New Leupold VX3 for my 2015 varmint hunting. Opinions?

[.22LRGUY]

Hey guys~my .223 and .204 R both wear the same type of scope~a Vortex Viper HS 4-16x44 with a BDC reticle. When shooting groundhogs, most targets are between 100-200 yards (and rarely missed)...but on a clear days, I've had opportunities out to over 400+ yards. Up until now, I've zeroed @ 100 yards, tested in the field out to 200 to guesstimate the elevation adjustments using the reticle as reference alone, but results have been "hit or miss". Pun intended. I'm looking to make a move-up in magnification, glass quality...and...start getting serious about elevation adjustments based on calculations~not guess work. A chronograph will be purchased in the coming months, and, the plan is for my new .204 R to be the recipient. The scope I'm considering is a Leupold VX3 6.5-20x, VH reticle, and an M1 elevation turret added in their custom shop. Admittedly, I didn't pull this combo out of my head, rather, it was suggested to me by a fellow I contacted on a US forum who shoots prairie dogs with 20VT rifles, made by the same manufacturer that my new 204 R came from. The photos below illustrate how dedicated he is to this combination, and in messages back and forth...he made a pretty strong case for getting one. With this fellow's military experience, similar interests, similar gun~I can't help but feel some temptation to give one a try..just looking for input from anyone who has a VX-3 in this magnification range, has this reticle maybe...? Any experience/photos would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[TacticalTeacher]

I'm an advocate for the very best optics you can afford, all platforms, whatever game you are playing/hunting/pursuing, etc.

I've got a Leupold Mark4 on my .22LR PWS Summit T3 that I use for my occasional gopher safari trips in S. Alberta. On my deer/groundhog switch barrel .308/.22-250, I've got another Mark4, but with VX3 turrets.

After many years of using Tasco and Bushnell optics on my guns, I figured it was time to quit drinking (entirely, my wife gets a DD) and put the money to the Mark4 family. Now I can only blame myself if I miss my target!

Hope this helps! Better yet, quit smoking, too! NEW GUNS! Wooohooo!

Cheers all!

Barney

 

[DMS1]

I have used the same scope, I have to say I loved it at first but am less of a fan of the M1 dials now. I heard leupold has some new stuff in the works that will replace the tall thin M1 dial. Larger diameter dials with zero stop have more travel per revolution, and are less likely to get mixed up of what turn it is on. The VX-6 3-18 on my 204 has the CDS dial, which you can get on the VX-3 as well. As my dial is calibrated, 1 turn is good past 700 yards. Even if you don't want a caliber specific dial, you can order one with MOA marks and dial as required. The leupold has a stick on zero stop that looks a little sketchy but seems to hold well and limits the dial to 1 full turn up.

 

[Dogleg]

I've got a couple of those with the VH , but have moved more to the Mark 4s. They're good scopes.

If you are going to put one turret on, put both of them on. No use doing half of something. Besides, Leupold doesn't really have a good "hold windage" reticle at the moment.

 

[.22LRGUY]

I used a Mark 4 on my buddy's Remington XCR .223 this past summer, unzipped a few gophers with that combo. I liked it, but it's more angular/military-like lines jived well with that tactical-style rifle. On a classic wood/walnut gun? I think it would look really out of place. The CDS dial has me very intrigued though. Cool concept.

I've got a couple of those with the VH , but have moved more to the Mark 4s. They're good scopes.

If you are going to put one turret on, put both of them on. No use doing half of something. Besides, Leupold doesn't really have a good "hold windage" reticle at the moment.

 

[DMS1]

Heres a couple of my vx6 3-18x44 cds dial. It's my 204 dial on my 22-250 tikka superlite, but you get the idea. Low and compact, 1 revolution of travel with a stop at each end. Zeroed at 100, the markings are yards. Again, if you vary your load often, you can get the same dial with MOA markings.

 

[1ShotKing]

I'm using a Mark 4 ER/T 6.5-20x50 on my rifle. I love the scope, haven't shot any critters with it yet but I've shot clays out to ~640 yards. I have the FFP model with the TMR reticle and M5 turrets. The great thing about the TMR reticle is it has an open center for picking up small targets. With matching turrets and reticle it makes adding corrections/adjustments a breeze.

 

[Pickles]

I have Leupold 8.25-25's on a 220 Swift and a 17 Fireball.

The Swift has the VH reticle and the Fireball has a fine Duplex.

I have a Mark 4 3.5-10 kicking around and for the life of me can't figure out what to put it on?

 

[Dogleg]

I have a Mark 4 3.5-10 kicking around and for the life of me can't figure out what to put it on?

I put one on a .223 sporter, its a trim little scope for a trim little rifle that still has turrets. Something like that could work for you; or you could sell it to me cheap................

 

[Dogleg]

If you buy it right away there's a free Carhart jacket promotion going on..