RE: zeiss or leupold ????
I personally prefer the Conquest...
Have you actually handled the Conquest? They are relatively big, and heavy in the 50mm models....not sure why you would buy a "lite" model gun then place a such a large scope on it...?
I think you would you be much better off with the Conquest 3-9x40, or if you really want something bigger the Conquest 3.5-10x44.