Home Forums Lever Action Central Lever Actions - General Anyone use a fixed 2.5x Leupold?

Piggybacking on my post looking a scope for my BLR - does anyone use a fixed 2.5X Leupold...or any fixed 2.5 scope for that matter?
Please share your experiences with 250 yard shots and shots in low light (dusk, etc).

I used Weaver K-2.5's on my .30-30, .35 Rem. and 12 gauge slug gun for many years. Killed a shytload of deer with them at ranges out to 200+ and never had any problems.

That sounds good. I think I'll go for it then.

I had a Weaver 2.5 on my Marlin 1895 but I always end up removing it because I don't like scoped levers

I have shot quite a few low powered scopes. My grandson stole my 18" barreled Texan 336 that I had Warne extra low 2-piece bases, Weaver super low rings and a Leupold 2 1/2 compact scope mounted on it. Very low and tidy setup. Sighting it in at 100 yards at midday was easy and 3/4" groups could be had on a good day. This is not supposed to be a varmint rifle but shoots like one. He killed his first antelope at 200 yards with it with no difficulty. He has also shot a Savage 99 featherweight with a 3 power Weaver and shot 1 1/4" groups with it. I see no disadvantage with low power scopes on big game at ranges under 250 yards.

Thanks, gentlemen.

Have 2.5 Scout unit on an 1895 in 45-70. Dark timber elk unit. I like it as there's nothing to obstruct the workings.



One has to do a little math though for 250 yds.

Have you considered the Leupold 1-4x ? Have one on my Marlin 356W Trapper rebore and just love it.

I’ve had a 2 1/2x scope on a 600 Remington. Never on a lever though.
I felt that rifle scope combination was perfect. Can’t say that I’ve had a lot of experience with low light.

I have a J4 scope on a 256 Magnum 1892 Winchester and I’ve shot a lot of stuff with that combination. My wife has a 4x Weaver on her Mossberg 30-30. Other than that, my lever rifles have aperture rear sights and mainly post front sights.

I have owned several 2.5x scopes, including two Leupold 2.5x Compacts. I have one new in the box now. The first one was on my Remington Model Seven 7mm-08, which I bought new in 1991, when I was 45. I could see very well then, and could shoot sub-M.O.A. groups using that scope. Today, at nearly 76, with glaucoma, I need more magnification. I don't know about 250 yard shots, though. That depends upon your eyes and how much shooting practice you do.

For a woods rifle here in the Northeast, I would still not feel hindered using a 2.5x scope.

The current-production ones have turrets that I don't like the looks of.

I ordered the 2.5x20 from Midway ($25 gift coupon on Leupold products) last night.

Leupold 1 x 4 on my Marlin is perfect for the small Hill Country place I hunt on.

I have owned a Lyman Alaskan 2.5 on a Model 71; Levermatic side mount-
best I have seen on a Model 71.

I had one on a Guide gun. I also had a 77/44 with a 1-4x20, and liked the eyebox and field of view better.

I found that the 1-4 had enough eye relief for the loads I use in it (425 grain LBT @ 1679 fps), so the 2.5 came off and the 1-4 went on. 77/44 went down the road.

Some amount of horse-trading later, a 1.5-5X20 VX-3i is on the rifle, but I still have the 2.5X20. It's a known, very durable scope.

I'm using a couple of the 1.5-5x20 's and like them. One has the heavy duplex , my favorite for a thicket gun.

Picked up a used 2.5x Leupold for my 45-70 Marlin over 20 years ago. It's still working great. Wonderful eye relief which is nice with a stout-loaded Marlin 1895.

Well known Alaskan brown bear guide Phil Shoemaker has used one on his 458 Win Mag for at least 25 years...

It's a good scope. The best at low light? No. But a real good scope.

Regards, Guy

I'm using one on my 9.3x62mm. Wide duplex. Intended for Cape Buffalo out to ~75 yards max.

Happy Camper

I also just jumped on the fixed 2.5x bandwagon. However...when I got the scope...I found that at the same power my 20mm 1.5-5 VX3s all seemed clearer and brighter in low light. Might be a focus issue.

I have a few Leupold FXII 2.5s. I like them. Mine are are all wide plex. I have shot them a bit, except for one I just put on a Sako 85, and they hold zero well. I have one on a Browning BLR '81 .308, a BLR pistol grip .358 Win, and just put one on my Sako 85 Black Bear .30-06. I got this rifle as sort of a replacement for a Mannlicher–Schönauer carbine in .30-06 that I want to preserve for my son.

Had a couple 2.5 Weavers and a couple Leupold M8 3x. Have 2 3/4x Redfield on my Marlin 94cl 25-20. Really wish I had the old ones back.