Leupold Scopes...Do you trust them today?

[foul bore]

As with anything, personal experiences and biases varies. I purchased an LRP 6.5-20 FFP but have not mounted it on my .264 WM yet. I have to admit, my last purchase prior to this was ~2003. Hoping for a positive experience like my previous Leupold scopes (mostly VX I, II, and IIIs).

I have the exact same scope for about 2 years, so far no problems, I rotate pretty often. Hope it holds up because I like every thing about it

 

[FEENIX]

I have the exact same scope for about 2 years, so far no problems, I rotate pretty often. Hope it holds up because I like every thing about it

Cool!

 

[Warbird2006]

I participate in a forum where Leupold scopes, especially turreted ones aren't well liked. I have noticed on the LRH forum a lot of guys are running dialing Leupold's like VX5 HD, VX6 HD, Mark 5's and a few Mark 6 scopes.

Makes me curious if it's a matter of the pond water being polluted by some, where another pond isn't polluted at all.

Personally, I once owned 10-12 Leupold's, mostly VX3 and VX6. Several were set/forget and many were cds dialers. I shot enough 200-600 rounds per year, per rifle, to know if I'm having rtz issues. I didn't.

The biggest issue I encountered on a regular basis was setting my initial site in zero for my set/forget scopes. Adjusting elevation or windage with no reticle movement. Then deploying the "Leupold Knock" on the top of the turret to see if that would help the erector move...Laughable, I know, but it's a common practice, that I've heard many people try. Once I would finally get my zero. The scope was good to go without further adjustments required.

After 25 years of being a Leupold slut, the last 3 years, as I've added new rifles, I moved away from Leupold for my rigs that are used for hunting fur that matters to me... NightForce, SWFA, Zeiss, are now resting on top.

My varmint rigs hold a mixed bag of everything from Leupold, Sightron, Sig Whiskey5, Leica, and Bushnell Elite 6500 optics.

Again, I guess, I'm just curious if the consensus on LRH is different for Leupold than other forums. A month ago I bought a new VX5 HD and just today I bought two never used VX3 4.5-14x50 Varmegeddon dialing scopes. Apparently, I still like Leupold's.

Footnote: If this thread doesn't meet LRH forums criteria for a proper post, I apologize. My intention isn't to bash a manufacturer, but rather determine if the strong negative feelings other places share is based more on a mob mentality than facts...Thanks!

I Like Leupold. Customer service, etc. When I buy a used Leupold, I send it in, they check it, fix the worn-out parts and send it back like new. No question asked, hard to beat.

 

[Rich Coyle]

Leupold makes some of the toughest scopes on the market. The Mark 5HD is tough as nails and will track excellently. Even their cheap VX-Freedoms are awesome scopes and zeroing them is a breeze so I would guess the tracking is pretty true. Look up their punisher test. It simulates recoil equivalent to that of three times a 308 in a 4lbs rifle. To put that in perspective it would knock you unconscious every time you fired it because it would accelerate your brain so fast, it would also lead to detached retinas. And Leupold makes every one of their scopes in their product line withstand 5000 impacts of that and they test them periodically throughout production. Best scopes on the market in my opinion!

WOW!

 

[Beaver10]

Leupold makes some of the toughest scopes on the market. The Mark 5HD is tough as nails and will track excellently. Even their cheap VX-Freedoms are awesome scopes and zeroing them is a breeze so I would guess the tracking is pretty true. Look up their punisher test. It simulates recoil equivalent to that of three times a 308 in a 4lbs rifle. To put that in perspective it would knock you unconscious every time you fired it because it would accelerate your brain so fast, it would also lead to detached retinas. And Leupold makes every one of their scopes in their product line withstand 5000 impacts of that and they test them periodically throughout production. Best scopes on the market in my opinion!

No, you misunderstood the video...They don't make every scope do the test, and the unconscious, detached retina was about a guy shooting an African big bore rifle and hurting himself-not the machine.

You did though achieve the highest level of supporter status for Leupold- Congrats!

But, go back and actually watch the and listen to the 50 minute video so you won't write wrong information.

Thanks!

 

[Mike Matteson]

I owned and use several Leupold scopes from the early 70's. Started with a straight 10 power. Moved onto a 2 x 7 due-plex on my favor 25/06. I learned to used the due-plex cross hairs as a range finder at 7 power. I moved up to a 6.5 x 20 Leupold. For ground squirrels 6.5 x 20 powder worked just fine. I try and used it on my 25/06 but with small field of view it was hard to pick up the target It was the only scope that gave me any real problems. It lost it left to right adjustment. I put about 1500 rounds under it on a 308 Norma Mag. I gave it to my youngest son. He sent it in and they repair it and no charge for his 22-250. Place target nobs on it. I also own a couple of 2 x 8 Leupolds, and 3 x 10 scope. I have noted in the past and present that at the range some problems adjusting the scopes. I learned to put a second rounds after the adjustment not giving it much thought about it. I have always been concern about the scopes that you can adjust for elevation or windage knowning the problems I have had in the past. The other thing is I always tried to use rifles that shot very close to each other down range using different weighted bullets in different calibers . Keeping the velocity above 3000 fps in all rifles to come close to matching the bullet path down range. That way I didn't have to re-figure what the drop was with different rifles I was using that day. Thanks for the info and the light has come on about what you have found. The other is I changed to a Bow about 15 years ago and haven't used a rifle much. Been looking at scope to moved up to longer ranges.

SSS
Mike

 

[436]

I participate in a forum where Leupold scopes, especially turreted ones aren't well liked. I have noticed on the LRH forum a lot of guys are running dialing Leupold's like VX5 HD, VX6 HD, Mark 5's and a few Mark 6 scopes.

Makes me curious if it's a matter of the pond water being polluted by some, where another pond isn't polluted at all.

Personally, I once owned 10-12 Leupold's, mostly VX3 and VX6. Several were set/forget and many were cds dialers. I shot enough 200-600 rounds per year, per rifle, to know if I'm having rtz issues. I didn't.

The biggest issue I encountered on a regular basis was setting my initial site in zero for my set/forget scopes. Adjusting elevation or windage with no reticle movement. Then deploying the "Leupold Knock" on the top of the turret to see if that would help the erector move...Laughable, I know, but it's a common practice, that I've heard many people try. Once I would finally get my zero. The scope was good to go without further adjustments required.

After 25 years of being a Leupold slut, the last 3 years, as I've added new rifles, I moved away from Leupold for my rigs that are used for hunting fur that matters to me... NightForce, SWFA, Zeiss, are now resting on top.

My varmint rigs hold a mixed bag of everything from Leupold, Sightron, Sig Whiskey5, Leica, and Bushnell Elite 6500 optics.

Again, I guess, I'm just curious if the consensus on LRH is different for Leupold than other forums. A month ago I bought a new VX5 HD and just today I bought two never used VX3 4.5-14x50 Varmegeddon dialing scopes. Apparently, I still like Leupold's.

Footnote: If this thread doesn't meet LRH forums criteria for a proper post, I apologize. My intention isn't to bash a manufacturer, but rather determine if the strong negative feelings other places share is based more on a mob mentality than facts...Thanks!

I understand your question(s) and comment(s), I, like you, have many other scopes like Nightforce an others, but my go-to scope and company since 1967 has been Leupold, believe me, I've owned a footlocker full all models and type, before 1967 it was Redfield, back then Redfield was a great scope, then sadly they dropped their standards and the quality went out the door, even in a tough market times Leoupld kept both quality and standards along with great custom service and warranties. Just my .02

PS: if you really want to see what Leupold can do look at their old Ultra Scopes M1, M2 and M3's part of the Navy contract and the early M24 cntract for the Army those were great scopes of which I have two, M1 10x and M3 6x a long with the orginal Ultra rings and mounts.

 

[freddiej]

I am trying to think if I have ever had trouble with my Leupolds.. yes, I have, once or twice. I have never had problems with my Zeiss scopes. I refuse to ever have any B&L/Bushnell scope near me. those are the crappiest things on the planet next to simmons. I have had to borrow an NXS from a friend when my Leupold did not show up in time to go on a late season hunt in Vermont. I have contemplated taking all my Leupolds and trading them in for NXS scopes. still leaning towards that since my focus changed on whether I turn dials or use "Kentucky windage" and elevation. I have been seeing this same theme as this discussion thread all over. I was under the impression that Leupold had fixed their earlier tracking problems. it seems they have not. I reckon I will have to start replacing Leupold with Nightforce or Zeiss, or S&B or SWFA. thank you all for all the honesty. I feel like I was fooling myself all this time about Leupold..

 

[J E Custom]

Unfortunately, the best scope Leupold ever built was discontinued when the manufacture of the glass wanted to get in competition with Leupold In another area and leupold no longer used them to make the glass to there specification's and Leupold had to drop the LPS because of it. The newer scopes are very close but still not as good In my opinion.

After buying my first LPS in 3.5 X 14 I went on a binge trying to replace every scope I had at the time with the LPS but couldn't buy/afford very many at a time. I ended up with 5 of these scopes and then they became scarce. I still buy everyone i can find used if the price is reasonable for the condition.

J E CUSTOM

 

[Rich Coyle]

The LPS showed me Swarovski didn't deserve its reputation.

 

[whirlwindjml]

Honoring the Mark4's Legendary Military Service | Leupold

Today, most optics brands have a "tactical" scope line, or at least, features derived from tactical scopes. But where did it all start?

www.leupold.com

I can't understand how there would be any problem with their high-end scopes. However, I would not Purchase a variax anything or a CDS anything personally because I know they're not going to meet the same building criteria as the stuff They're selling the military.

Military will pay for the quality and the average Joe Blow Hunter does not.... so you're not going to get the same scope the same price just the way it is.

For years the Mark 4 scope was it go to for the long-range stuff.

 

[Coyote101]

Maybe it's just me but I have owned several Leupold scopes but I have had a series of problems with them. I have even had to send them back to the factory for repair. I probably had about 6 or 7 Leupold at this time. I got so tired of trying to keep them zeroed and taping on them. I zero my rifles every time I have huge elevations change and I'm just not going to tap around on it to get the cross hairs to move when I'm spending that kind of money. That's Hokey BS!!!! When I want a MOA I want it right. So I took everyone of those Leupold scopes off my rifles gave them to hunting buddies I didn't really care for. I then put Talley scope rings and mounted everything i owned with Swarovski and never looked back. If I take the caps off them scopes and turn it one click, you know it. This is what I did to solve my scope problem and that's been 15yrs ago.

 

[highdrum]

I trust my new mk5hd scopes completely. Have a vx6hd that's been okay holding zero and dialing, but I've never box/tall target test it. It's on a rifle I don't shoot that far with so.......

 

[blvette75]

I got into leupolds early on my in shooting days, factory rifles, factory ammo, short range hunting. Big gripe was the tapping on the adjustment knobs was worthless, took a shot or two to set the adjustment in.

Then I got a really accurate varmint gun and started handloading, now I was cranking up and down for long range chuck hunting. It opened my eyes, tried to shoot a square on target and it was total failure. Started posting on forums and all you heard about was lack of tracking repeatability, OK sounded like my experience.

When I get into something I get in to it, near as I can remember it was 8 scopes went on the block at one time. Sold leupolds steady, that's one thing I'll say, always guys ready to buy em. Bought zeiss and bushnell elites, those elites are kinda amazing, they track like I'd never experienced. Perfect squares and held POI unless I moved it. My two load work up scopes are 4-16 elites with adj. obj. trust them completely on game or paper. Zeiss are my hunting scopes, track fine and also hold POI. That's all I want in a scope clear bright optics and reliable adjustments. Back up to 7 scopes now but none are leupolds, If other's like them good deal they're just not for me. Something about dog biting you a second time...… Dave

I have only purchased leupolds recently, have two a Mark V and vx3 LRP past two years. This information is good to know. When I mounted each of these scopes and checked tracking, seemed like they were both dead on, they have held zero, have popped the vx3 on another rifle zeroed easily and has held zero tracked fine on second rifle.
But I have not been cranking up and down on these scopes. So far I like the performance, but will now look at other options as far as scopes, my adjustment range has just been to get me to where I need to be for the distance of my shots. But so far out of the other scope vendors Burris and Bushnell scopes I have, for the most part they have each tracked and held zero, but I have not load developed for distance shots on any of my current rifle and scope combinations, just handload for consistency for my hunting purposes. I have an older scope that I used to use for distance shots tracks well for distance cranks up and down but only put that scope on if I can't get a rifle and scope combo to zero, just to make sure nothing wrong with the new rifle, typically a mount problem but have had a few bad bushnell scopes, why I purchased the two leupolds.