Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Leupold 6-18 died

Some time back, somebody on the forum trash mouthed the Leupold VX2 6-18. I had one, and it worked fine for a few years, but just died. It was on my 223, and the previous scope also died. I shoot the rifle way more than any other rifle I have, so am I just beating up scopes with a puny little 223? Maybe I need something tougher, though I'm not sure exactly what that will be. For the time being, I put an extra Leupold 4.5-14 on it. What say you?

If you want more range out of your 223...AI it...quite throwing your rifle downrange at your target.

try a Bushnell lrhs.

Thanks for the report 603C.

What failed? Zero retention, reticle broke, tracking?

Also curious how many rounds and ring spacing. Was it on a SCAR by any chance

Jason

It was on a Ruger Hawkeye in 223. As for exactly what's wrong, I don't know. I just had a wandering zero. Probably some folks wouldn't have noticed, but I went from 1/2 inch groups to 1.5 inch groups, with no reason for that. Similar to the issue I had with its predecessor, a Nikon Monarch 4-16. Put the 4.5-14 on it and all is well. As for round count, call it 300 or so.

For now anyway...^^^^^^

Now that you mention that both scopes were on a Ruger, my guess would be mechanical stress from the rings.

The fist thing I would do is run a lapping bar through those rings to check alignment.

It likely was me trashing the 6x18s. I have 2 of them. Both have been back to Leopold 3 times each. Mine quit holding zero after about 300 rounds.the cause was a faulty erector spring. They simply weren't,strong enough and there is only a single spring.it isn't strong enough for long term dialing. I also has one scope with a poi problem.from 6x to 18x there was a 2 inch difference at 200yds. The glass was good and I don't hold a personal bent against Leopold. This was simply my experience and 6 combined return trips isn't a fluke.

Long, thin tubes do no favores with zero retention or durability and the Leupold 6-18x is a notorious failure.



Very few scopes are actually meant to be shot. Leupold variables aren't them.

Formidulous: I currently have half a dozen (six!) Leupold 6x18 variable scopes and have owned a few others (3 or 4 for sure) in the past - all have been mounted on Varmint and Antelope Rifles.
I have as yet to notice any kind of failures.
In addition to my first hand experiences the 6x18 Leupolds are a favorite among my sizeable cadre of Varmint Hunting partners - again NO failures to date that I am aware of.
I heartily disagree with your contention regarding the "notorious failure of the 6-18x Leupold"!
IF... the Leupold 6x18 variables actually had a "notorious failure rate" like YOU contend, I doubt that they would retain their re-sale value as strongly as they do!
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

I called Leupold about the scope. As expected they'll fix it. One thing I never really liked about that scope is the LRDV reticle. Nothing really wrong with it, but it just isn't great. I asked for other reticle options, but they don't offer all the ones they'll put in the VX3's. I have my extra Leupold, an old refurbished VariX-III, on the 223 and I think I'll leave it there. I had them put the Varmint Hunter reticle in it last year and they put new guts in it while they had it. The VX2 will become my 'extra' scope now. It's my least favorite of the scopes I have.

Varmint guy, I have 2 6x18s that I will sell you. Let me know if you are interested. Both are just back from Leopold. Glass is good.fine duplex reticle.

I have several Leupold scopes and none have needed service.

Now we have somebody wanting to sell some that are just
back from service.

What is wrong with this story ?

Nothing wrong at all. I simply have 2 of these scopes that have brand new erectors in them because the the others have quit working after some use. They likely will work very well for you since they never fail.$350 each. I will ship. I'm going to take the money and buy another SWFA. They don't break.

LOL!

I've killed schitloads of animals, made my longest shot on a coyote (934), shot amazing groups, and used the exact scope in competition with results that most would envy.

I've got 2. One is on a 17HMR. This is what it does pretty regular like...



More from the "scope that should not be shot"....

565 seated with Sticks...

In defense of Formid--whatever, his criteria is a bit different than most. What fails in his environment may very well last another a lifetime. This does not make his opinion, based on experience, wrong. It does, however, offer a very real benchmark against which to compare ones own experience.

Much like the Mil Spec AR argument, different folks have different needs.

Got a 4 x 16 Tasco on top of one of my 223s....

Its had at least 3,000 rounds fired from underneath it...
and it still works fine...

I must be lucky, we all knowing how Tascos just won't hold up at all....

BINGO, Best bang for buck with target turret, sure a 7 STW, 338 Lapua or 50 cal can shake a 4K German glass scope loose!
very best WinPoor

All VX2 action.