Originally Posted by
3dmuzzy
I'm looking for a scope for my marlin lever,most of my shots are going to be less than 100yds.I was looking at the leupold vx2 or 3 and also the weaver classic v3 any others ? anyone have the new weaver is it a good scope...ED
I own two Marlin .444s and took my Kentucky buck with my .444S this season. My .444S wears a Bushnell Trophy 30mm 1-4 with illuminated #4 reticle (~$200) and I am impressed with it at that price break. My .444P wears a Vari-XII refitted by Leupold with a #4 reticle and it suits that rifle perfectly. I own several rifles with fixed 4X scopes, but none of my big bores wear that type scope.
I'd prefer (
DO prefer) a scope with a lower power for close-in shots and for trailing game after a shot, if needed. I feel 4X is completely suitable for most hunting I do, but want 1X-2X for close work. I also own Marlins in 45-70 (1895G) and .450 (1895M) as well as a BLR in .450 and they ALL wear Leupolds in 1-4x20 (VXI SG with HD reticle) or Leupold Euro 1.25-4 30mm #4 reticle.
I also own two Weaver V3 1-3x20 scopes (one mounted on a Marlin .375) and find them to be a fine value/$$. I like the Leupold VX1 SG better tho. If you're choosing between the Weaver V3, VX1 and VX2 in 1-3 or 1-4, my suggestion would be the VX1 1-4x20 SG with Heavy Duplex reticle if very low light performance is important to you. I own a lot of Leupolds and my low light comparisons between a VX1 with heavy duplex and VX2 with
regular duplex reticle (I do not think the VX2 is available with HD reticle), show the VX1 to be superior in very low light.
If you're going to spend VX3 $$, my suggestion is to get the VX-R 1.25-4x20 with Firedot #4 reticle at about the same price break. It is
vastly superior in very low light. I own two VX-Rs, the 1.25-4x20 and a 2-7x33 with Firedot Duplex and they are simply fantastic scopes in their price class. FWIW, I now own over 20 Leupold scopes.
Good Luck!