Bushnell 3500 vs. Leupold VX3
 

Have been tossing around lightweight scope options for .270win and/or .300 wsm rifle setup.

Was pretty sold on either the Leupold
VX3 3.5-10x40 12.6 oz
VX3 4.5-14x40 13.0 oz
VX3 4.5-14x40 15.1 oz side focus/30mm model

Came across the Bushnell Elite 3500
4-12x40 13oz


How would Bushnell compare to Leupold vx3 in quality?

I think if I went with the 4.5-14x I'd want the side focus which adds weight.

This would be a western rifle setup, mule deer, elk, etc...
I think I'd prefer 12x or 14x out west over 10x, but I'm not closed to the idea of a 10x.

I had a 2-7x on an older rifle and upgraded to a 14x leupold and really enjoyed the improvement, however I think if I had a 9 or 10x scope on it originally I might not have ever changed?


Thoughts, suggestions, advice?
Thanks!

Some guys buy scopes
 

to set up their 700 yard shot.

I specialize in closer ranges and pay less.

Ok... So Western Hunting, looking for light weight - I'm thinking mountains and valleys and potentially long ranges. Is that assumption correct?

And you're considering:

Bushnell 3500 4-12x40mm 1" tube Fixed Parallax = $350
Leup VX-3i 3.5-10x40mm 1" tube Fixed Parallax = $400
Leup VX-3i 4.5-14x40mm 1" tube Fixed Parallax = $500
Leup VX-3i 4.5-14x40mm 30mm tube Side Focus = $550

So... If you're shooting over 250-300yrds and out to 600+ regularly, the Fixies are out. Parallax error becomes more and more prevalent at longer ranges, and the ability to read wind and mirage with an adjustable parallax scope is incredibly valuable for long range shooting.

If not, then I'd say save your money and pick up the Bushnell. While I don't have any 3500's, I have a few 3200's and multiple 30mm tube 6500's, as well as multiple 4.5-14x50mm 30mm VX-3's and VX-3i's.

In reading this post, I took a look through a 3-9x40mm 3200 and a 4.5-14x50mm VX-3i I have on the shelf and the neighbor's roof line, with both at 8x, is more clear in the Bushnell. The day is fully overcast, but relatively bright (thin but solid cloud cover), and the Leup kinda washes out where the Bushnell is very crisp. Keep in mind - I just described comparing a $229 scope against a $650 scope. At 100yrds, the Bushnell is crisper. BUT... Looking out to 400yrds out another window, the Bushnell's image starts to get hairy, since it's fixed parallax at 100yrds. The Leup's side focus brings the treeline at 400yrds into focus with a crisp reticle, whereas my eye was struggling to focus the reticle and the treeline together (can't happen - parallax error).

The Leup VX-3 (now 3i) 4.5-14x50mm 30mm SF Mil-Dot has become my favorite hunting scope. My wife and I have a handful of them on our hunting rigs. Very versatile, great quality scope. But it costs a lot more than the Bushnell in question. The Bushnell Elite 6500 2.5-16x50 and 4.5-30x50mm 30mm SF Mil-Dots are my second favorite optic on the market. We have these on predator hunting rifles where FOV tends to come into play a lot more than big game hunting, and where I'm more prone to decide to throw an iffy long range shot after a coyote than a whitetail.

Thanks, and yes that's what I'm looking at/for.

I read that on say a 10x scope a parallax adjustment is less important?
but then again say you do shoot 500-600yds would you much rather have a 14x over the 10x? I'm thinking yes?

I'm a guy who prefers magnification. If I'm shooting 600yrds at live game, I d@mn sure want to be able to see well enough the point at which I'm aiming to ensure I stop that "live" part real quick. I don't want to second guess my point of aim, I want to know I'm actually aiming exactly where I want to be aiming.

Comparing a 3.5-10x against a 4.5-14x, the difference in shot placement confidence at 14x vs. 10x is worth something to me, and the sacrifice at close ranges comparing 3.5x to 4.5x isn't a big hurdle.

Parallax error happens any time the focus of the image is not co-planar with the internal reticle, regardless of magnification. Increasing magnification shifts the focal position of the images within the scope, so it can exacerbate the error, but being set at 3x doesn't protect a shooter against parallax. If your scope is set for 100yrds and your target is at 600yrds, you CAN fall victim to parallax, no matter what mag setting.

As I've said above and many times before, the Leup 4.5-14x50mm is my "go-to" hunting scope, with planned shooting range from 0 to 800yrds. The scope isn't for the rifle, nor is it for some other shooter or wannabe gun guy on an online forum talking about shooting a 1-4x on his AR carbine to 600yrds. The scope is for the shooter. It's the control interface for point of aim. The scope lets the shooter see, it doesn't let the rifle shoot. For coyotes and whitetails, for me as the shooter, 4.5-14x lets me see well enough to let me be confident in my shot placement at the ranges I want to shoot. I have plenty of other scopes with different magnification ranges, but the 4.5-14x gives me the best versatility range for the type of hunting I choose to pursue.

Long range = target turrets and side adjustable parallax.

I like magnification also !!!

Personally between the scopes you listed, I'd grab the Leupold in a heartbeat! Do the VX-6 and the 6500 weigh too much for you?

It's evident you're looking for a versatile scope for western hunting, and magnification certainly plays a role, especially when you're aiming out to 600+ yards. I tend to lean towards more magnification for the confidence it gives me in shot placement, much like Nomercy448 mentioned. The Leupold 4.5-14x50mm VX-3i with side focus seems like a solid choice for your needs. The ability to adjust parallax and the extra magnification can be invaluable in those scenarios.

That said, it's also interesting to consider the trade-offs between magnification and versatility. If you're in more varied terrain, sometimes having a 10x scope can be more comfortable, and as Nomercy448 pointed out, you can still fall victim to parallax at different magnification settings.

One thing to consider is whether you'd be comfortable with the added weight of a side focus model, especially for a western rifle setup. If weight is a concern, it might be worth doing some further research on whether the Leupold VX-3i or even a different scope model entirely suits your needs. Ultimately, it comes down to your personal preferences and the type of hunting you'll be doing.

"Thanks for the insights, everyone. I'm really leaning towards the Leupold option after hearing about its performance in various situations. I've read that Leupold scopes are made in the USA, which is a significant factor for me when it comes to supporting local manufacturing and quality control.

Can anyone confirm where Leupold scopes are manufactured or share their experiences with Leupold scopes made in the USA? I