Author Topic: Scope reliability? (Read 906 times)

nomad · « **on:** July 04, 2004, 04:05:35 AM »

I don't shoot BR anymore -- tired of the 'buy the match' attitude...and the fact that they seem to have reached the point of no meaningful discovery. But , in hopes of learning that they've found something that's actually useful (to people who understand that a .000000001" group reduction isn't really important) I still keep in touch with friends who're stool-shooters and I follow the 'net sites. And I have to admit that they do stay up on topics like scope reliability.

This showed up on benchrest.com recently and, apropos of nothing whatsoever, I thought that I'd post it here for amusement:

http://www.benchrest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15286

Hornetx60 · « **Reply #1 on:** July 04, 2004, 01:26:58 PM »

Nomad, So how much are they really talking about the Leupolds moving around before the repair work is being done?

longgun · « **Reply #2 on:** July 04, 2004, 11:30:15 PM »

If I were to pay $ 900 + for a leupold scope, I would expect there to be no movement nor change in repeatability of the scope. The old leupold 24X scopes were very good, but I've had problems with the variables. Now I shoot the Weaver T series scopes and have no problems at all. I'm not asking to get flamed, but I've had more than my share of bad luck the variable leupold. Lots of folks never have any problems, especially with the older 24X scopes. They were the "old reliables" IMO. Don

nomad · « **Reply #3 on:** July 05, 2004, 05:01:42 AM »

Actually, I posted this mostly just as a point of interest -- and to make more information on the Tucker mods available. (I've been using Cecil's work with complete satisfaction for some time now on the advice of a friend who's a BR 'smith.)

The reticle movement that Leupold apparently considers acceptable is surprising to me. Although 3/16" at 100 is not something that we're likely to worry much about -- especially since they're talking about movement under recoil -- it points up that there is room for serious improvement in the mechanics of our scopes. (And, of course, that 3/16" is factory spec for new or newly refurbed units. How much movement there is in scopes that have seen significant use is another question entirely.) I wonder just how much tracking error is considered 'acceptable' by Leupold and just how quickly excessive wear patterns develop with the constant 'winding' that our scopes undergo?

Re Don's remarks, I'm using mostly all Leupolds but it IS interesting that I've noticed the Weavers that he prefers are also on top of equipment carried to the line by people named Winstead and Lawton...

It sure would be nice to see someone combine Leupold's overall design with Weaver/Nightforce reliability and put it into a package that didn't weigh as much as a loaded B-1 bomber!

Hornetx60 · « **Reply #4 on:** July 05, 2004, 09:22:33 AM »

Nomad You got it right there. No one wants to build what we want. Weaver is making an attempt if they ever actually bring the scope to market. That one will only be a 24x at that and there are a lot of shooters that want a lot more power than that, and they want Variable powers. Also Troy shoots a Leupold 8.5-25x on his Heavy 10-22. I asked him why and he said he tested his groups off hand and he shoots his best groups at 24x. That has nothing to do with Leupold but I know that he uses Leupold also. At least he had one on his gun in Jacksonville, Fl earlier this year. My only complaint with the weavers is the little bit less light transmission at equal powers.

Mongo1 · « **Reply #5 on:** July 05, 2004, 07:06:58 PM »

What remains a problem, even with the Tucker Mod, is that not all clicks are equal on the Leupold scopes. There are occasions when a change of *one* click of elevation will move point of impact from the top of the turkey to the bottom or vice versa. Trying to remember just which scope is screwy on which click is not fun. Leupold will, of course say that it is within spec somehow. :roll: