Leupold VX-I 1-4x20mm vs Weaver Classic V-Series 1-3x 20mm or other 20mm scope

[R.W.Dale]

Looking for a scope for a 30HRT AR15 upper for hunting.  Right now I'm using a Leupold VariXII 2x7x33 and while it's a great scope its gloss finish looks very out of place on a white oak precision ar15 upper.

I would buy a dot optic save for the fact that I think I'd really appreciate the greater precision of a set of crosshairs for load development and making that longer shot. One thing that's very important to me is that the Weaver NOT be made in china (for the life of me I cant find where the new weavers are made)

EDIT: ONLY  3.12" of eye relief on for the weaver! What are they thinking?

[JW307]

Weavers are made in Japan now, except for the new 40/44 line which is made in the Philippines (same as Nikon).  They really are nice scopes that deserve a little more attention.

Jake

[carbineman]

I'm not sure where the new "green logo" Weavers are made but I own two of the V3's with the Weaver white logo on them and they are gloss finished and were made in Japan supposedly by Light Optical Works (LOW). They were listed as having 3.9 inches of eye relief, and have very clear optics, with a nice reticle that stands out.

I'm in the process of consolidating my scopes to all Leupold 20 mm. Contact me if you interested in purchasing one of them as I'm going to list them for sale as soon as the one I have on a muzzleloader arrives back in the fold.

[bluebayou]

I have the Millett DMS-1, but it is a big honking scope and is only fully coated.  30mm tube, illuminated 1 MOA red dot and donut with crosshairs, maybe 12" long though, way big.
Great clarity and handy illuminated reticle in dim light.  Figured to get it for hog hunting, but it hasn't happened.
http://www.millettsights.com/controller.php/cat09/dms_reddot

I have been looking at old Nikon Monarch 6595, 1.5-4.5x20.  The replacement is 8446 I guess.  You can still find the old 6595 if you look around. 

[bluebayou]

The Millett is Chinese, scratch that.  The Nikon 6595 is Philippine or Japanese depending on when it was made.

[quickdtoo]

I have five of the recent made Weavers, all are made in Japan including the V3. 

Tim

[charles p]

I have had a Leupold 1X4 for thirty years.  I love it.  It is very fast and at the lower half of its power range I can see the barrel in the scope picture.  At first this bothered me but now I think it speeds target acquisition. 

[R.W.Dale]

Thanks for the help guys!

I ended up snagging a vxI 2-7-33mm with the LR reticle in the matte finish I wanted from a nother forum for 160clams

[bluebayou]

good all around scope, not bad price.  I dig the 2-7 versus the 3-9.  I just don't use the higher powers unless shooting at paper.

[R.W.Dale]

good all around scope, not bad price.  I dig the 2-7 versus the 3-9.  I just don't use the higher powers unless shooting at paper.

You know even shooting at paper on 7x I just don't notice I'm missing another 2x

I agree a great all round scope

[Arier Blut]

Vortex is a good company with a no fault warranty. They are made in Japan. http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=2&f=277&t=159590 The glass is unbelievably clear and bright per model.
http://swfa.com/Vortex-15-4x32-Crossfire-Rifle-Scope-P11239.aspx
http://swfa.com/Vortex-175-5x32-Diamondback-Rifle-Scope-P11234.asp

 I don't know about weavers. But as for the leuopold. A new vxI is the same as your varixII. Just has a matte color instead of gloss. Personally I would stick with the one you have and just take the shine off. Nothing wrong with a varixII. Bees wax (bow string wax)dulls things up pretty well. I have a varixII I took 4000 grit sand paper to, to take the shine off. The two scopes above will beat a vxI for the crossfire model and a vxII for the diamondback. But if I already had one, wouldn't be looking to spend more.

Good Luck

[quickdtoo]

Vortex is a good company with a no fault warranty. They are made in Japan. http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=2&f=277&t=159590 The glass is unbelievably clear and bright per model.
http://swfa.com/Vortex-15-4x32-Crossfire-Rifle-Scope-P11239.aspx
http://swfa.com/Vortex-175-5x32-Diamondback-Rifle-Scope-P11234.asp

 I don't know about weavers. But as for the leuopold. A new vxI is the same as your varixII. Just has a matte color instead of gloss. Personally I would stick with the one you have and just take the shine off. Nothing wrong with a varixII. Bees wax (bow string wax)dulls things up pretty well. I have a varixII I took 4000 grit sand paper to, to take the shine off. The two scopes above will beat a vxI for the crossfire model and a vxII for the diamondback. But if I already had one, wouldn't be looking to spend more.

Good Luck

Just to set the record straight, Vortex Optics doesn't have all of their product line made in Japan, like many other optics marketers, they have different price levels and to meet those price levels, they use OEMs that can provide the product to their specs at the desired price point.

From the AR15 link...

Sam Hamilton earned his degree in design, and uses 3-D modeling programs like bow designers do to create the programs that function as the”blueprints” for new binoculars and rifle scopes. He now has a compact CNC machine in his office, so he’ll be able to give the factory both the file that holds the product design and a completed prototype. Vortex has its optics built in factories in Japan, China, Taiwan, Korea and the Philippines, and Sam and Dan travel to them to maintain good working relationships and to reinforce how committed the company is to giving customers the best value it can at different price points.

http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=2&f=277&t=159590

Tim

[Arier Blut]

Thanks Tim. I have 1 viper, 2 diamondbacks, 3 crossfires and 1 strikefire. All are Japanese. They are very good folks to deal with. I'm sure if a fellow was to pick out a model they liked, he could call them to make sure the manufacturer hasn't changed to China.