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Message
Deer Rifle Scopes
Posted on 11/6/25 at 11:48 am
Posted on 11/6/25 at 11:48 am
I'm just window shopping, but thinking about replacing my 40mm objective 3x9 Leupold VX-1 for a newer and bigger 50mm objective after deer season.
So I have been browsing optics planet and I have a few questions, as well as, I am open to any suggestions.
LINK
Is the VX-Freedom series kind of like their old "Hunter" series? Low end line compared to like a VX-3HD?
LINK
What about Vortex? I hear good things, but is it because of the price? That seems pretty cheap to be decent quality.
So I have been browsing optics planet and I have a few questions, as well as, I am open to any suggestions.
LINK
Is the VX-Freedom series kind of like their old "Hunter" series? Low end line compared to like a VX-3HD?
LINK
What about Vortex? I hear good things, but is it because of the price? That seems pretty cheap to be decent quality.
12
Posted on 11/6/25 at 11:53 am to Clyde Tipton
I would definitly buy a Vortex, they are great scopes, but I would probably go a little higher than their crossfire - II series. I have a Diamondback which they may not still make, but it is a great scope.
Posted on 11/6/25 at 11:56 am to SpillwayRoyalty
Midway USA has the Dianmonback 4x16 on sale for $191. Down from $480
Posted on 11/6/25 at 11:59 am to Clyde Tipton
quote:
Vortex? I hear good things, but is it because of the price? That seems pretty cheap to be decent quality.
Vortex gets a great reputation because of the warranty. It's lifetime and transferrable. If you break it, they'll still send you a new one.
As far as quality, I don't have a problem with the quality of them as opposed to anything else in the price range. Good glass has come a long ways.
Posted on 11/6/25 at 12:12 pm to SpillwayRoyalty
quote:
I would definitly buy a Vortex, they are great scopes, but I would probably go a little higher than their crossfire - II series. I have a Diamondback which they may not still make, but it is a great scope.
Something like this?
Vortex Diamondback 3.5-10x50mm
Posted on 11/6/25 at 12:27 pm to Clyde Tipton
If you like the Vortex product line, I would spend an extra 100 and move up to this Viper. Huge difference in glass quality. This is a 700 dollar scope marked down almost 50%.
LINK
44mm not 50mm. But I bet you see much more out of this one at low light due to the quality of the glass
LINK
44mm not 50mm. But I bet you see much more out of this one at low light due to the quality of the glass
Posted on 11/6/25 at 12:29 pm to Clyde Tipton
OP - Riton
Have this on a 0.308 and been happy with it. We don't shoot beyond 400 yards, so really high-end clarity was not needed, but did want a wider glass for more light capture.
My only complaint, personal preference, is there are no caps for the turrets. I worry they can get unknowingly turned hauling it around during the season.
Have this on a 0.308 and been happy with it. We don't shoot beyond 400 yards, so really high-end clarity was not needed, but did want a wider glass for more light capture.
My only complaint, personal preference, is there are no caps for the turrets. I worry they can get unknowingly turned hauling it around during the season.
Posted on 11/6/25 at 12:31 pm to Clyde Tipton
What are you thinking on your budget?
You really don't need to go up to 50mm. Larger tube makes a big difference in low light.
I truly believe the best hunting scope out there for the money is the Leupold VX5 hd 3-15x44.
Great glass and picks up a lot of light. You can get a illuminated reticle on them as well.
You really don't need to go up to 50mm. Larger tube makes a big difference in low light.
I truly believe the best hunting scope out there for the money is the Leupold VX5 hd 3-15x44.
Great glass and picks up a lot of light. You can get a illuminated reticle on them as well.
Posted on 11/6/25 at 12:35 pm to nogoodjr
quote:
If you like the Vortex product line
I have never looked through one. I'm thinking about running up to bass pro just to look through it.
I've been a Leupold purist since I was a kid.
Someone asked about my budget, I'd say up to $800.
Posted on 11/6/25 at 12:57 pm to Clyde Tipton
I can only speak from my experience but Leuopld is leaps and bounds better than Vortex in clarity and glass quality
Posted on 11/6/25 at 2:04 pm to bradygolf98
Doesn't Leupold have a lifetime warranty as well? Not sure it's transferable though.
Posted on 11/6/25 at 2:24 pm to Dale3
They do. It's close to what Vortex has, it's transferrable also. I think the main difference is they focus on repairing the scope whereas Vortex just sends you a completely new one.
Posted on 11/6/25 at 2:44 pm to bradygolf98
Thats right
You repair a quality product
You replace a cheap one
You repair a quality product
You replace a cheap one
Posted on 11/6/25 at 3:05 pm to mylsuhat
Cheap ones still kill deer
Posted on 11/6/25 at 3:15 pm to mylsuhat
quote:
I can only speak from my experience but Leuopld is leaps and bounds better than Vortex in clarity and glass quality
Same here. I have a viper and VX3 both in 50mm. The Leupold is much better in all aspects. More expensive, yes, but the two I have do not compare. Plus, I don't care for vortex reticles as I am a fan of simple duplex or alike. Vortex may those, too, not sure.
Posted on 11/6/25 at 3:48 pm to Clyde Tipton
I am on the leupold vx hd train. I just switched my meopta to vx-5hd with 44mm objective. I got the fire dot duplex reticle. Very nice scope and a visible difference in low light. Ihave a second rifle with a swarovski Z6. This new scope might become my favorite. It's that good
Posted on 11/6/25 at 4:23 pm to Clyde Tipton
I’d stay away from a 1” tube. You can upgrade to a 30MM for a few bucks more and get much better mounting options.
Posted on 11/6/25 at 5:11 pm to Clyde Tipton
Vortex recently replaced/updated the Crossfire II line with the Crossfire HD scopes. I got a 2-7x a couple weeks ago to put on my Ruger scout rifle and really like it for what it is. Glass quality seems solid (not high end), but what really helps in low light is that it has an illuminated dot.
Wherever you land I'd recommend an illuminated reticle. Amazon has a Trijicon Accupoint 2.5-10x with a 56mm objective lens for $735. Would be under your budget and an absolute beast for low light deer (or hog) hunting.
LINK
Wherever you land I'd recommend an illuminated reticle. Amazon has a Trijicon Accupoint 2.5-10x with a 56mm objective lens for $735. Would be under your budget and an absolute beast for low light deer (or hog) hunting.
LINK
This post was edited on 11/6/25 at 5:15 pm
Posted on 11/6/25 at 5:58 pm to TideCPA
This. A warranty is great but I don’t ever want to have to use it. My 3x9 accupoint seems nice off my tailgate. The woods will tell the tale.
Posted on 11/6/25 at 6:25 pm to Clyde Tipton
Be VERY careful buying Leupold scopes online from individual or small businesses. There are a ton of Chinese made copies out there allegedly. I read that you can take the serial number of a scope and call Leupold to see if they are legit but I’d still be leery.
I got several Zeiss Conquest (made by Meopta back then) that are great scopes. There’s a world of difference in a $300 and a $600 scope. Like 10 minutes difference at the end or beginning of the day. Almost all my scopes are 50mm objectives and about 50/50 on 1” vs 30mm tubes.
I got a hell of a deal on a Kahles 1-6x42 at a pawn shop in Birmingham. They didn’t sell guns so maybe didn’t know what they had.
I got several Zeiss Conquest (made by Meopta back then) that are great scopes. There’s a world of difference in a $300 and a $600 scope. Like 10 minutes difference at the end or beginning of the day. Almost all my scopes are 50mm objectives and about 50/50 on 1” vs 30mm tubes.
I got a hell of a deal on a Kahles 1-6x42 at a pawn shop in Birmingham. They didn’t sell guns so maybe didn’t know what they had.
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