Scott Hughes...Leatherwood Scopes?

sneeky_sniper

sneeky_sniper

Member
Hey Scott, I live in Stephenville also. I was wondering if you had any advice on the Leatherwood scopes. I got one, and I am really leary about it. It is clear as it could be, and looks like a Bushnell, but will it hold up?
 
Depends on which Leatherwood, ART II or MPC. ART was assembled by Leatherwood from Weaver parts while the MPC's were built by Weaver. Have had several and seems the ART's are the best. The MPC's have fogged. They are a specialty scope and a little difficult to use.

The above statements on make are what I understand from several years ago (1980's)
 
I have an ART II that I bought back in 1993. It has an impressive look but I had bad luck with it,the reticle turned as the scope was zoomed and stayed like an "X" the day I got it. I sent it back and waited 6 months, one excuse after another. Had to go thru the Consumer Protection Division of the Texas Attorney General. Texas dont tolerate a jackass and sure built a fire under Jim Leatherwoods sorry tail, I got a brand new one next day air and I mean right now!!! The cradle eventually gets loose on them and the scope wont stay zeroed but I must say that the optics are very good. Its a damn shame that Texas dont export their way of doin' things, the world would be a far better place!!! The ART II's seem to hold their value as I paid $650.00 for mine and about every three months or so one sells on ebay for about that now. If you want a real tactical scope buy the new Unertl 10x USMC sniper, $2500.00 but worth every penny. Good shooting!!!!
 
Unertl has always made great scopes. Scopes he made 35 years ago are still winning national championships. The new people are still supporting the old scopes. I sent a 30 year old scope to them for cleaning and refubishing and it came back perfect and for a very small nominal charge.

New production could be a problem. A friend of mine has had one on backorder for 6 years. He calls them up every 6 months or so and they assure him that he is still in line to get one.

Great scopes and NO, mine are not for sale.

Jack
 
These are currently in production as HiLux scopes. At first you think they are cheap made, then the more you look and feel, they are all machined perfectly, and the power and AO adjust smoothly, the caps are threaded right with no burrs, adjustments click consistently. I handled about 10 of them and looked them over. I also met Mr. Leatherwood himself the other day. Needless to say I was more impressed with the scopes than him. We will find out the verdict when I beat the piss out of it with a Rem Model 7 .300SAUM

I ain't saying they are a Leupold, Zeiss, or Unertl.
 
Hey Sniper,
Did they ever fix the adjustments for windage and elevation??? On the old ART II it was supposed to be 1/2 minute clicks but nothing "clicked", the turrets just kind of slide around and you really dont feel any detents at all.
 
What's the story on the different versions of the Leatherwood scope. Weren't there some lawsuits or something involved on patents and stuff? Are the new "Leatherwood" scopes different than the "ART" scopes? I've seen some of the early Leatherwood scopes that are marked "Realist Camputer," and is was a sweet scope to reach out a shoot something with. Are the new ones as good? Who makes what now?
 
Hey sneeky_sniper. I'm Scott's brother. I was born and raised in Stephenville. Scott lost his password so he doesn't post here anymore, but still takes a gander every once in a while. Anyway, he sold his Leatherwood and bought a Leupold. The scope was clear and he even has some nice 5-shot groups on paper he shot with it out of his AR. However, he just didn't feel good about it and wanted another Leupold anyway so he sold it.

Be friendly to the dairymen down there. Maybe they'll let you kill their coyotes.

God Bless.

Joel Hughes
 
I have one of the new HiLux leatherwood scopes on my encore in 22-250. It is very well made and crystal clear. I have the 6x18 model. I would recomend it to anyone.Very well built scopes for the price.
 
The new scopes are different, and Leatherwood is in a lawsuit to get their name off of some other companies product.

I bought the 4-12x50mm AO Distiguished model. I an like a few others, but my friend at Star Arms said they have sold a bunch of scopes, and only had one come back, looking like it had been dropped. I am still leary, but it shouldn't take long to beat it to pieces on a .300SAUM if it is going to come apart. The worst thing is, I don't trust the scope, and I may never trust it. That may lead to me taking it back.

Either way, I will tell the saga....right here...stay tuned.
 
Hey sneeky, if you ever have problems with it, go see Kenny at Lone Star Armament just west of town towards Dublin (hwy 377). He's a Leatherwood (among many other things) dealer and a super GREAT guy to know.

Later.
 


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