Leupold M1 vs. M3

R

racegunner

New member
I'm interested in buying a Leupold Vari-X III 3.5-10x40 30mm tube.
I'm looking for opinions from someone whom has experience with both the M1 target knobs and the M3 BDC.
I'm shooting mostly 200-300 yards with .308 168gr but expect to shoot 400-600 on occassion.

From what I understand the M3 will get me within 1/2" of the x at 100 yards (1 MOA adjustment). So if I am hitting 1/2" below x my next turn up will be 1/2" above the x ?
Is 1 MOA adjustment too coarse or am I missing something?

Thanks in advance!
 
Race, no direct "experience," but a lot of research. I'm signed up for a long range rifle course this summer and wanted a new 30mm scope. I ended up settling on the M1 (1/4 MOA adjustments) for a couple of reasons:

1. More precision at the 100-300 yard ranges I shoot most often;
2. The BDC is optimized for a particular load, which may or may not be exact to my rifle. I could try to work up a load that matches the BDC, but I'm not big into reloading;
3. The BDC is designed to get you on target with the minimum number of turns to the turret when in the field. I don't need that; I need the precision more.

Take a look at the reviews on http://www.snipercountry.com. They review both the M1 and the M3 and discuss the pros and cons of both.
 
M1/ v.s. / M3

RG< Legionare, gave you good advice.....you are corect in your assumption......Only, if you go with the M3 go with the variable 3.5x10 LRT.
I would ( for your ) purposes stay with the M1.......1/4" clicks.....M3's are area target scopes.....M1's are for shooting out a fly's eye........
If you aren't doing any tactical shooting....then Stay away from the M3's.........AND, as L said, you gotta roll your own to get them to track properly..........
 
Have to agree with Legion on all his points. When I was looking for a scope for my "precision" rifle I looked at both the M1 & M3. Ended up with the M1... have never been sorry.

I make up data cards on the different loads I shoot out of it. From Match loads to hunting loads. Much easier with the target knobs then the cammed M3.
 
The M3 with its target cams were developed for military snipers. The advantage is quick and easy adjustment, something you don't get with the 1/4" click M1. Military snipers need to get a bullet into the target, and not a specific part of the target like a police sniper. The M1 allows for more precision shooting (left or right eyeball?), but as mentioned earlier, is slower to use. It is more suited to police snipers than military.
 
Race, one more comment. Check out the discussion of IOR Valdada scopes in the "Tactical Scope" thread: http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=59101&pagenumber=2.

The 2.5-10x42 Valdada has 1/2 MOA clicks, which would be a compromise between the M1 and the M3. This scope looks very promising. It has a "mil-dot-type" reticle that looks really good. Feedback from those who have used the scope is uniformly positive, and you can get a good deal (under $600) from the snipercountry.com PX.

I'm beginning to cast around for an excuse to buy one myself!
 
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