Should I replace my scope?

[johnnyblues]

I too agree a new scope would be a wise investment. I personally like Leupold and I do like the Trijicon scopes. Again my preference is to have a 50 mm. Gathering as much light as possible may be invaluable on a great trophy in a low light situation.

 

[Bruce]

Personally, I would go for the newer and BRIGHTER optics available today.. VORTEX range is a real winner in my experience

 

[Catahoula]

You guys have convinced me to replace the scope. I'm leaning towards a Leupold VX-3 2.5-8x, but have also found a great deal on a Meopta 3.5-10x that I'm considering.

 

[BRICKBURN]

Good luck an shoot straight.

 

[ActionBob]

The VXIII 2.5-8 is a terrific scope. Small, light weight, great glass, good eye relief, economical for a mid level scope, great reputation for holding up well.. perfect for a lightweight gun you want to keep light, and especially where you need compact size and toughness, like for in a saddle scabbard.

If that is your budget, why not at least go look through a VXR 2-7 and/or 3-9? Especially for a bigger gun like your 8mm. Just don't look through a VX6 if you don't want to spend $1000 on glass that competes well with double or triple priced glass You will only feel the bite of spending more on good glass the day you buy it. You will love it every time you look through it.

 

[Divernhunter]

The VXIII is an good choice. Buy it and do not look back. You will have a scope that will be good for the rest of your life and your grandkids lives. It will take any weather, unlike some other brands, and still do the job. Plus their war is one of the best. Lifetime and you can be the 15th owner.

 

[Rob404]

You guys have convinced me to replace the scope. I'm leaning towards a Leupold VX-3 2.5-8x, but have also found a great deal on a Meopta 3.5-10x that I'm considering.

A 2.5x10x50 would give you about everything you need, I like the extra power and the better light gathering abilities, I took my Kudu late in the afternoon and I think the 2.5 and the 50mm objective lense may have given me an edge.Make sure you deal with a reputable dealer there has been a lot of Chinese copies hitting the market lately.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

If you like it, I wouldn't replace it. But I will always have a spare scope on my hunting trips far from home.

 

[Royal27]

If you like it, I wouldn't replace it. But I will always have a spare scope on my hunting trips far from home.

Come on Phil... an extra scope? When would that ever come in handy???

I would get a new scope too. I personally like variables and usually leave them as low as they can go, but it sure is nice to have that power when you need it

 

[Catahoula]

A 2.5x10x50 would give you about everything you need, I like the extra power and the better light gathering abilities, I took my Kudu late in the afternoon and I think the 2.5 and the 50mm objective lense may have given me an edge.Make sure you deal with a reputable dealer there has been a lot of Chinese copies hitting the market lately.

I'm really leaning towards the Leupold 2.5-8. I did look at a 2-10 Weaver Super Slam that I really liked. It was very bright, seemed well built, but was a little on the heavy side. I think I liked the Leupold better.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Come on Phil... an extra scope? When would that ever come in handy???

Only when I don't have one!

 

[Rob404]

I'm really leaning towards the Leupold 2.5-8. I did look at a 2-10 Weaver Super Slam that I really liked. It was very bright, seemed well built, but was a little on the heavy side. I think I liked the Leupold better.

Strange when I'm at the range I like the large Magnification because it's not about Field of View or Target aquasation it's groups, in the field especially in a brush situation when your waiting for the game to give you a shot, field of view trumps everything, I had my 2.5x10 cranked all the way down to give me a larger field of view,the 2.5x8 will do the job for you for sure

 

[ZG47]

A 2.5x10x50 would give you about everything you need, I like the extra power and the better light gathering abilities, I took my Kudu late in the afternoon and I think the 2.5 and the 50mm objective lense may have given me an edge.Make sure you deal with a reputable dealer there has been a lot of Chinese copies hitting the market lately.

Rob
I used to believe that BUT it was one of the many times that I was wrong.
Your brightest image will not be at the lowest power. Grab your scope (making sure that the external lens surfaces are clean) and look outside at something dark, like a shrub or tree, at dusk, and alter the magnification until you get the brightest image. If you do this with a 'nominal' 3-9x 40/42 telescope, you will normally find that the brightest setting is in the 5-6x range but every optic is a law unto itself.

 

[Rob404]

Rob
I used to believe that BUT it was one of the many times that I was wrong.
Your brightest image will not be at the lowest power. Grab your scope (making sure that the external lens surfaces are clean) and look outside at something dark, like a shrub or tree, at dusk, and alter the magnification until you get the brightest image. If you do this with a 'nominal' 3-9x 40/42 telescope, you will normally find that the brightest setting is in the 5-6x range but every optic is a law unto itself.

I was referring to a 50mm objective lense gathering more light, a 4x50mm lense should give you a brighter image than a 4X40. What I did say was in my case having the scope cranked down to 2.5 gave me a larger field of view which helped in finding my target, but I find you post interesting and will test it out,,alway looking to learn something new, I'm also in the market for a DG scope 1x4 for my jeffery project. Don't you just love this stuff!!

 

[Red Leg]

I'm really leaning towards the Leupold 2.5-8. I did look at a 2-10 Weaver Super Slam that I really liked. It was very bright, seemed well built, but was a little on the heavy side. I think I liked the Leupold better.

The 2.5x8 Leupold is a great choice. It is very tough, has very adequate light transmission and its objective lens allows a very low scope mount. I have two - one of which is on a 318 WR carbine length rifle which hits pretty hard on both ends. It has never shifted a minute of angle during the eight years it has been on that rifle.

 

[ActionBob]

I was referring to a 50mm objective lense gathering more light, a 4x50mm lense should give you a brighter image than a 4X40.

I believe there is actually some mathematics disproving this as your eye can only take in so much.... Besides, see below.

The 2.5x8 Leupold is a great choice. It is very tough, has very adequate light transmission and its objective lens allows a very low scope mount.

On an AR type rifle you might be able to get good alignment with a 50mm objective, However I;m really with you on the low scope mounting on a bolt gun. I think a lot of people forget about proper alignment, recoil control, etc. Especially moving up in recoil! Good way to get slapped is to NOT have a good cheek weld.

 

[ZG47]

Rob
Theoretically you cannot use more than 7mm of exit pupil EXCEPT that a larger exit pupil translates to greater latitude of eye relief, assuming similar optical design/quality.

The biggest thing with variable magnification scopes is the area of the objective lens that is being used at each magnification. You may have noted that the better optic suppliers/manufacturers are tending to list exit pupil at maximum and minimum magnification.

 

[Rob404]

Leupold has a 100.00 mail in rebate on V3s, I'm going for a 1x4 retail 499.00, deal at 399.00, rebate-100.00 299,00 great deal

 

[Rob404]

I believe there is actually some mathematics disproving this as your eye can only take in so much.... Besides, see below.



On an AR type rifle you might be able to get good alignment with a 50mm objective, However I;m really with you on the low scope mounting on a bolt gun. I think a lot of people forget about proper alignment, recoil control, etc. Especially moving up in recoil! Good way to get slapped is to NOT have a good cheek weld.

I'm long bodied I'm uncomfortable hunching down, I use high mounts on most all my rifles and especially those with old school Monte Carlo type stocks

 

[Catahoula]

Leupold has a 100.00 mail in rebate on V3s, I'm going for a 1x4 retail 499.00, deal at 399.00, rebate-100.00 299,00 great deal

They have the same deal on the 2.5-8. Net price $299.00 after rebate. It's hard to pass up.