Author Topic: vx-1 vs. rifleman vs. 3200 (Read 1636 times)

windywhitetails · « **on:** January 09, 2006, 06:06:30 PM »

Hi,
Please help I am going to purchase a 2-7 power scope for my black powder gun, please help me decide which scope to get i have it down to these 3 scopes. any advice would be appreciated.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #1 on:** January 09, 2006, 06:21:52 PM »

I use the Leupold 2X7X32 BP/shotgun scope. I have one on my Encore muzzle loader and one on my Browning Gold hunter slug gun. I would not consider anything else.

bluebayou · « **Reply #2 on:** January 09, 2006, 07:46:01 PM »

Honestly, how many shots per year will you make with the muzzleloader? Can't see spending $200 on a muzzleloader scope. I would buy the 2-7 Bushnell Legend for $120 and save some dough. Of your three choices I would go with Redhawk on the Leupold 58800 Shotgun scope. The wide duplex makes it easier to see in the trees.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #3 on:** January 10, 2006, 02:23:33 AM »

Quote from: bluebayou

Honestly, how many shots per year will you make with the muzzleloader? Can't see spending $200 on a muzzleloader scope. I would buy the 2-7 Bushnell Legend for $120 and save some dough. Of your three choices I would go with Redhawk on the Leupold 58800 Shotgun scope. The wide duplex makes it easier to see in the trees.

I shoot my muzzle loader a lot. I hunt in 2 states with it and have taken several deer in both states with it. Also I shoot my M/L during the off season. The main reason I chose a Leupold is, I want the best chance that my scope is not going to crap out on a hunt or when I have a buck of a lifetime in front of me. To me, putting the best optics on my M/L or for that matter all my guns are a must. There is a saying, buy it once. Cheap is just that cheap. I am not knocking anyone that can't afford a quality scope, but get the best you can afford. There is more to a scope than just cross hairs.

Grubbs · « **Reply #4 on:** January 10, 2006, 05:48:47 AM »

First of all the Rifleman is a pretty sorry exucse for a scope costing that much money. The Burris FF II is a much better scope than either the Rifleman or the VX I, at less money.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #5 on:** January 10, 2006, 07:18:06 AM »

Quote from: Grubbs

First of all the Rifleman is a pretty sorry exucse for a scope costing that much money. The Burris FF II is a much better scope than either the Rifleman or the VX I, at less money.

Yea right! Remind me not to take any of your advice. :roll:

Grubbs · « **Reply #6 on:** January 10, 2006, 09:43:22 AM »

Redhawk.....a typical Yankee resposnse.

victorcharlie · « **Reply #7 on:** January 10, 2006, 11:27:28 AM »

Quote from: Grubbs

Redhawk.....a typical Yankee resposnse.

Ouch! Them's fighting words in Tennessee! :eek:

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #8 on:** January 10, 2006, 01:24:53 PM »

Quote from: Grubbs

Redhawk.....a typical Yankee resposnse.

What a childish response. Where I live has no bearing of my knowledge of firearms and there accessories. When you think you can contribute in a adult manner, you may get better responses to your posts. In other words grow up.

whitedogone · « **Reply #9 on:** January 10, 2006, 01:42:02 PM »

Quote from: Redhawk1

Quote from: Grubbs
First of all the Rifleman is a pretty sorry exucse for a scope costing that much money. The Burris FF II is a much better scope than either the Rifleman or the VX I, at less money.

I agree, you are better off with a Burris Fullfield II when compared with the Rifleman or VX1. Either of the Lupy's mentioned are not fully multicoated but the Burris is which means it will have a brighter image. Now, I'm not a big Burrris fan by any stretch. But the Burris is the best $200.00 scope out there except for possibly a Sightron which they say has better adjustments and is optically better and can also be had for around $200.00. If you are still wanting one of the Leopold's your choices though then hear is what I have heard. The Leupolds have the best custome service of any scope brand out there. The Rifleman and the VXI are the basically the same scope. The VXI however is the better of the two. The VXI has better glass and coatings than the Rifleman and is actually multi coated on the exterior lenses while the Rifleman only has one coating on every lens surface. I have heard the Buckmaster is a good scope and it too has multicoated lenses. It has click adjustments while the VXI and Rifleman have friction adjustments which are not as good as the Buckmasters brass on steel clickers. The best feature about the Buckmaster is that it has a constant Eye relief of 3.5 inches. This means that once your scope is sighted in on say 4 power you will not have to move your eye closer or further from the scope eyepiece to have a full comfortable view when you change the power setting. The eye relief will stay the exact same distance at all settings. On the Leupolds your eye relief will change for each power setting. At low power your eye relief will be longer but as your turn up the power your eye relief will shorten and you will have to move your eye and head closer to the eyepiece to have the same view as you did when you sighted in at a different power. WDO

poncaguy · « **Reply #10 on:** January 10, 2006, 02:18:21 PM »

Mueller 2x7 is avery good scope...........

R.W.Dale · « **Reply #11 on:** January 10, 2006, 02:33:00 PM »

Quote from: Grubbs

First of all the Rifleman is a pretty sorry exucse for a scope costing that much money. The Burris FF II is a much better scope than either the Rifleman or the VX I, at less money.

I would have to agree with this statement. I have a Leupold rifleman on my 17hmr a 4x12x40. I bascilly got this scope for free on a rifle purchase. And while it is a nice clear scope there is no way it is worth the $250 that these sell for, especally when you compare the optics quality to other manufacturers scopes that sell for almost $100 less.

Zachary · « **Reply #12 on:** January 10, 2006, 03:26:17 PM »

There is no doubt that Leupold scopes are, within their respective category, the most expensive scopes. It's not to say that they are bad, just the most expensive within their respective model group.

I too believe that the VX-I is overpriced. Let's take a look at the VX-II. It's a great scope. Heck, last year or so, it used to cost the same as what the new VX-IIIs cost. However, you can get, say, a Nikon Buckmaster which is equally as good as the VX-II (if not better optically) for noticeably less money.

For me, though there are other factors that make a Leupold more attractive. They are generally lighter and smaller than the competition, and they generally have longer eye relief. Combine that with one of the best warranties in the business, and spending an extra $100 or so may be worth it.

For example, I have a Kimber Montana in .300WSM. It's a lightweight rifle, so it doesn't make sense to buy a long heavy scope. Plus, I needed longer eye relief. I could have bought an Elite 4200 2.5x-10x-40mm, but the VX-III 3.5x-10x-40mm was just an almost perfect match for that gun and use. As such, I didn't mind spending the extra money. In the long run, it isn't going to make that much of a difference in my pocket.

Again, for some applications, I think that spending the extra money to get a leupold is justified. In others, however, I just find Leupolds to be just plain overpriced.

Zachary

bluebayou · « **Reply #13 on:** January 10, 2006, 06:10:21 PM »

Redhawk, while I respect your opinions, you are a little.....strident about your appreciation for Leupold. Honestly, the Rifleman scopes ARE pretty sorry excuses for $200 scopes. I firmly believe that they exist only to have MAP pricing and retail space at WalMart. They may sell to everyone else, but I feel in my bones that they were created to get shelf space at WalMart. In any event, honestly compare them to the VX-1, the image is yellowish for starters. There is nothing wrong with the VX-1 if you could get it for $150-160. $200 is too high.

As far as your logic about what you told me:
"To me, putting the best optics on my M/L or for that matter all my guns are a must. There is a saying, buy it once. Cheap is just that cheap. I am not knocking anyone that can't afford a quality scope, but get the best you can afford. There is more to a scope than just cross hairs"

is 100% correct. Buy the best that you can afford. I am very satisfied with spending $100 for a Legend 2-7. I cannot afford a $200 scope on a gun that will be fired 10 times per year. The Legend has a lifetime warranty as well as the Leupold. Will Bushnell hassle you....maybe. But Leupolds are overpriced, there is no way around that. Same old story: are they good? yes, good warranty? yes, cost too much? yes.

On my Remington 700 which is carried to the woods and to the range 20-30 times per year I have a VX-2 or a Legend 5-15AO depending on the use (love the Weaver mounts). Both are scopes that I have confidence in. Maybe we have different economic levels, you buy what you can buy. I will buy what I can buy.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #14 on:** January 11, 2006, 02:09:46 AM »

bluebayou, your gun put what ever makes you happy. As for the Leupold Rifleman, I don't own one. I get the VXI or up for my guns. Most of my Rifles wear either VXII or the older Vari XIII's. My Shotgun and Muzzleloaders wear the Leupold shotgun/ M/L scopes. My statement about getting the best you can afford goes out to anyone not just you.
I made a recommendation to windywhitetails. If you notice I did not mention the Leupold Rifleman.

The second post reads.
"I use the Leupold 2X7X32 BP/shotgun scope. I have one on my Encore muzzle loader and one on my Browning Gold hunter slug gun. I would not consider anything else."

Grubbs, was the one that brought up the Leupold Rifleman not me.

You all can put what ever scope on your guns you want, I could careless what you buy, I gave my opinion to windywhitetails and still think it is a better choice. But I will always chose a Leupold over a Burris, Bushnell or Nikon. My group of friends and hunting buddies all chose Leupold's. Why, because they can depend on them and when your 3000 miles from home and 200 miles from the nearest store, only a good quality scope will sit on my guns. If less expensive works for you, by all means get one. I don't knock you for your choice, but don't try to sell me a cheap scope and tell me it is better than a Leupold. JMHO.

marylandeer · « **Reply #15 on:** January 11, 2006, 03:08:37 AM »

Quote from: poncaguy

Mueller 2x7 is avery good scope...........

I'm with you on this one poncaguy!
This is what I have on my Knight Disc Elite .50 and I love it. I will never buy another scope for a muzzleloader or shotgun again. I wouldn't mind if all of my guns wore one theses multishots

Grubbs · « **Reply #16 on:** January 11, 2006, 04:58:37 AM »

Redhawk, you're right, I am the one who brought up the Rifleman. I'm still wondering why you chimed into my conversation with your smart @$$ comment.

pawoods · « **Reply #17 on:** January 11, 2006, 07:58:25 AM »

All of those will work from what I have read so far. I do own a Rifleman. My wife bought it for me for CHRISTmas a couple years ago. My previous scopes were a tasco 3x9 and a simmons 44mag. I do prefer the rifleman out of the three but I haven't had any problems with any of them. All three were used on a 7600 30-06. Buy whatever scope YOU like the best, your money. Don't like it, just buy a rimfire and put that scope on it. Then try again. That is why I now have three.

jason280 · « **Reply #18 on:** January 11, 2006, 10:33:17 AM »

Not only are the VX-I and Rifleman scopes overpriced, but they are also extremely overated. I've owned one of each, and I can promise you I won't buy another one. There are literally tons of scopes out there that are just as good for half the money. I mean, look at some of the "features" they have: Non fully coated lenses, 3-pc tubes, and friction adjustments. All this for $200? With these scopes, all you are paying for is the Leupold name. If these scopes were sold by Simmons or Bushnell, they would cost around $100, maybe less. Is the Leupold name really worth $100 more?

Personally, while I am not a big Elite 3200 fan, I would take them over these two Leupolds and day of the week. Good glass, fully coated, and comes with Rain Guard (and finger adjustable 1/4" clicks). For $200, though, the best value is the Burris Fullfield II. I honestly do not believe it can be beat for the money, and I have three in the 3-9x40 flavor. A close second would be the Nikon Buckmasters, which I have also been impressed with (currently own two).

Each scope has its advantages and disadvantages, and you have to weigh that against your pocketbook. I just feel there are more disadvantages to the Leupy RM and VX-1 to justify the price, and quite a few agree. BlueBayou made an excellent point about Wal-Mart, and it really makes you wonder.

Good luck!

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #19 on:** January 11, 2006, 01:22:19 PM »

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #20 on:** January 11, 2006, 01:25:25 PM »

Quote from: Grubbs

Redhawk, you're right, I am the one who brought up the Rifleman. I'm still wondering why you chimed into my conversation with your smart @$$ comment.

Not even worth replying too. :-D :-D :-D

pawoods · « **Reply #21 on:** January 12, 2006, 04:29:34 AM »

I don't think anyone will disagree that there are better scopes for the price of the Leupold's listed, but I am not going to tell my wife that! My next post might be in the obituaries.

jerkface11 · « **Reply #22 on:** January 12, 2006, 12:25:32 PM »

Why isn't the bushnell banner shotgun scope on the list? I had one on my .45-70 for a very long time. It had a bright picture held it's zero and had plenty of eye relief. Plus it was only $75.

bluebayou · « **Reply #23 on:** January 12, 2006, 12:32:29 PM »

Redhawk,
So it's only okay to joke or to be rude if you have smiley faces at the end of the sentence? :-D :-D :-D

R.W.Dale · « **Reply #24 on:** January 12, 2006, 02:32:15 PM »

Quote from: bluebayou

Redhawk,
So it's only okay to joke or to be rude if you have smiley faces at the end of the sentence? :-D :-D :-D

You should have read what he had posted yesterday BEFORE he changed his reply. :shock:

jamie · « **Reply #25 on:** January 13, 2006, 01:10:57 AM »

I looked at a rifleman scope for my 6mm and to tell you the truth it is pretty crappy.The nikon sitting beside it for the same price was ALOT brighter and clearer.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #26 on:** January 13, 2006, 05:33:56 AM »

Quote from: bluebayou

Redhawk,
So it's only okay to joke or to be rude if you have smiley faces at the end of the sentence? :-D :-D :-D

I was not being rude, I just said I would not take his advice. Nothing rude about that. The reason I put the :-D :-D :-D is because I thought his response was funny. I did not know this was just his conversation. I don't think we need to keep this going do you?

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #27 on:** January 13, 2006, 05:39:22 AM »

Quote from: Krochus

Quote from: bluebayou
Redhawk,
So it's only okay to joke or to be rude if you have smiley faces at the end of the sentence? :-D :-D :-D

You should have read what he had posted yesterday BEFORE he changed his reply. :shock:

Man if you don't sound like a little kid on the play ground. Teacher teacher look what Johnny is doing. Krochus grow up and quit trying to stir the pot every chance you get. :roll:

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #28 on:** January 13, 2006, 05:45:58 AM »

Quote from: jerkface11

Why isn't the bushnell banner shotgun scope on the list? I had one on my .45-70 for a very long time. It had a bright picture held it's zero and had plenty of eye relief. Plus it was only $75.

I know several guys that have the bushnell banner shotgun scopes and have been using them for years. One of the guys I hunted bear with last year used on on his Marlin 45-70. jerkface11 you are right about the price and they do hold up under the 45-70.

R.W.Dale · « **Reply #29 on:** January 13, 2006, 11:21:43 AM »

Quote from: Redhawk1

Quote from: Krochus
Quote from: bluebayou
Redhawk,
So it's only okay to joke or to be rude if you have smiley faces at the end of the sentence? :-D :-D :-D

You should have read what he had posted yesterday BEFORE he changed his reply. :shock:

Man if you don't sound like a little kid on the play ground. Teacher teacher look what Johnny is doing. Krochus grow up and quit trying to steer the pot every chance you get. :roll:

That's stir the pot not steer.

+1 on the Bushnell banner shotgun scopes they are built like tanks, If only I could find some replacement turret covers for mine :cry: