Toes,
I am very fortunate to own several Leupolds, ranging from 4x compacts to the 16x Mk4's. You are right, they are great scopes that will not let a person down.
Never had a problem that required a return, but am confident that their service sets the standard that the other guys had to emulate.
Right now my most used rifles have NXS's on them, and the new Nikon Tacticals - and the 16x MK4's. The big MK4's get lots of use and they are totally relialble. NXS is a great scope, but so are the Nikons and the VariXlll LR series for this long stuff. Also use Burris Black Diamond a lot, like the scope, its optics but not the turrets - just not up to what the other guys give you.
Hope you get an NXS, they are solid scopes, but not the best - there ain't no best as far as I'm concerned.