Hunting scope for Alaska

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outdoorsman_3

New Member
Dec 9, 2014
18
0
I am preparing to go on a DYI moose hunt in Alaska. I have purchased most of the gear and am double checking everything. While I was looking at my rifle I started to debate with myself whether I should replace the scope. Currently I have a Redfield revolution 4-12 x40mm on it. It has not given me any problems. However with the cost that I am paying for the trip and the bumpy plane ride I would hate for it to fail. If it was you, would you keep it on or replace it with a Leupold vx-2 or 3? Thanks for the help!


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6

6mm Remington

Very Active Member
Mar 27, 2011
977
48
Western Montana
There will be lots of responses and probably no bad ones. I believe Redfield are made by Leupold now and they probably are better than they ever have been and yours should serve you just fine. I do like Leupold and especially the VX3's such as the 3.5-10x42mm, the 4.5-14x40mm, the 2.5-8x36mm, the 6x42mm fixed power. All very good reliable scopes. And no, 6x would not be too much power for a 15-20 yard shot in the swamp! I use that on most all my rifles. It works.

Really like the Zeiss HD-5 in 2-10 and 3-15.
 
johnsd16

johnsd16

Active Member
Mar 16, 2014
353
4
N Idaho
I'd say yes for the reason you stated, durability/reliability/quality, whatever you want to call it. You get what you pay for in most regards when it comes to scopes. Nothing against the scope you have now, but a $200-$300 scope is just not as "good" as one that costs two or three times as much. Glass, internal components, fit and finish, etc. I'd lobby for a VX3 or similar in 2-8, 3-9, 4.5-14 or whatever tickles your fancy. As you said, it'd seem silly to go on a multi thousand dollar trip only to miss a bull due to lost zero from a scope that you've already put question in even though it has never let you down.
 
RICMIC

RICMIC

Veteran member
Feb 21, 2012
2,017
1,796
Two Harbors, Minnesota
I have three VX3's, and they have never let me down. I also have a Redfield that I put on a 22 mag. rifle that impressed me for an inexpensive scope. I would go with the VX3, and a very solid mount. Always travel with a hard case when possible, and become an expert at protecting the rifle and scope during an unplanned tuck and roll. Elbows and knees will heal...the scope can be replaced, but not during an extended hunt. Good luck.
 
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Tim McCoy

Veteran member
Dec 15, 2014
1,855
4
Oregon
The Redfield Revolution is the Leupold manufactured scope, here in Oregon, as far as I know. Any scope can fail. You can email Leupold and they generally answer fairly quickly, about how that scope rates vs their Leupold line. I suspect they are optically inferior, probably a VX-1 or less optical grade, but made to hold up. I'd have zero concern about the optical quality for a Moose hunt, they are large targets... I would check how much confidence Leupold puts in their ruggedness. As far as I know, the main differences between the VX-1,2,3 lines are the lens coatings and features, not so much how well they hold up. If Leupold says they are made to hold up, and you have used it successfully for a few years, I'd take it. If your rifle is the only one on the trip, I'd bring a full back up rifle, if you are with others, you can always borrow a gun should things go bad.
 
missjordan

missjordan

Veteran member
Dec 9, 2014
1,136
22
Missoula, MT
I have always been a die hard nikon fan and there scopes have served me well but I have slowly been transiting over to vortex. I have really liked both brands
 
BigSurArcher

BigSurArcher

Very Active Member
Mar 3, 2011
513
2
N. CA
Will you be able to shoot between flying and hunting to check zero? I feel like the case you fly with and how the gun is packed inside has about as much to do with the scope quality when it comes to getting bumped off zero. Last year 3 of us went up, all with Leupolds, and all were fine after 2 commercial flights, a bush plane, and a lot of slamming around in between. Loktite and properly torqued screws in the bases and rings, as well as perfect ring alignment are all good preventative measures. I'm willing to bet most cases of lost zero can be traced back to improper mounting. Sorry if this is all obvious, but I'm sure it's a helpful reminder for some.
 
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outdoorsman_3

New Member
Dec 9, 2014
18
0
Bigsurarcher good reminder. I will have a second rifle in camp. Thank you for everyone's input.


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Tim McCoy

Veteran member
Dec 15, 2014
1,855
4
Oregon
outdoorsman_3 said:
Bigsurarcher good reminder. I will have a second rifle in camp. Thank you for everyone's input.


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Click to expand...
Well, unless you just want a new scope, and most of us do, have a great trip with your Redfield. If you need a reason to buy a new scope, this trip could be used as such...
 
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