Leupold 2.5-10x45 or Swarovski 2.5-10x42

NorthJeff · 03-17-2003, 06:19 AM

I' ve never had a " new" rifle, but just bought a Savage 16BSS-laminate w/stainless barrel, in a .270WSM-just have to have a gun-smith take the creep out of the trigger. I own a pair of Swarovski SLC 8x50 bino' s, which I love, and want great glass on a rifle I will have for many years to come. Because of some professional contacts, I can get the Swarovski for actually a little cheaper than the Leupold. For various reasons, I will not be buying from a company other than those two.

Basically, it' s down to the " new and improved" LPS, 2.5-10x45 or a Swarovski 2.5-10x42 to possibly the 3-12x50 Swarovski.

Which one do you guys think? It will be primarily a " white-tail" gun, of which I' ll use it in 4 states just this year.

Thanks for the advice!

Jeff...U.P. of Michigan
Protection of yearling bucks + Populations maintained at or below the carrying capacity of the land + Adequate sex ratios = QDM

woodseye · 03-17-2003, 11:31 AM

I would go with the swarovski in 2.5x10x42.It will be light weight and fit lower rings than the 50mm.It will be very bright and a quality scope to enjoy with low enough power for stillhunting(2.5) and plenty for long distance flowage,deadwater,or field shots(8-10) and yet be perfect on 4-5X in low light conditions at dawn and dusk.Don' t think you can beat a swarovski for quality optics although the LPS is a great scope from all I' ve heard,I just don' t think its in the same class as the swarovskis.

woods

NorthJeff · 03-17-2003, 11:53 AM

I appreciate your input Woodseye. It' s they way I was leaning, but it' s a pretty sizable investment to me and I want to get it right, without being able to test them all.

Thanks!

Jeff...U.P. of Michigan

PILOT · 03-17-2003, 08:47 PM

NorthJeff I recently made a similiar investment in scopes. Before hand I searched for as much info. as possible and also looked at alot of scopes as well. The two very best scopes from what I found are the swarvoski PH hunter and the VMV Zeiss. I went with the VMV in the 2.5-10x42 with a lit reticle. The biggest difference is that the Zeiss has a little better eye relief than the Swarvo, which is more critical in the larger calibers. Also they both have a reticle that multiples in size as you crank the power up unlike American made scopes. This takes a little getting used to and you may want to look at one before purchasing, but I feel its worth the trade-off for the superior German glass.

stubblejumper · 03-17-2003, 09:05 PM

I have swarovski a-line 3x10x42' s on all of my hunting rifles and find them to be a great scope.They are light and compact and still have the high quality swarovski lenses and coatings which result in them being the clearest and brightest scope I have ever used.They may be an option if you want high quality but want a lighter more compact scope that has a lower price tag than the professional series.

NorthJeff · 03-18-2003, 05:16 AM

One of my concerns was the 3.15" of eye relief on the Swarovski. My current scope, a 3-9x40 Nikon has 3.5" . Is that enough for me to notice a large difference?

Do you think there is a noticeble difference in light gathering between the A-line, and the 30mm series?

If I could get a deal on the Ziess, I would surely consider it, but it would be at least $300 to 400 more than either of the other two scopes.

Jeff...U.P. of Michigan

woodseye · 03-18-2003, 05:51 AM

With the caliber you picked the eye relief shoud be a minimum of 3 1/2" Thats the minimum they consider when evaluating scopes over on the Short Mag Forum.3 1/2-4" would be the best eye relief to consider to avoid a scope eye brow at some point in your shooting when the eye position is not the best.

woods

NorthJeff · 03-18-2003, 06:15 AM

Woodseye,

Given my choice of caliber, that would basically narrow it down to the 3.5" on the Swarovski 1" A-line series, in a 3-10x42, or the 4" on the LPS 30mm 2.5-10x45.

What do you think on that choice. I have to call on a price for the A-line, but it would most likely be $300 cheaper than the LPS, as I can' t get a deal on the LPS. I guess if the LPS is better in quality, that' s what I' d go with.

What do you think between those two?

Jeff...U.P. of Michigan

woodseye · 03-18-2003, 07:49 AM

Swaro will have better optics(brightness,clarity,defination) and is lighter in weight by a fair amount.The Leupold will have scratch resistant lens coatings and quicker service turnaround.Both will be user friendly and have good warranties.On the basis of weight and optics I would go for the Swarovski if it was my choice to make.

woods

PILOT · 03-18-2003, 07:57 AM

I agree with woods on this one, but I love my VMV Zeiss, lol!!!