A good problem to have

Horsenhike

Very Active Member
Nov 11, 2015
668
0
Eastern SD
Hey everyone. My wife and I are slowly learning how to hunt big game. After our hunt for antelope this fall we made a list of things we needed before our next hunt. That will be next fall, Wyoming Y and West River South Dakota. One of the big things we needed was a more hunting friendly rifle set up for her. She has a nice one, but it is heavy and has a big scope on it. We bought her a Ruger American to match the rimfire rifle she bought herself last year, and taught herself to shoot with.

Now for glass. My rifle has a VX3 3.5-10X40, and our thought was to put the same thing on hers so we could have matching scopes and calibers in case one of us needed to use the others rifle. Well, and here is my fun problem, I had sent a fixed 12 power scope to Leupold for service work a month and a half ago. Today I got that scope back, instead of tuning it up they sent me a brand new FX-3 12X40 adj obj tgt. Unreal. Firm believer in their products, but this is over the top.

My question is what should I do with it? It's a pretty big scope, and fixed 12 power isn't ideal, but for Western hunting it doesn't seem unreasonable. It has a fine duplex reticle, not a deal breaker either. Big turrets are kind of inconvenient, but her scabbard is big enough to fit it.

Not looking for anything in particular here, just ideas. I've been around the internet for awhile, and pretty well understand my options for selling it off.

Ideas?
 
Last edited:

Hilltop

Veteran member
Feb 25, 2014
3,847
2,230
Eastern Nebraska
Any chance you can trade it in or sell it to get a scope that makes more sense for big game hunting? A variable power scope would make a lot more sense. Close shots will be a challenge with a 12 power- especially in any kind of cover. Add a little game movement in and it will get even tougher.

One thing I have discovered hunting with my wife and kids- don't cut any corners on equipment. Buy them exactly what they should have. That doesn't mean you should have to spend a fortune but you do need to get equipment that fits them and is functional. A large 12x scope isn't ideal for a women's big game rifle... And she will know it and not like it eventually.
 

shootbrownelk

Veteran member
Apr 11, 2011
1,535
196
Wyoming
Hey everyone. My wife and I are slowly learning how to hunt big game. After our hunt for antelope this fall we made a list of things we needed before our next hunt. That will be next fall, Wyoming Y and West River South Dakota. One of the big things we needed was a more hunting friendly rifle set up for her. She has a nice one, but it is heavy and has a big scope on it. We bought her a Ruger American to match the rimfire rifle she bought herself last year, and taught herself to shoot with.

Now for glass. My rifle has a VX3 3.5-10X40, and our thought was to put the same thing on hers so we could have matching scopes and calibers in case one of us needed to use the others rifle. Well, and here is my fun problem, I had sent a fixed 12 power scope to Leupold for service work a month and a half ago. Today I got that scope back, instead of tuning it up they sent me a brand new FX-3 12X40 adj obj tgt. Unreal. Firm believer in their products, but this is over the top.

My question is what should I do with it? It's a pretty big scope, and fixed 12 power isn't ideal, but for Western hunting it doesn't seem unreasonable. It has a fine duplex reticle, not a deal breaker either. Big turrets are kind of inconvenient, but her scabbard is big enough to fit it.

Not looking for anything in particular here, just ideas. I've been around the internet for awhile, and pretty well understand my options for selling it off.

Ideas?
My friend flubbed a close shot on a bull this year by having his 3x9 scope cranked up to 9x. A fixed 12x would be a nightmare. You'll hate it. Sell it and get something useable. Just my $0.02.
 

tdub24

Veteran member
Dec 15, 2011
1,331
558
Carlin, NV
That scope retails around $500, I would look into selling it and buying a VX-2 or VX-3 like you had originally wanted.
 

sneakypete

Veteran member
Aug 9, 2011
2,821
275
Oakdale Ca.
X2^^^^what tdud24 said, never scrimp on your kids or wife's gear! Don't forget you may need to use her setup if something happens to yours!
 

Horsenhike

Very Active Member
Nov 11, 2015
668
0
Eastern SD
Thanks guys. I'm going to talk to the local gunshop and see if I can work something out today.

If that doesn't pan out I'll sell it online and buy what I want/need. Such a cool scope I hate to part with it, but it really isn't what I need.
 

badgerbob

Active Member
May 18, 2015
396
72
Eastern Oregon
Contact Leupold and tell them your issue. They may be willing to swap it for something you want since it is a new scope. I have been to their factory twice and have mailed scopes in for repairs. I have never been treated better by any company anywhere or anytime. It may be worth a try. Your local gun shop will have to figure in a profit for themselves, which is understandable. If you go through the factory you may wind up getting something a little bit better. Just an idea.....BB
 

tdub24

Veteran member
Dec 15, 2011
1,331
558
Carlin, NV
^^^^^X2 BB is on to something, I would try that. Worse that can happen is they say there is nothing they can do!
 

missjordan

Veteran member
Dec 9, 2014
1,136
22
Missoula, MT
It's a good idea with hunting to stack the odds in your favor and invest in good gear. Deffinetly worth swapping out for something different
 

Horsenhike

Very Active Member
Nov 11, 2015
668
0
Eastern SD
All good advice folks. She is going to call today and see what we can do. The VX3 to match my setup is what we want, and one way or another we should get it.

We have plenty of time, but she obviously wants to shoot her new rifle. Should weigh a touch over 7# I believe. Gonna kick like a horse.
 

Horsenhike

Very Active Member
Nov 11, 2015
668
0
Eastern SD
Contact Leupold and tell them your issue. They may be willing to swap it for something you want since it is a new scope. I have been to their factory twice and have mailed scopes in for repairs. I have never been treated better by any company anywhere or anytime. It may be worth a try. Your local gun shop will have to figure in a profit for themselves, which is understandable. If you go through the factory you may wind up getting something a little bit better. Just an idea.....BB
"Absolutely no problem. Send it back with a note and we will take care of it." Unreal customer service.

Thanks, BB. I never would have thought to ask.