Ok, I need to buy a few rifle scopes and the ones I like are getting tough to find. I am looking for input on brands/models. I have Leupold VX-III 3.5-10 W/O adjustable objective and I looking for something similar. No 30mm tubes, no objective lens bigger than 42 or so and in the 3-10 power range. I am hoping to find something of fair quality ($300-500 each) and most will be going on magnum rifles so they need to hold up to recoil. Any suggestions? There are a million scope names out there now that I have never even heard of.

So get another Leuopold 3.5x10 vxlll , did they stop selling that model? Or do they just cost more than you are willing to spend ?

No, they don't make the Vari-X III model anymore. I have bought up all the used ones I could find. The new Leupold's are certainly not the same quality as the old ones.

160 go on Gun Broker.com and see if you can find a used one. They are guaranteed forever.

They are sold on ebay almost every day, and with the warrantee you really have no risk. We have bought several this way.

I have been watching both but the Chinese counterfeit ones scare me. They are identical except for the serial numbers sequence.

The most knowledgeable member here on that subject is Huperest. PM him and get your wallet out

I am not sure I want advice from a guy that buys “Spaghetti” guns!

Hupurest will tell you to get a Swarovski. I agree that Swarovski makes good rifle scopes, though I don't know if they have better glass than Leica or Zeiss.

Why rule out 30mm tubes? You will see a whole new world if you don't. If you test a 30mm next to a one-inch scope tube, the one-inch will be like looking through a straw in comparison.

Jim

Tasco

I have one that's over 50 years old. Puts my 30.06 at 100 yards on the dot.. Every time.

That's the exact scope what sits atop my Remington BDL Model 700 in 7MM Magnum.

Used that sweet scope since 1990 to kill a couple hundred deer including 10 Alberta Whitetails.

Great scope that has never failed me.

It is, as you probably guessed, Not For Sale.

w

When did they stop selling them? I bought 2 of them @ cabela"s last christmas for my sons.

I would guess what you bought was a vari-x3, not a vari-xIIi. Way differy quality.

VX-3i were on sale awhile back for $299. I bought 1 good scope. not a VXIII but nice for the money.

I found a Leupold Vari X III 3.5-10 at an estate sale last summer for $125.00 and was so happy with all the money I saved that I went out and spent a bunch on a rifle to put it on.

Nightforce

This is a rabbit hole that one can go down a long ways! Leupolds certainly aren't what they used to be, and yes, so many new manufacturers - even in the high $$$ stuff.

Sports Optics sells Meopta Meopro 3-9-42 for $499 with a 15% discount that get you down to about $425. This is the same company that makes Zeiss's scopes.
In this price range you won't find any better glass.

Sportoptics.com

Sport optics Web site