Which scope???
 

One of my hunting partners just bought a 7mm and needs a scope to top it, currently he has it to these:


Top choices:
Nikon Gold 30mm
Leupold VX III
Zeiss Conquest

Bottom choices are:
Bushnell Elite 4200
Leupold VX II

Which would you choose(or other) and why?
I suggested he take a look at a Swarovski AV but they run 1,500 and his absolute max is 1000(CDN). Also any canucks know either online or sporting goods shop that mail/phone order and sell upper end scopes at decent prices? (He's got info from Wholesale, Russell and SIR - just wondering if their may be others.)

Thanks for your input.

RE: Which scope???
 

VXIII GETS MY VOTE!!!!

RE: Which scope???
 

Skeeter, as I’ve posted before the Nikon Gold has caught my attention especially when I brought the scope home and compared it to the 2 Leupold scopes I have. The Nikon is allot brighter and clearer but it does also weigh more. The Nikon also seems to be a little more bulky then the Leupolds.
If your friend has any intentions on getting a Leupold scope I would suggest for him to check with the U.S. prices. Even with the exchange he can still save some money. I’m not sure on ordering a scope but I know that when I went to the states I must have about $150 on a Leupold VX-II´

RE: Which scope???
 

Zeiss! You won't be dissapointed. None of the other brands you mentioned even offer a top of the line scope. At least Zeiss knows how to make some top end glass.

RE: Which scope???
 

I bought a Zeiss Conquest 3x9x40 for my 30.06 and I couldn't be any happier with this scope. One thing that I really like about it is that it's got a fixed eye relief. No matter if you have it on 3 or 9, eye relief is the same. It surprisingly gathers a ton of light in early morning and late afternoon/evening also. To my knowledge there are 3 different reticles to pick from with this model. Another reason I bought it was because it was a bit cheaper than the comparable model from the Leupold VXIII line. I got it for around $400. I spent a fare amount of time comparing the VXIII and the Conquest and I thought the Conquest was clearer and easier to pickup objects on. I went with 2 of my buddies and even though they weren't in the market to pickup a scope, they said their next one would be a Conquest. Just my thoughts. Good luck.

RE: Which scope???
 

I have had great luck with may Leupold vari-x II and III. I don't think there is anything wrong with the vx-II or III.

RE: Which scope???
 

Thanks for the replies guys, keep them coming.


Trailer, he mentioned how impressed he was with the Nikon Gold in quality. Only problem is he witnessed my headaches with owning a Monarch previously so he is very apprehensive with regards to durability and CS in term of Nikon products. Have you had any concerns or owned this scope through a hunting season?? You can not mail order from the US scopes or any optics to my knowledge, however it is possible to bring them back with you as you stated or person to person sale(like ebay), which unfortunately doesn't look like an option for the timeframe he has in mind. Most scopes are cheaper even with convert to CDN but if you have to factor in duty & gst they get pretty close at that point..which would be the case buying from an individual off ebay.

Stump thanks for your input with regards to leupold and the zeiss side by side. Last year I compared the Conquest with my vari x III at the local range and notice some difference, however in a limited comparison with the VX III I noticed a norrowing of that margin(again it was a limited in store situation). The nikon has 4" of fixed eye relief, which is one thing he really likes.

wnogood, none of the scopes listed can be considered top of the line and I don't agree buying a entry level scope of a manufacturer that makes high end optics makes it the automatic choice as the best solution. IMO the top 3 fair pretty equal in class level(apples to apples if you will), some have options that may or may not be the difference in helping make your decision depending on personal preferences or objectives. Personally I have not had a problem with Leupold Vari X III scope in any fashion and as such have no problems recommending them as a very decent optic to top your rifle with, having said that they certainly aren't the only one and I know their are much better ones available as well but as anything they come with a price tag that not all of us can justify! I appreciate your reply as I am trying to get other info other than what he has with our group, can be a bit biased :()!

I merelythought I'd posted here to get additional information from other hunters to help aid him in the process. We all have access to the data sheets to do a paper comparision but it is real life situations that we don't know and want. What does constant eye relief really mean to the guy who leaves his scope set at 6 power 99% of the time while hunting? Is the euro glass much better than japan glass when you factor it is in their low end vs the other manufacturer's high end or is it getting more equal? Does the light transmission posted really mean anything to hunters or is it a % that makes us think we are getting more? As examples of milling through the information we have access to and how it translates to field use. Only way to know this I feel is collecting information from guys who have tried the product in the field and can attest to why the scope or features are or maybe a benefit.

Thanks again

RE: Which scope???
 

I have never owned a Zeiss rifle scope so I can't honestly comment on them. However, I do own five Leupolds. Four Vari X lll's and one VX ll. I personally wouldn't consider anything else. Also, their warranty is the best around.
I'm sure that your friend would be very pleased with the new VX III.

RE: Which scope???
 

Skeeter,this is my first Nikon scope so I can’t comment on the CS. I haven’t had any problems with it and unfortunately I haven’t had the opportunity to use the Nikon Gold yet but I guarantee you that if I do have a problems with the scope or CS, it will be posted.

I have phoned Cabela’s and as far as they know, scopes can be ordered and have been ordered by mail order in the past to Canada. So I was told. They said there was nothing special in ordering scope compared to anything else.

People are under the misconception that bringing items over the border have to pay duty, this is not so if the product is made in North America (Mexico included) because of the free trade. I do know that it applies to scopes made in the states such as the Leupold brand. If the products are made overseas then an additional 7% would be added to the gst and pst depending where you would cross the border. Meaning no pst. would be applied if you were going into Alberta. I hope I was able to help in some way

RE: Which scope???
 

Ditto what Trailer said about duty.
I rarely pay duty on any of the stuff I get from Cabela's. If it's made in North America you don't pay duty.
I'd seriously check out Cabela's. I don't know what shipping would be but for a scope I can't see it being that much.

RE: Which scope???
 

Thanks Trailer and Cyrus I was not aware canadians can even order scopes from cabelas through mail order and I certainly wasn't aware that duty wouldn't be required. I guess I am a bit confused on the whole issue as I understood it duty is to paid on items bought or brought in outside of canada, unless they fall within the allotted amount allowed dependant on the travellers duration of stay. Obviously mail order would not fall within the context of this and I assumed duty would be required on the item(s) for the amount purchased upon receiving them here in canada. I know I had to pay duty when we came back from texas last year b/c we were over our allotted amount on the goods we brought back with us and all the items were US made, damn customs searched our bags and determined we were above the 300 dollar amount indicated, so I had to anti up duty plus applicable taxes to take the additional items home..like I said I assumed this would be the case with mail order.

I will relay the information to him as we both thought it was not an option, thanks again.

RE: Which scope???
 

Skeeter,

I personally think that the list of 3 top end scopes that he/you have chose are all really good. One thing you might want to think about with Nikon's 30mm tube, is that it won't gather the same amount of light a 40mm scope would. I'm sure you are already aware of that. When we all buy a scope we want it to be clear, good warranty, gather as much light as possible and easy to use in the field. I personally think that a 40mm would be better and you wouldn't run into any ring problems with a 40mm versus a 30mm like you would if you were thinking about getting a 50mm scope. I'm almost 100% sure that the Conquest has a lifetime warranty as does the Leupold. Not sure on the Nikon. I didn't do too much digging to find specs on the Nikon, but here are the specs on the Conquest....4" fixed eye relief(same as your Nikon)...12.9" long...13 oz..FOV@100 yards 33.9-11. I'm certainly not trying to sway you one way or another, but just to let you know how pleased I am with my Conquest. Good luck.

RE: Which scope???
 

Stump, the 30mm refers to the tube diameter of the Nikon not objective. The zeiss has the standard 1" tube like most NA models. He is looking at the 44mm in Zeiss and 50mm in the other manufacturers for objective size. In which the conquest with a 44mm has 3.5" of fixed eye relief, nikon has 4" and the loopy is variable dependant on the power setting. All the scopes listed come with lifetime warranty, in fact I think most do now a days. The real difference with the warranty is if a problem arised how is that handled!
You don't have to worry about swaying me with your response that is the kind of thing I was looking for to pass on to him, ultimately it will be his choice not mine.

Thanks again

RE: Which scope???
 

Huh, have you looked thru a Nikon Gold series scope ?

RE: Which scope???
 

Skeeter, I have just purchased a $600 Zeiss conquest 4.5-14x44mm with the side paralax adj. for my Sako 75 and would stack that up to my Kahles any day. It is an awesome value.

Sorry I paid $1500 for the Kahles a few years ago(pre conquest :))

I also have a VariX III in near size and it is no comparison- crosshairs are also much better.

For a long range rig like the 7MM it would be perfect- no need for the outrageous top of the line Euro's

RE: Which scope???
 

As you can tell Skeeter...I'm not all that in tune with scopes and what I know about them. :D :D Good luck to your buddy. It took me 4 months of research and hee-hawing back and forth before I finally pulled the trigger on which one to get. It's a tough decision for sure.

RE: Which scope???
 

Trailer and Cyrus, I pulled this off the cabela's website in regards to canadian shipping/order info:

" All orders must be paid in U.S. funds by international money order or by credit card. Exchange rates are automatically calculated on credit card orders.
Duties and taxes will be pre-paid and a $3.50 broker fee will be assessed per order.
Additional shipping charges may be required on oversized items. "

I have sent an email to cabelas CS and will let you know when I hear back the scoop on any restriction on ordering and duty.

Stump, no big deal I never explained it either in previous posts! Thanks again for your honest input!

Oldelkhunter the nikon gold is that impressive? Personally I haven't got my hands on one as no stores in the area carry this model yet. However my partner has & is leaning that way at this point! Would you recommend this scope over the others listed, all things being considered?

Thanks swamp, not to many around here have seen or use the conquest....YET!

RE: Which scope???
 

I bought a new Zeiss Conquest 4.5X14 back in January to put on a new 300 Ultra Mag. I have used it on a few exotic hunts since then and love it. The optics are crystal clear and it is very bright. The only thing I do not like about it is that it does not have a TDS reticle for longer ranges.

RE: Which scope???
 

Of the ones offered, I would go with the VXIII. No if ands or buts.

RE: Which scope???
 

i was talking to a salesman at gander mountain this past weekend and he said he loved his zeiss but the leupold was faster at the target. he told me his zeiss doesnt get focused as fast when you throw it up to your eye. dont know which model but i guess it always comes down to the one your eye fits best.

RE: Which scope???
 

Skeeter,
When I was comparing the Nikon to the Leupold,I hadn’t mentioned that the Nikon had a 42 mm obj. lens and the Leupolds had 50 mm obj. lens. The 50 mm or 56 mm might be even brighter but I’m not sure.
I have never ordered anything from Cabela’s but have gone down to the one in Grand Forks. It’s nice to be only 2 hrs from the store. I’ve gone twice this year but will go back again & again & again. Well worth the trip....

RE: Which scope???
 

I'd have to go with the Zeiss Conquest. I've got two (with another on the way) and I just haven't found anything in this price range that's as good. I bought a new Leupold VX III about two and a half months ago. I ended up selling it because to me it just wasn't as good as the Conquests and I knew I wouldn't be satisfied with it. And let me add that over the years I've owned numerous Leupold scopes (mainly Vari X-III's), so I know they're good scopes. But right now I think there are better options. The new VX III is too little, too late in my opinion.

I can't comment on the Nikon, haven't owned one.

RE: Which scope???
 

Skeeter...I gott the 3.5-10X44 Conquest last year and have been extremely happy with it so far. Handled the frigid temps way better than my buddies Bushnell 3200 & Remington scopes. I had a Leupold previous and was happy with it as well, but the Zeiss was the scope for me. As for getting one from Cabelas, when I tried to order one, they said they wouldn't because of our gun laws. I guess they didn't know if it was a "gun component" so they said they wouldn't do it at all. I tried a couple other US companies and some said they would others said they wouldn't. Good luck with that! If you are in Calgary, an alternative to SIR & Wholesale is Canadian Tire. There is only one store here that deals with hunting goods (other than the normal stuff they carry), they have a full selection of new & used guns and lots of supplies. I saw the Conquest there as well as the Leupolds and Burris. I can get you a price if you would like to know...let me know. JDinAB

RE: Which scope???
 

Thanks for the replies!

JD how was the honey moon? Did you score.....at the casino I mean of course;)! I appreciate the offer but you do not need to go out of your way, if ever their sure but don't make a special trip! What store is it? I have buddies in Calgary who might frequent the store and can check too!

RE: Which scope???
 

Honeymoon was great! Casino was not kind[&o]
I figured I shouldn't say anything about my honey hole spot but I guess I'll let the secret out. It's the one in the South on McLeod Trail. Pretty good selection and cheap if you use C.T. Cash. JDinAB

RE: Which scope???
 

The Brightest Scope will be the Bushnell Elite, not saying it's the best though. If it was my choice I'd choose the VXIII hands down.

RE: Which scope???
 

Have you considered a fixed power scope? They have some advantages, they are lighter a big plus if you plan on carrying the rifle a lot, brighter, and cost less. I had a Luepold VarIII that I sold and I installed a Nikon Monarch on my rifle. I'm very happy with a fix powered scope.

RE: Which scope???
 

Zeiss 4.5 - 14 x 44 Look on EBay you can get some really good prices

RE: Which scope???
 

leupold,nikon or swift.

RE: Which scope???
 

Trailer, Cyrus and other Canucks,

I received this response with regards to ordering rifle scopes from cabelas.

Cabela's Incorporated does not sell or send firearms, firearms parts, riflescopes, ammunition or reloading supplies to foreign countries. This includes air guns, blowguns, paintball marker guns and blackpowder firearms.

RE: Which scope???
 

Thanks for posting the information but this must be for mail orders only. The reason I say this is because I had purchased 3 scopes and some reloading parts at Cabela’s in person on Easter weekend. I went back 2 weeks later to exchange one scope for another one. When I was there at customer service, they had asked for my phone number and they knew I was from Winnipeg. They never did give me any problems. I’m not sure why they stated that Cabela’s doesn’t sell foreign countries but like I said it must be mail orders only.

RE: Which scope???
 

Yes Cyrus this pertains only to mail type orders.

RE: Which scope???
 

Skeeter, must have been a late night.

RE: Which scope???
 

I have a VX-II 3-9x40 and my dad has the same power in VX-III and i have seen no differance in them. I LOVE my VX-II. Late in the woods i can see better with the scope then without. The eye relife is amazing.

RE: Which scope???
 

If I were your buddy, I'd go for a burris straight 6x scope. I hate having to make sure your scope isnt turned up too hight on the variable scopes, and with the one I have now I just leave it on 6x all of the time anyways. Tell your buddy to get a 6x and save a few $.

RE: Which scope???
 

I like Leupold but I think Zeiss has the better optics...;)

RE: Which scope???
 

After shopping for a new Scope for a week and speaking to just a few people over the course of the years I am going Zeiss for now. There will be no more Leupolds for me until they get their act together. These new VXIII's are too little too late. I am thinking this rifleman scope deal with Walmart is one of the causes of it. Come to think of it once Remington sold guns thru Walmart/Kmart their quality took a nose dive. They have such a great volumn of Rifleman scopes to build that they probably have to hire new people and these people probably work on the expensive scopes as well. Something is not right there and I hope they get whatever is wrong fixed since I consider/ed myself a loyal customer for so long.

RE: Which scope???
 

Unfortunately I told ya so on the shipping of scopes to us Canucks[:@] Pretty silly considering it's something that doesn't actually shoot anything[8D]. Funny how I can get a spotting scope but not a rifle scope. Oh well, suck it up I guess. I'm still buying stuff from Cabelas since they have a graet selection of other hunting goods. JDinAB

RE: Which scope???
 

Been using Burris scopes for years on eastern white tail deer, mule deer, pronghorn and elk. I have never been disappointed by a Burris and they have a forever guarantee.
That said, for varmint hunting, where I do not travel far and the recoil is way down from a deer rifle, I have never, until this week spent a lot of money on a scope. I have a Tikka M595 Sporter in .223Rem. Topped with a Taiwan made Tasco 6-24x40, the rig will shoot honest ragged one hole groups consistantly at 100yds. This week, I bought a Burris Signature 6-24x44 and put it on a Savage 12FV in 22-250. At the range, I cannot see any avantage to the Burris over the Taiwanese Tasco. The Burris cost six times what the Tasco cost. Through both, I can see the holes at 200 yards. Both are holding zero. I don't regret buying the Burris, it is a nice scope and very clear, but when not a lot is riding on your shooting, you may, many times get by with much less expensive optics. This Savage/Burris rig is my first rifle to have the optics be more costly then the rifle!

RE: Which scope???
 

IMHO, you can never go wrong with a Leupold. Buy American!