I’m a swarovski guy. I want a 3-18x44 z5 but the reticle I want, I can’t find. I’ve found a leupold vx5hd that is 3-15x44. Will I be disappointed in the leupold. I haven’t even looked through a leupold since a vx3 3.5-10x50 that my dad bought in the late 80s.

No. Spend the extra on ammo.

Those are 2 of my 3 favorite hunting scopes with the 2-14x42 VX6 being #3. You won’t be disappointed with the VX5hd. The ONLY advantage the Z5 has over VX5hd glass is weight savings so if you’re not chasing oz’s on an ultralight build you’ll never know the difference. Which reticle were you looking for in the Z5?

You’ll be fine with the leupy

I like the plain plex reticle. I have (2)3-18x44’s and (1)5-25x52 Swarovskis. I’m very happy with them just have 0 experience with leupold since the late 90s.

I'll second what BCLC and 257 said above.

I've owned both. I prefer the Leupold.
The bigger question is where did you find the Leupold?
I can't find them in stock anywhere and Leupold says it may be later this year before they are available

Amazon

Leupold. Go to Gunbroker. Saved me about $400.

Dang - Leupold come along way

The Vx3 3x10x50 I looked thru in 80s and 90s was horrible compared to my current conquest and meopta - they must hav made big comeback w these new scopes - the one I mention above was not even close to what I hav now and my buddies Nikon equivalent even kicked its butt bad when we looked thru both late evening

Thanks for the info

I’m a Swarovski guy but from the two scopes you mentioned you probably aren’t going to be able to tell much difference.

Just curious; what is the price difference between the 2?

Also just curious; which reticle for the Swarovski are you wanting? Swarovski will put any reticle in your scope for $175.

You may want to look on www.samplelist.com for the scope you are wanting.

Leupold has made the biggest advancement that I have ever seen any company make in their product line. All I own is Kahles, Swarovski, Zeiss, and meopta. Now I have one Leupold. It is awesome.

Great info BigBore - I disliked Leupold tremendously - i field tested several scopes against vx3 I owned - all of them kicked Leupold in the nuts bad - even the scopes I thought that would not - they cost me some deer and I got to where I hated the scope and was determined never to go back to Leupold

W what u n 257 and others are saying - I will hav to look at them again on my next scope - never thought that would happen

Thanks

Vx5hd

$200 ish is the difference. I like the plex reticle.

For $200 I’d go with the Leupold and spend the extra money on ammo. You should be able to find 10-12 rounds for $200.....

I agree with what’s already been said. Don’t think you will be disappointed

I never would’ve guessed there would be 100% Leupold replies. My experience is from back in the day also and would’ve told you to go German all day. Lay them side by side and let us know the clarity results if you go with the leupold. I would say do a comparison at dark 30 too, but that don’t much matter anymore if you follow the legal shooting times now.

I have done a comparison. When I mounted my VX5 3x14x44 I took it and several guns with different Swarovski scopes in my backyard at dark 30+. The Swaros were two Z3's, a Z5 and a Z6, all non illuminated. The VX5 was at least equal, and maybe even a little better than ALL of those scope for light transmission. This is very subjective but to my eyes the Leupy gave up nothing to Swarovski. But the big difference was the illuminated Firedot reticle on the VX5 which I could use after it was too dark to see the reticles in the Swaros. I was sold, so I went and bought a VX6 2x12x42 for my 338 win mag. 😊

That’s crazy, but great news. I figured I’d always be paying top dollar for German optics if I wanted the best.