Monarch 3 vs Zeiss OPMOD Conquest vs Leupold VX-3 for Ruger American .308

[PatientWolf]

I'm looking to updated the scope on my Ruger American .308 and have narrowed the list to 3:

The Nikon Monarch 3 3-12 x 42 BDC side focus.
Pros:
- The scope has decent reviews.
- Higher magnification than the others.
- Ability to focus the object on the same focal plane as the reticle.
- BDC reticle
- Lower cost to purchase.
Cons:
- At 18.5 oz, the scope is much heavier than the others.
- Unknown warranty support. Nikon doesn't seem to get the great reviews on customer service Leupold does.
- Made and assembled overseas.

The Zeiss OPMOD Conquest 3-9 x 40
Pros:
- Conquest line has a great reputation and gets great reviews.
- The New Rapid Z-600 seems to be a great reticle with bullet drop compensation.
- Assembled in the USA.
- The price is doable for me.
Cons:
- If the reticle is the older Rapid Z-600, it is not what I'd like for hunting in the woods.
- Since this is not a regular product, but a custom product, I am not sure if the optics are really the Conquest grade, the Terra grade or something between.
- I don't really find much information on the customer support.
- I don't seem to be able to find one locally to look through.
- Fixed objective focal plane.

Leupold VX-3 3.5-10 x 40 Duplex
Pros:
- Excellent customer service reviews and guarantee
- Very high durability reviews
- Lightest weight scope of the 3.
- Very bright scope
Cons:
- Highest price (only slightly above the Zeiss) (still doable for me)
- No bullet drop compensation (in my price range).
- Fixed objective focal plane

Use for the rifle is casual target shooting and hunting. Hunting white tails is mixed open field (to 300-400 yds) and woods (40 yds +). Hunting in various environmental conditions including cold, wet and low light.

I'd appreciate thought out responses with reasons for the recommendation.

 

[603Country]

None of them. Get the Leupold VX3 4.5-14, or if you can't afford that get the Burris FFII 4.5-14.

 

[Txhillbilly]

Personally,all of those BDC reticles are a joke,and just a marketing ploy. Unless you're shooting the exact ballistics that the reticle was designed around,your bullet will never match up to the reticle marks at that exact range. You will have to shoot at different ranges to see exactly where your bullet is going to hit on target for each mark on the reticle.
It's easier to just use a chronograph on your loads and put your data into a ballistics calculator.Then you know the bullet drop of your loads exactly at different ranges.

Of the scopes you listed,I'd take the Zeiss if it is a Conquest model with a Duplex or German #4 reticle. The glass in the Zeiss will be the brightest/clearest of the bunch.

 

[taylorce1]

I voted for the VX3 as I have that exact scope and it's awesome. I'd add a CDS MOA dial to the elevation and call it a day. Pair it with a decent quality range finder and dial in your dope, rather than use hold over. IMO this is the most accurate way to do things.

 

[Snyper]

It's tough to beat a Leupold.
Dont dwell on the cost, since they last lifetimes

 

[PatientWolf]

Thank you for the responses. It doesn't look like anyone has weighed in on the adjustable focus feature. Is this something that would sway my our decision on a scope for hunting?

 

[taylorce1]

Thank you for the responses. It doesn't look like anyone has weighed in on the adjustable focus feature. Is this something that would sway my our decision on a scope for hunting?

All the scopes have an adjustable focus feature, but I think you're talking about the side parallax adjustment. Scopes with low magnification rarely have parallax problems at the ranges they are used. Most scopes under 12X on the top end don't have any parallax adjustment.

I don't care for a lot of features on a hunting scope. I think when it comes to using a scope in the field the simpler the better. I'm not into a whole lot of BDC reticles, large knobs, extreme high end power, or parallax adjustment that said everyone has different tastes you have to find yours.