Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics VX-3i 1.5-5x20.

Leupold recently replaced an older 1.5-5x20 that had gone bonkers, wouldn't track or adjust.

Well. this new one is on a 45-70 Marlin Cowboy,1895. It's shooting groups about a MOA wide and a foot tall at a hundred. At least the foot tall group is super narrow...

And it doesn't repond to elevation adjutments as it should.

Now a light weight 45-70 does kick a good bit, but I've not shot it enough to trash a new scope. Or so I thought.

The ammo is pretty old, but still packs a lot of punch. So, I'm going to load some new stuff just to make sure it's not the ammo. But, I'm not gonna bet the farm it's ammo...

Pictured with the old one, new one is matte.

DF

Try new ammo, but you are right on those chances if the ammo has been reasonably stored. After that I'd turn the scope 90 degrees in the mount and see what happens.

Good idea on the 90* rotation.

The ammo was stored in a climate controlled area; my shop has central air and heat.

BUT, I did recently post this: https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/14316936/1

However, I was shooting different ammo: 405 cast with H-4198 , also 300 JHP's with 3031, not Vv. These are full powered loads.

Thanks for the rotation tip.

DF

Okay, I need to know the significance in turning the tube 90 degrees.

I have a few earlier versions proven in SE Alaska and Zimbabwe for sale. PM me if interested.

Never did that before. But who knows.

I think he’s wanting me to double check the elevation adjustment which seems messed up.

Loaded new ammo. Will shoot tomorrow again before doing anything else.

DF

Be interested to hear what you come up with.

Because one axis might be gone to the point it doesn't return to zero doesn't mean the other axis is gone. This is only to check and see if it is the scope or the rifle. If it does the same thing it's the rifle.

Those 45-70 chamberings in the Marlins are tough on scopes. I put a Steiner 4xi on my Marlin 45-70. Shattered the internals on the 3rd shot. Sent it to Steiner and they did the repair. I now sits on a a semi auto 22 Mag. Thinking of putting a Zeiss V6 1-6x24 on the Marlin. Pricey but I understand they're tough.

Nice Marlin, I have an LTD-II with a William's adjustable "target knob" peep on mine, always holds and returns zero.
May consider peeping it.

I’ve never had problems with mine, but it sure seems there should be a support group for leupold victims.

Gun is garbage. Keep scope. PM you addy for ffl.
You will thank me 😁
Cheers

W