Pig Scope

[Wild1]

Hey Hog fighters,
I know this subject has been covered, but I could use some help (this will also be potsed on the "Optics" forum). My budget for a new scope on my pig gun (Howa 1500 30.06) is $300.00. I have it narrowed down to: Luepold VX II (not VX-III) 3-9x40 (I like their reputation/service) for $299.95; Bushnell Elite 3200 3-9x40 (I like their "rainguard" innovation) for $204.95; or a Weaver Grand Slam and Classic V/6 for $276.99 and $289.99 (They say they're waterproof, fogproof and shockproof). Zeiss Conquest was too much at $429.99. Any comments/advice/suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[SDHNTR]

of the choices there, Leupold. Hands down. Put it on the rifle with Leupold bases and rings also. Sight it in and forget about it.

 

[jdhowe75]

I have a Weaver and it has never given me cause to buy another scope. I hear Leupold has great customer service too. All good brands IMO.

 

[FForF]

Got to agree with SDHTNR got a Leupold VX II 3-9 x 50 and love it. the light gathering is amazing and has herld the sight in since I bought it last year.
Had to get the tall mounts to get it on my 30.06

 

[Rancho Loco]

Elite 3200...

Very bright, and the rainguard is a very nice feature.
You won't be dissapointed.

 

[Speckmisser]

I'm a recent Leupold fan myself, but you won't be sorry with any of the choices you listed. They're all great scopes!

 

[One Track]

I have a couple VX II's and I love 'em. And, I've never heard anything bad about the Elite. You can't go wrong.

I had a buddy just send a 23 year old Leupold scope back to them because the metal was turning red. They sent him a new VX II. That's incredible.

 

[Mel Carter]

I'd go with the Leupold as well. I don't have any on my rifles, but I'm buying a new gun in a couple of months for my girlfriend, and i'm putting a Leupold VXII 3X9X40 on it. I like the eye reliefe, and have heard nothing but great remarks on their customer service. I have a guy who want's to buy my Redfield, so I may end up putting a Leupold on my 300mag as well.

 

[Hawghunter]

I had a Bushnell on my 7mm for lots of years, it never gave me any problems. Had I never looked through a Leupold I would have left the Bushnell on that rifle. However, after looking through my friends Leupold I now have them on all my center fire rifles and pistols with scpoes. I have a 3x9x50 on that 7mm and it does turn dusk and dawn into mid afternoon. The light gathering ability is amazing.
jmo,
Mark

 

[ooja]

I have the Bushnell 3200 on my .270. The gun is set up as a true beater, with a synthetic stock. I pull that thing through the nastiest cover and not one part of the gun or scope has ever shown a scratch. I also like the rainguard, it never fogs up or has any problems. I would have gone with the Leupold if I was not planning on beating the crap out of the gun. I just can't justify spending the extra on the scope if I am not going to take care of it. I am sure the Leupold would have handled the job as good or better though.

 

[New Pig Hunter]

wild1,

how do you like that Howa ?? I just bought one of those (in .30-06) in December and I like it !!

since this forum is for sharing of information, I'll offer my IMHO hard-learned 2 cents about scopes.
One word: Leupold.
One reason: forever warranty, fixed right the very first time if it needs fixing.
Two models: VX-III or Vari-X III.

I hung out at an optics forum for a couple of months and read everything and asked questions, and for me it all boiled down to the above.

If I may, I'll suggest www.gunsamerica.com ... in the yellow box type in 'Leupold' and click on non-guns, you'll find several Leupold's for sale in your price range.

Cheers,

Carl

p.s. my other two scope choices would be Burris Fullfield II, 3-9x40. I have one and like it a lot. Then Bushnell Elite 4200, my pal says it is hands-down the best scope he has ever used.

 

[Wild1]

Awesome comments and suggestions - thanks a million

Keep 'em coming. "New Pig Hunter" ...... I like the Howa a lot, it's a keeper. For all intents and purposes, it's a Weatherby Vanguard - same factory, same manufacturer, same design - same gun. It shoots very well right out of the box and is often overlooked/underated by hunters because the name isn't lengendary (yet). Got mine on sale fro $319.00 ...... couldn't pass that up. I'll put the extra money I saved into an upgraded new scope. Thanks again everyone.

 

[Rancho Loco]

O.K - It just came to me in a flash...As much as I love the Elite 3200 on my '06 - a pig killin' machine...My local Outdoor World (santa cruz) has a Leupold 6x42 (fixed) for a clearance price of $299...
That's a cheep as you will find anywhere in a store or on the net....And a damn fine scope.

I would say call them up and nail it down.

 

[HOGHUNTER714]

I own a Leupold as well..You wont here any complaints from me. Great scope and great customer service. Just my

 

[Wild1]

Mant thanks for all the comments and suggestions - a big help

One more thing: I've got my sights (pun) on a Leupold VX II 3-9x40 (matte). Cheapest I've found is $279.00 @ Bass Pro Shop. If any knows a less expensive offer on the same scope please yell at me here. Again, may thanks and I'll give you all a full report on the scope and my March hunt at Tejon.

 

[New Pig Hunter]

wild1,

wow, great price on the Howa !! I got lucky for $321, the store was unloading inventory at the time. I'm not the greatest shot, but when sighting-in the scope on the new Howa I was making silver-dollar-sized groups at 100 yards.

from what I've read, the -III's truly are better than the -II's. That's of course other people's opinions, so I'm just passing it along.

there's a used LEUPOLD VXIII 2.5-8x36mm at gunsamerica.com ...... he's asking $300. it is GA# 976460197.
that particular scope has been on the board since early December. A little good-natured haggling might bring it your way for less.

Cheers,

Carl

 

[boarhunter67]

I'd go with the leupold vxII. You can get them on ebay in the x40 and the x50 brand new still in box w/ warrantee for $199-$225 if you look and are patient. That's about the price of a vxI at local gun stores. I did this and love it.

 

[UPER]

I have a Leupold 3X9X40 VXII on my .300 Mag and I love it. Had a lower market scope on it before and man could I tell the difference especially with the eye relief. It is an excellent scope for the price, and has a lifetime warrenty to boot. Wild 1, look into Cabela's I think they are asking a little less for the VXII then Bass Pro shop is.

 

[Hawghunter]

Wild1
Try looking at www.midwayusa.com. They offer the Leupold 3x9x40 in matte for $169.99, item # 123-957. I have ordered from them and have allways been happy with my order.
Good luck.
Mark

 

[scr83jp]

I've had Leupolds on my favorite Sako rifles for about 20 years.All of the major scope makers have improved quality control and are equally competitive with their products,it's hard for the average hunter to discern differences from one majpr brand to another IMO.I don't need to spend $1500 to get a good scope and I don't play the name game ie mine is a european manufactured scope.Leupold is in Oregon and has excellent service, treated me right when I screwed up a scope charging me nothing for the repair which was replacement of the scope tube.I have B&L, Bushnell scopes.Also have a couple of red dots:Leupold Gilmore,Pine Ridge(cabela's).