Advice? Leupold 3-9X40 versus 2.5-8X36

[Luke Nic]

Hello

Will a Leupold 2.5-8x36................. be as good as Leupold 3-9x40 ?

I can get a Leupold VX2 3-9X40 for R6480 (brand new in unsealed box)
or
I can get a Leupold VX3 2.5-8X36 for R5000 (brand new in opened box, but pre owned - never fitted to a rifle before, purchased from safari outdoor )

Any suggestions? which is better?

Thank you in advance

[Finkelstein]

The 40mm objective lens will give more light into the tube and thus be better for twilight shooting.The older you get, the more you will appreciate how your eyes start to deteriorating after age 40, and the need for more light at all times of the day.

The VX2 versus VX3 difference is minimum. It has something to do with glass and other minor differences.

What rifle do you want to put it on and what purpose do you intent to use it? Leopolds are excellent scopes in my opinion.

[Luke Nic]

Thank you for your response Finkelstein. I want to put it on a Sauer 100 classic .308 winchester. I intend to use it mainly for bushveld hunting.
Which option in the above message would you recommend i go for? VX2 VX3 price etc
Thanks
.308.JPG

[TStone]

I own both VX3 and VX2 scopes, the VX3 is a better scope optically. I would take the VX3 2.5-8x36 over the 3-9x40 VX2 every time.

Just note that there are differences between the older Vari X lines and the new VX lines.

[Toxxyc]

I agree with TStone. A VX3 for a lower price with similar magnification will take my pick. I was in the bush the weekend with a 3-9x40 scope. I had it on 4x magnification the whole time (and pushed to 6x at the watering holes). 9x is just too much for short distance hunting.

[Maroelas]

I own both VX3 and VX2 scopes, the VX3 is a better scope optically. I would take the VX3 2.5-8x36 over the 3-9x40 VX2 every time.

Just note that there are differences between the older Vari X lines and the new VX lines.

There's also a difference between the VX2 and VX II (Roman numerals). The Roman numerals were used on the older VX models.

[Antlion]

Vx1 and Vx2 scopes are now discontinued. They have been replaced with the Vx freedom line.

[414gates]

VX3 has better glass quality than VX2.

[Luke Nic]

when comparing the 3-9x40mm versus 2.5-8x36mm

Is the 40mm better than the 36mm? or will the 36mm be just as good as the 40mm?
The VX2 has the 40mm front lens. And the VX3 has the 36mm front lens.
I believe the VX3 is a model above the VX2. So obviously the VX3 is better.
However is the 36mm front lens on the VX3 excellent and perfect, or is the 40mm front lens on the VX2 better to hunt with?

Im using a .308 hunting rifle.
I can get a Leupold VX2 3-9X40 for R6480 (brand new in unsealed box)
or
I can get a Leupold VX3 2.5-8X36 for R5000 (brand new in opened box, but pre owned - never fitted to a rifle before, purchased from safari outdoor )

If price was not an issue, then which of the scopes is better? and is the 36mm too small, making the 40mm front lens better?

Would you rather look for a VX3 with a 40mm front lens OR is the VX3 with a 36mm front lens perfect also?

[Luke Nic]

​when comparing the 3-9x40mm versus 2.5-8x36mm
Is the 40mm better than the 36mm? or will the 36mm be just as good as the 40mm?
The VX2 has the 40mm front lens. And the VX3 has the 36mm front lens.
I believe the VX3 is a model above the VX2. So obviously the VX3 is better.
However is the 36mm front lens on the VX3 excellent and perfect, or is the 40mm front lens on the VX2 better to hunt with?

Im using a .308 hunting rifle.
I can get a Leupold VX2 3-9X40 for R6480 (brand new in unsealed box)
or
I can get a Leupold VX3 2.5-8X36 for R5000 (brand new in opened box, but pre owned - never fitted to a rifle before, purchased from safari outdoor )

If price was not an issue, then which of the scopes is better? and is the 36mm too small, making the 40mm front lens better?

Would you rather look for a VX3 with a 40mm front lens OR is the VX3 with a 36mm front lens perfect also?