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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,462 Likes: 2
Campfire Regular
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OP
Campfire Regular
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,462 Likes: 2 |
Forty years ago, in a Toronto gun shop, I purchased a Burriis Silver Safari fixed 4X - 21mm scope. It was for my Ruger No.1 in .45-70 that later became a .45-70 LT (long throat). Then, later still, it went onto an 1895 Marlin in .45-70, then, years later I gave it to my oldest son for his Winchester XTR in .356 Winchester, and it was still earning its keep - until it gave up - broke - quit - a year ago while he was preparing for a deer hunt. The Burris had a lifetime warranty, but they don't make that one any more. So, he had a spare Bushnell 1.5 - 4 that he installed. That was about four decades of serious abuse on heavy hitting rifles with recoil up to 74 ft-lbs on my Ruger No.1 .45-70 LT (equivalent to a .458 Win Mag in ballistics) for ten years prior to going onto the Marlin in .45-70. It was a scope someone had ordered from the shop but never picked up. I got a deal on it for about $275. The young manager knocked off $75 which at the time was still not cheap for a fixed 4x intended for an African Safari. What's your experience? Bob www.bigbores.ca
Last edited by CZ550; 02/20/24.
"What shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul" - Jesus
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,741
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,741 |
Great Grandad’s 2.5x Lyman Alaskan has been all over the continent, and still gets it done: FC
"Every day is a holiday, and every meal is a banquet."
- Mrs. FC
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 379
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 379 |
...Leupold Vari X lll 1.5x5 purchased in 1987. Mounted on a Pre 64 action, chambered in .416 Taylor. Including load development and hunting in Africa I would "guestimate" the scope has endured more than 300+ rounds fired. The scope has never failed. Since my African days are fond memories, the scope has been mounted on a Ruger 10-22 and like the "Bunny" it just keeps on going, and going, and going.
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Joined: Aug 2023
Posts: 1,916
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Aug 2023
Posts: 1,916 |
It's sad when I scour the interwebs for steel tube weavers, and glossy Leupolds from the 80s, to mount on JM Marlins.....and they're called "vintage" scopes.
I prefer peace. But if trouble must come, let it come in my time, so that my children may live in peace. ~~ Thomas Paine
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Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 9,134 Likes: 2
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 9,134 Likes: 2 |
My oldest on a working rifle is a Zeiss Zielvier 4X, 26mm tube, I am told is a 1938 date code. The humorous part is...the elevation dial performs exactly in function the same as the "revolutionary new" Leupold CDS dial. Glass is spectacular bright and clear still. It spent the first 70 years of it's life on an Otto Bock 9.3 x 62 Mauser, so I suspect is is a hardy instrument. It is now on an 8x57 BRNO. Honorable mention goes to a 1954 Leupold Mountaineer 4x, Leup's first 1 inch tube. This too was a hardy scope, surviving 8 years on an 8mm-06 in skiff and raft hunting in Western AK. It is starting to yellow a little, but the huge 3 moa dot makes that a moot point. A hardy lightweight no frills workhorse, and just for the record, I think they used an erector spring out of a Mack truck leaf spring. No, 'take a couple shots to settle the adjustment', nonsense in the adjustment....one and done. The original 2 shot sight in...circa 1954.
Well this is a fine pickle we're in, should'a listened to Joe McCarthy and George Orwell I guess.
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,220
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,220 |
I've got some Lyman Alaskans and a couple of Weaver 330s, but the oldest might be an Ajack that came on a Swedish sniper rifle that my Father bought in the mid-1960s.
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Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 5,031 Likes: 2
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 5,031 Likes: 2 |
My oldest is a Redfield 2x7 Lo Pro Widefield still working. I bought it in the 80s and mounted it on my 35 Whelen. First shot at a deer one of the wires broke in the reticle and curled up. Had to send it back twice to Redfield to get it right. Never used it on anything since with more recoil than a 30-06 but it still works. I have a 1 3/4 to 5 Lo Profile Widefield on my yard 22 lr that was my first scope.I sent it back once for fogging inside. Had it on the Whelen for a while but it stopped holding zero Redfield was gone by then. it doesn't adjust right but I managed to get it zeroed on a 22 for 20 yards and the 22 doesn't move zero. I need to send it to the guy in Oklahoma and have it rebuilt. It was great for woods hunting.
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Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 17,821
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 17,821 |
Leupold Vari Xiii from '81 has been flawless.
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,488
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,488 |
All steel Weaver 4x on a P.O. Ackley 250-3000 Arisaka action, Birdseye Maple stock , around 1950s,
Most people don't have what it takes to get old
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 864
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 864 |
I had a 1990 or so Vari-X-III survived 30+ years of 340wby recoil. It only died when the rifle’s preferred ammo was discontinued and I attempted to change the point of impact. Although they were always a real pain to sight in, once zeroed, these were phenomenal set and forget scopes. My sense is the subsequent generations, while optically superior, have not been as robust…..:(
Last edited by elkaddict; 02/20/24.
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Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 23,686 Likes: 1
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 23,686 Likes: 1 |
Redfield wide field 3-9x on my .30-06. Old man replaced a straight 1 3/4x redfield with it in the mid 70’s and it’s still going strong.
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,658 Likes: 1
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,658 Likes: 1 |
A Balvar 2.5-8 and a 1.5-6 . Weaver steel 3-9
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Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 2,436 Likes: 3
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 2,436 Likes: 3 |
Bausch & Lomb balvar 8 with external adjust mounts on several rifles... no modern tech, but, clear, bright, and rugged as hell... love the ultra fine tapered crosshair... love to see one of these with high end modern glass installed...
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Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 4,963
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 4,963 |
Lyman Alaskan and B&L Balvar 8 on Model 70s. Old school cool that work just fine in the deer woods.
Charter Member Ancient order of the 1895 Winchester
"It's an insecure and petite man who demands all others like what he likes and dislike what he dislikes." szihn
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Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 587
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 587 |
Redfield wide field 3-9x on my .30-06. Old man replaced a straight 1 3/4x redfield with it in the mid 70’s and it’s still going strong. AYE !!!!
"not too grumpy"
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 48,112 Likes: 12
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 48,112 Likes: 12 |
This may not make the cut: 50's rifle with an older gloss Leupold (Varix-IIc 3-9x40): Using pretty old brass:
I try to stick with the basics, they do so well. Nothing fancy mind you, just plain jane will get it done with style. You want to see an animal drop right now? Shoot him in the ear hole. BSA MAGA
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 48,112 Likes: 12
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 48,112 Likes: 12 |
Lyman Alaskan and B&L Balvar 8 on Model 70s. Old school cool that work just fine in the deer woods. Looking good buddy.
I try to stick with the basics, they do so well. Nothing fancy mind you, just plain jane will get it done with style. You want to see an animal drop right now? Shoot him in the ear hole. BSA MAGA
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 19,250 Likes: 3
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 19,250 Likes: 3 |
El Paso Weaver K-2.5 Micro Trac I purchased new in 1983, El Paso Weaver K-3 post/crosshair, 2 Jap 3-9x32 Tascos from the '70's, 1998 Leupold 1-4x20 vari-x II, '90's Redfield Golden 5 star 3-9x40. All still in use and working fine.
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,091
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,091 |
Denver Redfield 2 3/4X wide field. got it new about 1972 for a 338 mag, from there to a 308 for a long time and Now on my 30-06, been a great scope! ElPaso Weaver fixed 4X on my 22 mag. Can't remember when or where I got it. 25-06 has and old Bushnell Banner 3-9X, another one I can't remember when or where I got it!
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Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 23,686 Likes: 1
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 23,686 Likes: 1 |
El Paso Weaver K-2.5 Micro Trac I purchased new in 1983, El Paso Weaver K-3 post/crosshair, 2 Jap 3-9x32 Tascos from the '70's, 1998 Leupold 1-4x20 vari-x II, '90's Redfield Golden 5 star 3-9x40. All still in use and working fine. Still have a few redfield Golden 5 stars, 3-9x on a .22WMR and a 4-12x on a .308 as well as a tracker 3-9x and 4x on older .22’s. Old man was die hard redfield guy, all my uncles were leupold.
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