Vari-X III still modern enough?

S

Sir Plus

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My question is what do you get for the value. I paid 200$ for a Vari-X III 2.5-8x36mm, with adjustable objective. I know, great deal. BUT, am I better off selling it and using the money to buy something more modern or will I be well served by this aging but relatively high end optic?
I'm not willing to spend more on a newer scope than the proceeds of the sale.

My use is for my deer rifle, a 788 in .308, used for shots between 50 and 300m. (it killed twice last week, at 150m and at 170m)

Opinions welcome!
 
VX-III - musta been nice to have lotsa spare money in the cookie jar.
I got a couple of older VX-1s still doing time on equally old bolt rifles possessed by an owner that is even older yet.
Still fantastic scopes.
 
More modern? What the .....?? Have deer/moose/elk changed tactics in the last 4000 years? If it says, "Leupold", I think you are good to go.
 
saskcop said:
More modern? What the .....?? Have deer/moose/elk changed tactics in the last 4000 years? If it says, "Leupold", I think you are good to go.
Click to expand...

:agree:

Some of my still deployed Leupies are older than most of the members of this board.
Animals still bite the dust when the trigger is pulled.
It was nostalgia week fall 2014 when I shot a deer with an ancient Remy 700 in 30-06 topped by an ancient Leupy 3-9x40 scope shooting ammo loaded from a couple of canisters of WW785 powder I found in the back of the cupboard.
I think the powder was marked $11.95 a can from the old SIR/Winnipeg.
As good as the day it was bought.
 
Vari-X III's are modern enough.

It's like saying "I got a 70s vintage Hensoldt or Schmidt & Bender scope for $400. Should I sell it to get something modern?"

I got a mint Vari-X III 1.5-5x20 for $150 and I'm keeping it. :)

You got a good deal on a good scope. I'd just use it.
 
Sir Plus said:
My concern was mainly light gathering before and after the sunlight.
Click to expand...


That's actually a very valid question. The highest the Vari-X 111 lens coatings ever evolved was the Multicoat 4 at the end. That is the coating now used on the current VX1s. Before that there were a couple versions that had single coating. If your scope is so old that it has friction adjustments it will have the single coating. There were also some in between that had clicks and single coatings. You can tell them by looking at the lens from an angle and seeing if there is a green or blue tint in the reflection. Blue is single, green is multicoat. The difference is subtle, it helps if you have a few to compare. As an aside, if you get a white reflection off a scope there is at least one surface with no coating at all. FYI

Whether it will make a lot of difference at first and last light depends on your eyes, the background, tree cover, and how bright the sky is. What you see is literally what you get. I've an old 2.5-8 that shines blue and but is pretty good. I wouldn't be taking it on a once in a lifetime leopard hunt though.

200 bucks is a good price, unless its friction adjustments. Then its a fair price.
 
Best scope for me that has been on my 9.3x62. Let me know when your interested in selling it - I have a 300wsm waiting for one......
 
You MAY notice a little diff in the light if it's got the old coatings ( not much ) but if your buying new you will spend $750+ to get a better scope for hunting IMO clarity and holding zero are the main thing and the old leupold coatings were the best in their day and seemed to work pretty good ( if not the best ) for dusk and daybreak
 
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