Help me chose : Leupold vs Swarovski

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LarryCa

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Hello everyone,

I am torn between two scopes to put on my 308 (Weatherby Vanguard). I plan to use it mostly for deer hunting, but I wouldn't mind trying my hand at some medium range shooting.

I'm seriously considering a Leupold VX3 HD 3.5x10x40 Firedot. I heard good things about Leupold's warranty and built quality. I was about to pull the trigger on that Leupold until the other day I came across a Swarovski Z3 3x9x42 for about the same price (1000$ ish). I know that Swarovski scopes enjoy a fantastic reputation, but I was a bit turned off by their warranty, which is, to my knowledge, less interesting than Leupold's.

Any feedback/opinion would be very appreciated to help me decide.

Thanks a lot,

Larry
 
I would agree with Kamlooky - scope, ATV, chainsaw, whatever - when you are hour and half from pavement, then two hours to a town with a Post Office and a day's drive from home - whatever things you bought and brought to use "has to work" - warranty is meaningless at that time and place. Must be more of an issue on week long horse pack hunts or similar, but I have never been on one of those.
 
I have been a Leupold Fan dam near since day one of owning a center-fire that was in need of a scope . (doesn't say much about my personal taste)
I wouldn't hesitate to put one my new rifle or new to me rifle either, but I do find that ppl buying Swaro are buying good European quality in craftsmanship and research in their products they produce as does Leupold .
My recommendation would be to go to your local dun store who carries both of these scopes and have them temporarily mounted for (demo) fit,feel and performance.
Performance being what your eye can see while in a store setting that is.
My money is on Leupold will be the one you go home with because it will fit and feel less bulky that the Swaro.
And Korth in Alberia is second to none in their customer service should the need ever arise. (less than 21 days turn around and in hand).
Tight Groups and Good Hunting !
Rob
 
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Swarovski based solely on the optical quality, but as indicated by others Leupold and their Canadian warranty center are solid. I'm not having the greatest repeatability with the CDS-ZL dials though :(
 
I put a Swarovski Z3 3x9x42 on my Finnlight and it fogged up. I sent it back and it came back with a full page of what they had done to rectify the problem. First day out and the rifle was leaning against a tree for a couple of hours, picked it up and sure enough it had fogged up. It was an unseasonably warm day so I figured I must have breathed on it or something to do with everything melting. Took the scope off and put it in the freezer and the internals frosted in no time. Back to the store and traded it for a Leupold.

I did a little reading on line and I was not the only one to experience issues with the Z3. The scope, when not fogged, was super clear, had an amazing field of view, was light weight and has a longer tube that fit perfectly on the medium action Sako. I think if you got a good one it would be awesome.
 
Every manufacturer can and does produce lemons from time to time.
That being said, I have not experienced that from either manufacturer discussed here.

I have owned mostly Leupold scopes over the years, and have had great service from their scopes of all models. And the two times I have had to send a scope in for warranty, it only took postage to send in and ten and eleven days for them to fix and return the scope.
The one warranty issue for Swarovski scope took longer, but not as long as they said it could take, to ship to Rhode Island, have them fix and return. My binos were the same story for a service after 19 years. Again, for both, only cost was postage to warranty centre.

Optical quality is very good for Leupold and excellent for Swarovski, with the edge going to Swarovski for the low light performance. Other than that for similar spec'd optics, they are both light and trim in design. Leupold would get the edge for ruggedness.

If you are looking for the illuminated reticle, I have only experience with the Leupold, so cannot compare to the Swarovski version for quality and performance. I have both the Firedot and illuminated B&C reticle from Leupold, and I like them both. (I also have the Trijicon tritium reticles and also like them; bonus is no batteries required).

At the end of the day, only you can decide which is best for you...I do not think you can go wrong with either. Both quality products.
 
Of those 2 I'd choose the Leupold, if you go up to the Swaro 4-12x50 4W BT then Swaro all the way.

Just MHO though :)
 
mikeyb said:
Swarovski based solely on the optical quality, but as indicated by others Leupold and their Canadian warranty center are solid. I'm not having the greatest repeatability with the CDS-ZL dials though :(
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So why would the Swarovski be any better? Some reading will show poor zero retention and tracking. Optical image should be way down the list.
 
m1008 said:
So why would the Swarovski be any better? Some reading will show poor zero retention and tracking. Optical image should be way down the list.
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Yup, I’ve been looking at the Z5 , found quite a few bad reviews, regarding tracking, fogging and poor customer relations.
With the current Zeiss V4 discounts you can’t go wrong, excellent all around scope. Well there is one issue I had, it was a bit to short to get a proper cheek weld on browning xbolt due to it being a long action. A one piece base would solve that issue I suppose.
 
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I've been a Leupold fan and have more than a dozen in (VX1, VX2, VX3, Freedom line, FX6) but as of recent I've noticed they don't track well. Once your set/zeroed it holds well but sighting stage can be a pain. From time to time I need say 1 inch to the left or right, so i go 4 clicks and try a shot, no movement, okay another 4 clicks then it shoots 2" away from what i was trying to achieve then i got to back track to similar results.

I've also been seeing the CDS dials not tracking well and been reading on 24 hour camp fire many reports of the same.

I have been considering other options and will probably upgrade to European glass eventually.
 
When adjusting scopes, always best to ensure your final adjustment with each adjustment is screwing down on the spring.
So, if you are screwing out, go past where you want to be by a click or two, and then screw down that extra click or two. This will ensure that your are getting consistent pressure on the spring when dialing/adjusting.
I also rap the turret with my knuckle a couple of times after that just so it gives a little extra settling of the spring after the adjustment...a habit picked up from a shooting mentor when I first started shooting with scopes way back when. Does it make a difference...couldn't actually say on today's modern scope, but seemed to on the older scopes of 40 years ago. Have done it ever since...some habits die hard! All I can say, is that I get consistent movement with each adjustment using this method.
 
Instead of tapping on the turret to ensure the adjustment is fully seated with full contact when adjusting "out" - I go considerably past the setting I want and then come back in to it.

On a hunting scope I have never been concerned with how well it 'tracks'. I sight it in and leave it. It will get checked periodically but usually not adjusted.
 
Same budget should be looking very hard at the trijicon 3-9x40 accupoint, no battery illumination, 3 color choices, green is a top choice, glass a level above Leupold(bright/sharp), return to zero, tracking and zero hold rock solid reputation and has proven for me, 13.4 oz, 1” tube, Kenton industries can make turrets for it. Can do duplex or mildot duplex, and dial up. I migrated to these from Leupold and there’s no going back. Green is better than red for a lot of people, easy to tell when you go look at archly sights at any hunting shop.
 
blakeyboy said:
Same budget should be looking very hard at the trijicon 3-9x40 accupoint, no battery illumination, 3 color choices, green is a top choice, glass a level above Leupold(bright/sharp), return to zero, tracking and zero hold rock solid reputation and has proven for me, 13.4 oz, 1” tube, Kenton industries can make turrets for it. Can do duplex or mildot duplex, and dial up. I migrated to these from Leupold and there’s no going back. Green is better than red for a lot of people, easy to tell when you go look at archly sights at any hunting shop.
Click to expand...
I’ve been looking at the Trijicons, looking for something around the 3-15 to 3-18 power,as simplest reticle as possible ( duplex would be perfect). 30 MM tube,ZL, but only thing I’m finding is 34 mm tubes.
 
MK2750 said:
I put a Swarovski Z3 3x9x42 on my Finnlight and it fogged up. I sent it back and it came back with a full page of what they had done to rectify the problem. First day out and the rifle was leaning against a tree for a couple of hours, picked it up and sure enough it had fogged up. It was an unseasonably warm day so I figured I must have breathed on it or something to do with everything melting. Took the scope off and put it in the freezer and the internals frosted in no time. Back to the store and traded it for a Leupold.
Click to expand...

There's no such thing as a 3-9x42, it's a 3-9x36. There is a Z3 3-10x42. I've had the latter for a good number of years and it's optically superior to any VX3 I've had, but everyone's eyes are different.
 
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