Scope for my Rem 700 V in 7mm-08
- Thread starter H2OBUG
- Start date
bootlaceb said:
Since I don't have a Leupold Varmint scope I can't comment on the comparison of the reticle between the two. The Precision Plex reticle lines are thin. Not super fine, but fine enough not to interfere with the sight picture. If I were forced to measure them, they would be no thicker than the line made by a fine ballpoint pen.
You might be able to find what you're looking for here: http://www.pentaximaging.com/sport-optics/products/Gameseeker_30_-_4x-16x50mm_Matte_(PP-HT-SdPA)#!product-specs
XTR
F-TR obssessed shooting junkie
You probably don't need a 30mm scope. All the 30mm tube does is allow more elevation. It doesn't let more light in and it adds weight. Are you planning to shoot to more than 600 yards?
At the price point you are looking into less is better. The more they add in one place the more that they have to take off somewhere else. (kind of like MTBs, add a cheap suspension fork, and downgrade the components group by 2 levels to pay for it)
I shoot my muzzle loader with a Bushnell DOA, inexpensive scope that gets the job done, I also have a Nightforce BR on my target rifle and another hunting rifle sporting a Swarovski. To an extent you get what you pay for, but you only need to pay for what you need. Are you shooting late dusk or very early morning, if not you don't need a big 50MM objective, and it adds height and weight to the scope.
My DOA 250 has put 3 deer in the freezer in the last 2 yrs. Take a look at the Bushnell Elite series.
SWFA Link to Bushnell Elites
At the price point you are looking into less is better. The more they add in one place the more that they have to take off somewhere else. (kind of like MTBs, add a cheap suspension fork, and downgrade the components group by 2 levels to pay for it)
I shoot my muzzle loader with a Bushnell DOA, inexpensive scope that gets the job done, I also have a Nightforce BR on my target rifle and another hunting rifle sporting a Swarovski. To an extent you get what you pay for, but you only need to pay for what you need. Are you shooting late dusk or very early morning, if not you don't need a big 50MM objective, and it adds height and weight to the scope.
My DOA 250 has put 3 deer in the freezer in the last 2 yrs. Take a look at the Bushnell Elite series.
SWFA Link to Bushnell Elites
dansig
BigDMT said:
Assembled is an overstatement, they put a sticker on it and repack it in Oregon.. it's assembled in China or other asian country like almost all other optics.. only a few exceptions like Zeiss and other very high priced optics.
Are you gents seriously claiming the VX3 is now NOT US made?? I had read and knew the VX1 line was an import as well as their Wind River bino's etc awhile back. I didn't realize the VX3 was also farmed out?? So then what exactly does Leupy still actually manufacture here?
Used to like Burris when they were all US made. Then bought a couple of the Fullfield II's and they were junk as far as I was concerned. Haven't bought a new scope for years but buy used Leupy's, B&L Balvar's and my fav the old Weaver T models. If Leupy is pretty much import chit then I guess I don't have to wonder about saving for a new model!!!!
Used to like Burris when they were all US made. Then bought a couple of the Fullfield II's and they were junk as far as I was concerned. Haven't bought a new scope for years but buy used Leupy's, B&L Balvar's and my fav the old Weaver T models. If Leupy is pretty much import chit then I guess I don't have to wonder about saving for a new model!!!!
tjtjwdad
Gold $$ Contributor
WRT rifle/pistol scopes; I've always been under the impression that all "Gold-Ring" scopes were made and assembled in Beaverton, OR and the glass was from Asia. Range finders, Binoculars, spotting scopes...haven't any idea.
I just checked all of my Leupolds and none are marked on the scope where they were made or assembled (VX3 and VARI-X-III). I'll dig out the boxes and see if they have references. In adddition, there are counterfit issues and Leupold does point to some of the indicators on their website.
I just checked all of my Leupolds and none are marked on the scope where they were made or assembled (VX3 and VARI-X-III). I'll dig out the boxes and see if they have references. In adddition, there are counterfit issues and Leupold does point to some of the indicators on their website.
tjtjwdad
Gold $$ Contributor
BigDMT said:
Just got of the horn with Leupold and they say "all" Gold-Ring products are made and assembled in Oregon. They do-not make their glass and I'm under the impression it comes from Asia. Non Gold-Ring are farmed out, no specifics given nor did ask but I took it to mean Windriver binoculars, range finders, bore sighters etc.
I believe they give tours so one could see for themsilves.
BigDMT
tjtjwdad said:
That sums it up then. They admitted it themselves. Case closed.
I know they "used" to be made in the US. But they are not anymore. And their warranty isn't transferable on anything but golden ring products, so that's gone to hell as well. Their optics aren't even in the same boat as higher priced optics when it comes to gathering light, but they still charge the same as other high priced optics.
I've owned Leupy scopes, Kenai HD spotting scope, and even Golden Ring binos. ALL left something to be desired. The only Leupold optic I like is my son's OLD 2-7X40 Golden Ring scope. Made back when EVERYTHING that came out the door was Golden Ring quality. Now anything but Golden Ring is junk. And the Golden Ring line is now overpriced for what you get IMO.
I know it hurts some of you long time Leupy fans to hear it, but your manufacturer is just like the rest. A sell out to China
dansig
FRJ said:
it´s a scope... nothing but glass, empty space and an aluminum tube... if the glass isn't made in USA then the scope isn't either...
tjtjwdad
Gold $$ Contributor
BigDMT said:
BigDMT,
The VX3 scope is a gold-ring product. Unless it is a counterfeit it is made and assembled in Beaverton Oregon. The glass is imported, and they have repeatedly admitted it to me whenever I have asked. FWIW, I don't have a dog in the hunt and I do-not consider myself a “long time, loyal Leupold ownerâ€.
On topic though, I have never heard Leupold state that; "all" of their products are made and assembled in Oregonâ€. But I have heard them say, repeatedly; “all gold-ring products are made and assembled in Oregonâ€.
I do own Leupold (along with Burris, Nikon, Zeiss and Swarovski) scopes. They all have their pluses & minus. For me, it’s the customer service quality when things go south.
I know folks who have the same feelings as you appear to have about Leupold. They wouldn’t give a hoot in the devil’s den for one. More often than not it was because of quality and/or customer service. After hearing their stories and being in their shoes, I wouldn’t either. On customer service, you couldn’t give me a Nikon Monarch (SF) scope. But I will always take Nikon into consideration because they gave me excellent customer service when one of their scopes broke. Personally, I wished they would have repaired it and sent it back (old style (AO) Monarch scope). The same goes for Burris, never used Leupold, Zeiss or Swarvoski.
IMO, Leupold sat on their laurels to long and a whole host of competition not only caught them but in many cases, surpassed them. I’ve heard many “old-timers†if you will, echo many of your comments about Leupold. My VARI-X-III 3.5-10x40 was made in the early 80’s and it has never failed me. Both of my VX3’s have performed well for me, thus far. Although I’ve never used the service, I do like the multiple reticles Leupold offers. However, I’ll confess, when I start looking at scopes, I usually start with Zeiss. The Conquest line is very comparable with Leupold VX3 and optically, IMO it is superior. Swarovski’s glass is a tad better in the dark but unless you get a good deal, you’re paying a lot more $$$ for it.
BigDMT
I used to love Leupold like everyone else back in the days when everything they made was top notch with no fault fully transferable warranties on everything that came out the door and was honored as long as the optic was in existence on Earth.
My father-in-law has a pair of old Leupold binos that cost him $240 in 1982. That was a lot of money back then for binos. But still affordable for the working man who was serious about hunting. They have that little golden ring around the objectives like every Leupold product did back then so they were the best quality. Now it costs nearly $900 for a pair of Leupold golden ring binos (which I owned 2 years ago) and they don't even compare to the old binos from 1982. I've compared the 2 versions side by side in every lighting condition. When compared to the older style Leupy binos, the new Golden Ring binos have horrible eye relief, a fussy eye box, don't gather light as well, are overly heavy for their size, and have a very narrow field of view that requires constant focus adjustment when viewing objects at different distances. Don't get me wrong, the new GR's are nice optics, just not as nice as the old style binos. Clarity was pretty much equal, but all those other annoying downsides I mentioned about the newer style binos make long glassing sessions very bothersome and uncomfortable.
Not sure how they figured they would just go ahead and start making a far inferior product to their old design and charge 4 times the money, but they did. The old style Leupolds are closer in comparison to my Leica Ultravid binos than they are to the new Golen Ring binos. Of course no Leupold bino will ever best a Leica bino, but the old style isn't far off.
I even compared a set of Wind River Cascade Binos to my in-law's old Leupy's. That isn't even worth wasting your time if you want to try it. The Wind River binos are complete junk. Might as well keep them stowed away until it's 100% daylight out because you won't see anything before that.
I'm basically upset because they used to be "America's Optic". Everything they made was super high quality and almost every sportsman could afford them. Now you have to pay an arm and a leg to get their highest quality and I honestly don't think it's quite as good as it used to be. So now if I consider spending a lot of money on optics of any sort, Leupold is the last company on my mind.
I feel like they turned their backs on caring about the American blue collar working man/sportsman being able to afford good quality glass....
My father-in-law has a pair of old Leupold binos that cost him $240 in 1982. That was a lot of money back then for binos. But still affordable for the working man who was serious about hunting. They have that little golden ring around the objectives like every Leupold product did back then so they were the best quality. Now it costs nearly $900 for a pair of Leupold golden ring binos (which I owned 2 years ago) and they don't even compare to the old binos from 1982. I've compared the 2 versions side by side in every lighting condition. When compared to the older style Leupy binos, the new Golden Ring binos have horrible eye relief, a fussy eye box, don't gather light as well, are overly heavy for their size, and have a very narrow field of view that requires constant focus adjustment when viewing objects at different distances. Don't get me wrong, the new GR's are nice optics, just not as nice as the old style binos. Clarity was pretty much equal, but all those other annoying downsides I mentioned about the newer style binos make long glassing sessions very bothersome and uncomfortable.
Not sure how they figured they would just go ahead and start making a far inferior product to their old design and charge 4 times the money, but they did. The old style Leupolds are closer in comparison to my Leica Ultravid binos than they are to the new Golen Ring binos. Of course no Leupold bino will ever best a Leica bino, but the old style isn't far off.
I even compared a set of Wind River Cascade Binos to my in-law's old Leupy's. That isn't even worth wasting your time if you want to try it. The Wind River binos are complete junk. Might as well keep them stowed away until it's 100% daylight out because you won't see anything before that.
I'm basically upset because they used to be "America's Optic". Everything they made was super high quality and almost every sportsman could afford them. Now you have to pay an arm and a leg to get their highest quality and I honestly don't think it's quite as good as it used to be. So now if I consider spending a lot of money on optics of any sort, Leupold is the last company on my mind.
I feel like they turned their backs on caring about the American blue collar working man/sportsman being able to afford good quality glass....
the older i get the more i just shake my head...its very dissapointing in todays world..and its sad to say that it isnt probly going to get any better....everything anymore either scope, guns, vechicles, tools, etc.. is all truthfully junk anymore...just a while back a young kid was showing me his new truck and was really bragging about how good the chrome bumper looked on the truck...i told him...lean down here and look on the back side of this...i had to show him it was actually plastic with some type of chrome look-a-like paint on it...its not real chrome anymore i told him...he still liked it...but he wasnt around when a real chrome bumper come out on vechicles...i also told him to pull off his so called leather shoes...i said look...inside is leather linning ....out side is man made materials...he couldnt believe it so i told him to read the label inside...sure enough...what he thought was an all leather shoe was only leather lined on the inside...nothing anymore is what it used to be
tjtjwdad
Gold $$ Contributor
fredhorace77 said:
Sadly, I'm afraid you're correct in your observation and forecast. In fact, I'm almost afraid to buy parts for any of my cars because the ones that are worn out needing replaced are probably better quality than the ones replacing them.
When & why we went to a consumer base economy is beyond me.
BigDMT
tjtjwdad said:
Very true. Companies that offer great quality for the price like Nikon have already given Leupold's sales a good blow and companies like Vortex that are charging full speed ahead with their second-to-none no fault fully transferable warranties and ever increasing quality in optical clarity and reliability will hurt them even further.
Eventually Leupold will have to change their game or risk going up in smoke with the next generation of sportsmen that only knows them for who they are now and never knew how good they once were when it came to affordable quality. The next generation will have little or no loyalty to Leupold optics with the track the company is on.
Another company to really watch for in the states is Hawke optics. I've recently acquired a couple of their optics. The sidewinder 30 scope in 6-24X56mm and an older style 20-60X60mm Endurance spotting scope to be specific. Although those two products are not top shelf quality, they are definitely worth more than what you pay IMO. Extremely clear optics with repeatable adjustments, just have to work on a few minor details and they'll really have something going for them.
Of course Hawke is a China made optic from a European owned company like most of the mid priced optic manufacturer's, but they will probably be right in the fray before too long. The company seems to be on the right track to compete in the US mid priced optic market, they just need to get their foot in the door a little further with American sportsmen.
tjtjwdad
Gold $$ Contributor
Another one I hear echo's about is a company called Minox. If I understand correctly, they use the same glass (Schott) that Zeiss uses. Speaking of Zeiss, here is an interesting video I came across a couple years back of a tour through Zeiss's sports optic factory. Grab a snack because it's approx 30 minutes long but I found it real interesting.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygtBaJ3n7u8&feature=player_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygtBaJ3n7u8&feature=player_embedded
Upgrades & Donations
This Forum's expenses are primarily paid by member contributions. You can upgrade your Forum membership in seconds. Gold and Silver members get unlimited FREE classifieds for one year. Gold members can upload custom avatars.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.