Help choosing scope

[unfazed]

New to hunting and will be hunting out west (Utah). Since I’m new I don’t have a preference for ffp, sfp, parallax adjust or reticle. The scopes I’m currently considering are

1. Leupold VX Freedom 4-12x40 - Duplex
2. Zeiss Conquest V4 3-12x44 - #20 Duplex

Trying to keep it under $700, any other recommendations or suggestions between these two?

 

[Thinkingman]

Since you're new, I would avoid FFP.
You won't see much love for LeeOhPold on this forum...Way too many warranty claims for it to be considered a reliable hunting scope.
The Zeiss with a heavy duplex in SFP is solid.

 

[Southern Lights]

If you can stretch it, or find used, a Nightforce 3-10x42 is hard to beat and a really tough and reliable scope for all hunting and even longer range dialing.

 

[BigNate]

IMHO you should pony up a little for a better choice. A Maven or Nightforce shv are just a little more but more reliable.

 

[Yukon Cornelius]

New to hunting and will be hunting out west (Utah). Since I’m new I don’t have a preference for ffp, sfp, parallax adjust or reticle. The scopes I’m currently considering are

1. Leupold VX Freedom 4-12x40 - Duplex
2. Zeiss Conquest V4 3-12x44 - #20 Duplex

Trying to keep it under $700, any other recommendations or suggestions between these two?

I got a freedom 4-12 or 4-16 sitting in a drawer. I’ll sell it for $400 shipped (I live in Alaska and I won’t charge extra).

 

[tylobear52]

In that price range I'd highly recommend you look at what Trijicon has to offer, especially their Huron if you're not looking for bells and whistles. Credo and Accupoint [also by Trijicon] are similar with illumination and go way up in price at the high range. All of these would be more durable and hold zero better than the Leupold, probably the zeiss too although I have no personal experience with them.
P.S. Welcome to the greatest hobby on earth!!

 

[juju]

The Leupold is overpriced because they budget for the lifetime warranty and expected claims over the years. The Zeiss is a solid choice as are suggestions toward Trijicon. To do any better at that budget, and that's plenty of budget for the task, you'd have to look at used.

 

[keystone112]

How far do you think you will shoot?

For me, 10x is plenty out to 400 yards. That would put a lot more scopes on your possible list.

 

[unfazed]

Since you're new, I would avoid FFP.
You won't see much love for LeeOhPold on this forum...Way too many warranty claims for it to be considered a reliable hunting scope.
The Zeiss with a heavy duplex in SFP is solid.

The Leupold is overpriced because they budget for the lifetime warranty and expected claims over the years. The Zeiss is a solid choice as are suggestions toward Trijicon. To do any better at that budget, and that's plenty of budget for the task, you'd have to look at used.

I definitely like the Zeiss 44 bell. I found a viper hd 3-15x44 for 460, might go with that. Illuminated reticle and parallax adjust which the others don’t have.. I am hesitant on Vortex though and it seems this forum is anti Vortex but at that price…