Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics How bad are new Leupold scopes

I'm sure there are folks at Leupold that it's part of their job description to kind've keep track and monitor what is being discussed on social media and such. At some point they gotta take heed.

Of course, SOMEBODY put what appears a fairly light Howa 338 WM in the hands of Tracey Pettet in that New Mexico video..........sure looked like it was the idea of CEO Bruce Pettet's idea.

Let's hope he has more sense then than that when it comes to scopes..............

For decades Leupold's were my go to scopes about 15 years ago I took to big bores thats when my Leupold's started making regular trips to be repaired....I would keep 5-8 on the shelf for replacements....sending 6 at a time to be repaired was cheaper on my end for shipping....

I've busted one with 2 shots with a Remington 11-87 12ga slug gun... a couple scopes on a 338 WM that weighed 6.5 lbs....a whole bunch on 458 Lott's, 9.3 B&M, 458 B&M, 50 B&M SS ....had a brand new 6-18 in 12 shots lock up the power ring with 12 shots in a Ruger 10-22 22 WMR....

For years I've brought on a hunts 2 extra pre-sighted in scopes with Leupold QRW rings....there's been several times one extra scope has come in handy....

I've completely phased out Leupolds for the heavy hitters....

dang.....

I'll fix it.

Just purchased another last evening. Only had a single failure in all the years of shooting them. The one failure I had was a used VXII I purchased. Found the problem at the range (not holding zero) Sent it back to Leupold who promptly repaired and returned it free of charge. I took a tumble on the rocks crossing a creek last Fall and bent the objective to a VX3. Sent a letter with the scope explaining what happened. Leupold fixed it and returned it once again free of charge. My 'luck' with Leupold has been pretty good.

I will keep buying and using them until my 'luck' runs out. If it that is as many years as I've shot their products, I will use them until my hunting career is done.

IMO the distrust of Leupolds saved me some money. I got a couple of great buys off the classifieds. Both work fine.

I have 4 Leupolds. 2 30 years old one of them kicked loose I sent it back and it was returned inside a month fixed. The other 2 are newer and they are good. The adjustments on all 4 of them are not accurate. they don't adjust as stated. But they stay there once set. I like the eye relief and glass. I can see to shoot when it is legal shooting time. I like them as well as anything else I've looked through on a hunting rifle. When I quit trusting them I'll probably try something different because of what I have read here. That day may not come if they don't shoot loose. If I buy another rifle that kicks a little I'll probably try something different on it.

I have two .375 Ultramags that weigh eight pounds or less, a .375 AI, and two .338 WMs. all have Leupolds and all have digested hundreds of hot loads without problems.

Everyone wants to play "Chris Kyle".

Has Leupold ever even pretended to give a phuuk?

I have zero issues with Leupold.

Thank you.

I’ve never had any trouble with (dozens) Leupold rifle scopes personally, but it’s cool to see a retailer follow up for their customers. Your voice is likely a bit more important to them, than an individuals.

Something never mentioned in these threads, likely due to youth or ego, is that it takes a certain level of ability to know whether a scope is adjusting correctly or not. We’ve all seen the guy at the range who can’t hit a pie plate at 100 yards and then insists that his scope must be broken. I’ve seen it dozens of times, and often notice plenty of other indicators that tell me it probably doesn’t have a damn thing to do with the scope.

Not to discount anyone directly, here or elsewhere. It’s just that I’m certain some of these accounts, at least a fraction of them, are mistaken. Not everyone is a high level rifleman, with premium equipment and ammo

So if you had a variety x -iii and you wanted a different reticle, would you sell it for a VX3 or send the old scope back for a new reticle?

I've had a half dozen or so changed to the cpc reticle over the years. It was then my favorite reticle. Fast turn around,and not expensive at all. But,with today's canted reticle problem I'm not sure I'd chance it.

I've had that done and they did a good job. They will not upgrade your old glass into new glass standards but they will put it back to new factory standard for that product. They have steadily improved their line over the years. Their lower end products are just that. They are made to sell at a price point. The highest end products are great but not as cheap as the Razor. All the high end scopes made for competition are heavy for a reason. The internals are on steroids so they can have a better chance of withstanding hard usage. Hunting scopes are made with weight savings in mind as they are not normally subjected to the brutality that a PRS comp. will see.

Great glass is expensive no matter who makes it.

I'd send it in. It seems there is still a better chance the people who repair or upgrade the scopes at Leupold generally do a better job at QC than on the assembly line. Although the price of new Leupolds have come down a bunch in the last 6 months, and used ones are cheaper in some places (except on the 'fire Classifieds generally) having the repair shop look at my scope is preferable for me.

I just bought a nice used VX-3 2.5-8x36 with the B&C reticle for $270.

+1

They're good 'til they're not, and I've yet to have a problem other than the classic evasive adjustments; never lost zero. Now though, I'm looking for the trouble signs, and won't waste time and ammo chasing a problem. Since two of my most-used rifles are short-action Hawkeyes, I have a Super Chicken already sitting in rings ready to go at the first inkling of an issue, as backup, and for comparison. Ought to invest in a collimater too, for quickly diagnosing obvious problems, and testing new scopes. Anybody able to recommend one?

I just wish these rounds of Leupold bashing (which happen about every 2-3 years) would continue for a bit longer. It always brings a bunch of good scopes to the used market and saves me some coin.

Need a CDS 4x12 that won't track?

Ringworm I would call the repair shop at leupold.

Tell the your scope model and serial number, they may be able to tell you what options they offer 4 your situation.