: jason miller
Date Posted: November/17/2011 at 22:58
Originally posted by Bitterroot Bulls Bitterroot Bulls wrote:

I have that little Viper (BDC ret.), several Leupys, SS 10x and 6x, and a Swarovski Z3.
 
The Viper is my favorite scope.
 
Go figure.


Interesting.  Could you elaborate on what exactly makes it your favorite scope?  I'm not disagreeing, just would like to read more...


Posted By: jason miller
Date Posted: November/17/2011 at 22:58
Originally posted by 300S&W 300S&W wrote:

 
     Yep. Same here except mine has the C3 reticile.



So does mine.  I kinda thought it would be a little thicker??


Posted By: jason miller
Date Posted: November/17/2011 at 23:00
Originally posted by lucytuma lucytuma wrote:

If these are your choices, I like the 2.5-8x36 particularly for being able to lower the power range.  Out of all the leupold scopes the 6x and 2.5-8 seem to receive the most favorable reviews.


That seems to be about what I've read, too- and also my biggest concern with the cranking down a variable vs. stuck with 6x...


Posted By: jason miller
Date Posted: November/17/2011 at 23:02
Originally posted by Johnny Johnny wrote:

I have a 2.5X8 Leupold on 300 mag that I have used for elk hunting for 20 years. At first I had a 2 X 7 Leupold for several years. Both of these fit into a scabbard on the horse real well! I'm sure the newer glass is better than what I have, but so are the new Leupolds. I don't want a 4 X 14 to put on the horse, perhaps that's just me. The smaller scope goes into and out of the scabbard easier than the larger scopes. I would not want a 6 power for elk hunting because it will be too much power many times, more so than not enough sometimes. I like the 2.5 X 8. There are some 2.5 or 3 to 10 that might be ok if they are 40mm objective, IMHO!Bucky


Thanks for the real-world experience.  In your opinion, would you say that the old 2-7 ever held you back from killing any game because of not being as "good" optically as the newer scopes?



Sorry guys, I should have multi-quoted these responses.  Just not exactly sure how to do that...


Posted By: Bitterroot Bulls
Date Posted: November/17/2011 at 23:48
Originally posted by jason miller jason miller wrote:

Originally posted by Bitterroot Bulls Bitterroot Bulls wrote:

I have that little Viper (BDC ret.), several Leupys, SS 10x and 6x, and a Swarovski Z3.
 
The Viper is my favorite scope.
 
Go figure.


Interesting.  Could you elaborate on what exactly makes it your favorite scope?  I'm not disagreeing, just would like to read more...
 
I like its size and weight.  I like its bright and crontrasty image.  I like that I can read the magnification ring from behind the scope, and it is easy to spin it up to 7x, to get the reticle properly subtended.  I really like the reticle.  The BDC is just the right thickness, and is subtended in MOA, so it is easy to tune to my load.


-------------
-Matt


Posted By: rustic
Date Posted: November/18/2011 at 10:33
Originally posted by jason miller jason miller wrote:

Originally posted by silver silver wrote:

None of the above.  The 6x36 uses the VXII glass.  The 6x42 uses the VXIII/3 glass. 
 
Then again I've seen what passes for greek girls @PU and he may not notice the differance... (Go ugly early?)
Whistling
 
If I'm spending that kind of money then I'd get a Zeiss Conquest. 


Haha!  I will admit that Purdue isn't up to the standards of some colleges, but there are still plenty to pick from with a student body of 40,000.  Besides, I already picked one out years ago.  Not only is she pretty, she's also brilliant, practical, and has a good job.  The SEC can keep all their debutantes.  And thanks for the suggestions, but both of the scopes you mentioned are bigger than I'd prefer for this rifle. 

As always, I appreciate everyone's input.  But there are really only two scopes I'm interested in.  If nothing else, the Viper works fine.  I just think the eye box is slightly sensitive to head placement, and it looks a little out of place to me.  Call me vain, but a Win 70 FWT with an exquisite piece of walnut(has some tiger striping in it) just seems like it needs a Leupold.  I know you guys here aren't high on Leupold, and it would probably be the only one I'd ever own...


If anyone else has experience with these two scopes in particular, or would compare the practicality of 2-7ish scopes vs. fixed 6's, I'd LOVE to read about it.  Thanks!

And I don't mean to seem disrespectful with this post, just wanting to clarify my reasoning and what I'm getting at...
I don't have the leupolds in ? have some freinds that do and they love them. I have a mark ar and a vx-3.
 I do have alot of experience hunting in the northern plains mountain west in public land. Also in very tough always changing weather situations. With lower end scopes which worked most of the time but not all of the time. So far this year from hunting 90 degrees to warm rain to freezing rain to snow and bitter cold(weds.) My Leupolds has not missed a beat 9 out of 10 scopes I see in the field(northern/mountain states) so far this year are leupold VX-3s. I do not have alot experience like some of my freinds with leupolds but this is some what they have said.
For a pure hunting scope you can't beat leupold's simple, light weight, compact, tough as any, and priced right platform also they have the best accessories for hunting. They have the best anti-fog performance of any scope(vx-3) I have been around. Their warranty and C/S is second to none along with their CDS is the simplest most straight forward ranging system I have looked into.
 
I am sure there is better glass/mechanics on higher priced scopes.  Seems to me glass is only as good as the eye that looking though it in a hunting situation.
So far as with the scopes I have no complaints what so ever. 
 
 


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Light is alright.<br /><br />The end is just... the beginning   -soul surfer


Posted By: supertool73
Date Posted: November/18/2011 at 12:04
I have a 4x33 FX2 Leupold.  Honestly I am not to impressed with the glass quality on it.  It whites out badly when you look into the general direction of the sun.  It cost me an elk because of that.  Other scopes I have do not have that problem near as bad. 

I would get the variable because it will have better glass and because it is variable.  I could not stand using a 6x scope for hunting.  The lower the better IMO.  I struggle with my 4x, I prefer scopes with 3x or less on the bottom end.


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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."


Posted By: Johnny
Date Posted: November/18/2011 at 15:23
The 2.5X 8 was a step up from the 2X7 at that time in brightest and I liked the extra power it provided. The 2-7 Viper maybe as bright or brighter, but I haven't compared them side by side. I would not feel handicapped with the 2.5 X 8. I believe this scope would work fine for elk hunting in Colorado. I have not looked through the higher priced scopes out in the field, so I can't tell you how they compare under hunting conditions. You have 30 minutes before and after sunrise and sunset.

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Black Bear Road



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