4.5 to 14 leupold scope with a.o or without
- Thread starter rar
- Start date
If you need to make a hasty shot on game, the wrong parallax setting could screw you. I have one and it is way out of focus at 50 m's if the parallax is set at 200.
In a hunting rifle, set up for close to moderate ranges I'd say stay without.
In a hunting rifle, set up for close to moderate ranges I'd say stay without.
This doesn't answer the question, but I would put a VX-III 3.5-10X40 on that rifle and not look back. It's a much friendlier scope to use than the 4.5-14, and I own those as well. Much less critical eye relief, just way faster and more efficient to use. The 3.5-10X40 is also much brighter than the 4.5-14. With the 3.5-10 you can see a deer's eyeball at 600 yards, what more do you need?
I've run 3.5-10's on 257 and 300 Wby's, and can't imagine a better scope for a far reaching 300 mag. The 4.5-14 is compromised in too many ways as compared to the 4.5-14 to qualify for a HUNTING rifle.
I'm down to just the one 4.5-14X40, it's an A/O and it's on an outstandingly accurate 22LR sporter. Even my 223 has a 3-9X40, it USED to have a 4.5-14.
For what it's worth...
I've run 3.5-10's on 257 and 300 Wby's, and can't imagine a better scope for a far reaching 300 mag. The 4.5-14 is compromised in too many ways as compared to the 4.5-14 to qualify for a HUNTING rifle.
I'm down to just the one 4.5-14X40, it's an A/O and it's on an outstandingly accurate 22LR sporter. Even my 223 has a 3-9X40, it USED to have a 4.5-14.
For what it's worth...
Last edited:
Take this for what you paid for it.
I wouldn't for a second consider taking that scope off a 300mag. If you do that, I can guarantee that once you get the 4.5-14 on there, it'll look cool for about 20 minutes with that nice A/O...or until you actually use it. Then you'll be pissed because of the money you just wasted to get a scope that doesn't work as well. Been there.
Don't get me wrong. I love the VX-III scopes. Love the 3.5-10. But my 223? It has a 3-9X40 with L.R. reticle. It's perfect. My 280AI field rifle? It's got a straight 6X42 with L.R. reticle.
If you were building this as a long range target rifle, the 4.5-14 wouldn't be bad at all. But for a hunting rifle? Keep it as it sits, and spend the difference in dollars it would cost you to "upgrade" and buy more bullets. Or a rangefinder if you haven't got one.
With a good rangefinder and that nice L.R. reticle, you can run clay pigeons (or deer) as far as you can see them. It's certainly money spent smarter than the 4.5-14.
I wouldn't for a second consider taking that scope off a 300mag. If you do that, I can guarantee that once you get the 4.5-14 on there, it'll look cool for about 20 minutes with that nice A/O...or until you actually use it. Then you'll be pissed because of the money you just wasted to get a scope that doesn't work as well. Been there.
Don't get me wrong. I love the VX-III scopes. Love the 3.5-10. But my 223? It has a 3-9X40 with L.R. reticle. It's perfect. My 280AI field rifle? It's got a straight 6X42 with L.R. reticle.
If you were building this as a long range target rifle, the 4.5-14 wouldn't be bad at all. But for a hunting rifle? Keep it as it sits, and spend the difference in dollars it would cost you to "upgrade" and buy more bullets. Or a rangefinder if you haven't got one.
With a good rangefinder and that nice L.R. reticle, you can run clay pigeons (or deer) as far as you can see them. It's certainly money spent smarter than the 4.5-14.
Last edited:
huh? could you please clarify these statements.
critical eye relief? If you go to leupold's site you can see that the eye relief on the scopes is almost the same (3.6 in / 3.7 in favour of the 4.5-14 actually)
friendlier? faster? how so? the dimensions are the same.
brighter? exit pupil is identical at all powers from 4.5 on. The only advantage is at 3.5 which = 11ish but the human eye can only use about 7mm anyway.
comprmised in too amny ways??? how?
---------------------------------------------------------------------
RAR
The 4.5-14x40 AO is a great scope. So is the 3.5-10x40 but that's not the scope you were asking about. IMO you will do just fine with the 3x9 that you are currently using but if you do decide to step up to the VXIII then the 4.5-14x40AO will do everything the 3.5-10x40 will do with no disadvantages while givng you an extra 4X that just might make the difference if you ever need the extra detail (ie. antler restriction seasons).
rar,
Listen to RickF. I own both scopes being discussed, the VXII 3-9 w/ LRD and a VXIII 4.5-14 w/ VHR non AO.
On a big game rifle it's no contest, I'd take that 3-9 LRD every time. Even if it is 'only' a VXII. (Actually, it's no contest pretty much no matter what rifle. Doing it again I don't think I'd buy the 4.5-14.) I REALLY wish Leupold would offer the LRD in all of their scopes. I'd be all over a VXIII 2.5-8 if they did..... as it is my next scope will be a VXII 2-7 LRD for a 30-06 'meat & potatoes' rifle......
Listen to RickF. I own both scopes being discussed, the VXII 3-9 w/ LRD and a VXIII 4.5-14 w/ VHR non AO.
On a big game rifle it's no contest, I'd take that 3-9 LRD every time. Even if it is 'only' a VXII. (Actually, it's no contest pretty much no matter what rifle. Doing it again I don't think I'd buy the 4.5-14.) I REALLY wish Leupold would offer the LRD in all of their scopes. I'd be all over a VXIII 2.5-8 if they did..... as it is my next scope will be a VXII 2-7 LRD for a 30-06 'meat & potatoes' rifle......
Clarify? I think I did that with my posts; if it doesn't parallel with what google tells you...sorry. I'm not interested in arguing when it comes down to someone carefully quoting something off the internet as their side. Take your hands off your computer keyboard, and try the different scopes. Do that, and tell us what your actual hands-on experiences tells you.
As far as the 3.5-10 not being the scope in question, I'm quite sure I said that in my first sentence posted on this thread...
There's a ton of info available on the net, but there's some things you can't understand without trying. The 3.5-10 or 3-9 vs the 4.5-14 as the better hunting scope? Try it, you will see.
Last edited:
Lefty, send it to Gordon in Okotoks at the Leupold center. He will happily install a L.R. duplex in your 2.5-8. I've got a 6X42 here he did that with. Money well spent.
As memory serves something over $100. $140 with return shipping? Something like that...
Call Gordon Parks at Korth Agencies in Okotoks, he's the Leupold service tech there. Nice guy to talk to, he'll give you the info you need.
Call Gordon Parks at Korth Agencies in Okotoks, he's the Leupold service tech there. Nice guy to talk to, he'll give you the info you need.
