LOOKING FOR QUALITY FEEDBACK. Zeiss Conquest 4.5-14x44, Leupold Tactical VariX-III 4.5-14x50, AND Springfield Armory 6-20x56 A/O. ANY USEFULL INFO REGUARDING THESE SCOPES WOULD BE APPRIATED. THANKS. OH AND BUY THE WAY I AM SHOOTING 7mm REM MAG WITH REM 700

-- D LITTLE (DL_AUDIO@YAHOO.COM), February 19, 2003

Answers

I've never been too impressed with Leupolds for the price, and have even had a couple of friends who have had to shim their Leupolds. My wife and I both use Springfield Armory 6-20x56mm scopes for target shooting and predators. We both shoot Remington 700 VLS rifles (hers: 6mm Remington, mine: 308 Win.). Both rifles have over 5,000 rounds through them with these scopes mounted on them. For long range shooting (out to 800 yards), the bubble level IS a necessity!!! The slightest bit of canting will cause a miss. If you plan to stay under 300 yards, any scope you mentioned will work, but for longer ranges, go with the Springfield Armory 6-20x56.

-- CoyoteSniper (jcox@littleonline.com), June 15, 2004.

Cost not being a factor, I'd like to get some opinions on scope choice between Leupold 6.5 - 20x50 M1 and Zeiss Conquest in the same power. Scope is going on a Savage 12 FV .223 for Prarie Dogs.

-- Daniel B. Sweet (rocket@mhonline.net), January 02, 2004.

Of course Zeiss is a great scopes, I think that all European made scopes ares better in low light than the americans.The japan made scopes are weak. I really recomend you IOR scopes, they are bright, strong, reliable and cheaper than other tactical scopes with equal quality. Meopta also made a good fixed power tactical scope.

-- christian S (remasa@sinectis.com.ar), December 13, 2003.

I have a Zeiss Diavari 3-12x56. All I can say is WOW!!!!!!! I also have a Springfield 6-20x56. It is just one step below my Zeiss. I have 6-7 Leupolds on everything from a .223 to 300 win mag. I have never had problems with any brand of scope other than Simmons. I will go hunting deer with the Zeiss without a minutes hesitation. Before I ponied up $1,200 for the Zeiss, I thought Leupold was the king of the hill. It is better to spend $4-500 on a rifle and double that price for optics in my opinion. I like all 3 brands and would buy any model from all 3 manufacture tomorrow. If you have the money to spend, go with Zeiss. Toss a coin for the Leupold or Springfield. Good luck in your selection.

-- A. Cain (cain66@bellsouth.net), December 10, 2003.

I have 3 leupold 4.5x14x40AO on 2 bar 270's and 1 is on a bar30- 06,and I have a 3.5x10x40AO leupold on a bar 300 win. mag.,also I have a 4x12x40AO on a aboltII 7mm, and 3x9x40AO on a 257 weatherby Mag The only time I have to zero these scopes in is when I change bullet size. I have never had any trouble out of Leupolds.My friend said the IOR-Zeiss is one of the clearest scopes he ever seen. I only use Leupold.

-- R L Sandlin (bar30_06@yahoo.com), December 09, 2003.

I don't know about Springfield or Leupold, but I own the Zeiss Conquest 4.5-14X44, and I absolutely love it. The quality is immaculate. All of my buddies adore it and are amazed at the clarity of the objective. Often, it is used over binoculars for long distance viewing. Worried about the recoil of your 7 Mag making it lose zero? I shoot 140 Grain Winchester ballistic silver tip 7mm WSM through my Browning A-bolt stalker (composite), and the zero holds wonderfully. Zeiss all the way.

-- Jason Ramriguez (steel_sigma@hotmail.com), November 09, 2003.

I have to agree with the I.O.R scopes. If you look at the reviws on the scopes they are without a dout the best bang for the buck. The scopes are packed with alot of great features that cant be found on other scopes for under ($1100). These are really worth a look. Check out the web site at www.valdada.com also you can check out sniper country wed site and read an indepth review on a few IOR scopes.

-- Jamie.Walters (sjwalters4510@rogers.com), October 19, 2003.

Why not try IOR??? I've heard they have better glass then Schmidt and Bender and Zeiss. Plus IOR scopes are way cheaper. Other than that, there's US Optics. These are probably the best scopes for the money. Hope this helps. I've tried them all except IOR, but planning to get one.

-- Thomas Luong (tpl@usc.edu), September 18, 2003.

in three generations of guiding in the northern mountains, and having ret. marine snipers and current army snipers on the payroll here the vote is without question to Zeiss.

the only binoculars that consistently fog are Leupold gold rings, and the only two scopes we took off clients guns and replaced with our own so they could hunt were also leupolds.

I have a pair of gold rings here full of water and they came back from being factory rebuilt.

it's one thing to ruin a few thousand dollar big game hunt, and another to have a scope lose zero or fog when things are tactical.

spend the money, Zeiss or schmidt&bender are the top scopes day in and day out.

my 2cents.

-- Robert Weber, master guide (info@guidesforhire.com), June 01, 2003.

I think your sample size is too small to draw this conclusion. I have probably had thirty or so Leupolds over the years and I haven't had to return one yet. The Springfield scopes have dissappointed me, I have had a 4X14 first-gen and traded for q 4X14 third-gen. The optics don't match the Leupolds; the eye relief is shorter and more critical, the image is not as clear, and a 56mm objective is TOO big. I am thinking of trading it to S.W.F.A. for a Nightforce 3.5X15 with a 50mm lens. That would be the only one that I can think of that might beat the Leupolds (within $1200). Did you that Nightforce was founded by a disgruntled group of engineers from Springfield?

-- Gary Rexroat (grex33398@aol.com), May 30, 2003.

Don't get the Leupold!!! I've had 2 leupold scopes in the past and had to return both because they wouldn't hold a zero. I have a Springfield Armory 6-20x56 A/O on my Sako 75 Varmint Laminated Stainless in 22-250 and I have never had a single problem except for running out of ammo from taking so many varmints, secondly I have a Zeiss Conquest 4.5-14x44 on a Winchester 70 in 300 Win Mag and I have never had a single problem with it either. Another thing you should know is that Leupold fits some of the scopes they produce with Zeiss optic's, I don't know if Ray knows that but if he researches his optic's before he buys them then he should know. Leupold is overated. I would go with Zeiss or Springfield Armory. Good luck bud.

-- Johnny (Johnnyr30@hotmail.com), April 29, 2003.

I currently have two Springfield 6-20x56. One on a Remington 700pss that has been on the weapon for four years with no problems and won top gun at Camp Perry FBI Sniper school. The other is on a Blaser R93. Both in 308 caliber. Excellent scope for precise shooting. Tim

-- swatsniper (Tim) (timshel@prodigy.net), February 24, 2003.

Just go with a Leupold. I like the 3.5 x 10 LR M1 myself. Good clear piece of glass. The Springfield scope is too big and the reticle is too busy. If you do get the Leupold 4.5 x 14 x50 get the M1 turrets. Give Premiere Reticles a call and they can set you up.

-- Ray Parga (RMPSTRAT@aol.com), February 22, 2003.

I can't comment on the zeiss or leupold but i do have the third generation springfield scope you mentioned. I like the 56mm objective and the built in internal bubble level for rifle canting. I have it mounted on a remington 300 ultra mag and have fired over 870 rounds with no scope problem. The large turret knobs make it very nice to adjust.

joe

-- joe black (joeblack1951@yahoo.com), February 20, 2003.