Leupold or Redfield?

E

ED CHAVEZ

New member
I been shopping and gathering information on scopes I wish to purchase. I have-it down to three scopes: 1. Leupold Tactical Vari-x II 3-9x40mm, duplex sights, matte finish $350 AND 2. Redfield Golden Five Star 6-18AO*x40mm, duplex sights, matte finish $330 AND 3. Redfield Golden Five Star 3-9x50mm duplex sights, matte finish $240.

Right know I am battling the Redfield between #2 and #3. I am leaning towards #2, since it has AO*. But I like the 50mm because of light gathering at low light conditions.

But which is the better choice? I will not be using the scope for target work at the range or varmint targets/ hunting, I will be using it for field work in rought land and shooting situations ranges anywhere from 71-365 meters(75-yards to 400-yards). I wish to get a few opinions from you fellas with expirence with these brand scopes. Different field and class instructors tell me mix reviews, some tell me Redfield, and some tell me Leupold. I know for sure the Redfield will hold true in harsh enviroments and grunt work, but I never tested the Leupold. Have any of you tested the Leupold brand or put-it through rough stress in field situations? How does the Leupold handle drops at 3-feet? Give me any feedback and knowledge you fellas have, it will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Ed Chavez :confused:

*AO- Adjustable Objective.
 
Ed,

Stupid me.....I thought Redfield was out of business. The Leupold tactical has a mil-dot reticle. I don't know about the Redfields. You can buy the same Leupold without the Mil-dot for $234 from www.bearbasin.com . You can get it with the 50mm objective for $299. Leupold has a lifetime warranty. I don't know about the Redfields. (I'm starting to see a pattern here.....I don't know about the Redfields.) I don't know of any scope that would survive a three foot drop onto a hard surface. You don't normally need an AO at less than 10 power. Of course all of this is IMHO and YMMV. :)

Good luck and let us know what you decide,

David
 
Ed,

My mistake, :o you can get the Leupold Tactical with a duplex reticle. Bearbasin has them for $299 and they have the side parallax adjustment.

David
 
The Leupold should hold up equally well. On top of that, I think you'll find the optical quality of the Leupold to be slightly better. At the prices you're quoting, I would personally take the Leupold.
 
WAIT! Wrong Leupold.

There is NO Leupold Tactical with side parallax for anywhere near $299.

The Vari-X II 3-9X40 Tactical (the cheapest Leupold Tactical) is NOT parallax adjustable. The cheapest side adjust or Long Range (LR) Leupold is around $500 and is not the tactical model.

IF you need a scope to survive a 3 foot fall, consider an ACOG or ELCAN, otherwise, maybe it will survive, maybe not.
 
Sorry Again!!!!!:o

700 PSS is right. I misread. It says that all "LONG RANGE" tactical scopes have the side focus. And the cheapest one is $629 from Bearbasin. Thanks 700 PSS. :)

David
 
Leupold!!!
I have never owned a Redfield scope but, several years ago I did pay high dollar [$50] for a set of Redfield scope rings that were made of POT METAL.
Would not tighten down and the allen screws wrung off with a ball allen wrench.

Redfield, here several years ago went bankrup and Blont bought what was left out. I am skeptical of what they are doing. Blont ownes WEAVER, REDFIELD and SIMMONS.

I have owned many LEUPOLD SCOPES and accessories and have never had a minutes trouble with them...
 
I favor the Leupold for quality and warranty. Just make sure the VX-II model you want has positive click adjustments. The VX-IIs I'm familiar with do not have click adjustments; fine for sighting in once and forgetting about it. But if you want a tactical scope for field use, you want to be able to dial in windage and elevation and then be able to come back to precise zero. My hunting scopes are VX-IIs, but my target/tactical scopes are VX-IIIs. I'm not familiar with the VX-II Tactical, but I'd make sure it was click adjustable before making a final decision. If somebody knows for sure, tell me . . . and then I'll be smarter! :D
 
Some personal comparisons

VX II do not have clicks normally. The Vari-X II 3-9X40 Tactical has target turrets and they are click, as is the VX II 6-18X40AO Target. Any VXII can have VXIII turrets added by Leupold Custom Shop or Premier Reticles, in either target or normal style if you want the click. Whether it is cost effective is your choice.

I have a VX II 3-9X50 sitting around that I decided to use on a .22RF and I am having VX III target turrets added and parallax set to 75 yards. Saves buying a new scope.

I have the VX II Tactical on a .223 PSS and it is a nice scope. The VX III 3.5-10X40 on another rifle set to the identical same magnification will be brighter and more contrasty than a VXII, but VX II is still a great scope. The VX III 3.5-10X40LR M3 with 30mm tube on my .308 PSS is brighter still, but is 2.5X the price.

The ONLY differences of the Tactical 3-9X40 VX II and a non-Tactical 3-9X40 VX II is the target knobs and blackened gold ring and tactical inscription on the Tactical. The lenses and internals are the same. If you do not need the target knobs, Bearbasin and SWFA have the 3-9X40 for around $219-235. A fine general hunting scope.

PS: Can't speak for the new Redfield, but i have a 25 year old Redfield 2-7 variable that has gone through many hunts and rains and snow in PA and is still perfect.
 
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