Leupold scopes

[CrawDad76]

Hey guys. I know that newer model scopes are supposed to be better than the older ones, that being said, if the Vx3hds supposedly have better glass than the prior VX3s, then why do the older models cost as much or more than the newer ones?? And do y’all think the older models are built better than the new ones??

 

[Axlrod]

Hey guys. I know that newer model scopes are supposed to be better than the older ones, that being said, if the Vx3hds supposedly have better glass than the prior VX3s, then why do the older models cost as much or more than the newer ones?? And do y’all think the older models are built better than the new ones??

Welcome to Rokslide. You have fallen headlong into some serious learning ahead!

 

[Laramie]

Hey guys. I know that newer model scopes are supposed to be better than the older ones, that being said, if the Vx3hds supposedly have better glass than the prior VX3s, then why do the older models cost as much or more than the newer ones?? And do y’all think the older models are built better than the new ones??

They are all trash, except the ones that aren't. But even the good ones still aren't as good as .... but they might be a little better than....

Long story short there are several threads on here discussing scopes, durability, ability to hold zero, etc.. Leupold hasn't done very well in most of those tests. I have an old one that has held zero for 30 years but I don't dial with it. My newer rifles have one of the other brands recommended on here. I like them but they aren't cheap.

 

[Q_Sertorius]

Hey guys. I know that newer model scopes are supposed to be better than the older ones, that being said, if the Vx3hds supposedly have better glass than the prior VX3s, then why do the older models cost as much or more than the newer ones?? And do y’all think the older models are built better than the new ones??

They are all problematic to some degree, but most older Leupolds are better built than new ones. Not all Leupolds are bad, but the brand name is not synonymous with excellence around here. The types of people who really like Leupold seem to be convinced that they went bad at some point, probably around 2000, and that the older ones are better. The types of people who really don’t like Leupold seem to be convinced that they were always bad.

Me personally, I have owned a few that held zero, but I won’t ever purchase another as long as SWFA and Trijicon offer more reliable options for less money.

 

[CrawDad76]

Welcome to Rokslide. You have fallen headlong into some serious learning ahead!

Thanks man! Well I’m pretty versed in shooting, hunting , and scopes…just not that much as far as the “Leupold debate”.

 

[Ross]

5 decade user of Leupolds. Never have used a dialer. Never an issue holding zero with several 3x9, nor my 4.5x14 vx3. They are not all problematic.

 

[wapitibob]

Never had an issue with my Mark4 HD, VXIII was a different story.

 

[Choupique]

They are not all problematic.

My experience has been as long as you dont dial them or beat on them they are generally ok. A VX3i at $400 used to be a good deal for a lightweight scope with good glass. At their current price points, nah thank ya.

I still have some on rifles that live a gentle life.

 

[Ross]

Rest assured, my scopes have taken a beating that most will never see, nor treated nicely. Yet, they do the job as intended.

 

[tstowater]

I have a significant number of various VX3's. To date, I haven't had any problems requiring a scope to be sent in for repairs. I would say that the newer scopes have better glass but at a cost that may not be justified with the competition. The last three I bought were VX5HD and have served me well. That said, I have 2 SWFA 3-15's on the way for a couple new projects. Not planning on doing a Form drop test, but I figured it was worth trying something different for less. If you are not dialing, the Leupold should serve you well. Pricing of new vs old? Not a clue but my guess is the age group with money want one for nostalgia for a gun.

 

[HiMtnHntr]

You could consider me completely out of the loop on all the discussion on here about scopes. But one of my rifles wears a vx3 4-12 w/ cds and I haven’t had a single issue with it and have dialed out past 700 yards shooting steel.

 

[Huntsalot]

I had to send 3 of them back over the years. Sold all of them and moved on.

 

[1000yards]

I probably follow a real similar story arc to a bunch of the other FNGs on this forum. Hunted my whole life with Leupold's without any issues that I was aware of. Found rokslide and Form's drop testing where a Leupold will actually lose zero just driving down the road. Decide to start tracking zero one rifle system at a time (I'm regularly driving down some pretty nasty lime rock roads). One leupold after another shows erratic behavior. Slowly replace each one with a Trijicon, Maven, S&B, SWFA. All my systems hold zero now and that is giving me a great basis for learning and practicing long range shooting. Sold all the Leupolds and I don't feel like I'm missing anything at all. Now with this past season and a lot of time spent hunting with those new scopes I realize that all the supposed strengths of a Leupold scope don't mean anything in the field (eye relief, eye box, light transmission, weight, etc). Yes I probably could have spent the rest of my life happily killing things with those Leupold scopes, but I really enjoy the extra confidence in my gear.

 

[VernAK]

The Leupolds that I have, and want more of, are no longer made,

FX series, 3X and 6X especially with LRD.