When did leupold go down hill?

[Bowhunter46]

Have had many vx3’s, vx5’s and some of the new mark4hd and 5hds. My question is when did Leupold go downhill and which scopes are good to go? I’ve seen pretty much every Leupold fail form’s test. I know the original mark 4 is solid but what other Leupold scopes from the past are good to go?

 

[AKAV8R]

Good question; I’ve hunted with them for 45 years, still have that first one, and just a few new models. Everything I have is rock solid. What’s your specific observations? Genuinely curious now.

 

[omicron1792]

Good question; I’ve hunted with them for 45 years, still have that first one, and just a few new models. Everything I have is rock solid. What’s your specific observations? Genuinely curious now.

Start by reading @Formidilosus testing of scopes here on this site.

 

[Grassymike]

OP has already stated that he has seen scope after scope fail. Question is when did they go from good to bad ?

 

[Kauaihunter]

I think everyone has to take their usage and experiences into consideration. If it works, it works. Some issues could also be attributed to scope mounting, rifle bedding and operator error problems and not the scope itself. I had no issues with a VX-2 LRD in a bedded, synthetic stock Remington 700 in 7mag. Leupold dual dovetail bases and Burris Signature rings. I passed that rifle on to my son in law and still no issues for the 3 or 4 years he’s hunted with it. I don’t even know how many deer I shot with that rifle over the years? Rifle is a 1968 model. VX-2 been on it since the scope was bought new by myself.

With that said, I’ve noticed what’s happened in recent years, lightweight and less durability trade off is obvious. These happened to two of my friends that I hunt with. In the last 6 months, one Muzzleloader scope, loss of zero, cannot return to zero, less than two years on a 12ga semiautomatic shooting slugs, purchased brand new. Leupold repaired it and sent it back. VX-3HD purchased new 12/24 and zeroed for upcoming Axis hunt this past April. Friend took a spill and dinged the objective bell. A quadrant in the scope fogged. Sent back and Leupold repaired it. Ding is there but scope is clear again. The warranty still holds up.

Not a hater, just facts. The VX-2 will remain as it has proven to be durable in that setup. Including the yearly air travel, shuttle, ferry trip and return.

 

[JLH3]

I have a Vari-X III 3.5-10x with the B&C reticle. I bought it new in 2007 for my .300H&H Model 70. After years on that rifle it went on my .257Wby Vanguard. It’s never lost zero. Even after lots of rounds and lots of hunts. (It’s actually the rifle Im holding in my picture)

It’s still on that Vanguard and I have no qualms about taking it into the field. But my rifles wear NF’s now.

 

[BBob]

I know the original mark 4 is solid

Which original Mark 4's? All the old original variables mostly fail. The fixed power were good.

 

[roadrunner]

Well, a VX-3 on my 7mm WSM took a little tumble one evening on a cow elk hunt and the next morning drilled one at 300 yds without "verifying", so...

 

[hoooogan]

Same ^^^^^ I accidentally did my own drop test on my VX3 when I was stalking a couple weeks ago. Slipped and fell back onto the rifle. Left a nice mark on the top of the bell. Later that day, I made a clean 260y shot.

 

[Bowhunter46]

Which original Mark 4's? All the old original variables mostly fail. The fixed power were good.

The original mark 4 military scope LR/T

 

[Bowhunter46]

Good question; I’ve hunted with them for 45 years, still have that first one, and just a few new models. Everything I have is rock solid. What’s your specific observations? Genuinely curious now.

I’ve had most of my leupolds not track correctly or lose zero. I can specifically remember a Leupold vx3 that I would constantly re-zero and everytime I’d go to the range it’d be 6-7” off. Never had this issue with any nightforce or Trijicon out to 800yds

 

[JGRaider]

All of those afflicted with LRDS need to go check this thread out, particularly buffybr's posts. Starts around post #180. Someone should attempt to explain to him how schitttty his scopes are......

J

Post in thread 'Kill pictures from cartridges above 6.5 Creed???'

Tuesday at 11:39 AM

The past 25 years this man has been trying to make sure every animal species knows he's their daddy!

Yeah, and he's pretty darn good at it! Quite a number of RS guys will soil their pants if they notice how many of those were killed with a Leupold.

• JGRaider

• 

 

[Grassymike]

I have one Vari x 2 ,7x33 that I bought new in 1989. It was mounted on my 30-06 and remained there for 25 years, got smacked hard and has numerous dings from my careless younger days. I never had to re zero it on that gun. About ten years ago I remounted it on a .243 and rezeroed it then,still good but has not been used much. I purchased a VX3 3-9x40 about 8-9 years ago that can't seem to hold zero at all. I plan to shoot it on a different rifle to confirm that scope is my problem and if it is will send to Leupold to fix then sell it. Not sure if we all had lower expectations for scopes back in the day or they have just gotten worse, but I do know I have one I will keep and one that may go down the road. Future scopes will be reliable first and foremost.

 

[Bowhunter46]

All of those afflicted with LRDS need to go check this thread out, particularly buffybr's posts. Starts around post #180. Someone should attempt to explain to him how schitttty his scopes are......

J

Post in thread 'Kill pictures from cartridges above 6.5 Creed???'

Tuesday at 11:39 AM

The past 25 years this man has been trying to make sure every animal species knows he's their daddy!

Yeah, and he's pretty darn good at it! Quite a number of RS guys will soil their pants if they notice how many of those were killed with a Leupold.

• JGRaider

• 

And they may have worked for him, they haven’t been the most reliable for me. They used to be better than they are now, but nowhere near nightforce durability

 

[Bowhunter46]

I have one Vari x 2 ,7x33 that I bought new in 1989. It was mounted on my 30-06 and remained there for 25 years, got smacked hard and has numerous dings from my careless younger days. I never had to re zero it on that gun. About ten years ago I remounted it on a .243 and rezeroed it then,still good but has not been used much. I purchased a VX3 3-9x40 about 8-9 years ago that can't seem to hold zero at all. I plan to shoot it on a different rifle to confirm that scope is my problem and if it is will send to Leupold to fix then sell it. Not sure if we all had lower expectations for scopes back in the day or they have just gotten worse, but I do know I have one I will keep and one that may go down the road. Future scopes will be reliable first and foremost.

I believe their quality has gonna down hill quite a bit

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

I have 6 Leupold VXIII's that I have used since 1990's that have never failed me. (4 4x14, 1 3x10 & 1 6x20). As long as they keep their zero, I am not changing anything.

 

[kpk]

I bought what I think is a VX 3 about five years ago to put on a muzzleloader and it's an absolute piece of junk. Near impossible to zero, and once zeroed, it won't hold it for anything. I ended up putting it on a .22 (where it has the exact same problems), and honestly it doesn't even deserve to be there. I had like a $40 Simmons fixed 4x on that .22 prior that I belive to be more reliable.

 

[KnightExtreme]

From the Reviews and some dropping / damaging a Leopould one has to be careful on their Hunts and Range time. Never had any true issues with most all scopes only had 1 go bad years back (Williams Twlight 3-9 x 40) replaced it with a Burris and no issues since but now only hunt my property for whitetails. Very careful ... Guess being careful is Key with any Scope that a shooter chooses. Have 2 burris now and looking for another scope for an recently picked up Knight Rifle for a friend to get into the ML Season. thus my reason for reading this Thread. We all have our brand of choicewe have been fortunate with.
Thanks for the info. Always try and be careful at my age (rcently Retired).
KE

 

[wyosteve]

My impression is that it's been about the last 15 years that the quality is different compared to earlier models. That statement is based only on visual observations. I haven't had a failure, but that doesn't mean it won't happen.

 

[Cannonball]

seems like the change from vari-x to vx?