Which scope ?

[B&C chaser]

I'm thinking about buying one of the new Weatherby Vanguard series 2 in 257 Weatherby Mag. The gun is guaranteed to shoot sub-moa and I like the features and price. My question is which scope to choose as far as value for what you get. I've always shot Leupold vx-111's or vx-3's. I was considering the Leupold vx-3 in 4.5 x 14 x 40, Zeiss conquest 4.5 x 14 x 44 or the Minox Z5 3 x 15 x 42. I'm familiar with Leupold and Zeiss just not Minox.

I really don't do any long range shooting when it comes to hunting but would like to be able to if needed and would like to have a good whitetail or mule deer rig in case I head out west someday as planned. I like the range of the Minox and wanted some opinions from those of you that have used them or are familiar with them.How are they as far as dependibility, toughness , clarity, light gathering and such when compared to Leupold or Zeiss listed above ? Camerealand has them new for $499 or open box never mounted for $379. Thanks guys !

I've always wanted a rifle in that caliber and long range to me would be 300 yards maybe a little more as most of my shots are under 100 yards with very few reaching 200 yards. There may be better choices for what I normally do but I have my heart set on this rifle/ caliber.

 

[ratsnakeboogy]

They are all good, but for the money you mentioned the ZA5 is one Helluva scope. I have a ZA3 and it is amazing in low light, and is crisp and clear all the way out to the edges. I compare the Minox right up there with the Conquest.

I think the Minox will weigh a touch less than the Conquest as well.

 

[stik]

i believe you would be pleased with any one of the three.

 

[paradis1142]

i believe you would be pleased with any one of the three.

Stik is right about that. Minox is probably the best deal of the three and it and the ziess share the same glass.

 

[Hillbilly Hunter]

the 4.5 power is too high on the low side for most woods hunting IMO.

 

[Model70Man]

I have had all 3 of the scopes. I sold my Leupold to get another Conquest. IMO, the Leupold looks good aesthetically, but compared to what you get it doesn't add up. I have a ZA5 3-15 and compared it to my Conquest 4.5-14. Both are great scopes. I have found the Conquest to be "Brighter" meaning the lighter colors at low light really stand out whereas with the Minox the darker colors are easier to tell apart and the lighter colors aren't so bright. That's how the compared when I look thru them. It may be different to your eyes. The Minox is much shorter and lighter, however, the Minox objective bell is larger in diameter. The ocular of the Minox is the same size as the Leupolds and the Conquest ocular is large. The eyebox for the Conquest is large and forgiving at all power ranges. The eyebox for the Minox is tight at high power. Eye relief is very generous for both the Minox and Conquest and doesn't vary at different powers like the Leupold. Both plex reticles show up very well in low light and do not change colors like the Leupold reticles do. Windage and elevation clicks for the Conquest and Leupold are precise. The Minox was not as precise out of the box until I tightened the screws in the turrets with the supplied allen wrench to zero the turrets. Adjustments are repeatable for all 3 with windage and elevation.

Any one of the 3 would be a good choice, but for the money, the Minox IMO is the handsdown best bang for the buck.

Here is a comparison of the Minox ZA5 3-15 and the Conquest 4.5-14

 

[leader]

I have Leupold, Zeiss, and just bought a Minox. I love the Zeiss 10 to 1 over the Leupold. Have not shot with the Minox yet but I cal tell you looking through it is AWESOME. If it handles 1/2 as well as my first impression it is hands down best scope for money. I M O.

 

[Kimberman]

Another vote for the Minox. I have the 3-15 on my 243. Its probably my favorite scope.

 

[redblood]

i am should they are all good scopes, but i would go vx 3 leupold. as mentioned earlier they just look better and have more elegant lines. they are also a touch lighter with a less obtrusive ocular eyepiece. I like that leupolds are american based as well. Zeiss manufactured scopes that killed american soldiers in wwII and that bothers me a bit as well. My backup yote gun is weatherby like yours and i took a few yotes with it last year. they are a little rough for my touch, but they certainly good rifles.

 

[redblood]

you wont find a vx 3 like you are looking for under 500.

 

[redblood]

the 4.5 power is too high on the low side for most woods hunting IMO.

agree 100 percent

 

[mr.big]

I been studying this also,,

how does the 3-15 without an AO do at longer range,,

I have just about settled on a Straight 10X Leupold for the 527 Varmint 223

 

[redblood]

I been studying this also,,

how does the 3-15 without an AO do at longer range,,

I have just about settled on a Straight 10X Leupold for the 527 Varmint 223

it would be hard to shoot a hard charging yote coming to a mouth call at 20 yards on 10x. mine rarely gets of 3x while calling

 

[mr.big]

this is gonna be used as my porch gun,,wont be huntng with it,,just shooting informal matches at 100-300 yards and pest control from the house.

hoping the 9 twist of the CZ 527 varmint will spin the 70 Bergers or the 75 amax fast enough..

 

[muddyboots]

This is some good info.

 

[B&C chaser]

Thanks for the opinions. Model70Man that is a good review of all scopes , thanks. I wasn't really concerned as much about staying in a certain price range, I just didn't see the point of paying $800 for a scope when you can get basically the same scope or at least a comparable scope for $500 or so. The Leupold may look a little better and I have had many Leupold's and still do but I care more about performance and dependability and value than looks.

How about the open box scopes compared to NIB scopes ? Would I be better off to pay extra for the new one knowing that its not been handled ? I know the warrantee would go with either scope so I guess it's just a personal choice.

redblood, the Weatherby I'm talking about isn't the regular vanguard it's the new series 2 vanguard which I believe just came out recently ( which may be the gun you have). It's guaranteed sub-moa, comes with blued or stainless barrels and a supposedly better trigger than before. I don't think it comes in a wooden stock model which I know you prefer and like the walnut.

 

[B&C chaser]

My statement above about performance and dependibility is in no way saying anything bad about Leupold. I've never had any problem out of any of my Leupolds or any issues at all which is why I'm having a hard time trying a different brand. I guess I've just hit a spell of wanting something different as far as cailiber of rifle and brand of scope.

I've read on here and other places about other scopes, mainly the conquest or minox, which may be better than the Leupold as far as clarity, light gathering, eye relief, etc. The conquest may cost a little more but if it has better features and the quality is at least as good if not better then it is worth it to me. I guess that's why the Minox is really looking good to me because it appears to be at least the same quality as the others but cheaper ( better value ) so Why not go with the Minox ?

 

[mr.big]

I love me some Leupolds also but have bought a couple Conquest and lookin at the Minox also,,the fact that the eye relief stays constant on the Zeiss instead of moving as much as 1 1/2 inches from 4.5-14 like it does on the Leupold,,

but more than that the adjustments are seperate,on the Leupold if you run your elevation all the way up you have very little windage adjustments as they work on the same lens,,on the Conquest you can max out the elevation and still have all your windage adjustment,,because it is on a seperate lens..

shooting at range in the wind this can be a real concern.

 

[Model70Man]

The open box specials from Cameraland are just as good as the new in box scopes. I have bought at least 10 Conquests and I have 2 Minox scopes from Cameraland and they were all open box specials. I have never had an issue with any of the scopes. If you have an issue, just call Doug and he will make it right.

Another note on the Minox. The #4 reticle is junk IMO. The posts are too far apart. It is nothing like the #4 reticle that Zeiss has. I wish I never ordered mine with a #4 reticle. The regular plex reticle that Minox has is so much better.

 

[redblood]

Thanks for the opinions. Model70Man that is a good review of all scopes , thanks. I wasn't really concerned as much about staying in a certain price range, I just didn't see the point of paying $800 for a scope when you can get basically the same scope or at least a comparable scope for $500 or so. The Leupold may look a little better and I have had many Leupold's and still do but I care more about performance and dependability and value than looks.

How about the open box scopes compared to NIB scopes ? Would I be better off to pay extra for the new one knowing that its not been handled ? I know the warrantee would go with either scope so I guess it's just a personal choice.

redblood, the Weatherby I'm talking about isn't the regular vanguard it's the new series 2 vanguard which I believe just came out recently ( which may be the gun you have). It's guaranteed sub-moa, comes with blued or stainless barrels and a supposedly better trigger than before. I don't think it comes in a wooden stock model which I know you prefer and like the walnut.

ok. that is not the one i have. i have the standard. mine is plastic actually. the trigger is fully adjustable on it, i set it on about 2.5 pounds. i am a huge fan of walnut no doubt. i sent mine off to have it dipped in natgear. i hate pastic so if it it camo, maybe i wont be able to see it. good luck with your gun. the actions are ok for a push feed type.

 

[B&C chaser]

but more than that the adjustments are seperate,on the Leupold if you run your elevation all the way up you have very little windage adjustments as they work on the same lens,,on the Conquest you can max out the elevation and still have all your windage adjustment,,because it is on a seperate lens..

Does the Minox adjust seperately like the conquest does ? I'm about 99.9 % sure that I'm gonna give the open box 3 - 15 x 42 minox a try. Thanks guys for all the input