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Leupold for my first centerfire rifle
I just bought my first centerfire rifle (left-handed), a Savage 116 in .30-06. I plan on hunting whitetail and black bear. I need a scope but I'm not sure if I should get a VX-II, VX-III, or VX-3. Also, since it's a stainless barrel, should I get silver?
Also, what kind of reticle do you recommend? Lastly, I don't have a clue about mounting hardware. I'd prefer to find something in stainless. Do I need it in lefty? Sorry about all the questions. I guess there is a little something for everyone to weigh in about. |
RE: Leupold for my first centerfire rifle
I'd get a vx-iii over a vx-ii hands down.
If you can afford a zeiss conquest, may want to take a look at those. It's a step up IMO. I'd get a black scope even with a stainless barrel. Get at least a 3.5-10x Your standard duplex will be fine, if you really want to shoot 400 or 500yds you can get the boone and crockett reticle. Leupold makes some decent mounts, lately I've been going with Talley's. |
RE: Leupold for my first centerfire rifle
If you even considering a VXIII OR VX3,I would go with a Zeiss Conquest instead.A 3x9x40 is a great choice for an all around hunting scope.
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RE: Leupold for my first centerfire rifle
I'd recommend you look at Warne mounts (solid and fairly priced) and I too would get a VXIII or a VX3 over a VXII. It's nearly impossible to match silver scopes and stainless barrels so I would stay with black.
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RE: Leupold for my first centerfire rifle
Ron, IMO Leupy's are good to be sure BUT there are many other decent scopes (in that price range) with as good or better glass, good CS, reliability and repeatability.
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RE: Leupold for my first centerfire rifle
a vari x ii is a fine scope for that gun.if it were me i would check ebay or gun broker. there are plenty of new condition display or used ones out there 150-250$ . i would go for a 40mm scope. the good news is that there is a lifetime warranty on the leupy and if you feel the need to upgrade you will be able to sell it for what you paid. i second the warne mounts or the weaver steel grand slam rings and mounts for a little less.i wouldnt worry about the color. just get the best deal then pick up a camo beartooth scope guard cover. it will keep the glare off and keep the scope body from scratches.
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RE: Leupold for my first centerfire rifle
Matte black scope and rings, if it were me. Looks good on ss and like mentioned more functional down the road.
In terms of what brand of mounts. I like myWarne maxima's & Talley LW's. Also haven't had any issues with Leupold Double Dovetail's, just prefer the other 2 now. You don't need lefthand specific mounts for any of these 3, I'm a southpaw as well.;)Do need the right bases for your model of rifle though. In terms of scope, I think you owe to yourself to do some looking throughvarious scopes and deciede which is the best for your budget/situation. I have had several brands from tasco to zeiss. I know my preferences but they may not be the same for you.3 on the low side to 9/10 on the high is all that required for big game hunting on the power side. 40(ish)mm objective as well, usually the best practice to mount scope as low as possible & a 50 will require your ring sizesgoes up to accomidate the larger bell. |
RE: Leupold for my first centerfire rifle
Leupold makes great rings & bases for there scopes. I would look around for a Vari X-III and then have the storemount the scope and bore sight it for you. They will have everything you need to get the scope mounted right. A boresighted scope will only get get you on paper. You will have to spend time at the range to get it sighted in. Start shooting at 25-yards, makes the adjustments needed then move out to 100-yards. You will need to make some adjustments at 100-yards also. Then you will be sighted in & ready to hunt,unlessyou want to shoot yourifle at 200 or300-yards.
Good luck & have fun, WK |
RE: Leupold for my first centerfire rifle
Of the choices - Vari X-III. For hunting, other than very long range varmint hunting, I'd suggest something like a 1.5-6x40mm. Certainly no "higher" than 10X. If you want a bit better low light performance, and do not mind the additional height, a 3-9x50 mm would not be a bad choice. Another mentioned a Zeiss Conquest. I agree with his assessment. However, IMHO there is nothing at all wrong with a Leupold Vari-X III. The Conquest is certainly not in the performance class of the Zeiss VMV series, but neither is the price !!!
I like a heavy plex. Helps me get onto the target quicker than the thinner style plexes ... but whatever you like should work fine. I am not a fan of the ballistic-plex. They work fine, but are just too "busy" for me. Besides where I hunt I will probably never get a shot farther than 250 yards. As for mounts - Leupold makes a good mount in the style of the old Redfield system. In fact it looks identical to me. Warne and Talley systems are fine as well. As for finish ... any that is nonreflective. Flat black, brushed SS look ... should be fine. |
RE: Leupold for my first centerfire rifle
VX-III or newer VX-3 if you've got the coin though there's no flies on a good ol' VX-II 3-9x40. I'd have been thrilled with a VX-I for my first rifle.
You also might want to look at Pentax as they are ugly as hell and would match up well with an ugly azz Sav...grin |
RE: Leupold for my first centerfire rifle
The V-3, which took the place of the Vari-X III is good as is the Vari-X III. I like the mil dot reticle the best... however the standradDuplex is fine, as is the Boone and Crocket reticle. The Conquest scopes are...good also, but between the two I like the Leupold better. My opinon only, may not be right!lol hehehe
If it were I... I would get a Burris Euro Diamond 2.5-10X50 Ballistic Plex, Black Diamond 4-16X50 Ballistic Plex or Ballistic Mil dot, or...if you can afford it, the Burris Six-X 2-12X50 Ballistic Plex. The Burris scopes, to me are brighter and have a sharper exit pupil than either the Conquest or Leupold. It is opinion only... whether to get big objectives or not(40mm vs. 50mm or even 56mm)but the bigger objectives do translate into more light through the scope hence a brighter image. Also... it will extend your hunting time somewhat do to being able to see in less light. Keep in mind that a 50mm or larger will raise the scope high enough that you will have to use a strap-on cheek piece, that's what I do, works great. It gives you that good, soild cheek weld! Check out the Beartooth Models.(cheek piece) I would stick to all matte black color, for thescope, rings and bases. That will look the best.IMHO Try to stay away from picatinny type bases and rings, they tend to mount the scope a tad higher than regular type rings and bases do. You will probably have to get extended bases for that 116 depending onwich scope you get. Tally rings and bases look the best, as far as all of our customers say, I like them also. Check them out. Leupold: V-III 3.5-10X40 Matte. Duplex... p/n 55046 V-III 3.5-10X50 Matte. Duplex...p/n 55076 V-3 3.5-10X40 Matte. Duplex... p/n 66090V-3 3.5-10X50 Matte.Duplex...p/n 66670 Burris:Euro Diamond 2.5-10X44 Matte. Bal. Plex...p/n 200918 Euro 3-10X40 Matte. Bal.Plex...p/n 200966 Euro Diamond 3-12X50 Bal.Plex...p/n 200916 Six-X 2-12X40 Matte. Bal.Plex...p/n 201951 Six-X 2-12X50 Matte. Bal.Plex...p/n 201956 Black Diamond 4-16X50 matte Bal.Plex...p/n 200926 Black Diamond 4-16x50 Matte.Bal.Mil Dot...p/n 200955 Zeiss: Conquest, Too many models / reticle configurations to list. Hope this Helps-;) Good Luck- |
RE: Leupold for my first centerfire rifle
I agree with Stubble, i would get a Conquest with German #4 reticle.
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RE: Leupold for my first centerfire rifle
ORIGINAL: Uncle Mike The V-3, which took the place of the Vari-X III is good as is the Vari-X III. I like the mil dot reticle the best... however the standradDuplex is fine, as is the Boone and Crocket reticle. The Conquest scopes are...good also, but between the two I like the Leupold better. My opinon only, may not be right!lol hehehe If it were I... I would get a Burris Euro Diamond 2.5-10X50 Ballistic Plex, Black Diamond 4-16X50 Ballistic Plex or Ballistic Mil dot, or...if you can afford it, the Burris Six-X 2-12X50 Ballistic Plex. The Burris scopes, to me are brighter and have a sharper exit pupil than either the Conquest or Leupold. It is opinion only... whether to get big objectives or not(40mm vs. 50mm or even 56mm)but the bigger objectives do translate into more light through the scope hence a brighter image. Also... it will extend your hunting time somewhat do to being able to see in less light. Keep in mind that a 50mm or larger will raise the scope high enough that you will have to use a strap-on cheek piece, that's what I do, works great. It gives you that good, soild cheek weld! Check out the Beartooth Models.(cheek piece) I would stick to all matte black color, for thescope, rings and bases. That will look the best.IMHO Try to stay away from picatinny type bases and rings, they tend to mount the scope a tad higher than regular type rings and bases do. You will probably have to get extended bases for that 116 depending onwich scope you get. Tally rings and bases look the best, as far as all of our customers say, I like them also. Check them out. Leupold: V-III 3.5-10X40 Matte. Duplex... p/n 55046 V-III 3.5-10X50 Matte. Duplex...p/n 55076 V-3 3.5-10X40 Matte. Duplex... p/n 66090V-3 3.5-10X50 Matte.Duplex...p/n 66670 Burris:Euro Diamond 2.5-10X44 Matte. Bal. Plex...p/n 200918 Euro 3-10X40 Matte. Bal.Plex...p/n 200966 Euro Diamond 3-12X50 Bal.Plex...p/n 200916 Six-X 2-12X40 Matte. Bal.Plex...p/n 201951 Six-X 2-12X50 Matte. Bal.Plex...p/n 201956 Black Diamond 4-16X50 matte Bal.Plex...p/n 200926 Black Diamond 4-16x50 Matte.Bal.Mil Dot...p/n 200955 Zeiss: Conquest, Too many models / reticle configurations to list. Hope this Helps-;) Good Luck- |
RE: Leupold for my first centerfire rifle
I have scopes from bothLeupold andZeiss. My favorite Leupold scopes are the FX models.Many of my guns are scoped with FXIII 6X42, FXII 6X36 and FX II 4X33 scopes.
I hog hunted in OK and TX with three hunters from Germany. They bought their guns from home and I was surprised to find that all of them usedLeupold FXIII 6X42 scopes. They say that it is just as good in the dark as a Zeiss or any other European made scope; at a fraction of the price. |
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