Scope opinions

[Fjold]

I'm looking for a new variable scope to mount on the Ruger No.1, 270 Win and I've been shooting Leupold hunting scopes for many years. I use this gun for my deer and antelope hunting so it's dawn to dusk, from 100 to 400 yards.

I was looking at the new Leupy scopes and I think I want to go with the 44mm objective to fit the slimmer look of the No.1 rifle but am I losing a lot of light transmission not going with the 50mm objective? I do shoot it all the way to the first and last legal shooting light.

I wanted a 3x-10x or 12X but the VX-5 is 3x-15x by 44mm and the VX-6 is a 3x-18x in 44mm or 50mm and the VX-6 is also offered in 2x-12 by 42mm which that power level would fit well.

I can live with any of the above, but my questions are:

42mm, 44mm or 50mm objective lens size?

The VX-5 or VX-6 price difference is not a major concern but is the VX-6 noticeably better than the VX-5?

Finally, with the excellent light gathering abilities of the Euro scopes am I missing anything significant by not buying a Swaro, Zeiss or similar Euro scope?

[MJB]

From a 42-50 maybe another minute or two not much.

As for Loe you couldn't pay me to take one their quality has gone way down especially when it comes to repairs.

Look into Trijicon https://www.trijicon.com/products/pr...nge-riflescope

I was a fan of Ziess back in the 90's, I have 2 Conquest 3x9 from back then and they deliver at night you can see 50-75yds.

[Fjold]

Thanks, I looked at the Trijicons but I didn't want the big turrets and the bulk.

[Preston-CLB]

A 50mm objective will have better light gathering ability, but the tradeoff is greater bulk and weight. The sweet spot, in my opinion, would be 44mm.

You would also benefit from a 30mm tube diameter, but again, this adds to weight and bulk. A 1-inch (25mm) tube and 44mm objective would be best for your use, I believe.

One of my shooting buddies who has many years of experience, swears by Leupold and Night Force scopes. He's had less than good luck with Vortex.

I have an older Leupold VX3 4.5x14, 40mm on my Savage .223 that works very nicely, and the quality is excellent. You can't beat Leupold's warranty, either.

Let us know what you end up with and how well it works for you.
-P

[Fjold]

All of my medium/big game hunting rifles have VX3s. I have Nightforce, Vortex and some other brands on long range predator/varmint rifles.

[Oneaudiopro]

I?ve always had great luck with Burris scopes. Extremely well made products.

[Fjold]

I ordered:

Leupold VX-5HD - 2-10x42mm - Firedot duplex illuminated reticle.

and

Leupold VX-5HD- 3-15x44mm - FireDot Duplex Illuminated reticle

[Zenderfall]

I have a 40, 44, and a 50. The 50 is big and heavy. It is so heavy that it turned a lightweight rifle into a sort of mid weight top heavy gun. I would never want to run around with that monster of a scope. I use it for target comp.

I honestly don?t see much difference in brightness from all three of these sizes. And thats why I?d recommend the 40 for running with. Smaller, lighter, works good enough.
As long as the brand is a good one (Leupold, Nikon, etc) they?re going to be bright enough to use. I do recommend the illuminated dots for twilight shooting though.

[isntzen]

Although a large objective is requisite, glass quality is the deciding factor in low light.
A large objective will also give you a larger exit pupil, and a more forgiving eyebox at higher magnification.
For these reasons, given your parameters I would have chosen:

https://www.eurooptic.com/swarovski-z6-rifle-scope-25-15x56-7a-59514.aspx

Fairly large but it only weighs 22 oz.
You might try one if your current optic is less than ideal.

[newbutold]

I ordered:

Leupold VX-5HD - 2-10x42mm - Firedot duplex illuminated reticle.

and

Leupold VX-5HD- 3-15x44mm - FireDot Duplex Illuminated reticle

Nice scopes, I have used Leupold's for many years.

[sigstroker]

A 50mm objective will have better light gathering ability, but the tradeoff is greater bulk and weight. The sweet spot, in my opinion, would be 44mm.

You would also benefit from a 30mm tube diameter, but again, this adds to weight and bulk. A 1-inch (25mm) tube and 44mm objective would be best for your use, I believe.

One of my shooting buddies who has many years of experience, swears by Leupold and Night Force scopes. He's had less than good luck with Vortex.

I have an older Leupold VX3 4.5x14, 40mm on my Savage .223 that works very nicely, and the quality is excellent. You can't beat Leupold's warranty, either.

Let us know what you end up with and how well it works for you.
-P

Same here, sorta. Mine was a 2.5x7 Compact. I got it to put on a Winchester Model 70 Featherweight. It looked right. I think the objective was 40 or 34 or something like that. Wish I still had it, but I sold it in a very, very bad lapse of judgement. Here's an anecdote - late at night I heard a noise in the back yard, very little moon. I was curious what things would look like through it. Damn, it was almost like night vision. I could clearly see the cat that was running around on my trash can, to the point that I could've blasted it. The yard was 95% black with the naked eye. I have full confidence that at dawn or dusk you would get a very clear picture through it.

[Fjold]

The only problem with the Swaros is that they are longer and bulkier than what I want. I mounted the 2x-10x 42mm on the Ruger No. 1 and it looks good. It's only 12.5" long while the 3x-15X 44mm scope is 13.5" long.

The Swaro is 14.33" long and the 56mm objective is huge, it would make my Ruger look top heavy.

Isntzen,

Your link takes me to the Swarovski Z6 2.5-15x56 7A Riflescope Black 59514
Specifications

Scope Weight:22.4 oz
Scope Length:14.33"

That's big.

[isntzen]

Isntzen,

Your link takes me to the Swarovski Z6 2.5-15x56 7A Riflescope Black 59514
Specifications

Scope Weight:22.4 oz
Scope Length:14.33"

That's big.

Granted, although the optic I suggested is large and in charge, its weight is quite reasonable comparatively speaking.

This Z6 was chosen for low light definition and the clearest picture of the quarry and what is behind it. The large objective also provides for a very forgiving eye box even at 15x. I understand the look and feel of this optic may be outside the box for you, but it could be the perfect choice for low light hunting in someone else's hands.

[Kevin11mee]

I have the VX5 3-15x44 and I think it's just about the perfect hunting scope. I wouldn't put a 50mm on a hunting rifle personally. I don't think the VX6 is worth the extra cost. I also have a Zeiss v4 which is great but I'd rank the Leupold a bit better.