Vortex Viper, Zeiss, Leupold VX 2 or VXR

I recently bought a Ruger M77 ultralight (red pad, tang safety) in 257 Roberts and need a little help on scope selection. I'd like to keep it light as possible and low profile but still have a 3-9 or 4-12 power x 40. I like the idea of the VXR but would have to replace the rings that came with the rifle to fit the 30 mm tube size. Looking for something in the four hundred dollar price range.

Thanks
Robert

Robert,

Certainly in that price range a Leupold VX2 will serve you well. Vortex is pretty good as well, have one of their scopes and binos. I have a VX2, VX3, and VXr and all are good scopes. I don't think you can go wrong with any of these choices

All good choices..... However, I think Leopold wins on product, warranty & customer service. Vortex next.... then Zeiss. My 2 cents.

Only one choice of brand---Leupold
I would use the 1" tube myself so your head is in a better cheek weld position. I used a VX2 in 3X9X40 on the 257R Ruger M77 for my daughter and the same on a Ultra-Lite M77 in 30-06 for myself.
If I were to do anything different I might get the VX3 in 3.5X10X40
She took hers to African and killed everything with one shot and no tracking using 120gr Swift A-Frames. Here in the states she has used those and 100gr Sciroccos on pigs/deer with the same results. She has also used Nosler 100gr Partitions.
I took my 30-06 to Africa but never used it. The Ruger 338wi mag took everything again with A-frame bullets.
If you want load data PM me. I have a bunch I shot over my Chrono for accuracy.

Come to think of it----I do not think you will like it so I will buy it from you to set up for my granddaughter

BWH said:

All good choices..... However, I think Leopold wins on product, warranty & customer service. Vortex next.... then Zeiss. My 2 cents.

Click to expand...

+1

Vortex vipers are great, I have leopold vx3's but honestly prefer the vipers...value for money they win hands down.

The Vipers & the VX3, are basically the same price. So the value would be the same. Both have no questions/lifetime warranty.

Thanks for all of the quick feedback. Unless someone else changes my mind looks like I'll get the VX3i 3.5-10x40. If the specs I looked at are correct it weighs just over 12 ounces and barely over 12" in length. Found it on Amazon @ 380 usd with free shipping. With that weight and length it should fit great on the ultralight and I won't need the 30 mm rings. I purchased the gun on Gunbroker two months ago but won't be home to check it out for three more weeks. Ammo is ordered and on the way. I'll post a pic when the new scope is mounted.

@Sand Rat I don't think you will have any regrets with that choice, of brand at least. That's a good scope. I have 3 of those specifically, except I have in 50mm.

Check out the Sightron Big Sky models. Good selection of reticles and variable power ranges.

http://info.sightron.com/

Divernhunter said:

Only one choice of brand---Leupold
I would use the 1" tube myself so your head is in a better cheek weld position. I used a VX2 in 3X9X40 on the 257R Ruger M77 for my daughter and the same on a Ultra-Lite M77 in 30-06 for myself.
If I were to do anything different I might get the VX3 in 3.5X10X40
She took hers to African and killed everything with one shot and no tracking using 120gr Swift A-Frames. Here in the states she has used those and 100gr Sciroccos on pigs/deer with the same results. She has also used Nosler 100gr Partitions.
I took my 30-06 to Africa but never used it. The Ruger 338wi mag took everything again with A-frame bullets.
If you want load data PM me. I have a bunch I shot over my Chrono for accuracy.

Come to think of it----I do not think you will like it so I will buy it from you to set up for my granddaughter

Click to expand...

Sorry, but I'll have to keep this one for myself. It took too long to find and from the pics it's a beaut, dosn't have a mark on it and possibly unfired. I would love to have the load data, don't reload yet but after buying this caliber and my 7x57 last year I think it's about time to start.

OK. Send me an email and I will send the scans to you. Dougs50cal@gmail.com Please put 257R in the subject line so I do not put it into the spam folder.

That's a good price for a VX3, look forward to the pic of the rig set up

Sand Rat said:

Thanks for all of the quick feedback. Unless someone else changes my mind looks like I'll get the VX3i 3.5-10x40. If the specs I looked at are correct it weighs just over 12 ounces and barely over 12" in length. Found it on Amazon @ 380 usd with free shipping. With that weight and length it should fit great on the ultralight and I won't need the 30 mm rings. I purchased the gun on Gunbroker two months ago but won't be home to check it out for three more weeks. Ammo is ordered and on the way. I'll post a pic when the new scope is mounted.

Click to expand...

Good choice!

Not sure what part of TX youre in... or if you have already bought the VX3 you refer to above.. but Cabellas in Allen has a VX2 3x9x40 with the LR reticle in the bargain cave that looks flawless right now for $245...

I almost grabbed it myself.. no real need for it.. but at that price it was hard to pass by..

I put a lot of time into studying different scope brands. Since I have a scope mounting business and also sell scopes I get asked all the time what scope to buy. I cannot answer the question because everyone's eyes are different. A few observations though.

With Leupold there is a big jump in glass quality when you move up from a VX-1 to a VX-2. VX-3 glass is better than VX-2 glass but it can be hard to tell the difference in a store under optimal light conditions. VX-R glass is between the VX-2 and VX-3. All three are pretty close. I have a VX-2 3-9x40, VX-R 2-7x33 and a VX-3 1.75-6x32. I thought I would use the IR in the VX-R a lot but have found I could probably get by just fine without it.

Scopes of European origin tend to be better in low light than Pacfic Rim origin scopes. My surmise is because hunting at night is legal in much of Europe, extra emphasis is placed on low light capability. I've done some unscientific testing at night with different scopes I own in the same approximate price range. The results from best to worst in low light are:
Meopta Meopro
Zeiss Conquest
Leupold VX-3
Bushnell Elite 4200
Vortex Viper HS
I've also found Vortex scopes to have shorter eye boxes than many other scopes and as such, wouldn't want one on a heavy recoiling rifle. On a .257 Roberts it shouldn't be an issue. YMMV.

To the OP. Since everyone's eyes are different I would encourage you to look through the scopes you are considering if possible, you may be surprised.

mdwest said:

Not sure what part of TX youre in... or if you have already bought the VX3 you refer to above.. but Cabellas in Allen has a VX2 3x9x40 with the LR reticle in the bargain cave that looks flawless right now for $245...

I almost grabbed it myself.. no real need for it.. but at that price it was hard to pass by..

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LOL..... I am in there weekly, if not more!

I was just in there again on Wednesday

Its like a hunters magnet.. If I get within 3 miles of Stacy Rd, I get sucked in and cant escape its pull...

I live 2 miles in one direction from there & work 2 miles in the other direction from there. Convenient, but also TOO CONVENIENT!!!!! $$$$$

After I retired, one was built just off of I95 in Delaware. I would have passed it every day on the way to and from work and possibly would have caused me to come down with SIDS (shooting induced divorce syndrome.)