I put the Credo on both my rifles last year. The Leupolds have nice features but just don't have a good track record of reliability based on my research. Do some research on it and decide for yourself.
I really like my current VX5HD but have read some of the reports about them. I know it holds zero well enough to shoot some very nice groups with it. But i recall some times struggling to get it zeroed. I chalked it up to wind which it might have been. But i am going to box test it in a day or two. I dialed it out to 1000 yards a few days ago so it it is still zeroed at two now that will say something. But I would think a good old box test will help tell me about my current VX5HD.
Kind of struggling with the desision. Love the weight of the Leupold and absolutely love the eye box. Lift the rifle up and just pefectly see a masive bight full image. To me that is important on a hunting rifle. The currrent 2-10 with the firedot feels almost as fast as a red dot with the huge eye box. But if it wont track ot wont work for me hunting.
I am a novice hunter and just took my first elk. Late season cow in NM. Took her ar 358 yards which i know isnt far but isnt short for you first one. I had a really good rest or i wouldnt have taken the shot. But with more practice i could see shooting a good bit further. With a good rest and 10X 358 didnt feel fare at all. First shot hit right where i wanted. She ran 30 yards or so, turned 180 and took a few wobbly steps. I rushed a second shot when she stepped into a opening between two trees and goofed that shot. It dropped her but was a rushed shot. First shot was double lung and was fatal. But since she was up i wanted to put another round in her.
Sorry to ramble on. Point is i never thought i would shoot more than 200-300. After shooting in the field i see that with a good rest and knowing your dope the longe ranges are just fine. For me as a novice it still all hinges on a good rest, good ranging and time to not feel rushed.
Not sure i need the 15X but it would make my off season practice a lot more fun. I figured a "hunting rifle" would not be fun to shoot. You know, fun to carry not fun to shoot. But the Tikka T3x Veil with Deadair Nomad Ti is a absolute plessure, no recoild, stays on target, watch impact and all that stuff. So I am having gun burning through ammo learning my dope and banging steel.