Idiot needs HELP on Leupold info

G

geneinnc

Guest
I am seriously debating changing the reticle on one of my Leupold's to either the Varmint, B&C or Bullet Drop Comp reticle. I have been on there web page for an hour trying to figure out the cost of changing a reticle. The custom shop only offers a page to build a new scope, nothing about a price for a different reticle.

The rifle will be a stock class .223 rifle, for 600 yards & less, Tikka T3 Varmint in SS, 1/8" barrel so I can shoot some heavier bullets. I know there are better calibers out there, but I have my reasons for choosing 223, so lets concentrate on the scope.

I have several 2 choose from, all with target knobs for conversion:

VX 3 6.5 x 20 EFR
VX3 6.5 x 20 side focus
Vx3 8.5 x 25 side focus

I like the Varmint, B&C and Bullet drop reticles.

I have not used any of the above reticles. I do like the idea of the holdover points and the windage hold points on the first 2. I do wonder if they are accurate enough for BR, or just for hunting.

I would think that the Bullet Drop choice would be the most accurate, since it's mated to the exact ballistics of the guns favorite load. The problem on that would be resale, since the scope would be useless on another gun. I think you all know how hard it is to sell a rifle with a non walmart scope on it.

to sum up, i would love to know how much it costs for a new reticle, which is the best for target, and what scopes can be converted.

I have a VX II 6 x 18 on my hunting rifle, and I thought about putting a B&C on it and testing the accuracy. I have it on a Winchester Classic SS 70 7 remmag, and it would be a great test platform. After a couple of years and some excellent gunsmith tuning, it is as accurate as most of my BR rifles. It shoots sub moa easily. Once again, I don't know if that scope could be converted.

Any help please?

thanks

Gene
 
Call' em up. The telephone is a wonderfull pre-internet invention that still serves a very usefull purpose. 1-800-LEUPOLD Randy
 
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Gene,
More power is better for sure, and if you are shooting BR the drop reticle really isn't necessary unless you are shooting a match that has multiple targets at known distances (that would coincide with the hash marks on the reticle), and you don't want to click up or down. I have a VXIII 6.5-20 with the varmint hunter's reticle on it, and though the hash marks are close they are not close enough for true precision work. I would much rather click up to the correct drop and use the center cross hair. Don't get me wrong, though, I do enjoy the reticle for certain instances just not for BR.

I can't speak to cost of changing the reticle, but I had heard ~$60? Post back when you hear.

Reticle choices are very personal and you will find as many answers as shooters. There isn't necessarily a "best" choice, though I would imagine that a heavy duplex would not be favored...typically fine cross hairs and cross hair with dots of various MOA's.

To throw another scope into the mix Sightron is coming out with a 10-50x variable soon, and may be just a few more dollars than the Leupolds you are looking at. Might be worth the wait, and the extra power will help at the longer distances.
Mike
 
There is no point in paying extra for a 6.5x20 with EFR, all the EFR does is allow you to focus closer (under 50yds) that is more than likely something that you would not be concerned with using a 223 varminter.

As far as reticles, I have owned the numerous B&C, varmint hunter, and mil-dot reticles furnished by Leupold and I still prefer the simple duplex. Perhaps it is because I have shot it so long that I know my hold-overs and can adjust for them using the duplex, I prefer the less cluttered view presented by a duplex.

Another thing to think about is that the various ranging (hold-over) reticles are only useful at one power, if I recall correctly it is 14X but I will not swear to that since I no longer have one to take a look at.

I would think that you wouldn't go wrong with just a plain vanilla 6.5x20 with a duplex reticle. But then that is just what I have settled on - thank goodness we don't all the same thing.

drover
 
Leupold Reticles

I sent them an e-mail about the change to the Varmint reticle and I got an answer the next day. I believe it was about $140 per scope
 
I talked with the tech. unit about changing out my dot reticle for a mil-dot reticle. Price I was quoted was $150 out the door. I think $140 - $150 is about the typical range for that work, depending of the unit cost for the exchange piece. I'd expect the labor cost to be pretty constant.
 
savet06 said:
Gene,
More power is better for sure, and if you are shooting BR the drop reticle really isn't necessary unless you are shooting a match that has multiple targets at known distances (that would coincide with the hash marks on the reticle), and you don't want to click up or down. I have a VXIII 6.5-20 with the varmint hunter's reticle on it, and though the hash marks are close they are not close enough for true precision work. I would much rather click up to the correct drop and use the center cross hair. Don't get me wrong, though, I do enjoy the reticle for certain instances just not for BR.

I can't speak to cost of changing the reticle, but I had heard ~$60? Post back when you hear.

Reticle choices are very personal and you will find as many answers as shooters. There isn't necessarily a "best" choice, though I would imagine that a heavy duplex would not be favored...typically fine cross hairs and cross hair with dots of various MOA's.

To throw another scope into the mix Sightron is coming out with a 10-50x variable soon, and may be just a few more dollars than the Leupolds you are looking at. Might be worth the wait, and the extra power will help at the longer distances.
Mike
Click to expand...

Mike, I understand what your saying on the target dials being bore precise.
If you had a 7 rem mag that shoots one hole groups & holds sub moa to 500 yards, would you put the the B&C or Varmint reticle on the gun, IF you think it's close enough to put the bullet in the vitals. I'm shooting 150 gr Nosler Ballistic Tip boat tails, and the outstanding BC should wring out everything in a holdover scope. I do like the crosswind calibrations also.

If that works, There are VX III with either reticle around at great prices, and I could take the 6 x 18 target scope off the deer rifle, and it would be would be perfect on the M4 if it gets a chance at varmints

Thanks on the Sightron info. I'm 100% Leupold. I have tried Sightrons and they are nice. Not sure how well they will do when they become the same price as Leupold. They are getting there fast

Gene
 
Gene,
For the hunting application I would absolutely put the drop reticle on the gun. When you mentioned a factory class 600yd gun I was thinking more along the lines of f-class or other formal BR matches (known, static distances). I use the varmint hunters reticle for just what you described in your 7-mag. It is a great way to get yourself better aligned for a shot, and it provides good reference points for adjusting for windage on longer shots if that first shot doesn't go where you'd hoped.
Good luck.
Mike
 
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