A Leupold made today, ain't the same as one made 20 years ago.
You may have something there.
I have a thirty year old Vari-X III 2.5-8x36 that spent many a year on top of 7mm and 300 magnums, and some time on a 338, back when I used to think recoil was part of the fun.
In the last decade or so it has spent its time on top of various 308's for a lot of rounds. When it's on top of my 5R Milspec or 40X I cut small groups with it, and the adjustments are positive and they return to zero.
