which scope is better quality/has better optics?

[quaticman]

Leupold Vari-X 3 series, Bushnell 6500 series or Zeiss Conquest HD 5 series?

 

[Alpheus]

Haven't looked through the Bushnell, but I picked the Zeiss when scoping my 7RM.

 

[Guisharley]

I recently bought a Leupold VX6 2-12x42 CDS with illuminated reticle to mount on a Sako Brown Bear. I am very disappointed with this quite expensive scope (approx. 1500$). Although the optics are very bright and clear, the general craftsmanship of the scope is awful and crude. The caps on the turrets are very hard to screw or unscrew. The reticle does not respond properly when adjusted. It needs the recoil of a couple of rounds of 338 to find its place. Oh yes, the crosshair is crooked (not squared)! For all of these reasons, I will never buy a Leupold again.

Bushnell makes good “all around” hunting scopes in the mid range, but I would not place them in the same category as a Zeiss Conquest HD5.

In my personal opinion, the Zeiss Conquest HD5 is a much much better scope than your other two options (no show!).

 

[quentin wipf]

You will not buy any better glass then the HD5 for under $1500.....