Or would it be a nice scope if you wanted to hunt with a 1950's Model 70?

Junk.............

I wouldn't call the Alaskan "junk". It was a good scope when it was introduced in 1939, but by 1950 there were better scopes available.

The "cult" following has been fostered by the increased popularity of vintage U.S. military sniper rifles (faux or otherwise), even though the Alaskan was used on very few of them as issued.

Nothing wrong with using one on a vintage M70. Keep in mind that the scope tube isn't sealed, so they're prone to fogging, and the reticle isn't constantly centered.

I was being VERY generous..............

Didn't Leupold make a special run of some reproductions a few years ago ? Anybody know anything about those ? E

The new revived or whatever "E".

If it is about Leupold does that matter much, in this
discussion ? You only respond to the big L, and often
without any helpful advice.

Bushmaster,

The original Lyman Alaskans were pretty tough for their day, but the glass wasn't much and the "All-Weather" name came from the fact that they actually had turret caps, when many scopes back then had exposed adjustments. However, the Alaskan's turrets weren't sealed underneath the caps, and the rest of the scope wasn't sealed either.

They'll still work in relatively dry climates, and I've killed some animals with Lyman Alaskans here in Montana. But aside from nostalgia there's no real reason to use one.

Yes. Leupold offered three steel-tubed "Alaskan" scopes on 7/8" tubes - a 2-1/2x, a 4x, and a 6x. They were only made for a couple of years.

Those have cult following among those that collect vintage sporting rifles. In terms of optical quality something inexpensive like Vortex 'Diamondback' is vasty superior. If you want shockproof than sadly discontinued Nikon Monarch 'Safari' is the way to go. I suspect those glued in lenses could shake off recoil energy of .577 Tyrannosaur with ease.