Help Needed on scope choice

[Warhoop]

I am getting ready to put an Encore rifle  together for a friend to use out in Wy. this Oct He will be 78 years old this year and has said this will be his last outting to the great western hunting. The rifle is a 270 win with a 26 in tube the question is Leupold 4.5x14x50 varix-lll or 4.5x14.44 Zeiss Conquest Which is brighter and the most clear never spent this much on a scope and I need to do it right . thks guys

[jhm]

when you are talking that kind of money and the quality of optics mentioned it would be nice to have the 2 scopes side by side to compare if it was my doing thats what I would want to do, find a supplier that will allow you to return the one you dont want would be my suggestion.   JIM

[Zachary]

I own the Leupold Vari-X III in 4.5x-14x-50mm with Illuminated reticle.  The Vari-X IIIs are very good scopes, but I do not believe that they use the best glass on the market.  In my experience, I think that my Nikon Monarchs and Bushnell Elite 4200s are not only brighter, but also have better resolution.

The Zeiss Conquests are still relatively new scopes.  As such, I would wait a bit until time has tested them.  That notwithstanding, I read a somewhat objective article that stated that the Conquest lenses had on of the highest resolutions and brightness.  In fact, it tied with the Bushnell Elite 4200 in 4x-16x-50mm.

In my opinion, I would suggest the Bushnell Elite 4200 4x-16x-50mm.  The optics are bight and clear, resolution is excellent, and the adjustments are flawless.  If you are looking in the 4x-16x power range, then that is the scope that you should stronger consider - and it's price is a little less than either the Zeiss or the Leupold.

Zachary