which scope?

[GBR389]

Hi Gents

Never bought a scope before so looking for some advice and sorry if this has been done to death.
The three scopes im considering are:-

Leupold VX-R 3-9X50
Nikon Monarch 2.5x10 X50
and the Ziess 3-12X50

Now which of these three would be the better option for foxing and deer so low light performance i guess is the main factor or am i wrong? it will be mounted on a .243 Howa.
D

 

[User00026]

buy zeiss, swaro or S&B, all are the best you'll get, great glass, great customer service and will last numerous lifetimes.

don't sway from this list, and do not discount a 2nd hand fixed 6x42 or 8x56, even 4x32. they are amazing scopes and there's nothing for most stalking or varminiting you need a variable for.

better spend your money on a decent 2nd hand fixed mag scope than a poor quality new variable. any day.

 

[louis682]

Theres a S&B Zennith in the classified optics section for a good price wish i held off a duralyt friday.

 

[splash]

buy zeiss, swaro or S&B, all are the best you'll get, great glass, great customer service and will last numerous lifetimes.

don't sway from this list, and do not discount a 2nd hand fixed 6x42 or 8x56, even 4x32. they are amazing scopes and there's nothing for most stalking or varminiting you need a variable for.

better spend your money on a decent 2nd hand fixed mag scope than a poor quality new variable. any day.

The perfect answer A+

 

[User00026]

thanks Splash, very kind of you to say!

to the OP, I would look for a 1" tube as well, 26mm or 30mm can be a right pain to find mounts/rings for, for some rifles, and you may not have the Howa for many years, but scopes tend to keep their original owners,,or at least the good ones do!

 

[GBR389]

Cheers Guys

Had kinda swayed towards the Ziess.
Will have a scout through the classifieds.
D

 

[Crosshair243]

Although lesser magnification is adequate in many situations and of course a variable gives you options; in terms of pure light gathering ability, I don't think you can better an 8x56 with a 30mm tube.

my Swarovski 4-12x50 with 25mm tube (z3 so not top spec) loses around 20 minutes to my old Swarovski 8x56.

Just be honest with yourself about what and when you're going to shoot and buy accordingly.
My friend (he's on here so might read this ) has not been able to shoot at foxes he could see with his eyes on the last few occasions because his Redfield 42mm scope is rubbish!!!!!!! So annoying!!!!!!!!

 

[Klenchblaize]

My Swarovski 4-12x50 with 25mm tube (z3 so not top spec) loses around 20 minutes to my old Swarovski 8x56.

6mm smaller objective aside that’s truly disturbing as it will have nothing to do with the 1" tube which leaves but the difference in lens quality and/or their configuration??

K

 

[David T]

Mint Swaro 8 x 56 for sale in classifieds now if you're interested ? Perfect low light scope.

 

[Hornet 6]

6mm smaller objective aside that’s truly disturbing as it will have nothing to do with the 1" tube which leaves but the difference in lens quality and/or their configuration??

K

More alarming is my 3-9x32 Swaro AV3 gives nothing away to my Zeiss classic divari 2.5-10x50 when both are set for the same ocular exit size.

Neil.

 

[V8 90]

I have a Duralyt I'm going to sell - sent you a PM

 

[Tom D]

The glass on the VXR's is good, very close to my S&B Zenith, and its illuminated too which is great for the foxes, If you were local I'd let you see the two side by side....

 

[Stover Rover]

Whilst Swarovski, S&B and Zeiss are the Holy Trinity. Kahles, Docter and Meopta will all still be capable for not so much money.

 

[Crosshair243]

6mm smaller objective aside that’s truly disturbing as it will have nothing to do with the 1" tube which leaves but the difference in lens quality and/or their configuration??

K

I think its more a case of how good the 8x56 Habicht is rather than how bad the Z3 is. The Z3 still beats anything else my friends have got hands down. (Hungarian S+B, Zeiss, Redfield etc).
the Z3 also has a much finer reticle which makes shooting at dusk a bit harder.

I shot this fox on a moonless night this year at 186 yards without a lamp. It's a stunning piece of glass.

 

[I. Farticus]

You really only want to do this once, so do it properly and spend as much as you possibly can.

I'm a fan of Swarovski, and my scope and binos will probably be handed down in the will as they will outlast me. Expensive initial outlay, but bombproof quality as you'd expect from Swaro, Zeiss, Leica, Minox, etc...

So, be honest with your budget, then find another 25-50%...

 

[bicykillgaz]

buy zeiss, swaro or S&B, all are the best you'll get, great glass, great customer service and will last numerous lifetimes.

don't sway from this list, and do not discount a 2nd hand fixed 6x42 or 8x56, even 4x32. they are amazing scopes and there's nothing for most stalking or varminiting you need a variable for.

better spend your money on a decent 2nd hand fixed mag scope than a poor quality new variable. any day.

Id also add docter and Meopta to that list not sure If its correct but they apparently meopta use same glass as s&b but a damn sight cheaper and docter are as good as any you mention they use to be zeiss originally

 

[User00035]

Theres a S&B Zennith in the classified optics section for a good price wish i held off a duralyt friday.

Don't worry about it. Duralyts are damn good scopes for the money. I agree with Crosshair243, an 8 X 56 is a pretty unbeatable format for all hunting jobs except long range varminting. Keep your eyes peeled for a S/H bargain. Unless you need to trade it in Duralyts make superb HMR scopes. (If you've got an HMR).

 

[wildpig]

I got a Zeiss Duralyt 3 12x50 very happy with it and reasonably priced.