Well I've been using the exact Leupold you mentioned dfor about six years now with great results. I have not found any light comditions where it hasn't come through for me. I have not had the chance to look through a Vortex scope scope yet so I can't comment on them but I would think if you have a hard time at all with the reticle it will get even worse as the light level goes down. that is one of the problems I had with the Zeiss I briefly repalced my Leupold with.

The Zeiss now lives happily on my antelope rifle but the Leupold is back where it belongs on my deer and elk rifle. Have you had the chance to compare them side by side in low light? In some cases one would win in good light but the other in low light. Also I think Leupold makes the same scope in 4.5x14 in the same size and weight as the 3.5x10 or at least they did a couple of years ago and I still wish I had that one instead with the B&C reticle in it.

I'd go with the Leupold simply because of Leupold's track record. Not sure what your going to do with it, but every 4-16x scope or the other's 4 to over 10x have just been to large, looks like the scope is wearing a rifle! I'm not sure how people are testing glass to say that one piece is better than the other? Let's say you got the Leupold, what do you really think better glass is going to get you? I've got a 3-9X Bushnell Banner on my 25-06. It's over 20 yrs old and the glass is fine for what I do. Nobody can make me believe the better glass stuff unless your talking about really inexpensive scopes. The old The old Weaver's were suposed to be good scope's but I never loked thru one that was not cloudy. Maybe they had cleaner ain in Texas!

I ended up getting a Minox Z3 3-9 x 40.

It should be here next week thanks to the big brown truck, UPS. I got a deal on one, "open box", and it has a German #4 Reticle. That may not be the exact reticle I want but I do know from expirience that it works well, at least for me.

Thank you all for the help.

Biker

I don't know anything about the Minox brand so I look forward to a full review later.

I look forward to reviewing this one.

It's a subsidiary of Zeiss and uses the same glass. In fact, without the name badge, you can't tell Minox and Zeiss apart.

I guess it's like Chevy/GMC.

Biker

The parcel guy delivered my scope about fifteen minutes ago.

Upon opening the box I was very pleased with what I found. Just holding the scope in my hand and resting my elbows on a table I was able to see that the clarity is much better than my Bushnell scope. 

I will test it's ability in low light conditions later today as the sun starts dropping. My plan is to put this one on my .300 Win Mag for longer range shooting. I don't plan or expect to be taking shots beyond 500 Yards as if the game I am seeking is further than that I will either get closer or pass on the shot. The reason for the .300 Win Mag is for the power beyond 200 yards. If I expect to hunt animals where the average distance is less than 200 Yards I will use my .308 Winchester. I am of course referring to elk, deer, and antelope mostly.

If I like the scope enough I may put it on my .308 Winchester and get a Minox 3-15 x 42 for the Win Mag. I'm waiting for my new rings and bases, as well as a Limbsaver recoil pad, before I have my Gunsmith mount this scope. I'm really anxious to see how it performs.

I also owe Camerland, Doug and his Assistant, Neal I believe, a big Thank You!

They sold me an unopened box as an "Open Box Special". That alone makes me want to use them for as many of my optical needs as possible. I figured what's the harm in asking? The worst they could say was, "No." I gave them the opportunity to say, "Yes," and they did.

Biker

I can't wait to see your follow up. The low light is the big test and many fail here. I bet it won't bee a problem with this scope though. That's good information on dealing with Cameraland also. I have done a little business with them but not a large purchase yet.

I went out tonight and played with the scope, while holding it in my hands, long past legal shooting light. To say I was impressed, so far, would be an understatement.

I may desire a higher magnification but I don't know yet. The optical clarity is better than my 4 - 12 Bushnell Yardage Pro and this is only a 3 - 9. If it lets me get out to the same yardage as my Bushnell, in good light for the Bushnell and poor light for the Minox, I definately won't be needing another scope.

The next step is to get it mounted and zeroed and then see if it holds zero.

Biker