OK, I have been looking for days for a good hunting scope for my 7mm mag. There are a few things I want such as 1" tube , stadia lines on the crosshairs, 3-9 or 4-12 approx. no big turrets, ability to hold zero and track reliably, 40 or 44 mm objective and a few other things but those are the big ones. I have pretty much narrowed it down to the Leupold VX3 4.5x 14x 40 @ $1200 or a Swarovski Z3 3-10x42 for $1000 . Which do you think is the best scope ? I have no way to physically inspect either one so am looking for input from anyone with experience with either one. Thanks in advance for any help.
Leupold or Swarovski Which one?
- Thread starter the wrench
- Start date
I have a Leupold Vx5 2-10, I got off the EE for $1000. It's a very nice, bright, clear scope as you'd expect.. Fairly lightweight also.. They say Swaro is good, although I always considered them popular for their premium lines 2k and up.
I use the Z3 you’re looking at and really like it. Made the mistake of swapping it out last year for a NF SHV scope…back to the Z3 for this year. Nice scope, sharper to my eyes than the Leupold I use to have and better than the NF. The sharpness will be a personal thing and how it’s with your eyes.
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Both are great choices but my vote goes for the Swarovski line. I always had Leupolds from the VXII, 2, III, 3, and Mark 4 lines on almost every rifle in my locker. Then my wife bought me a Habicht one anniversary. I have now replaced most of the Leupolds with Z3 and Z5 scopes.
My favourite is the Z3, 3-10X42 with the BRX or BRH reticle. They are light, compact, amazingly bright and clear image, and work very well if you take the time to carefully run your data through the online calculator. Although I loved the finer BRX, my vision has changed in the past couple years and the chunkier BRH seems to be a bit easier on my eyes. The reticle calibration works. Most of my shots on big game has been under 200 metres but I have been very successful with long shots in the field.
My favourite is the Z3, 3-10X42 with the BRX or BRH reticle. They are light, compact, amazingly bright and clear image, and work very well if you take the time to carefully run your data through the online calculator. Although I loved the finer BRX, my vision has changed in the past couple years and the chunkier BRH seems to be a bit easier on my eyes. The reticle calibration works. Most of my shots on big game has been under 200 metres but I have been very successful with long shots in the field.
I have owned both z3 and vx3 models. Both are excellent.
Pros for the Leupold - eye box is better. CDS dial is great if you do decide to use it. Alumi Flip caps are awesome
Pros for Swaro - glass.
I think the VX3 3.5-10 would be a better comparison for FOV and a Head to Head comparison.
I sold my Swaro.
Pros for the Leupold - eye box is better. CDS dial is great if you do decide to use it. Alumi Flip caps are awesome
Pros for Swaro - glass.
I think the VX3 3.5-10 would be a better comparison for FOV and a Head to Head comparison.
I sold my Swaro.
I have both. Eye relief is better on the leupold when it comes to magnums. Glass on both at the same magnification is remarkably close. To which is better I have 4 4.5-14’s and one 3-10 swaro and if you decide to go with the swaro let me know I might sell mine ��
I would avoid fast focus eye pieces whenever possible.... That is unless you are running a shooting school.
Go do this test and let us know what you find...
Point the scope down range. Without moving the rifle, wiggle the fast focus eye piece. Your reticle will move as you do it. That's your POI changing.
That happens a little bit every time you use the rifle bump the rifle carry the rifle.
Some of the features they offer today as selling points, are actually detriments to accuracy and other forms of performance. Old school scope designers knew better and used a lock ring because accuracy to them was more important than sacrificing that to win the hearts of people who don't know the difference.
If I have a choice between two scopes, I'll take the one with the locking ocular housing every time.
well, that was fast. Ordered monday, showed up wed. Nice glass, I'm sure the swaro would be good as well. Hope to do some shooting by the weekend weather permitting. I like the looks of the B&C reticle and looking forward to getting the custom turret. Got fed up with cheap scopes . Put a new chinese made Vortex on and would not track so decided not to waste anymore money on cheap stuff.
Leupold has the advantage when it comes to the Alumina scope covers.
Swarovski's covers are not available for both ends of the scope on all models, and are more expensive.
The less expensive Butler Creek covers do not fit the Swarovski quite as well and you must take your scope in and try them, as the chart is wrong for some of the scopes.
I also prefer the B&C reticle in the Leupold vs the BRH in the Swarovski; but that is a personal choice (a little cleaner design imo).
And as noted above, aging eyes tend to prefer the BRH to the BRX.
Swarovski's covers are not available for both ends of the scope on all models, and are more expensive.
The less expensive Butler Creek covers do not fit the Swarovski quite as well and you must take your scope in and try them, as the chart is wrong for some of the scopes.
I also prefer the B&C reticle in the Leupold vs the BRH in the Swarovski; but that is a personal choice (a little cleaner design imo).
And as noted above, aging eyes tend to prefer the BRH to the BRX.
pete dobinson
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Courtenay BC.
Good post BlackRam, those alumina covers are freaking expensive from Swarovski. I have both scopes and I would go leupold for the warranty.
bobbybirds
New member
- Location
- Water Valley Alberta
Uggggh... I am going through this exact same struggle myself right now and thought I had settled on the Swarovski. Now I am waffling! So much to think about after being such a newb... lol
I used to have a Leupold on every rifle, but now I don't own a single one, and my go to big game scopes are Swarovski scopes. I like the fact that Swarovski has ear constant eye relief throughout the magnification range, and my eyes find the Swarovski to be slightly better optically.
