Leupy VX-5HD 3-15...checks all my boxes but I'm scared

[Schnee's]

As the title states.....pretty much know what I want to end up with. Have a handful of decent optics. Bout 5 FFP scopes. But for a 338 WM or 300 WM "traditional" hunting/stalking rifle.....

I have been using one for a year and half now, on 2 rifles. A 6.5 and 7RM. Both work flawless, glass is clear and I've never had any issues with them. I would not hesitate to try one out. - Matt

 

[Jesse Jaymes]

As stated...this is NOT going on a dedicated LR build that weighs 15 pounds and is intended to dial 30-40 MOA. It's going on a 338 or 300 and will dial as far as the rifle is accurate to take game. Both factory and neither are bug hole rifles. More like 1.5MOA at best. So will dial 400yds or so. So we will see. My good friend and coworker designed a few interesting scope tracking targets. I will test the combo out on them and report what I have...or don't .

 

[realunlucky]

https://www.rokslide.com/forums/threads/leupold-mark-5hd-7-35x56.126197/ Looks @Ryan Avery is giving one a shake down. Heres one from @Matt Cashell https://www.rokslide.com/forums/threads/leupold-mark-5-3-6-18x44-review-in-progress.123786/
I actually don't have a dog in this fight just tiring to read the same thing on every single thread.

 

[Jesse Jaymes]

That's the super big Tactical MF....which I've READ has much different internals/mechanics.

 

[rayporter]

I have actually put many scopes on a scope checker and anytime I am suspicious of a problem I check them. competition scopes get checked every year just because. hunting scopes get checked if I move them to another rifle or have a reason to take one off the rifle.

it is rare to find a problem with any. but none are immune from problems.

 

[LaHunter]

Is that what you really believe? That I’m a petulant child that has an emotional response to a piece of metal and some glass?

I’ve shot more rounds through a Leupold since Monday than most people will put through any scope in their lifetime. It also happens to be one of the most reliable scopes ever made. Of course Leupold doesn’t make them anymore.

Form,

Can you clarify this part of your post? I'm interested in the model that you are referring to.
I know this thread is about the VX5 HD line, but curious to know your results with the new Mark 5 HD if you have had an opportunity to put this this model through testing.

Thanks

 

[Formidilosus]

Form,

Can you clarify this part of your post? I'm interested in the model that you are referring to.
I know this thread is about the VX5 HD line, but curious to know your results with the new Mark 5 HD if you have had an opportunity to put this this model through testing.

Thanks

The Mark 5’s are the best variable scopes Leupold has ever made, save maybe the Mark8 1-8x. Unfortunately I/we have still had somewhere between 10% and 20% have issues. Some of the issues are relatively minor such as incorrect adjustment value, some major such as total erector failure. I want to see another couple dozen used heavily before stating anything definitive, however from what I’ve seen to this point I still fail to see why someone would risk it. They’re not really bringing anything so drastic to the table with size/weight/features/cost to warrant the potential problem in my opinion.

 

[LaHunter]

The Mark 5’s are the best variable scopes Leupold has ever made, save maybe the Mark8 1-8x. Unfortunately I/we have still had somewhere between 10% and 20% have issues. Some of the issues are relatively minor such as incorrect adjustment value, some major such as total erector failure. I want to see another couple dozen used heavily before stating anything definitive, however from what I’ve seen to this point I still fail to see why someone would risk it. They’re not really bringing anything so drastic to the table with size/weight/features/cost to warrant the potential problem in my opinion.

Good info.

Thank You

 

[duckhunter175]

I've run two different VX5HDs-- zero issues with tracking. Several hundred rounds through one on a 6.5cm-- had the Impact-29 reticle. Dialed and held over with precision and returned to zero perfectly. I know this isn't everyone's experience with Leupold overall but I would buy and use one with confidence for hunting situations.

 

[slowelk]

Hey @Formidilosus , looks like the majority of users of the vx-5 line in this thread have had great experiences with their scopes. Your scrutiny of this scope line, and Leupold in general doesn't hold up for the average user. Your use and abuse is clearly not what a normal user will put their scopes through, which really renders your scrutiny irrelevant.

To pick another bone though, Jon Lynch seems to be happy with his use of the Mark 5 line. Hard to argue with those results.

 

[ChrisAU]

My last Leupy was a VX-6HD that didn't track worth a sh*t but it did hold zero, so in my former life as a purely Eastern whitetail hunter in thick woods I didn't care, other than it took wayyy too much ammo to sight in (common with Leupys), what I did care about is when a buck stepped out 3 years ago and when I zoomed in a lens broke and the picture went black...

 

[Jesse Jaymes]

Ouch!

 

[ChrisAU]

Ouch!

Just to be fair, I also got an SWFA 3-15 out of the box a few weeks ago that had the reticle move when you adjusted parallax. And just last week I shot loose a set of Talley LW rings...I just have awful luck with scopes lol.

 

[Jesse Jaymes]

Sounds like SchlepRock and Ham Hands! lol Maybe you oughta go hang out with Form and break shit all day. You're good at it.

To add fuel to the fire....I think I have 3 SWFA 3-15 FFP and one 3-15 SFP. Quite happy with them. No issues.

 

[Cahunter805]

Hey @Formidilosus , looks like the majority of users of the vx-5 line in this thread have had great experiences with their scopes. Your scrutiny of this scope line, and Leupold in general doesn't hold up for the average user. Your use and abuse is clearly not what a normal user will put their scopes through, which really renders your scrutiny irrelevant.

To pick another bone though, Jon Lynch seems to be happy with his use of the Mark 5 line. Hard to argue with those results.

The scope testing that Form does may not be what the “Average” hunter may experience ever but I sure as heck would rather be safe than sorry when out hiking/hunting. His opinion is more than just the average hunter and I personally have followed his advice and always had great results.

Have you tested your VX5 on a tall target tracking test? Have you ever had to rezero the rifle? Have you ever slipped and fallen on your rifle? Was it still zeroed? Just curious.

 

[Ryan Avery]

I personally like Forms feed back. Makes me think! I am testing a 7-35 Mark 5, every time I pull the trigger the parallax knob moves.

I also missed the biggest public land bull I have ever seen because I didn’t listen to the problems I kept hearing about the Kahles gen 1 scopes.

@slowelk Jon is a good friend of mine. But he also gets paid well to shoot a Lupy. Let’s not forget that. If he didn’t he would not have a Lupy on his comp or hunting rifle...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[slowelk]

The scope testing that Form does may not be what the “Average” hunter may experience ever but I sure as heck would rather be safe than sorry when out hiking/hunting. His opinion is more than just the average hunter and I personally have followed his advice and always had great results.

Have you tested your VX5 on a tall target tracking test? Have you ever had to rezero the rifle? Have you ever slipped and fallen on your rifle? Was it still zeroed? Just curious.

I've tracked both of my vx5s from 100-600-100 in 100 yard increments. Three times with the 3-15 and twice with the 2-10 and have not had issues finding zero back at 100 with either. Perhaps not enough data points in the eyes of some, but enough for me to trust their functionality.

I have never fallen with these scopes in the field.

 

[slowelk]

I personally like Forms feed back. Makes me think! I am testing a 7-35 Mark 5, every time I pull the trigger the parallax knob moves.

I also missed the biggest bull public land bull I have ever seen because I didn’t listen to the problems I kept hearing about the Kahles gen 1 scopes.

@slowelk Jon is a good friend of mine. But he also gets paid well to shoot a Lupy. Let’s not forget that. If he didn’t he would not have a Lupy on his comp or hunting rifle...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

@Ryan Avery - I like F's input too, and always read his comments because of the knowledge he's exhibited but I don't share his experiences in this case, and neither have others, which is why I spoke up. I don't claim to have put them through their paces like he has, but I think I represent the average user more so than he.

To your point on Jon Lynch, sure, I get sponsorship, but if a sponsor product ever failed me in competition (high stakes), I would make a change. How long has Jon been with Leupold?

 

[BCD]

The scope testing that Form does may not be what the “Average” hunter may experience ever but I sure as heck would rather be safe than sorry when out hiking/hunting. His opinion is more than just the average hunter and I personally have followed his advice and always had great results.

Have you tested your VX5 on a tall target tracking test? Have you ever had to rezero the rifle? Have you ever slipped and fallen on your rifle? Was it still zeroed? Just curious.

Absolutely agree here. I would much rather have a scope that is too rugged and reliable than one that can't be trusted.

 

[Jesse Jaymes]

Absolutely agree here. I would much rather have a scope that is too rugged and reliable than one that can't be trusted.

I would agree....I simply can't Ball like everyone else and spend $3500 on a "Rugged" optic. And rugged usually means both heavy and expensive.