Click vs Friction???

[Big joe]

I am looking at scopes for a .223 Stevens rifle. In a 4X12, i noticed the Leupold VXI(friction adj.) is apx. $250.00, and the VXII(click adj) is apx. $400.00. hmmm!!! What do you think!!! If this was your decision... what would you do. All my other scopes are click... Simmons, Tasco, Bushnell Elite 3200, Leupold VXII My Tasco is "KAKA", the Simmons is OK and I love both the Bushnell and the Leupold. I wont buy another Tasco, Simmons or any other cheap scope again, but I am wondering if it's a REAL drag without click adjustments and worth the extra $150.00 bucks to have them or not.

Tell me your opinon if you have one... it might help me make a decision.... Thanks...

[Dom]

Big Joe, hmmm, never really thot about it, and don't think it would make much difference whether clicks or friction. I don't think the extra $150 is just for clicks though -- would think the overall quality of glass, adjustment, etc would be a step up. If I had to decide, I'd look for eye relief, weight, and overall stats and base my decision on that. You'll find the VX II is a step up from the I -- all the Leupolds' I have are the VX III models, and I'm satisfied with them. Depends on what it's going on, but if I had the cash and could afford it, I'd go with the VX II from what you listed, Waidmannsheil, Dom.

[Jack]

Well, just remember that it's my opinion, and nothing more.
I would not own a 'friction adjustment' scope under any circumstances, as long as I owned a hammer, or lived near a large body of water....
Over about 50 years of shooting, I've used about every sighting system and every brand of scope. Including a number of friction adjustment scopes, back in the days when they were common.
Well, clearly, I hate the damn things....
But, on a game rifle you might adjust once a year and forget, a friction adjustment scope might do- you'd only have to fight that obsolete system once a year.... "did I move that one Moa, or two?" and back and forth until ya get it right.
On a 223, which I'd guess will be a varmint rig, adjusting for holdover in the field would be a nightmare.
On modern, quality scopes, one click will usually deliver exactly what it says it will, allowing for precise adjustments with no hassle.

[Swift]

Opinions are like @55holes, everyone has one.
I've never had a problem with my friction adjustment scopes.

[270man]

Big Joe,

Dom is correct. The difference betweent the Leupold VXI and VXII is a lot more than the type of elev/windage adjustment. Here's my opinion. If you plan on sighting in your rifle (for hunting or ?) and leaving it, then the friction adjustment is just fine. If you are into rifle silhouette, where you must continually change settings for distance, mirage or wind, then by all means go for the scope with click adjustments.

One other thing that I've noticed on my friction-type Leupold scopes that may not be true for everyone -- the graduations on the dials are not reliable for adjusting bullet impact. I have to use trial and error on the actual target. If I move the windage or elevation adjustment for a 1/2 MOA change (per the dial markings), I usually don't get the correct change. However, once I get my zero it tends to stay there. This suits me fine for my hunting rifles. I don't have the problem on the two click adjustable Leupolds I own. Also, a friend of mine says his Leupold friction-type scopes adjust correctly per the dial markings. I own a number of the old model Leupold VariX-II scopes with friction adjustments and they all have the problem.

270man

[Catfish]

I got abt 30 Leupold scopes, some friction and some with clicks. I prefer the clicks, but on a hunting gun where the sights are set and then never move the friction adj. works fine. For target rifles or hunting gun were you change ammo or zero range often the clicks are worth the extra cost for that reason alone.

[jon lynn]

Leupold is a great way to go, but like me money is always the issue. A Bushnell Elite 3200 in 4-12x 40mmAO $239.00, you get the clicks and the rainguard.

It's not a Leupold, but it aint a Tasco!

[Catfish]

Even the cheapest Leoupold has the life time guarentee, I would buy a VX 1, but would not consider a Bushnell. I have owned Bushnells in the past and was not impressed.

[Evan03]

whoa, went to bore site my 3006 today and grabbed dime and started cranking on the vert adjusmtnet. kinda od when you thought you put a old friction leupld on only to find your new glass is mounted.

i do prefer the clicks much better over the friction

Evan

[jon lynn]

Catfish, I was only refering to the Elite 3200 & 4200 series of Bushnells, they are pretty darnded good scopes. But I noticed these days when you mention Bushnell most people think of the cheesy models that Remington put on the 710, I saw one in Wally-World and thought YEESH! A crummy rifle and scope!

[Catfish]

Jon,
The only Bushnell scope I ever owned was a cheap one, but I have owned 2 Burrius scopes that were not real cheap and all 3 them were flat junk. I know own over 30 Leupolds and have never had a problem with any of them and most were bought used. Some of them look pretty crappy from use and abuse but still work well. Untill I have trouvle with a Leupold scope I`ll never use anything else.

[jon lynn]

I totally see your point Catfish (as I always do), but as usual my point is for those of us who are.well..........uhm............financally chalnged (and spelling too!).

My 'best' scope is my VX-II, and my second best is my (soon to be sold to a German) Nikon Monarch, then my Elite 3200 fills the bill for now.

It is really a HUGE step up from the old Sportviews, the rainguard is the big seller for me, and remember I am back in Germany now, going to need that rainguard.

BUT my Leupold is my first choice!