Advice on Swarovski Z5 3.5-18 x 44 or Leupold VX5 HD 3-15 (firedot)

Can stretch my funds to purchase either one, will go on my Kimber Hunter .280 AI.

I have had a look at the Leupold VX5-HD 3.5 - 15, like the Firedot and the dial up turret, haven't had the opportunity to look at the Swaro yet (I understand this is the scope the Duleys use).

Is the glass / light gathering much better on the Swaro and how does the ballistic turret compare to the Leupold and would the Swaro suit the lines of the Kimber better than the Leupold? Also guarantee is another important thing to consider.

Would appreciate any recommendations or thoughts on the above.

Buy the Leupold, its a more robust scope than the Swaro and has a double turn zero stop turret. You can remove the zero stop on the Z5 to make it 2 turn but loose the zero stop feature. Ive had the Z5 and sold to buy the Leupold for the dialing feature, optics very similar. Duley's sponsor looks after them for the Swaro.....so they are going to use.

I have both, so if you want you can swing by and take a look thru both to see what works for your eyes. Not much between them - different pluses or minuses for each. Would also keep the VX6 3-18x44 in mind as well.
The firedot is bloody good. In either case (Swaro or Leupy) I would try to get the windplex or TMOA reticle - dial for elevation and hold (accurately) for wind. My go to for a hunting rifle.

Thanks Chainsaw, I'm up in Auckland this weekend. I'll PM you to see if your around.

I have also sold my two Z5 and gone to VX5 and I find them a better around scope for dial up and eye relief and also cheaper.

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Originally Posted by chainsaw

I have both, so if you want you can swing by and take a look thru both to see what works for your eyes. Not much between them - different pluses or minuses for each. Would also keep the VX6 3-18x44 in mind as well.
The firedot is bloody good. In either case (Swaro or Leupy) I would try to get the windplex or TMOA reticle - dial for elevation and hold (accurately) for wind. My go to for a hunting rifle.

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I like this concept on my vx3i 3-10. Am looking at getting a vx6 hd 3 - 18 but find it hard to justify the TMOA or windplex reticle as it is second focal plane. This isn't an issue with the 3-10 on my .308 as I am usually at max power when I'm having to compensate for wind so it's not an issue. However I can see myself shooting the 3-18 at magnification settings other than max so think I will just be dialling wind on that scope in order to save the headache...

Both are excellent scopes, both have great glass. I run a Z5 on my ultralight 30-06 TIM as it's light & the 18x top end is what I wanted & also run a couple of 3-15 VX5's & find em a really nice piece of kit, Leupold certainly did their homework & listened to what people asked for.

Z5 is a great lightweight alrounder, the 4W reticle I really like, it is quite long however & not the best scope if your'e a real rough bastard, the 13.25 moa travel is a bit limiting but plenty for most hunting situations.

VX5 is slightly heavier but more robust, great eye piece - eye box & the twin turn turret works great, their windage plex can be a little compressed / busy.
From my experience - If you do have a problem the after sales warranty service in NZ is better from Leupold ( NZ Asia ) than Swaro


Your'e be happy with either, just pick one that suits you.

Well, I got the chance to check out both scopes side by side. First thing i noticed was the weight, couldn't really detect a noticable difference.

I was impressed with the Swarovski however I'm just not sure about the 4w reticle. Nice but concerned that it's a bit fine for close shots in the Bush even though it has the thicker posts but quite far apart.

So I'm leaning more towards the VX5 which I've been spending a bit of time looking thru at the Napier Gun City.

If you are quick there is a vx6hd on tm for 2k. Would buy that, definitely worth the extra few dollars!

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Originally Posted by 6.5mm-mag

Well, I got the chance to check out both scopes side by side. First thing i noticed was the weight, couldn't really detect a noticable difference.

I was impressed with the Swarovski however I'm just not sure about the 4w reticle. Nice but concerned that it's a bit fine for close shots in the Bush even though it has the thicker posts but quite far apart.

So I'm leaning more towards the VX5 which I've been spending a bit of time looking thru at the Napier Gun City.

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Also if you're in Napier head into hastings and call into rivers to ranges. Their vx5s are a decent chunk cheaper than gun city or at least were a month or so ago. I'd second the vx6 call also.

Leupold have always been overpriced at Gun City. They have a so called sale on them and the price comes down to what everyone else is selling them for.

Went with the VX5HD 3-15 x 44 with the firedot in the end with Talley medium rings. Purchased from Rivers to Ranges in Hastings. Looks real nice on my Kimber and not bulky or heavy.

Massive shout out to the boys in the shop there. They really know their stuff when mounting scopes. Properly locktited the galleys onto my rifle and used a torque driver for both mounting the rings to the receiver and then screwing down the rings onto the scope. They also gave the rings a good going over with a lapping bar.

Better job at