Which scope to choose?

[mulveymo]

Stuck between two scopes for my weatherby 7mm rem mag.

I've got a Leupold vx3 4.5-14x50 and a vx2 6-18x40.

The vx3 has an exposed elevation turret, while both turrets on the vx2 are capped. I like brightnes of the vx3, but the 18x on the vx2 is appreciated as well. You get the idea. Both would work, but there are obviously pros and cons.

Which would you pick? Shooting 500 yds and under.

 

[Skibness92]

Of the (2) options I would pick the VX3 for the low end magnification and exposed elevation turrets for when you are shooting that 500 yard mark.

 

[TaperPin]

If you can find photos of the bare scope tubes, the VX2 has a weaker reinforcement than the VX3 on the power selector slot in the tube. If you are gentle on your scopes it shouldn’t matter either way, but I’m generally easy on equipment and had issues with fairly light bumps to the eye piece moving groups around. VX3s never seemed to have many problems like that. Plenty of guys hunt with both without issues.

If you go with the VX2, I’m hunting with a third party exposed dial on the elevation for older Leupold scopes, and it’s very dependent on careful installation, but so far works fine for occasionally dialing small amounts. I wish the custom shop was still around adding target knobs to old scopes.

 

[mulveymo]

If you can find photos of the bare scope tubes, the VX2 has a weaker reinforcement than the VX3 on the power selector slot in the tube. If you are gentle on your scopes it shouldn’t matter either way, but I’m generally easy on equipment and had issues with fairly light bumps to the eye piece moving groups around. VX3s never seemed to have many problems like that. Plenty of guys hunt with both without issues.

If you go with the VX2, I’m hunting with a third party exposed dial on the elevation for older Leupold scopes, and it’s very dependent on careful installation, but so far works fine for occasionally dialing small amounts. I wish the custom shop was still around adding target knobs to old scopes.

Got a link for that third party turret? I tend to be pretty easy on my gear, but at a minimum I'd love to take a look at some other options!

 

[KenLee]

VX-3 will be easier to sell after it disappoints you.
Kinda like licking the terminals of a 9 volt battery vs sticking 2 wire clothes hangers in a receptacle.

 

[TaperPin]

Over the years there have been a dozen companies making these, but they must not sell well and they don’t last long. I’m using a Stoney point, but it seems to be discontinued now. They all appear to be built the same. If your adjustment slot is buggered up they may not work well, and because the slotted adjustment screw moves in and out and the knob doesn’t, they are best over a narrow range rather than extremes of the adjustment range. I’ve never seen a Kenton, but they seem to have a VX2 model.

https://www.kentonindustries.com/products/leupold-generic-aftermarket-turrets?srsltid=AfmBOoomBTu2QhINcnN5_g1Oe0sD5m9CslY_fG9Soe-Dxb6sm419lPYl

 

[mulveymo]

VX-3 will be easier to sell after it disappoints you.
Kinda like licking the terminals of a 9 volt battery vs sticking 2 wire clothes hangers in a receptacle.

I've had both scopes for years, albeit on different guns. I've not had any issues with either of them fortunately.

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

I've had both scopes for years, albeit on different guns. I've not had any issues with either of them fortunately.

They work great until they don’t. Ask me how I know

 

[mulveymo]

They work great until they don’t. Ask me how I know

I know many folks have issues with tracking or holding zero... I assume the same for you?