Which rifle scope would you choose

[HuntHarder]

I have my rifle done, and now need to get the optic for it. I thought I was going to go with a 4.5-14x40mm VX3i 30mm tube, but now I have second thoughts. I built this gun to shoot medium distance, but am now having doubts on putting a smaller scope on it. I plan on shooting at max 800 yards, but most likely <700. So, what do you think about:
Leupold 4.5-14x40mm 30mm tube vx3i $550.00 +/-
Leupold 6.5-20x50mm 30mm tube vx3i $670.00 +/-
Zeiss 3-15x42 HD5 target turret $900.00 +/-
Other options $700.00 ish with turrets (not Vortex, not a fan)
Thanks for your opinions

 

[elkguide]

Swarovski.

 

[HuntHarder]

Swarovski.

You got one $700.00 +/- with turrets for sale?

 

[elkguide]

No. If I had built my dream rifle, I would want to be able to reach it's highest potential.
I would spend the money for the best glass.

 

[HuntHarder]

Like everything in life, you can not have the best everything. You simply need to get the best option for what you are trying to achieve. This is not my dream rifle, it is simply another in the safe that i built up because I was bored and wanted another. I could put a Schmidt and Bender on it, but it would be like putting mud terrains on a smart car, not needed. Looking to stay in the mid range scope category.

 

[zeroforhire]

Check out Athlon optics


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[HOT ROD]

I have the 4.5-14x40 30mm tube with wind plex. I really like it. Its on my 300 wm. The cds dial and load combo. I only get around 700 yards. With the one turn cds dial... I hope this helps U

 

[HOT ROD]

These were both shoot with leupold vx3. My 300 wm. The wifes 7mm-08

 

[pyroducksx3]

I have a vx3 4.5-14 30mm LR and it's plenty of scope for what you are asking of it. I had the capped target turret installed at leupold. I've shot animals with it over 900 yards.

 

[elkguide]

Like everything in life, you can not have the best everything. You simply need to get the best option for what you are trying to achieve. This is not my dream rifle, it is simply another in the safe that i built up because I was bored and wanted another. I could put a Schmidt and Bender on it, but it would be like putting mud terrains on a smart car, not needed. Looking to stay in the mid range scope category.

Didn't quite understand what you were asking. I have had such bad experiences with both Leupold and Zeiss that I would look elsewhere. I have been spoiled by using Swarovski and while I do have rifles in the safe with other glass, when it comes time to do anything other than sitting at the bench, I grab something with a Swarovski on it. Just my experience.

 

[DRUSS]

i use 4.5-14x LR on my 300wsm and my 280AI have shot 300 out to 900 280 out to 680 happy with both. would recomend more zoom if lot of shooting over 750. just my thoughts..

 

[HuntHarder]

Thanks for your guy's opinions. I appreciate them greatly. For me the only plus to the 4.5-14x40 over the 6.5-20x50 is the 6 oz. weight savings. I just need to debate if 6 oz. is a big deal or not to me. haha. I think I am going to go the Leupold route on this one.

 

[6mm Remington]

I really like the Leupold 4.5-14x40mm scope. I have the B&C reticle in mine and I took my cow elk with one shot at 450 yards last year using my .280 Ackley Improved. My own preference would be the one inch tube and not the 30mm.

I feel that the Zeiss 3-15x42mm with the Z600 reticle would also be fantastic. If you want a little bit more range, the Z800 reticle. I really like Zeiss also. My son has a Zeiss on his 300 WSM. Not the 3-15 though.

 

[pyroducksx3]

Thanks for your guy's opinions. I appreciate them greatly. For me the only plus to the 4.5-14x40 over the 6.5-20x50 is the 6 oz. weight savings. I just need to debate if 6 oz. is a big deal or not to me. haha. I think I am going to go the Leupold route on this one.

It really depends on the expected use of the rifle. On my long range rifles the scope hardly ever comes off max magnification so the bottom power isn't a big factor. If it's a genreal use rifle you may find 6x too small of a field of view it's all user preference. If it's just a matter of 6 Oz I would say it doesn't matter much. I'd never really notice 6oz + or - unless it was intended to be a super ultralight build

 

[Muttly]

The Meopta 4.5-14x44 be pretty much the same glass as the older Zeiss Conquest, few different reticle options, turrets or set and forget.
Keep thinking I,m going to put one a .264 Win Mag I,'ve got waiting for a scope.
Cameraland usually has 3.5-10x44 for $349, which seems like a screaming deal..

 

[5MilesBack]

If it was me, I would be debating the 4.5-14x40 against the same in a 50mm objective. And I'd probably choose the 50mm.

 

[HuntHarder]

I here you on that. I am really comparing a small compact scope, or trying to decide if I go with the usual and get the 6.5-20. I am leaning toward the 6.5-20 mainly because the gun will only be used for target and the occasional coues deer hunt. Those little guys are hard to pick out when they are bedded. Last year, I practiced quite a bit with my 300wsm out to 800 yards, and when shooting targets, I rarely went above 16 power on my zeiss. Then came the hunt, and I suddenly found myself 585 yards from a bedded coues buck. I had to put the scope on 20 power to feel confident I was on his little 8-10" kill zone. So that one instance is making me really think that 14 power may not be enough in certain situations, and 6 oz isn't really that much more weight considering I pack an 82mm scope lots of the time. haha.

 

[HuntHarder]

Dang it, remembering that coues hunt just made me pull the trigger on the VX3i 6.5-20x50mm SF 30mm. A few extra squats each week in the gym will get me over the 6 oz weight penalty. haha

 

[mdfanatic1980]

I would go with the Leupold wind plex reticle 4-14x40 30mm VX-3i. I actually just purchased one for my 6.5x284 build. I have a Swaro Z5 on my other rifle, but I must say, for the money, I was impressed with the Leupold.

 

[jeffpg]

Thanks for your guy's opinions. I appreciate them greatly. For me the only plus to the 4.5-14x40 over the 6.5-20x50 is the 6 oz. weight savings. I just need to debate if 6 oz. is a big deal or not to me. haha. I think I am going to go the Leupold route on this one.

There's more plus than just 6 ounces weight savings... you also leave the bulk of the larger scope behind. All that extra mass sitting atop a rifle that will only be fired at ranges that don't require the higher magnification is just useless IMHO, and I own and use both of these scopes.