Did I make mistake buying new Leupold VX3 LR?

[Hankster76]

I bought a new Leupold VX3 6.5-20 LR for my new 338 Lapua Imp I just had built. I have read that internally they are the same as the Mark IV.
Will this scope be good enough for my long range shooting? I find myself wanting an NXS. I have Leupolds on all my other short and midrange hunting rifles. I'm a little concerned about repeatability on the 338. Anybody using the new VX3 on LR rigs?

 

[sp6x6]

Ihad one of they early x3 in what was called a tactical, basically it had target type turrets, spent 10 yrs. on a 340 WBY. Now it is on a light 325WSM, MIL DOT. I have a mark 4, 6-20x50 TMR/m5 dial, it was 3x the cost, but it feels like about 2x the scope. It is much larger, but I got it over the NF, BECAUSE I was trying to keep weight down, it is 22 oz. With your scope being newer I think you will be happy with it

 

[J300UM]

I have a 6.5-20x40 with m1 elevation turret on my 300 ultra. The rifle weighs around 10 lbs and no brake so recoil is substantial. It's been on the rifle for 5 seasons now and hasn't exactly been "babied". It's been flawless so far. It has held zero season after season and returns to zero every time. I think you'll be just fine!

 

[bassin93]

I have the VX3 8.5x25 on my edge. Have over 1000 rounds in a year and it tracks perfectly

 

[Dano1]

I have one on my 6.5-06AI and love it. It's very clear and the turrets track exactly. They I really like the feel of the micrometer style turrets and the positive feel of the clicks.

I also have a 4.5-14x44mm Leupold Mark 4 Precision Rifle thats very similar to a VX-3 with the covered micometer style turrets. and Love it as well.

I don't think you made a mistake at all.

Dan

 

[Jumpalot]

I've had two of them take a crap on me in the last couple of months. I had sent them in to have M1 turrets put on them. One was on my 7mag and went to crap in the middle of antelope season. The other was on my 260 and never has tracked since I got it back from Leupold. I'm sure when I send them back that Leupold will try to fix them. But, as soon as I get them back, they are going up for sale. Put a Viper PST on the 7mag and it has worked perfectly and the glass is better than the Leupold. Put a regular Viper on the 260 and it is working perfectly as well. Won't buy a Leupold again.

 

[Hankster76]

Jumpalot,

What went bad? P.O.I? Adjusment? Lenses? Optics?

I am concerned about repeatability, and from what I'm reading now there pretty strong. Just curious what to keep an eye out for.

 

[Outlaw6.0]

Ran an 8.5-25x50 on one of my rigs for 3-4yrs, no issues. I just sold it to a buddy who is running it on a 300RUM w/no issues. I run a 8.5-25x50 MK4 on that rig now, it started life on a 338RUM w/no issues...

What I often wonder about the Leupold line: For every NSX or Vortex PST sold, Leupold probably sells 20. Sure there is bound to be a higher failure rate for a company that outsells its competitors 10 to 1 or 20 to 1 (my numbers are pure speculation).

I am not really trying to defend Leupy, I can only share my experience & offer my thoughts. You should be fine with your purchase & if something were to happen to it, it's a well known fact that their customer service is first rate

 

[Jumpalot]

Jumpalot,

What went bad? P.O.I? Adjusment? Lenses? Optics?

I am concerned about repeatability, and from what I'm reading now there pretty strong. Just curious what to keep an eye out for.

Neither will hold a zero. When I make an adjustment, it takes 3 shots for it to hit where it should. Turning past the mark and then back doesn't help. Once sighted in, I can shoot a group and then an hour later try to shoot another group and it hits somewhere else. On one of them, it won't focus. Since I put the Vortex scopes on, all problems have disappeared. I'm not saying that Vortex is a better scope. I'm sure Leupold makes a good scope. I just happened to get two bad ones. But, I'm not going to take anymore chances on them.