Leupold 4.5-14

[gunnertoy]

I'm looking at a Leupold 4.5-14 for my long range 7mag rifle.
Is this a good choice?

 

[Soj51hopeful]

Oh boy………

There’s kind of a leupold hate crowd here.

 

[gr8fuldoug]

What do you define as long range? It's our pleasure, as a long standing supporting vendor here, to discuss the different available options and special opportunities with you. Please give a call, 516-217-1000, when you have the time. Thanks

 

[WashCycle]

I've had great luck and success with mine. I have a few newer Leupolds and zero issues across the board. My VX3-HD Windplex 4.5-14 (30mm tube) has been great in low light/last shooting light situations. I have a older Vari Xii on my Grandfather's whitetail gun that leaves me struggling for confirmation in the last 15 minutes of light. Not an issue with the VX-3HD 30mm.

Also have a VX5-HD 2-10 on a brand new Maple X-Bolt....Haven't had it out in a real world scenario but it performs beyond legal shooting light when testing in in the back yard.

 

[xsn10s]

I've had a VariXIII 4.5-14x50mm LR Tactical, capped target turret model since the 1990's. It's not been dropped but has been knocked over. It's seen thousands of firing solutions through it and probably thousands of miles on washboard roads. The only time it's lost zero from twisting in the rings from a spotting scope bouncing on it while in a dragbag. It's always been reliable dialing and repeatable. I agree you'll probably not find much good to be said about Leupolds on here. I'd even want to check my zero if I dropped mine. But I'd want to check any rifle or handgun's zero after being dropped.

 

[Macintosh]

Leupold zero retention poll

I wanted to get a better community pulse on the subject. I know this isn’t a perfect way to collect data - there are different variables at play a survey can’t account for; but, it’s better than a long thread.

rokslide.com

63% of respondants reported owning at least one leupold scope that lost zero. Me personally, 3 out of the 4 leupold VX scopes I've owned lost zero from normal handling and usage, and that was with good quality rails and rings, torqued to spec, on numerous occasions, verfied by good-sized groups, and hten confirmed by putting a properly functioning scope on the very same rifle to confirm it isnt the rifle...and as-verified by leupold customer service when they replaced them. 75% personal failure rate is too much for me, never again...at least not until there is a far more solid track record specifically among folks who test and are concerned with this sort of durability.

On the other hand, you could be one of the 37% who never had an issue. If you never have an issue, or dont check it closely enough to know one way or another, then they are fantastic scopes. My brother loves his and has never had an issue with his.