Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Leupold VX-3 'torture' test

Not exactly torture, didn't beat on it with a hammer or throw it over a cliff but I thought it was a good test regardless.

For the past 2.5-3 months my .243 has been riding on the dash of the feed pickup. Pretty much 3-4 hours of continuous daily gyration.

If you've ever driven across a field of frozen cow chit you know what I'm talking about. It's not a smooth ride, the rifle gets bounced and shaken constantly. It also goes from sub zero to pretty warm with the heater defrost.

Obviously the rifle just gets superficial wear and tear but I wasn't sure how the scope would hold up(as in hold zero).

Checked zero last October before deer season.

Checked it again today right before lunch. Quick 4 shots from the dirt.

Not bad, 1.5 inch group at 200 yards(10-15 mph breeze).



Two thumbs up for the scope so far, give it another 10 or 20 years and I'll really be impressed!

That's pretty good, and pretty good shootin'. In ya'lls weather I'd be shootin' from inside the truck with the heater on.

Nice shooting Sam....with my favorite cartridge, from my favorite platform.

Looks like it's held up well. Do your Sako's ride in the back now?

Looks like you treated you well, wonder how it "shoot" after three more months of winter.

What rifle Sam????? Please don't say Kimber.

Kimber Montana that he's running, as far as I know.

Darrik, Sako's haven't been outside the safe in months!


Ben, yeah, another 3 months is in order. Cows are here until about May.


JG, DD was right. Kimber Montana 243, buy one you'll like it!




Funny story about the quick target shoot.

I stapled my target to tree that sits right beside our 'road' down to the river. Backed the pickup up 200 yards and shot from the road. It was a little chilly so I went prone right next to the truck which was acting as a windbreak.


Just finishing up shooting and I hear a noise. At first I thought it was an airplane but when I rolled over to look back I see our friend's pickup right behind mine. He was outside the cab and enroute to my 'corpse' rather quickly!

Poor guy. Drove down to cut wood and finds me laying all sprawled out on the ground. Thought I had a heart attack...

Had a good laugh when he realized what was going on.

Good to have a friend.....

It's really good to have a friend who doesn't jump out of the truck and yell "dibs on the Kimber!"

Which VX3? 2.5-8?

Good on you Sammo for checking zero. Most rangers don't do that till AFTER they've missed Wiley�..

DD & Fraser, friends are good to have!


JSH, yep, 2.5-8x36. Nice little scope.


Poobs, I haven't seen a coyote all Winter(which makes sense because I always have a gun along...).

None around the riverbottom which is strange.

So far just scaring off random dogs. No trouble makers yet so that's nice.

Good shootin' Sam. Montana's in .243 are sweet!

Ted, I agree!

You know some people say MT's are harder to shoot than heavier rifles but honestly most of the time it's not an issue.

It's not a target rifle and for my use certainly not a long range setup. Scares the chit outta things under 400 yards though...grin

Nice! That will work Sammo!

Fo sheeshy...grin

Everyone keeps yammerin on about .243, even my buddy started in on it the other day. Thinkin I may need one now?

I will surely look for a Kimber MT. Love my 7-08.

Funny bout how you haven't seen a yote all winter. I've been driving the swan hwy from Bigfork to Avon for year and half every Sun and Thursday. Have the rifle layin in the passenger seat, you think I could see a wolf?

I'm apparently the ONLY flippin guy that hasn't seen one. Laffin!

D, you need a 243 to pair up with your 7-08.


I really hope you get a chance to smoke a wolf!

I looked at a kimber 243 online yesterday. Ad stated it had 10 twist. True? If so, how heavy of a bullet can they handle?

Grovey, I've never measured but think you're right about the 10 twist.

Some guys say the 10" will stabilize 105 grain bullets in about half the rifles.

I've only shot 95 Ballistic Tips and 90 Scenars. Have a bunch of the Scenars loaded up, they shoot fine.