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Help Choosing between 3 scopes Swaro & Leupold |
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Duckbutter100
Optics GrassHopper Joined: August/15/2018 Location: Inwood Status: Offline Points: 16 |
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Posted: January/12/2021 at 16:00 |
I'm trying to decide on a scope for a 6.5 CM for whitetail hunting. Going on a new Browning HC Speed. This is mainly for hardwood hunting and most shots are under 200y with the slight possibility of a longer field shot.
I have never dabbled in long range shooting. Plan on working a load for 142 eld-x or 123grn SST(I just bought 100 pack of each) If these 3 scopes all cost the same to you(a little complicated to why that is the case), which would you decide on and can you lend some insight as to why? Leupold VX5 2-10x42 with CDS & Firedot Leupold VX5 3-15x44 with CDS & Firedot Swaro Z3 3-10x42---these are backordered with no timeline in sight for arrival I have never needed/used a scope with dials and am usually more of a set it and forget type person. Weight is a partial consideration on the scope. I guess my main decision is does the features of the Leupold over ride the glass quality of the Z3. I have had no side by side comparisons so that opinion is going off of research. Thanks for help or any other options you may go with. I was also looking at Zeiss' in that range but it seems like their lower cost scopes are the same quality as in the past.
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supertool73
Optics God Superstool Joined: January/03/2008 Status: Offline Points: 11814 |
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i have the vx52-10x firedot zl2 and a 3-9x36 swaro. Yes the glass is a little better on swaro. But definitely not make it or break it better. For my hunting purposes i pick the Leupold on my hunting 6.5 creed. I loce the zl2 turrets and the illumination is great. I run my swaro on a 223 ar and it works great too
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Lifetime warranty and excellent customer service don't mean a thing when your gun fails during a zombie attack.
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Urimaginaryfrnd
MODERATOR Resident Redneck Joined: June/20/2005 Location: Iowa Status: Offline Points: 14964 |
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3-15
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"Always do the right thing, just because it is the right thing to do". Bobby Paul Doherty Texas Ranger |
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cbm
Optics Journeyman Joined: January/11/2008 Location: SC Status: Offline Points: 580 |
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I have a Leupold VX-6HD 2-12X42 Firedot and I picked up a Swaro A 3-10X42 before this season. I used both of them most of the year. Not quite what your asking about but close. I also picked up a Swaro Z6 1.7-10X42 this year.
They all are great scopes. I just bought a Z3 3-9X36 4a the other day and I the only negative I have is the wire reticle. The older Swaro A I bought has a nice dark #4 reticle. I am assuming it is etched, not sure, but it is better than the Z3. The Leupold is a really nice scope. I would put it against anything in the same size range for low light deer/hog hunting. I kept one VX6 HD and sold one. The one I sold was just because I didn't like all the knobs and buttons on that particular gun. I put the Swaro A 3-10x42 on that rifle. I would probably say the VX5 if you don't mind the dial/looks of that scope. If you do, then I would go with the Swaro for a cleaner look.
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Duckbutter100
Optics GrassHopper Joined: August/15/2018 Location: Inwood Status: Offline Points: 16 |
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I appreciate the info so far.
Im still struggling with which to get. The fact the Swaro's have no time table for being in stock makes it tough. Also trying to find a store which may have both brands to look at. I just hate going somewhere knowing I prob not going to buy it from the store. I'm not sure why the decisions is so tough.
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koshkin
MODERATOR Dark Lord of Optics Joined: June/15/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 13182 |
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All of these will serve you well.
VX-5 and VX-6 are really competent designs. You kinda need to decide what configuration you want. If you want 2x on the low end, get the VX-5HD. If you are would prefer a 3-15x, I would consider Vortex Razor HD-LHT 3-15x42 as well. I did a video on my hunting scope recommendations a while back. Not sure if that will help you, but just in case: ILya
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Duckbutter100
Optics GrassHopper Joined: August/15/2018 Location: Inwood Status: Offline Points: 16 |
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Really appreciate you sharing the video. A lot of good info.
I may check out a Vortex but honestly I sometimes feel like they have went the way of Bushnell. They make nice high end stuff but the fact they make low end walmart "junk"(that may be unfair) it leaves a bad taste in my mouth to even look at their scope lines. I really bought into the Elite scopes back in teh day but if I had a dollar for every time someone asked me if the scope was a Banner or Trophy line scope, Id be buying a Victory. Maybe I shouldn't think that way but it is reality. I think if the Swaro's were in stock or I had a reliable time table of being in stock I would go that route. Leupold does make a clean 2-10 VX5 without all the extra dials on the scope but of course it doesn't come with the firedot. Based on your video, I'm starting to dig more into what Meopta offers. It just seems many of them have huge 56mm front lenses, seems like overkill Thanks again for the great info.
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tpcollins
Optics Journeyman Joined: January/12/2009 Status: Offline Points: 428 |
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Buy once, cry once.
I have 4 Zeiss, 1 Swaro, and 2 Leupolds. The Leupolds are at the bottom.
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tahqua
MODERATOR Have You Driven A Ford Lately? Joined: March/27/2006 Location: Michigan, USA Status: Online Points: 9042 |
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I believe the Z3 line is discontinued
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Doug
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Duckbutter100
Optics GrassHopper Joined: August/15/2018 Location: Inwood Status: Offline Points: 16 |
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Per the nice lady at Swarovski customer service. The z3 is not discontinued but covid has them on a major slow down for production on the z3 and z5 lines.
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Whitefire
Optics Apprentice Joined: December/29/2014 Location: Alabama Status: Offline Points: 132 |
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I have a Z3 3-10 x 42, also the Leupold VX 5 2- 10 x 42. I like them both.
Frankly, first view through the Z3 I was amazed. Very clear for a "lower" end Swaro, my untrained eye can tell little if any difference between the Z3 and Z5. The reason I purchased the Z3 - - to my knowledge Leupold does not produce a high end 1" tube scope within n the ranks of the VX5 and VX6, I do believe these tubes are all 30mm. Please correct me if I am wrong. However, the VX5 has very good glass (mine is not equipped with the fire dot reticle) and should serve you very well. With the 30 mm tube, it sits atop one of my bolts... a bit too much bulk for my Henry Long Ranger or Marlin 338 MX. And for whatever reason my bias against Vortex is same as yours. I do own a Vortex Razor spotting scope, it does a really good job at the range, however, if to do again, I may choose a different brand. Excellent video Ilya. Wf
Edited by Whitefire - January/28/2021 at 19:11 |
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May His face shine upon you and give you peace.
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Duckbutter100
Optics GrassHopper Joined: August/15/2018 Location: Inwood Status: Offline Points: 16 |
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Which reticle do you have in the Z3?
I'm struggling to have a confident opinion on the 4a vs plex. I have always used plex in the past and have no where to look through a 4a. From Swaro's website it looks like the thick and thin parts of the cross hairs are a little thicker on the 4a compared to plex. I really like the look of the 4a on paper but wonder how it is in low light real hunting situations. Its so hard to buy without seeing for myself. Issue is, I really have no where to go and check them out.
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Whitefire
Optics Apprentice Joined: December/29/2014 Location: Alabama Status: Offline Points: 132 |
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I have the BRX reticle. I am underwhelmed with busy reticles, however, BRX offers finely etched Christmas tree of compensators. Very clean and relatively uncluttered.
I don't think you'd be at all disappointed with the Z3, however, availability is a challenge as you pointed out earlier. Side by side with the VX 5 both are very good with a thoughtful nod going to the Z3. Wf
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May His face shine upon you and give you peace.
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Urimaginaryfrnd
MODERATOR Resident Redneck Joined: June/20/2005 Location: Iowa Status: Offline Points: 14964 |
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"Always do the right thing, just because it is the right thing to do". Bobby Paul Doherty Texas Ranger |
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coyote95
Optics Master Joined: January/24/2009 Location: michigan Status: Offline Points: 1196 |
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My z-3 classic wears the 4a along with most of my other hunting scopes. I'm a big fan of the#4's when it comes to a hunting reticle.
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"Life is like riding a bicycle . To keep balance you must keep moving" Albert Einstein
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Whitefire
Optics Apprentice Joined: December/29/2014 Location: Alabama Status: Offline Points: 132 |
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That's a screaming bargain, all else equal.
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May His face shine upon you and give you peace.
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Duckbutter100
Optics GrassHopper Joined: August/15/2018 Location: Inwood Status: Offline Points: 16 |
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I saw that scope on samplelist. If I could figure out any reason to need a dial on the scope I would probably jump on it.
It just seems a bit overpowered when I'm hunting eastern hard woods. I think my longest shot since 1988 has been about 250 yards across a field. I appreciate the info on the 4a.
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cbm
Optics Journeyman Joined: January/11/2008 Location: SC Status: Offline Points: 580 |
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Duck, the newer Swarovski's generally have thin reticles. I have had many of the older PV/PH models and they had a much better hunting reticle IMO. But they changed that in the Z series line. They also vary by a good margin from model to model, and even between the scopes in a series(like between the Z3 3-9X36 vs the 4-12x50). Swarovski has a good program on their website that shows the reticle subtension thickness for different models and reticles.
Leupold also has the same information on their website, but it is a little harder to track down. For low light hunting I prefer something above 1.0 thick for the thicker crosshairs at 100yrds. Like in the Z3 3-9x36 the plex is .86 thick, while the 4a is 2.05 thick. My Z6 1.7-10X42 plex is 1.43 thick. I had a Z5 5-25X52 and I couldn't see the reticle at dark, sent it back and had it changed to a #4 and still had a lot of trouble(I believe the #4 was .7-.8 thick). My VX6-HD firedot is 1.23 thick I believe, which is great to me. But I think the VX5-HD firedot is .8 thick. I would imagine I would have to use the illumination a lot, whereas I don't on the VX6-HD. Anyway, you may want to spend some time looking at all the subtension demensions for the scopes you are interested in, if low light shots are important.
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Duckbutter100
Optics GrassHopper Joined: August/15/2018 Location: Inwood Status: Offline Points: 16 |
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Yea I checked out the sub's on the website.
I guess on the z3(4-12x50) the thick and thin sections of the xhairs are a little thicker on the 4a vs the ones on the plex. However they are different on the z5's at 12 power(I just used 12 as an equal comparison). So what you are saying makes a lot of sense. |
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Peddler
Optics God Joined: July/04/2012 Location: Oswego,NY Status: Offline Points: 13526 |
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You betcha 💥. And illuminated.
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