Leupold Vari X-II vs Vari X-III

25049 Views 24 Replies 7 Participants Last post by Jeff_850, Jun 29, 2004

Jeff_850

Discussion Starter · Apr 24, 2004

going to get a new rifle, probably a Remington 700P in a few months
its going to need a scope
thinking of a Leupold Vari X- II or Vari X- III
what are the advantages/disadvantages and which would you reccomend?
going to be used for hunting and target shooting, thinking 3.5-10x (3-9 to 4.5-14x range), dont want too much scope for hunting
if you have another scope you would reccomend please do so, im keeping an open mind

1 - 20 of 25 Posts

mele

· #2 · Apr 25, 2004

If you can afford it, go with the Veri-III. The biggest difference is the quality of the optics and their coatings. The extra cost is mainly in the optics (lenses)

MEL

G

· #3 · Apr 25, 2004

The lenses and glass quality are the same on both models. The only difference is the fact that the VX-III line has the Multicoat-4 lense coatings on both the exterior AND interior sides of the lenses, the VX-II only has the Mc-4 on the outsides. The advantage the double coatings have is increased light transmission when things get a bit darker at dawn and dusk. Now the more money you put into the scope (read- the VX-III) the happier you'll be, but honestly you will only notice the difference in a side-by-side comparision at night with sophisticated optical-quality reading equipment! Truly, you will be perfectly happy with saving a few bucks and going with the Var-X II line. Also, you might check out the Nikon Monarch UCC line, which are really good for the money, or the Burris Black Diamond scopes, which are a bit more expensive, but also of exceptional quality.

Jeff_850

Discussion Starter · #4 · May 22, 2004

i think im leaning twards a VX-III
what differnce will i notice between 4.5-14x and 3.5-10x 40mm tubes?
is it enough of one to warrant spending more you think?
should i bother with Mil-dots for range work and even hunting at fairly long distances?
but how would this be in a variable power? more likely to get me confused and make a stupid mistake i normally owuldnt make?

DR308

· #5 · May 22, 2004

Jeff: Just a suggestion, but have you looked at the Burris Ballistic-plex line of scopes? I think for Hunting, they would fit what you are looking for. The Leupolds are very fine scopes, and I have some myself. And I think you meant to say 30MM tube, not 40. 40MM would be the objective lens dia. Burris scopes are built like a Sherman tank! And their new retical is very good.[I hear. I don't have one] But if you want it for more like target shooting, I would go with the Leupold 3.5-10 Vari-x 3, with Mil-dot retical, and a 30MM tube. The rings will cost you more, as will the scope, but you will have the best of both worlds. You can learn to use the mil-dots for hold over, hold under, hold off. The differance between a 1" tube and a 30MM tube is light gathering and claritey of the image. You will be able to see your target image about 20 to 30 minutes in the AM before most other people, and 15-30 minutes in the PM after most other people cannot see there image in a 1" tubed scope. I hope this helps you out some.

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Jeff_850

Discussion Starter · #6 · May 23, 2004

i havent looked at Burris scopes yet.. hopefully i can get a chance to test one out at the range before i get my 700P and mount a scope on it
i know one friend who has one (not sure which model) so maybe he will let me take some shots out of his rifle so i can see how the scope is
know another friend of mine has a Nikon scope so ill try to get a chance to test that one too
i am trying to test out a few other high end scopes like Leupold Mk4 M3 and a high end Night force to see how the more expensive stuff compares to the stuff in the price range i am willing to pay
im trying to keep an open mind but im bias twards Leupold since i have one, it works great and i have played aroudn with various leupold scopes and they have been great too
right now i am using Leupold rings w/ my Leupold VX-I 4-12x40mm, it has worked great and its currently on my Bushmaster Varminter
what mounts do you reccomend i get for my 700P?

DR308

· #7 · May 23, 2004

Jeff: I would suggest that you get the Leupold MK4 two piece mount, and the MK4 rings if your scope is going to be 30mm tube. If not, there are other makers of those type of rings in a 1" dia. Bager Ordnance being one maker. I would also suggest that you open up your screw holes on the top of your action from 6-48[what they are now] to 8-40's. You will also have to open up the holes in your mounts to 8-40 clearance holes. This will give you a rock solid mount for your scope. I have been doing this since my first bolt gun was issued to me back in 69. I have never had ANY trouble when I did this. Hope this helps

Jeff_850

Discussion Starter · #8 · May 23, 2004

that helps
all this talk is getting me anxious to getting my first bolt gun and my first .308 heh

Jake S

· #9 · May 23, 2004

The Mk4 rings are the best, but remember that the rings alone will set you back over $150

! But if you want the best, you'll have to pay for it. I would suggest regular Leupold 30mm rings @ only $60. But if you go with the VX-I or VX-II I believe they all have 1" tubes, so you could get away with spending $40 on some leupolds. But whatever you do make sure it DOES NOT say Tasco on the box, as these are the worst rings I have seen; they cannot even hold a scope still on a Ruger 10/22 .22LR- duct tape is better

!

Jake

Jeff_850

Discussion Starter · #10 · May 23, 2004

lol i had a problem with cheap mounts, went back and bought leupold rings.. way back when i had my VX-I on my M4 Carbine... only paid $40 for mounts but i had no problems at all
point of impact only changed if i took the scope off and put it back on heh
have the same scope/mounts on my Bushmaster Varminter, shoots very accurate, took a 10 shot group today at 200y, .8" center to center

scope mounts still tight enoguh i guess

DR308

· #11 · May 24, 2004

Jake S:

Remember: Plan for the worst case senario! If you have to end up dragging your rifle through the bad stuff so you can get set up for your best shot, is everything going to be as it should with the mediocre rings and mounts? Don't you want to be sure? Point made. [I hope] :roll:

DR308

· #12 · May 24, 2004

Jake S:

Remember: Plan for the worst case senario! If you have to end up dragging your rifle through the bad stuff so you can get set up for your best shot, is everything going to be as it should with the mediocre rings and mounts? Don't you want to be sure? Point made. [I hope] :roll:

Jeff_850

Discussion Starter · #13 · May 24, 2004

you gotta go with the best rings you can get or else your nice scope is useless heh

JLU

· #14 · May 24, 2004

When I was looking for my last scope. I went with the Loopy VX-III 4.5-14 X 40 W/Gen 2 Mil dots.

I had several items I looked at. First glass quality, durability, ranging capability and size. Leupold has always been know for good glass and durability. For field use I have always felt that the 40mm objective was just about the right size and the Gen. 2 Mil dots are in the first focal plane so you can range at any power. As for mounts and rings I used the Badger 1pc 20moa base and MK4 rings. I would have used the Badger rings except they don't make a 1" ring, you need adaptors and I didn't want to do that. I have had my scope off with the rings several times and after remounting the scope I was within a 1/4" of zero every time. So by the best mount and rings you can afford.

This is all just my opinion.

You can get all of these items from http://www.premierreticles.com/

JLU

Jeff_850

Discussion Starter · #15 · May 25, 2004

yea im probalby going to go with the best mounts i can get and ive noticed that some people have that problem of taking thier mounts off and putting back on, completely off target
i havnt had that problem with my Leupodl scope and leupold rings
im probably going to go with another set of leupold rings or anything else high quality

morpheus

· #16 · May 25, 2004

Here is an update on my Ruger 6.5 Swede. I have enough money saved up to get a Leupold VX-II 3-9X40. After I get back from my cruise, I will order the scope. And since Leupold just came out with the new line of VX-II I guess I will tell you guys how good it is compared to my old VX-II 2-7X33 on my .308

Jeff_850

Discussion Starter · #17 · May 25, 2004

morpheus said:
Here is an update on my Ruger 6.5 Swede. I have enough money saved up to get a Leupold VX-II 3-9X40. After I get back from my cruise, I will order the scope. And since Leupold just came out with the new line of VX-II I guess I will tell you guys how good it is compared to my old VX-II 2-7X33 on my .308

thanks let me know how much better it is if any heh
hows the quality of the VX-II been?

morpheus

· #18 · May 25, 2004

Jeff_850 said:
hows the quality of the VX-II been?

Its really good, I don't know how old it is, but my dad has had it for a long time. The one complaint I have about it is the little eye relief on the scope, but other than that it is really optically and it's just a good all around scope.

Jeff_850

Discussion Starter · #19 · May 25, 2004

whats differnce betwene my VX-I and VX-II
i think i understand the difference between VX-II and VX-III just wondering how my lil VX-I 4-12x40mm compares though i think im gonna get a larger scope this time heh

Snipe

· #20 · May 25, 2004

I had 2 Vari XIII a 6.5-20x50 and a 3.5-10x40 loved both of them. I think the main difference is the glass how well they pick up light and the clarity. I never owned a Vari XII or a Vari XI so i cant speak for them hope this helps. lata

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