Opinions and answers about Leupold scopes...

I agree that 6 power is probably too much for a calling rifle but he said in the original post this would not be used for coyotes, only range or PDs so no reference to lower powers.
 
I currently own 5 Leupold scopes and have either sold or had stolen a few more. My oldest one had a limited range of adjustment, it's one of the very first scopes with a self centering reticle, so I took it in to the factory in Beaverton and they upgraded the insides to that of the newer scopes at no charge. I bought this scope in about 1964 and have used it to kill a heap of predators and about 30 deer, a mountain goat and a caribou when I lived in Alaska. It's been on several rifles and is currently on my Remington 700 BDL 7mm Rem. mag.

There are a lot of fine scopes on the market but at the price and with the factory service I won't seriously consider anything else.

Back when I first started calling Redfield variables were very popular. Many of those old Redfields have turned milky and theres no place to take them now. They were about the same price as the Leupold and now I'm glad I went the way I did.
 
My favorite gun shop is a very high volume shop and they repair, tune up and shoot the guns. I even knew some hunters from Alaska that had their work done there in Kissimmee, FL.
Their take on scopes was that they send fewer Leupold scopes in for repairs than any other.
I even have one on my 22lr.
 
I have a rifleman and it's ok,That said in that price range you would be better off with a Nikon.Same type of warranty better optics.
Bob
 
Leupold has been living on their name for a few years, while in the meantime the quality of their "Rifleman" and VX-1 models are mostly junk. It is only a matter of time before the American public will wise up to them.
 
I think you're right to an extent Rich. They've had to introduce those low end models to be price competitive with the imports. Unfortunately, their quality isn't quite as competitive. However, I'll still stick with their VX2&3 lines. Like I said before, they're made here in the US, which nobody else can say. We spend a lot of time complaining that companies shift jobs overseas and leave us hanging, then flock to those very companies' products to save a few bucks. I'll support an American company if I can, and with Leupold I can.
 
I think Leupold scopes are good scopes, in the economy lines, VX1 and rifleman, they have friction adjustments that I prsonally don't like but you can adjust them closer because you don't have to stop on a click, I think they are alittle more prone to slipping but that is just my opinion. The more expensive models are quality scopes as you would expect, I think the VX2 line are good values. I have some other brands, Nikon, Simmons, Cabela's Alskan Guide, and Pine Ridge, they are all good scopes for their quality range. I think the Leupold scopes are, as a rule, shorter and lighter than the competition. It pretty much depends on the features you like in a scope.
 
I've owned a half dozen or so Leupolds over the years and never had a bit of trouble with any of them and all held zero, which I cant say for some other brands I've had. I had them on 7mm Rem mag, 12 ga slug gun, .50 cal ML, .223, etc. One in particular, a 3.5x10 Mark 4 really impressed me. That one was on a Rem .308 that rode for over 4 years in the trunk of my patrol car and it took a licking about every day. Dust, extreme cold and heat, moisture, vibration, high speed chases through CRP fields, you name it and it saw it. Never once did that scope lose zero or have any other problem. Maybe it says more for the Pelican gun case it was in, but still I was impressed.
And a big plus for MADE IN THE USA!!
 
I think there was a time where Leupold was one of the top dogs. However, I think they have become complacent and the competition has not only caught up to them but surpassed them in several areas nowadays.

There are some aspects of Leupold that are really good:

1) Warranty service
2) Customer service

Both are first rate as others have mentioned.

Personally though, I buy a scope for quality of glass first and foremost and I don't feel Leupold glass is top notch anymore. That is the key attribute to a good scope. It allows you to hunt earlier and longer in the day, allows you to you discern what you are hunting easier vs the background that it is on (contrast), etc. I just feel Leupold has slacked on their glass vs. the other guys.

Sit down with ANY Leupold and compare it against the low end Zeiss Conquest and the Zeiss will mop the floor with the Leupold in quality of glass. It really isn't even close to being debatable IMO. I also feel that the Bushnell 4200 series has better glass than the Leupold as well (any model of Leupold) and a [beeep] good warranty as well. I can't speak for the Bushnell 6500 as I haven't been able to directly compare them vs. Leupold though. I'm not sure that with the extra lens the 6500 would be as bright.

Other brands with better glass for sure than Leupold:

1) S&B
2) IOR
3) Nightforce
4) US Optics

Now to be fair, Leupold is less expensive than most of these models. IOR and Nightforce would likely be compareable in cost, S&B and US Optics though would be top of the heap though, not only in glass, but cost as well. Those are really the best of the best.
 
I have tried Weaver and Bushnell and settled on Leupold VX-IIIs. I have a 3.5-10x50mm, 4.5-14x40mm, and a 6.5-20x40mm EFR.

They say imitation is the most sincere form of flattery. The fact that the Chinese are building fake Leupolds is an indication that the US-made Leupold is a quality product in the scope market.
 
I like the 3.5X10X50 VX-III alot. Have Leupolds on most of my rifles. I have Burris on the rest.

I have a 3X9 VariXII that I mounted on a 22-250 alittle over thirty years ago. It is still working fine.

Over the years, I have only had to send one Leupold in for repair work. They took care of me.

Leupolds hold up well to airline, horse and 4 wheeler transport.

My experiance and opinion - worth what it cost you.

Kelly
 
I have owned Leupold in the past and they are great scopes.
Just my personal opinion but I use Nikon now, love them.
Cant comment on there warranty work, never needed it, but there Customer Service, in my experience, has been fantastic!
My 2 cents.
 
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