Leupold vs Vortex

Hey guys,

I have been doing a bit of research and finally came down to Leupold vs Vortex for my future rifle.

Quick background:
Been clay shooting for 10+years (still learning)
shot handguns here and there
no experience to long range shooting / bolt action rifle.

My friend and I have been talking and got ourselves into getting a nice set of bolt action for some 1000 yard+ shooting.
We are still debating but it looks like we are looking towards Savage 110 Stealth Evo (cant afford tikka... ...)



When it comes to optics... well I have little to no knowledge towards optics.

After talking to my friend, we've filtered down to MIL, FFP, something that will handle 1000 yard, up to 1000m.

And so far what I am looking at are:

Leupold VX-3i LRP 8.5-25x50mm (30mm) Side Focus MIL FFP
Vortex VIPER® PST™ GEN II 5-25X50 FFP

What do you guys think and what are your opinions?

Let me know =)

Thanks

Good on you for trying a new discipline, I’ve gone down this very road recently with the same dilemma.
Lots of great recommendations by guys here on how to spend $5000+/- on a scope...
Their arguments aren’t wrong, just their perspective.
I wanted to play (not compete at the highest level) with the long range idea and some of the optic features not normally included with the mainstay scopes (mil/mil/FFP).
I don’t know the priorities or budgets of these guys; maybe they’re loaded, maybe they live with an empty fridge...I don’t know but I do better than okay and I can’t afford some of the kit they stand behind.
I definitely can’t afford multiple purchases of these high end optics to compare what’s best between them, that’s just not a reality in my world...And I’m not in debt and make good money (great by most), even the cost of comparing multiple mid level scopes would come at a significant cost to the household as a few of these add up the dollars quickly.

I quickly narrowed the field down as you did.
I trust the VX3’s on my hunting rifles without question. I’ve never needed a warranty and they always perform perfectly.
The Vortex offers a fantastic warranty and includes lots of features at a more reasonable price point. As for quality I had a Vortex Strike Eagle before on an AR and it worked excellent.
For me the Vortex was a better price point, offered illumination, has a manufacturer who backs it up (as does Leupold) and generally is considered a quality optic, plus it’s easy to sell if/when I want to remortgage the house to upgrade.
So I bought the Vortex Viper PST II 5-25x50 FFP in MIL.
Unfortunately due to COVID I haven’t had the opportunity to use it yet but so far I still think it was the right decision for me.
 
I’ve standardized on Leupold scopes, but I am not a fan of the Freedom line form factor. Vortex for red dot. Both companies stand by their products as I’ve had warranty work completed by both in Canada.
 
Owned both, still own my Leupolds. Razor gen 2 was better but pricey. My long range fun gun wears an Athlon , best bang for the buck. Get ffp , you’ll learn to use it and enjoy it, get mil. Those features will give you an easier resale also.
 
I own everything from old Bushnell Elites, gen 1 PST's, every Gen2 Razor, Elcan, Athlons and Tangent Theta at the top. Gen 2 Razor is among the best value out there. If you can find a used 4.5x27 you cant go wrong. I wouldn't touch another gen 1 PST but I hear the gen 2 PST is pretty good.

Another good option is Athlon. The Ares ETR is very good or if you can save a bit more the Cronus BTR is very good and closely comparable to the G2 Razor at a lower price.

And save for the Tikka. Almost guaranteed to be a shooter out of the box with a good upgrade path if you are into that. The CTR is probably the best value for a entry level precision rifle and not much more than a savage.
 
Also consider... Athlon Midas TAC 6-24 30mm or the 5-25 34mm. Both will do all you want, tons of travel, great feature sets and reticle, very nice glass

I suspect less costs???

If the budget allows slightly more, and you want near Tier 1 ED glass, add the Ares ETR to the mix

Tracking is one of the most important features for any LR scope. The new Athlon internals are absolutely deadly.

Jerry

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If on a really tight budget, get the Rem 783 over the Savage.... If you can save more, get the Tikka.
 

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I go by this... and only buy four star and up.

https://www.chuckhawks.com/recommended_riflescopes.htm

Good article, it fits in with what my experience has been for mid- level scopes.
I don't buy top-shelf scopes, neither do I buy the bottom end.
For my use, the law of diminishing returns applies to both ends of the spectrum.
While cheap is really attractive in one respect, it's not worth the frustration of dealing with the reasons why it's cheap.
Same with the top-end glass. Can I justify the difference between a $3000 scope and a $1000 scope? No. For me, both do the job.
I once considered buying a new Weaver T-36 for my .22 target rifle. Until I discovered that Weaver doesn't have a Canadian service center, and shipping it back to the US if I ever needed warranty work is a pain in the a**. Effectively, no warranty.
The last Vortex I bought has impressed me, just as the Leupold on my target rifle has. I'd buy either one again until I had a reason not to.

Keep an open mind.

Look closely at some of the Sightron mid range scopes. If you're getting one of those, I'd highly recommend Hirsch Precision or Mystic Precision. Again, if you buy a used Sightron, be sure it was originally sold in Canada.
 
After going through and setting up a few LR rifles here is my advice. I got bit by the bug pretty hard so in the grand scheme of things I probably could have saved some money by just going big on the scope from the start. You may or may not end up down that road.

I would get a decent factory rifle,something common that can be upgraded down the road should you decide (Remington 700, Tikka, Savage 110 etc) nothing too fancy but capable of moa. And not go to crazy on a scope, find something that tracks well. I just sold off a 10X SWFA scope for like $400. That worked perfect for what I needed at the time. Then If you get really into this stuff then upgrade to a high end Nightforce, Leupold, or Vortex.

I have a NF ATACR, PST gen 1, HST, an Leupold Mark AR set up on my rigs. The $4000 NF really spoils you in terms of clarity and quality. Would love to have one on every gun but that's not doable. One day I would like to upgrade the PST to a Razor Gen2. So I will take a bit of a loss there on that scope.

I honestly don't see too much of a difference between a $600 scope and a $1500 scope from the ones I have used. When you start getting above the 2k mark that's when you see a difference. Hopefully you understand what I'm getting at and it helps you spend your money more wisely.

Cheers Cody
 
Both brands have treated me well. Buy the best your budget allows. Vortex is much easier to deal with regarding warranty, if you have to. That's my experience.

I've never used Vortex warranty but my ancient Leupold 3x9 stopped working so I dropped it off at Korth and 3 days later there was a brand new scope on my front step, I can't imagine how warranty gets easier than that!
 
I have two Vortex scopes and neither has been beaten up, but neither has malfunctioned either. One on a .308, the other on a .223. If my express goal was to shoot out to 1000 yards I would likely spend more than I did for my Viper PST. I would likely expect to spend $3000.00 ish on the scope and my gun would be factory and modular for upgrades.

In the end I have no regrets at this time for the Vortex scopes that I have bought and will continue to own.
 
Good article, it fits in with what my experience has been for mid- level scopes.
I don't buy top-shelf scopes, neither do I buy the bottom end.
For my use, the law of diminishing returns applies to both ends of the spectrum.
While cheap is really attractive in one respect, it's not worth the frustration of dealing with the reasons why it's cheap.
Same with the top-end glass. Can I justify the difference between a $3000 scope and a $1000 scope? No. For me, both do the job.
I once considered buying a new Weaver T-36 for my .22 target rifle. Until I discovered that Weaver doesn't have a Canadian service center, and shipping it back to the US if I ever needed warranty work is a pain in the a**. Effectively, no warranty.
The last Vortex I bought has impressed me, just as the Leupold on my target rifle has. I'd buy either one again until I had a reason not to.

Keep an open mind.

Look closely at some of the Sightron mid range scopes. If you're getting one of those, I'd highly recommend Hirsch Precision or Mystic Precision. Again, if you buy a used Sightron, be sure it was originally sold in Canada.

I also only buy mid-level scopes, as I also noticed you have to spend far more to get any noticeable difference in glass quality, and it's only really neglible for my needs. I also don't need unnecessary complexity on a hunt and therefore don't want to pay for the extras, which are often just gimmicky for me.

The absolute best buy for a scope, in my experience, were the Bushnell 3500/4500 series. They were simple, rugged, well built hunting scopes with above average glass and excellent coatings. Sadly, they've been replaced with made-in-China variants. Other than the 3500/4500, I swear by Leupold VX2/3, and once upon a time, Vortex (though they are hit and miss and I can't trust them on an extended hunt). I also love the 3-9x36 Swarovski Z3 and will buy one for my Brno model 21 at some point down the road.
 
They are pretty close. Vortex is cheaper and close to the same quality. Also they have VIP which will replace your scope no questions. Leupold is slightly better but dosnt replace scope on miss use of it. Like I said they are slightly more. Leupold is from ww2 and vortex is from 2004. I'd go with vortex!
 
They are pretty close. Vortex is cheaper and close to the same quality. Also they have VIP which will replace your scope no questions. Leupold is slightly better but dosnt replace scope on miss use of it. Like I said they are slightly more. Leupold is from ww2 and vortex is from 2004. I'd go with vortex!


The best warranty you will never use for the win is Leupold...
Buy once, cry once ...
The choice is yours.
Rob

https://www.leupold.com/leupold-core/stories/the-best-warranty-youll-never-use
 
I only use Vortex on my .22 LR's

That's where I am at the moment. I have a Diamondback HP on a CZ 452.

Would it withstand the punishment dished out by a hard-recoiling rifle? I don't know the answer. Since I dislike heavy recoil, I'm unlikely to find out.

I've been satisfied with the glass and tracking.

Shooting a box test revealed that the "1/4 MOA per click" specification was slightly pessimistic, 20 MOA of adjustment resulted in more like 22 MOA in change of impact.

As long as you know that, it's not a problem.

I may at some point be disappointed with Vortex, but it hasn't happened yet.
 
The best warranty you will never use for the win is Leupold...
Buy once, cry once ...
The choice is yours.
Rob

https://www.leupold.com/leupold-core/stories/the-best-warranty-youll-never-use

I’ve had 3 Leupolds puke on me, a VXII 3-9X40 that the erector failed in, a M8 6X42 with a broken reticle, an M8 6X42 with a seized M1 turret. My good friend and hunting partner had a VXIII 3.5-10X40 the diopter focus failed in, and a VX3 1.75-5X32 that shot shotgun patterns.
 
I’ve had 3 Leupolds puke on me, a VXII 3-9X40 that the erector failed in, a M8 6X42 with a broken reticle, an M8 6X42 with a seized M1 turret. My good friend and hunting partner had a VXIII 3.5-10X40 the diopter focus failed in, and a VX3 1.75-5X32 that shot shotgun patterns.

As I said the choice is yours........
Did you bother to send for warranty repairs ?
I prolly should have added another disclaimer of ones mileage may vary.
So, in the spirit of not being a pimp.
Buy what you can afford and of course, the choice is yours on what you run.
Rob
 
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