I'm considering either a Nightforce NXS 8X32 or a Leupold VariX III 8.5X25 with the 30mm tube. I feel I need a 30mm in the Leupold to get near the quality of the Nightforce. Is the Leupold above worth considering since it is about half the cost of the NF or should I sell a few more guns and get the Nightforce??? Give me good reasons, please. Thanks, Rick
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Which varmint scope to buy
- Thread starter rijaxon
- Start date
Brian Pfleuger
Moderator Emeritus
What distance will you be shooting? What light conditions are typical (Dusk/Dawn or Mid-day)?
Crosswire3
New member
I was recently in a similar shopping position and through much research I decided upon the Nikon Monarch. I couldn't be happier. You should check them out.
Light conditions
I expect to be punching paper most of the time, late morning to early evening in hopes of finding a good, accurate load to hunt prairie dogs with someday. I shot a guy's Varmint AR with either an 8X32 or 12X56 Nightforce, I can't remember which, and was amazed at the brightness and extreme clarity. Resale, in the event I am unhappy with it, seems to be terrific with the Nightforce. My Leupolds have been very good but at the upper end of their power, they are darker and harder to see with. I hadn't considered the Nikon but have had one for deer hunting and the field of view was much less than the Leupolds. Any input is valuable. I feel like I need at minimum, a maximum of 24 power. I will be shooting up to 200 yds here in Ga. but if I get to go prairie do hunting, expect to shoot out to 300+ yds. Also, I think I like the idea of the 30 mm tubes. Do they really make that much difference over the 1"?
I expect to be punching paper most of the time, late morning to early evening in hopes of finding a good, accurate load to hunt prairie dogs with someday. I shot a guy's Varmint AR with either an 8X32 or 12X56 Nightforce, I can't remember which, and was amazed at the brightness and extreme clarity. Resale, in the event I am unhappy with it, seems to be terrific with the Nightforce. My Leupolds have been very good but at the upper end of their power, they are darker and harder to see with. I hadn't considered the Nikon but have had one for deer hunting and the field of view was much less than the Leupolds. Any input is valuable. I feel like I need at minimum, a maximum of 24 power. I will be shooting up to 200 yds here in Ga. but if I get to go prairie do hunting, expect to shoot out to 300+ yds. Also, I think I like the idea of the 30 mm tubes. Do they really make that much difference over the 1"?
the Nightforce are great scopes but really pricey. I think that for the dollars (assuming cost matters) Nikon or Leupold would offer better value.
Schmit&Bender, zeiss and swarovski are also great quality and performance although more pricey and more in the Nightforce realm of pricing.
Schmit&Bender, zeiss and swarovski are also great quality and performance although more pricey and more in the Nightforce realm of pricing.
James R. Burke
New member
I agree with tag2401 leupold or the nikon
ClarkEMyers
New member
I'd suggest more research would pay off.
I suggest the rediculously short depth of field at such high powers makes them almost useless for mixed range shooting - as opposed to known range or lasered and adjusted shooting. In my experience 16X is the most I have ever found useful and that beyond the necessary regardless of range. Otherwise it takes forever to find and then another eternity to focus.
Notice also that in many but not all cases the Leupold 30mm tube is more or less a marketing device - to fit 30mm mounts as used on European market rifles - wrapped around the equivalent of a 1" scope and in other cases the 30mm is used only to allow more elevation adjustment without any improvement in optical quality - that is to compromise with the need for a 20 minute of elevation mount when the use is for varied unknown but very long ranges.
It's a gun sight not a deep sky telescope - it's nice to have fancy toys but hits won't come any easier with much over a fixed 12X from any of the makers even the cheapest. Extra money gets ruggedness, warranty and yes optical quality - but spot with good binoculars or spotting scope at the high end where the extra money buys extra performance and remember it's a gun sight - diminishing returns set in early on a prairie dog scope that will be used only when the dogs are up and out and around - so night vision and rain flat aren't an issue.
I feel like I need at minimum, a maximum of 24 power
I suggest the rediculously short depth of field at such high powers makes them almost useless for mixed range shooting - as opposed to known range or lasered and adjusted shooting. In my experience 16X is the most I have ever found useful and that beyond the necessary regardless of range. Otherwise it takes forever to find and then another eternity to focus.
Notice also that in many but not all cases the Leupold 30mm tube is more or less a marketing device - to fit 30mm mounts as used on European market rifles - wrapped around the equivalent of a 1" scope and in other cases the 30mm is used only to allow more elevation adjustment without any improvement in optical quality - that is to compromise with the need for a 20 minute of elevation mount when the use is for varied unknown but very long ranges.
It's a gun sight not a deep sky telescope - it's nice to have fancy toys but hits won't come any easier with much over a fixed 12X from any of the makers even the cheapest. Extra money gets ruggedness, warranty and yes optical quality - but spot with good binoculars or spotting scope at the high end where the extra money buys extra performance and remember it's a gun sight - diminishing returns set in early on a prairie dog scope that will be used only when the dogs are up and out and around - so night vision and rain flat aren't an issue.
Brian Pfleuger
Moderator Emeritus
Mueller Eradicator 8.5-25X50
I have one on my 204 ruger. It is the equivalent to a Bushnell Elite 3500 in every respect but at 1/2 the price. No trouble hitting woodchucks at 300+
I have one on my 204 ruger. It is the equivalent to a Bushnell Elite 3500 in every respect but at 1/2 the price. No trouble hitting woodchucks at 300+
jaguarxk120
New member
You won't be using the scope at 24X many times, as the field of view is limited. We would have the scopes cutback to about 18-20X and have pleanty of field. You want to see whats happening at 200 yds. Go with what you feel comfortable with, if you like a certain brand over another after compairing them then buy. What I use is maybe what you want or need.
Our scopes were Tasco, Bushnell 4200, Leupold Vari XIII. Distances shot were 100-800yds.
Our scopes were Tasco, Bushnell 4200, Leupold Vari XIII. Distances shot were 100-800yds.
.300 Weatherby Mag
New member
Leupold VX-3 4.5-14x50mm.... Even a 6.5-20 is way more than you want or need for the distances you list...
I have a leupold 6.5x20x50 30mm tube and a Zeiss 4.5x14x50 1 inch tube
Zeiss is hands down better by a good margin clearer brighter & sharper.
I wouldn’t go with any higher magnification than 20 power purely because of mirage haze and you can easily see a crow size target @ 300 + yards if this is the size target want to shoot.
A few weeks back i got talking to a bench rest guy he was sitting the next bench over, he made comment on the Ziess scope and asked if he could look through it and
I could look through his NXS 5.5-22x 50 30mm tube much to say I was glad that I have the Ziess, the guy then had question about the scope and said he though he had the brightest sharpest scope bar Schmit & Bender sitting on this gun just my experience.
Zeiss is hands down better by a good margin clearer brighter & sharper.
I wouldn’t go with any higher magnification than 20 power purely because of mirage haze and you can easily see a crow size target @ 300 + yards if this is the size target want to shoot.
A few weeks back i got talking to a bench rest guy he was sitting the next bench over, he made comment on the Ziess scope and asked if he could look through it and
I could look through his NXS 5.5-22x 50 30mm tube much to say I was glad that I have the Ziess, the guy then had question about the scope and said he though he had the brightest sharpest scope bar Schmit & Bender sitting on this gun just my experience.
James R. Burke
New member
I have the leupold, and really like it. But I agree with hardhit the Zeiss is by far a better scope. Thats what I would go with if I had the bucks.