Leupold VX-3 or Mark 4

[timeless61]

I wanted some opinions, basically I have decided I will most likely be going with a VX-3 or Mark 4 for two of my rifles after I sell the current scopes.

the first rifle is a 300 wsm with a vari-x III 6.5-20x 50 LR scope, I want to sell that scope, and replace with a 4-14 or something in that power range.

the 2nd is a 338 edge with a mark 4 6.5-20 x 50 that I will also sell, then replace with an 8.5-25

I have been looking at a lot of scopes lately, and have decided on leupold due to cost, how the glass looks to my eyes, adjustment range and my experience with what I currently have.

would you go with the VX-3 or the Mark 4?? which one and why?

how about add cost to the decision process, take for instance a VX-3 LR 8.5-25 say its costs 1000, and a mark 4 8.5-25 lrt costs 1411, or a mark 4 8.5-25 ert ffp which costs almost double 1928

i did not bother to figure it out, but the cost factors of the 4-14 are probably roughly the same

i just used 1000 as a round figure not what i will actually be paying, but is it worth the extra 41% to go up to the mark 4 or worth the extra 92% to go to the ffp mark 4?
i know the mark 4's are built better, but optically they are the same, and the vx-3 LR scopes have had the dual part of the mechanics.

any help or comments is appreciated, thanks

 

[Magnumdude]

If you must have Leuppy's, save your money and get the VX3's. The Mark IV's are seriously overpriced for what you get...even more so than the other Leuppy's.

 

[timeless61]

What would you suggest instead of leupold that has a large adjustment range? And from what I have looked through lately there were a couple better than leupold but for my eyes it was not by much and it was not NF I was unimpressed with the glass. So for the basically under 2k price range what's out there? With 24 or greater power.

 

[BillR]

I bought one of the Nightforce 5.5X22X50 NXS scopes and for the money I will take the MK 4 over it when it comes to use. I thought the thing weighed a ton. Might work good on your Edge though as that is where this one is going to go when I get my Edge done but all joking aside I think my 6.5X20X50 LR Leupold's are every bit as clear. I did not like the 8.5X25X50 MK 4 as well though as the eye relief was just too critical and really slowed my shots down while I was trying to get everything in place. For just plain ease of use the MK 4 6.5X20 and VXIII LR's in the same power were great.

 

[J E Custom]

I bought one of the Nightforce 5.5X22X50 NXS scopes and for the money I will take the MK 4 over it when it comes to use. I thought the thing weighed a ton. Might work good on your Edge though as that is where this one is going to go when I get my Edge done but all joking aside I think my 6.5X20X50 LR Leupold's are every bit as clear. I did not like the 8.5X25X50 MK 4 as well though as the eye relief was just too critical and really slowed my shots down while I was trying to get everything in place. For just plain ease of use the MK 4 6.5X20 and VXIII LR's in the same power were great.

+1

Well said.

J E CUSTOM

 

[gunaddict]

According to a Leupold Tech, I talked too, he told me the Mark 4 is the same scope as the 3. Only difference is they are tested to higher standards. Such as dropping from a helicopter at 50ft. Of course turrents are different.

 

[timeless61]

below are specs from leupold's site, has anyone ever asked why the differences when they are essentially the same scope, size differences, along with magnification?

8-25 lrt Length (A) 14.5 in Tube Length (B) 6.5 in (C) 2.6 in (D) 2.4 in Eyepiece Length (E) 3.2 in Objective Length (F) 4.9 in Objective Diameter (G) 2.3 in Eyepiece Diameter (H) 1.6 in Tube Diameter (I) 30 mm Actual Magnification 25.1 (8.2) FOV @ 100 yds (ft) 4.4 (11.2) FOV @ 100 m (m) 1.4 (3.7) Eye Relief (in) 3.7 (5.3) Eye Relief (mm) 94 (135) Obj. Clear Aperture 2.0 in / 51 mm Weight 22.5 oz / 638 g Elevation Adj. Range (MOA) 75 Windage Adj. Range (MOA) 70

8-25 ert Length (A) 14.5 in Tube Length (B) 6.5 in (C) 2.6 in (D) 2.4 in Eyepiece Length (E) 3.2 in Objective Length (F) 4.9 in Objective Diameter (G) 2.3 in Eyepiece Diameter (H) 1.7 in Tube Diameter (I) 30 mm Actual Magnification 26.3 (8.3) FOV @ 100 yds (ft) 4.5 (11.3) FOV @ 100 m (m) 1.5 (3.8) Eye Relief (in) 3.7 (5.3) Eye Relief (mm) 94 (133) Obj. Clear Aperture 2.0 in / 51 mm Weight 22.5 oz / 638 g Elevation Adj. Range (MOA) 85 Windage Adj. Range (MOA) 85

sorry for the way it came out, I thought it would go in as i originally posted it, but I guess not
8-25 vx3 Length (A) 14.4 in Tube Length (B) 6.5 in (C) 2.8 in (D) 2.5 in Eyepiece Length (E) 3.2 in Objective Length (F) 4.8 in Objective Diameter (G) 2.3 in Eyepiece Diameter (H) 1.6 in Tube Diameter (I) 30 mm Actual Magnification 24.3 (8.3) FOV @ 100 yds (ft) 4.3 (11.3) FOV @ 100 m (m) 1.4 (3.8) Eye Relief (in) 3.7 (5.3) Eye Relief (mm) 94 (135) Obj. Clear Aperture 2.0 in / 50 mm Weight 20.5 oz / 581 g Elevation Adj. Range (MOA) 94 Windage Adj. Range (MOA) 94

 

[retiredcpo]

I have several leupolds and love them
i just got one from the custom shop
All of them are VX3
unless thins have changed since I last looked the vx3 have more adjustment in them over the m4.
If you want a turret to get long range have the custom shop put the m1 turrets on the scope.
if its a short range gun (under 500) I would go with the new CDS and have a boone and crocket put in it
retiredcpo

 

[timeless61]

I have several leupolds and love them
i just got one from the custom shop
All of them are VX3
unless thins have changed since I last looked the vx3 have more adjustment in them over the m4.
If you want a turret to get long range have the custom shop put the m1 turrets on the scope.
if its a short range gun (under 500) I would go with the new CDS and have a boone and crocket put in it
retiredcpo

one is going on an edge, the 8-25 and a 4-14 is going on a 300 wsm should be kept to under 500. how much does the turrets cost to add?

 

[retiredcpo]

If it was me
one the 300 WSM I would put a VX-3 4.5-14x50mm with the B&C reticle in it,
have the CDS turret put on it (about 80 bucks)
That is the scope(with outthe turret) I have had on my 300 WSM for several years now. As soon as hunting season is over my scope is going back to have the turret put on.
on the edge have the reticle replaced with mil dots and the turrets replaced with m1 turrets all custom work I would guess would not go over 200.
Retiredcpo

 

[fireroad]

According to a Leupold Tech, I talked too, he told me the Mark 4 is the same scope as the 3. Only difference is they are tested to higher standards. Such as dropping from a helicopter at 50ft. Of course turrents are different.

I must have talked to a different tech, or they have changed in the last 6 months. What I learned was that the VX3 was just the VX-III glass with upgraded coatings and the Mark4 used the VX-III glass and Leupold had to no plans to upgrade it until they redesign the MK4. I loved my VX-III scopes but felt there was much better glass out their for just a few bucks more. My 300WSM has a Bushnell 6500 Tactical with MD and will soon sport a Kenton Industries custom elevation dial. If I did not get that scope for a steal it would have gotten a ziess conquest.

As for the scope on your 338, you are in Nightforce pricing territory, might as well get one of those.

 

[timeless61]

As for the scope on your 338, you are in Nightforce pricing territory, might as well get one of those.

I was sort of planning on it, but then got to look through some and changed my mind, also, for what I would pay for Leupold, I am not close at all to NightForce. Even if I buy a Mark 4 FFP 8.5-25 M5, I am still hundreds off.

If i decided to step up, I would probably go with a Zeiss Victory Diavari FL 6-24x56.

Other slight choice is a Sightron SIII, some people say they are great, others say they are junk, some say they are nice for the money. I have not been able to look through one yet, so I have not really made a decision for myself on that.

 

[ltrbuck]

I recently bought a VX3 6.5x20x50 LRT version. I wasn't able to get a reason from anyone, to include Leopold, why I should buy a Mark V instead. Same scope and **** near half the $. Plus you get 15 more mins of adjustment and turret covers with the VX3! Just my 2 cents.......

 

[timeless61]

I recently bought a VX3 6.5x20x50 LRT version. I wasn't able to get a reason from anyone, to include Leopold, why I should buy a Mark V instead. Same scope and **** near half the $. Plus you get 15 more mins of adjustment and turret covers with the VX3! Just my 2 cents.......

same conclusion i am coming to, they say to get it if it was going on a 50 cal.