leupold, nikon, vortex-whos the best?

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ohihunter2014

New member
I'm looking to upgrade 2 scopes and ive been doing a lot of reading and I see about 40% says a leupold vx2 isn't worth the extra cash over a Nikon 2-7 or a vortex and then there is the leupold or go home. now I know a lot of people like leupold because well its leupold but I'm looking for dead honest opinions. shots 150-200yards max, hardwoods and fields, strictly whitetail deer hunting. just looking for best bang for the buck. ive also talked to several store guys at LGS and cabelas and ive heard the same. leupold or go home with no real reason given and save the $ cause there is no real difference.

Ive looked through both and IMO with having nothing but prostaffs and crossfires to compare too and I would say the vx1 is comparable to Nikon other then weight and the vx2 is maybe 40% better then both but that's in a store.

what do you guys run and why?
 
I haven't had much luck with Vortex, I still own two Vipers but would have gone with Weaver V-16 or 24's over the Viper 6.5-20 if I had to do it again. I have a couple Nikon Monarchs and like them are they better than a VX-2, clarity is the same but the Nikon is more critical to eye position, VX-2's are pretty nice.

I like 1-4x20 and 1.5-6x40 scopes if I were to move up I'd go to a 2.5-10x40mm, I have two Bushnell 4200's in that size on rifles and really like them.
 
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I have a couple of the 2.5-10 Nikons and a 4-12x40 Nikon coyote special on my .308 AR-10 that I love. Hard to get same hole groups with the circle reticle but I haven't had a coyote complain yet. I also used a Nikon 6-18x on a 6.5 Creedmor build that we did. The 1/8in adjustments were nice out at longer distances and the glass was clear. I have nothing too bad about Luepold's except expense. I have owned two of the VX-2 and they were nice and clear. But for the money I like the Nikons.
 
I had a Crossfire II and two Diamondback HP's. They were sold and replaced with Leupolds. I didn't have any problems with the Vortex in the short time I had them but having a Leupold on a rifle and a scope of lesser quality glass on another makes it tough. All my bolt actions now have either a VX-3 or VX-3i with one exception being a VX-2. The VX-2 is mounted on my Remington Seven Predator 223 and its a 3-9x40 with a German 4 reticle. That's a great reticle for picking up animals in brush and in low light or at night using a light. My only experience with a Nikon was Buckmasters model, it was ok but just not as good glass as I was looking for.

You can find good deals on occasion on the VX-3i. My terrain is similar to yours and the 3.5-10x40 is a nice general purpose hunting scope, low enough power for woods, but able to turn it up in the fields.
 
My lineup includes all three brands. Nikon, at least to my eyes, has the clearest glass. Leupold scopes are solid and have never caused me any issues. Vortex has great service but their scopes have given me the most problems. To me their glass is not as clear as that of other brands.
 
I have a bunch of Nikons and like them a lot. For me and my eyes, the glass is very clear.I bought a Uberti Baby rolling block and it has an very old Weaver and fit the rifle very well. One of the turrent cap screw thingys (?? don't know what to call it) broke and Weaver said they no longer had parts to repair it so I went scope shopping. The rifle is 357 magnum so I didn't need/want a big bulky scope. I settled on a VX11, 2x7 and am very happy with it. Seeing bullet holes (357) at 100 yds is not a problem.
 
Go Leupold or go home. Most like myself learn it after buying something else.
Resale is a big reason. Warranty is another big reason. Eye relief, clarity, coatings, view into a rising or setting sun.
I have never regretted a weaver V or RV series purchase but have a few others and worse when the resale is dismal.
Even Weaver has been bought and sold several times and manufactured around. So there are dates or models that are not warranted anymore.
A 40 year old leupold can be picked up at a yard sale and put in service or warranty repaired.
Higher end scopes have a little different comparison.
 
Leupold is like the Honda Accord of hunting scopes. They work really well, the warranty is great, and they keep their value if you sell/update a few years down the road. Is Leupold "The Best"? Depends, other brands work too, sure, but with Leupold you know that what you're getting is quality equipment. VX2 or VX3i or go home.
 


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