Bench mark Leupold VX II

[Bingo]

  I have always held the VX II scope as the bench mark to judge other scopes by. As far as I was conserned it was all I needed for clearity and light gathering. I know there are better scopes and a lot of cheaper (IMO Junk scopes).
  I am looking for a few new scopes for some rifles I would like to up grade. What holds up to or beats the VX II at the same price or better?  3-9x40 or 4-12x40
  Honestly though, my knowledge of scopes is limited. All I know is if I got a VX II I had a good scope.

[Empty Quiver]

I read this and thought to myself that really sums it up for me. A VX II is the standard by which I judge other scopes as well. I put pretty high stock in the Leupold reputation, it makes comparing others somewhat tougher. So many scope builders change hand or change who they are sub letting the components to. So far the Leupold people have not taken advantage of their reputation to market crap to me. I keep rewarding them as I can afford to.

[Lloyd Smale]

Im another big fan of vx2s. Last count i have 7 of them. For about the same money my second favorite scope that has been just as good for me is the nikon monarchs.

[yooper77]

You cannot beat a Leupold VX-II unless you purchase their higher models. No other optics manufacture has, can or will ever beat Leupold, for quality, life time warranty (regardless of age or which owner you are 1st or 100Th), absolute stellar customer service, and very reasonable prices too me.
 
I currently own 7 Leupold scopes and when my other scopes that aren't Leupold fail they will be replaced with Leupold's without hesitation.
 
yooper77

[Bflohunter]

I was considering the vx II as well but have read they don't maintain zero on a .30 cal and above. I'm not sure how true this is but it got me looking into vx3 instead. Since some of you guys have many of these vx II's can you confirm that. Again it's an opinion I read on another forum. 

[charles p]

The first Leupolds I purchased were VXII models.  I still own them and many newer models.  I've never heard the myth about not holding zero on 30 cal and above.  One of mine has been on a 30-06 for over 25 years, and before then I had another VXII on it.  I haven't used that rifle in 15 years but I never had problems when I shot it alot.  Had two VXII scopes on two different 06 rifles, come to think of it.  Once the scopes are sighted in,  I do not think you will have a problem unless you abuse the scopes.

[SHOOTALL]

The scopes I buy are mostly VX-2 a couple VX-3 . I have several guns that came as a package from a supplier. They have Nikon scopes. They appear brighter  and clearer out on the sides of the field of view. They have been hunted under the same conditions as the VX-2 scopes and seem to hold up as well. I have not as of yet bought a Nikon but have been thinking about their AR-15 scopes with the BDC in it. One consideration is Leupold has a great service dept if you ever need it. Don't have a clue about the Nikon service.
 
I was comparing 3-9 from both manf's

[yooper77]

I was considering the vx II as well but have read they don't maintain zero on a .30 cal and above. I'm not sure how true this is but it got me looking into vx3 instead. Since some of you guys have many of these vx II's can you confirm that. Again it's an opinion I read on another forum.

Totally not true. Look at Leupold's punisher test, 5,000 loads with the equivalent of a 375 H&H Magnum's force.
http://www.leupold.com/leupoldtv/video-library/the-punisher-2008/
 
yooper77

[Lloyd Smale]

I know alot of the old varix2 1x4s were used on dangerous game guns that are top shelf in the recoil dept. I dont care much for the older varix 2 scopes with friction adjustments. there a bit tougher to zero in but ive owned many and have yet to have one loose zero once sighted in. I do much prefer the newer vx2 line. they have good friction ajustments and better glass to boot.

[drdougrx]

Totally agree with Yooper and Lloyd.  I have a VariX-IIc on my 375HH.. Never a problem.

[Dave in WV]

I have gravitated to Leupold scopes over the years. There's no free lunch in optics (life in general either) but for the weight, clarity, dim light capability, price, and eye relief it's hard to beat them. You can buy scopes that are tougher, with better clarity, and better in dim light but usually those scopes are heavier, have less eye relief, and/or cost more. Add to that you can order a new scope not available over the counter from the Leupold custom shop and I can see why Leupold is a leader in sales. Of the 4 Leupold scopes I own, 3 were ordered direct from the custom shop.

[Catfish]

I bought my first Leupold scope in 1968. It was a 2X pistol scope I put on a High Standard Dura-Matic, killed alot of squirrels with that gun. At present I have 4 or 5 Leupold scopes setting on the shelf waiting on a gun to put them on. I have over 30 Leupold scopes total. I aim to have 1 or 2 Leupolds in 24X or 36X on the shelf at all time to check the accuracy of the new guns I pick up. I hit 2 to 4 gun shows a month during the fall and winter months and buy any Leupold that I deam to be cheap. I have fixed power scopes from 2X to 36 X and vairables from 1 1/2 x 4 to 8 1/2 x 25. I did drop a 14 1/2 lb. gun on a 24x scope and ruined it. I also bought a 2 1/2 x 8 Handgun scope that was bad. Not bad out of the over 50 Leupold scopes I`ve owned. I have owned 6 Burrius scopes and only 1 of them was good. I have had several Tasco scopes over the years none were 100 %.