Vortex Viper, Zeiss, Leupold VX 2 or VXR

[rookhawk]

Of the choices above, the one that would provide the greatest long term retail value would definitely be the Zeiss. The conquest 3-9 is still manufactured in limited numbers in America and is a fantastic optic for around $300. If the rifle were mine, I would select that optic personally as I've found them to be great quality and if you need to move it down the river at a later date its the only one of the optics listed that would resale above fifty cents on the dollar.

Swarovski, Kahles, Zeiss, Leica, Schmidt & Bender, Wetzlar, Hensoldt

Will always hold more value (and are arguably better scopes) than the still well regarded:

Meopta, Leupold, Nikon, Burris, Redfield, Trijicon, Leatherwood, Hawke, Vortex, Nightforce, Weaver etc.

P.S. - Tang safety 257 Bob is one helluva gun. Congratulations on obtaining a truly fine gentleman's American deer rifle.

 

[Sand Rat]

Not sure what part of TX youre in... or if you have already bought the VX3 you refer to above.. but Cabellas in Allen has a VX2 3x9x40 with the LR reticle in the bargain cave that looks flawless right now for $245...

I almost grabbed it myself.. no real need for it.. but at that price it was hard to pass by..

Thanks for the tip @mdwest . Unfortunately I live South of Houston and currently in Saudi for the next two weeks. Our new Cabelas about twenty minutes from the house opened in March at it will be one of my first stops after I get off the plane, this is my first trip home this year.

 

[Sand Rat]

@rookhawk , @Dwight Beagle thanks for all of the great input. I'm pretty sure the Leupold Vx-3i 3.5-10x40 is already on the way (wife ordered it for Father's Day). On the other hand I have a conquest 3-9x40 sitting on my M77 3006 that I retired last year after 36 years (scope is only about eight years old) of use for my new CZ 550 7X57 with a Terra 4-12x50. I have the option to use whichever one has the best low light view for my old beat up eyes on the 257 Roberts. The 3006 is now a backup and loaner to my stepson when he joins me in the deer blind. The 257 was bought off gunbroker not because I needed it but because I wanted something new to play with and sometimes boredom gets me in trouble when the wife is not here in Saudi to keep me company on the weekends, can't wait to get home, get the scope mounted and get to the range.

 

[Sand Rat]

Check out the Sightron Big Sky models. Good selection of reticles and variable power ranges.

http://info.sightron.com/

Looked at these as well on the net and they appear to be a quality product. I just don't know that much about the brand and most of the reviews were from 2010 and earlier. Currently being out of the country I wasn't able to physically put my hands on one to see how my eyes would react to the glass quality, I'll keep them in mind for future needs. Thanks for the input.

 

[Dwight Beagle]

The Conquest is a great scope. I have a 3-9x40 with German #4 reticle on a 550 American 6.5x55. The Conquest was actually made for Zeiss by Meopta.

 

[mdwest]

Thanks for the tip @mdwest . currently in Saudi for the next two weeks.

I figured you'd be home already due to Ramadan.. We sent our entire team in Dharhan home on vacation last week.. theyre not heading back into country until the first week of July.. Totally impossible for them to get anything done once the first day of the holiday begins.. no one on the Saudi side will come to work for the next 5 weeks..

 

[Sand Rat]

I figured you'd be home already due to Ramadan.. We sent our entire team in Dharhan home on vacation last week.. theyre not heading back into country until the first week of July.. Totally impossible for them to get anything done once the first day of the holiday begins.. no one on the Saudi side will come to work for the next 5 weeks..

I work in plant operations so we're needed 24-7 and even more so during Ramadan. I needed off last month for my Eastern Cape trip so I'm here for most of June. I'm located just up the road in Jubail.

 

[mdwest]

my guys work in support of RSAF.. once the holiday hits, everyone except for personnel absolutely necessary to keep the base running disappears for a month... its like a ghost town over where we work right now lol..