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Zeiss Conquest 3-9x40..."the standard"

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westside bengal View Drop Down
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    Posted: March/23/2014 at 14:56
I have decided that a 3-9x40 scope is all I need as a beginner.  It will be on a 223 bolt action to shoot paper at 100-200 yards.  Its my first rifle since I had a 22lr as a kid and I have to learn a lot.

There are lots of brands and models and I want to keep the price in the $300-400 range.

In many reviews on 3-9x40 scopes (or similar) of the last few years, the recently discontinued Zeiss Conquest 3-9x40 seems to be the "standard" most scopes aspire to be but often fall short, especially in that price range.  Some scopes have more bells and whistles but the most important attribute; glass quality, is not quite there.

I am doing some traveling the next couple of weeks and plan to visit some of the gun shops  as I pass thru with some free time.

If I were to find a new Zeiss Conquest 3-9x40 on the shelf in that $350 or so range is that the scope I should buy?  Or is there truly a scope in that range that knocks the Conquest off of the pedestal.


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cheaptrick Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/23/2014 at 15:04
Welcome to Optics Talk. Check The Sample List. There is a 3-9x Connie for about $350. 

http://www.samplelist.com/Zeiss-3-9x40-Conquest-Rifle-Scope-DEMO-B-P67505.aspx

I love the Conquest, up to the 3.5-10x. After that, I'd go with another scope. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Sparky Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/23/2014 at 15:07
There is one on the sample list for $350.

http://www.samplelist.com/Zeiss-3-9x40-Conquest-Rifle-Scope-DEMO-B-P67505.aspx

But if it is only for paper punching I would also look at the SS fixed line of scopes.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Tip69 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/23/2014 at 15:25
yeah... don't buy that 3-9 on the samplelist... trying to talk my buddy into it! Big Smile
take em!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cheaptrick Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/23/2014 at 15:38
I think another really good 3-9x these days is the Leupold 3-9x VX-R with the Firedot reticle's. Mine is very functional, a little pricey, but worth it.   
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote westside bengal Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/23/2014 at 15:41
I have thought about the SS fixed scopes.  And i am pretty sure I would only be paper punching 90+% of the time.  But there might be a time I wished I had that variable scope.

I guess what I am really asking... is the Zeiss Conquest still the one on top in that price range?

If so I will try to find one.  If not then I will order something else.


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cheaptrick Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/23/2014 at 15:45
Originally posted by westside bengal westside bengal wrote:


I guess what I am really asking... is the Zeiss Conquest still the one on top in that price range?


Depends on who you ask. I say yes. We already put up a link showing you the 3-9x Conquest for $350 from our Gracious Host. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Tip69 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/23/2014 at 16:19
seriously.... don't... I just about have my buddy over the fence....  need to knock some sense into him if he doesn't hurry up and buy that one.   what that bit about, "you can lead a horse to water...."
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote biggreen747 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/23/2014 at 16:31
Tip69.. It says 5 available..so the OP can get one but you better throw a bucket of water on your buddy and see if you can get him off the fence.
We measure it with a micrometer, mark it with a crayon, and cut it with a chainsaw.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote JGRaider Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/23/2014 at 16:35
Originally posted by westside bengal westside bengal wrote:

I have decided that a 3-9x40 scope is all I need as a beginner.  It will be on a 223 bolt action to shoot paper at 100-200 yards.  Its my first rifle since I had a 22lr as a kid and I have to learn a lot.

There are lots of brands and models and I want to keep the price in the $300-400 range.

In many reviews on 3-9x40 scopes (or similar) of the last few years, the recently discontinued Zeiss Conquest 3-9x40 seems to be the "standard" most scopes aspire to be but often fall short, especially in that price range.  Some scopes have more bells and whistles but the most important attribute; glass quality, is not quite there.

I am doing some traveling the next couple of weeks and plan to visit some of the gun shops  as I pass thru with some free time.

If I were to find a new Zeiss Conquest 3-9x40 on the shelf in that $350 or so range is that the scope I should buy?  Or is there truly a scope in that range that knocks the Conquest off of the pedestal.




Well, as far as being the "standard" most scopes aspire to be in that price range, I'm not too sure about that.  Great glass?  Yes, but there are several more attributes of a great hunting scope that are just as important as pure optics.   Just to give you a little clue....Meopta made the Zeiss Conquest scopes, and Meopta makes a 1" hunting scope in their Meopro lineup that is every bit as good as a Conquest ever thought of being. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Tip69 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/23/2014 at 16:40
so....  if its the same.....  doesn't the same apply?  also... is the eye relief the same?  how about that reticle?
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Tip69 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/23/2014 at 16:42
well.. for starters... the Meopta is $100.00 more... priced at $499.95... and eye relief just a skosh less. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Tip69 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/23/2014 at 16:45
Originally posted by biggreen747 biggreen747 wrote:

Tip69.. It says 5 available..so the OP can get one but you better throw a bucket of water on your buddy and see if you can get him off the fence.
 
nice catch!   if I didn't already have an extra...  i'd be getting me another.  But I think I'm gonna get one of those last Monarch's to put on a 17 B-mag. Big Grin
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote JGRaider Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/23/2014 at 17:26
Originally posted by Tip69 Tip69 wrote:

so....  if its the same.....  doesn't the same apply?  also... is the eye relief the same?  how about that reticle?


Who said it was the same?  Which reticle.  I can tell you that various Meopta reticles are every bit as usable as the conquest. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote JGRaider Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/23/2014 at 17:28
Originally posted by Tip69 Tip69 wrote:

well.. for starters... the Meopta is $100.00 more... priced at $499.95... and eye relief just a skosh less. 


Depends on where you shop.   Reading the specs is a far cry from actually using one, if you know what I mean.   Don't get me wrong, I really like the Conquests, but they aren't God's gift to scopes necessarily.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote rookie7 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/23/2014 at 20:43
Get the conquest. You will never be disappointed in the quality. You're only paper punching, and not competing in any matches or anything similar. 

The conquest is a scope you can keep forever and move from rifle to rifle. There isn't a better 3-9x40 scope for $500 or less than the conquest. Period. There may be some that come close, but none surpass. 

I have one right now in my safe on a Winchester Model 70 lightweight. 

I also have: 

Leupold VX-R 1.25-4 firedot #4
Leupold VX-3 1.5-5 w/ german #4
Bushnell 4200 elite 3-9x40
Sightron SII Big Sky 4.5-14x42
Leupold Vari-X II 2-7x33
SWFA 12x mil quad 
Zeiss Conquest 6.5-20x50

When getting back into shooting or learning to shoot you don't need all the "features" that scopes are promoting these days. Great glass and reliability is all you need. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote stickbow46 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/24/2014 at 09:50
Welome to the OT rookie7!
 
I'd go with the Meopta as everything is made in house,unlike the conquest that is farmed out...........
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote DCAMM94 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/24/2014 at 10:54
You have gotten a lot of good advice on scopes from some guys on this forum that know their stuff.  I don't count myself in their company when it comes to optics, but I will say that I have a bunch of scopes, some more expensive, some less expensive than the Conquest.  For daylight target shooting and hunting in 99% of conditions, you can't go wrong with the Conquest.  Welcome to the OT, and good luck with the .223, and the next rifle you get when you want to start feeling some recoil and reaching out a bit further.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cheaptrick Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/24/2014 at 14:53
Originally posted by DCAMM94 DCAMM94 wrote:

You have gotten a lot of good advice on scopes from some guys on this forum that know their stuff.  I don't count myself in their company when it comes to optics, but I will say that I have a bunch of scopes, some more expensive, some less expensive than the Conquest.  For daylight target shooting and hunting in 99% of conditions, you can't go wrong with the Conquest.  Welcome to the OT, and good luck with the .223, and the next rifle you get when you want to start feeling some recoil and reaching out a bit further.

I think you've always given solid advice during your tenure here, Deck. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote biggreen747 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: March/24/2014 at 17:28
Lots of good advice. I guess all I will ad is that you will be hard pressed to find a better scope for $350.00 than one of the conquest on the sample list. It would be a great scope to get you started. Should you decide down the road you want to get a hunting rifle in a larger caliber that conquest would be perfect to swap over to that and you can then decide based on the experience you've had with your 223 which direction you would like to go with optics for it.
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