Looking for advice on a scope upgrade.

Currently have a Leupold 3.5X14 on a 6.5X47 rifle. Thinking of an excellent condition Leupold 8-25X for $800 or new Vortex Viper 6-24X for $900. Or other ideas?

Use is for deer in TX, target shooting to 800 yds, not PRS competition.

What would you do?

Unless you already have experience with a low end of 6 power, and if a primary purpose is deer hunting, I’d keep the scope you have for the low power end. Years ago when fixed power scopes were more common than the variables of the day, 6× was considered a bit much for deer hunting, and I got some questions when I chose a 6× Lyman for my first centerfire rifle. Fixed power scopes in 4× were far more popular. I’m curious, though, if your scope is really 3.5-14×; I have a 4.5-14× but didn’t know there was a 3.5-14.

If target shooting will be a main purpose with some hunting included, I believe the 6-24 would be a better compromise than 8-25×. (I also wasn’t aware of 8-25× Leupold; I have an 8.5-25×. I would consider it unsuited for any hunting except at pretty long ranges.)

Yeah, I'm with sigfreund, 3.5-14x sounds about perfect for Texas deer and 800yd target shooting to me.

This would be a good excuse to get a new rifle to go with a longer range target scope!

Sig is correct, my mistake,

My scope is a 4.5X14 Mark 4 and the one I am thinking about is 8.5X25 Mark 4. The individual selling the 8.5X25 (with Leupold rings) is firm at $850.

I can probably sell my 4.5X14 for about $500 and I can get the 6X24 Vortex for $900 now.

Field of view at 18-25x is so limited I think it will be of little usefulness for a deer rifle. In addition, you'll probably need a bipod to shoot off of at those magnifications.

Not a chance I'd make that change for the purposes outlined