Author Topic: Leupold Rifleman Series (Read 951 times)

doc-and · « **on:** November 24, 2003, 09:21:59 AM »

Has anyone purchased a Leupold Rifleman Series 4-12x scope? What are your feelings about it? Looked at one at WallyWorld, and it looked pretty good. Nice matte finish, optics appeared clear, price seem right under $300.00.

doc-and

TheOpticZone · « **Reply #1 on:** November 24, 2003, 12:26:30 PM »

If you like the old Vari-X II's that Leupold made, then you will like the Rifleman. It is actually the same scope with just a different name on it. One big thing that I do not like about them is the "Friction Adjustments". You look at all the other manufacture scopes that are in the same price range or less, they have "click adjustments". I don't really know why Leupold does not put click adjustments in the Rifleman and VX-I's.

Dogshooter · « **Reply #2 on:** November 24, 2003, 02:32:31 PM »

Not sure I buy that. I have several older VXII's and they don't look or feel anything like the Rifleman scopes. The II's have a "quality feel" and finish is MUCH better. The Rifleman scopes look like Leupold's attempt to get some market share back from BSA and the low end Tascos. The old rule still holds true. You get what you pay for.

TheOpticZone · « **Reply #3 on:** November 24, 2003, 02:35:49 PM »

Dogshooter,

You are correct and I agree with you. The Rifleman does not seem as quality built as the old Vari-X II's. I guess I was stating they had the same coatings and features.

Bullseye · « **Reply #4 on:** November 24, 2003, 04:27:44 PM »

I do not know what the differences are between the Rifleman and VX-I's, but the 4-12 VX-I is only $250. Curious what the extra $50 gets, I know they are both friction adjustment. The VX-I also has a gloss finish the way a scope should be (only kidding, I know that is my weird personal preference).

Zachary · « **Reply #5 on:** November 25, 2003, 04:22:51 AM »

I have handled the Rifleman, the Old Vari-X IIs, the new VX-Is, and the new VX-IIs. I personally don't care for any of them. The old Vari-X II was pretty good, and the newer VX-II isn't all that bad either, but, for the money, you can do alot better. personally, the only Leupold that I would buy (and have bought) is the Vari-X III with the Illuminated Reticle.

Zachary

TheOpticZone · « **Reply #6 on:** November 25, 2003, 04:25:49 AM »

There are a couple of main difference between the VX-I and the Rifleman. The biggest is that the VX-I has Leupold's Multicoat 4 lens coating on external lenses, which is probably the price increase, where the Rifleman has Magnesium Flouride. Another minor difference is the Friction Adjustment settings. The VX-I has 1/4" friction setting on the dial where the Rifleman has 1/2" friction.

GBO MGMT · « **Reply #7 on:** November 25, 2003, 04:55:31 PM »

Today when I went up to pick up a new handgun I ordered I was sitting in the store owner's office talking and the subject of scopes came up. He says that Leupold is gonna discontinue the Vari-X III line also. Dunno what is gonna replace it or what the differences will be but his rep has informed him the line like the Vari-X II line will soon be history.

GB

Bullseye · « **Reply #8 on:** November 25, 2003, 05:09:32 PM »

If I am reading everything right.....

Optic Zone - VX-I is better than Rifleman because of better coating and better adjustments

Doc-and - The Rifleman 4-12x is $300 at Wal-Mart.

Bullseye - the VX-I 4-12x is $250 everywhere else (Luepolds new pricing policy?)

Why buy the Rifleman at Wally World. The VX-I is the better of the two scopes and is $50 less.

Correct me if I interpreted all this wrong.

TheOpticZone · « **Reply #9 on:** November 25, 2003, 05:43:50 PM »

GB,

Rumor has it that Leupold is dropping the Vari-X III line to start producing the VX-III series.

Bullseye, I have no idea why someone would buy at WalMart. Specially when the new Leupold pricing is:

Rifleman 4-12 $249.99
VX-I 4-12 $269.99

Zachary · « **Reply #10 on:** November 26, 2003, 03:14:37 AM »

I wonder what the differences would be between the current Vari-X III and the supposedly new VX-III. I guess better glass which would equate to better light transmission. I have been told, by Leupold, that their light transmission, per lens, is about 91%. Heck, the Elite 4200s and Nikon Monarchs have 95% and are just as strong as the Leupold. In fact, I think that the Elites are a bit stronger than the Vari-X IIIs.

Still, I am curious about a new VX-III line. Leupold has been resting on their laurels with regard to the Vari-X III for over 15 years now. It's about time they do something to improve their product (and hopefully lower their price).

Zachary

akpls · « **Reply #11 on:** November 26, 2003, 05:20:29 AM »

The following is an email response from Leupold concerning the VX-III. This was posted on another BB that I frequent.

"For 2004, Leupold introduces the VX-III line of Golden Ring Riflescopes. The VX-III carries many of the great classic features of the tried and true Vari-X III line but with several exciting new features. Based on the superior optical design of the Vari-X III, the VX-III delivers even more light transmission with The New Index Matched Lens System. No longer are tools required for making windage and elevation adjustments as we introduce the new, highly precise Finger Adjustable Elevation and Windage. Reticle focus will be faster and easier now with The Lockable Fast Focus Eyepiece. More Long Range models are now available.

The VX-III 1.5-5x20mm and 1.75-6x32mm are top choices in dangerous game and quick pointing optics with wide field of view and now an even brighter image for dark, shadowed woods. The VX-III 2.5-8x36mm, 3.5-10x40mm and the 4.5-14x40mm fixed objective all meet the needs of the serious hunter who needs an excellent combination of low power, wide field of view and higher magnification for longer range shots, all in a package that fits well in a scabbard. The VX-III 3.5-10x50mm fixed objective provides the best low light performance while the VX-III 4.5-14x50mm Long Range gives both great low light performance for deep timber and is equipped for long range shooting of open country with side focus and generous adjustment travel. The VX-III 4.5-14x40mm Long Range, 6.5-20x50mm Long Range (also available in a Target model) and the 8.5-25x50mm Long Range Target meet the needs of shooters that demand maximum capabilities for placing shots accurately in a wide range of conditions.

In addition to the full array of Leupold reticles, the VX-III riflescope family now also features the new Leupold Wide Duplex reticle (available in Spring 2004) in addition to the New Ballistic Reticle System: The Boone and Crockett Club Reticle for big game and the Varmint Hunter's Reticle. The Leupold Index Matched Lens System provides the best light management across the entire image, maximizing contrast and image brightness, delivering as high as 98% light transmission. New Finger Adjustable Windage and Elevation Dials make sighting in easy and zero can be reset by moving the golden pointer ring. Except for the diopter directional markings, The Lockable Fast Focus Eyepiece still carries the Leupold Classic look but focuses 4 times faster than did the Vari-X III, then can be locked in place when best focus is achieved. The Long Range configuration of Side Focus for parallax correction and 30mm maintube for added elevation adjustment travel has been carried through to all models of 4.5-14 power range and higher to provide easy to operate parallax correction and expanded capability to achieve longer range shots.

Leupold's new VX-III riflescopes are manufactured at the Leupold Beaverton, Oregon factory and are backed by the Leupold Full Lifetime Guarantee."

Regards,
Laura Peter

Leupold Customer Service
Product Specialist Group

Zachary · « **Reply #12 on:** November 26, 2003, 07:34:48 AM »

98% light transmission? :eek: That's pretty darn high - certainly higher than the Elite and Monarch's 95%.

I wonder how much more they will cost?

Zachary

doc-and · « **Reply #13 on:** November 26, 2003, 08:27:35 AM »

Just your first born!! :eek:

doc-and

Zachary · « **Reply #14 on:** November 28, 2003, 04:42:20 AM »

Knowing leupold, you just may be right. They sure are proud of their products, and their prices show it. Still, when a scope has 98% light transmission, then price can be somewhat relative. Swarovskis have about that much light transmission - maybe closer to 99%, and they cost BIG BUCKS - so then the Leupold would actually be a good deal.

Zachary