Leupold Tracking Question

[brentc]

I've had dozens over the years with no mechanical problems. I've dialed up, down, and sideways. Everything from Vari-X IIIs and Mark 4s on up to the VX5HD and the VX6HD. I keep thinking I'm due for a failure, but it just keeps not happening.

 

[elf]

I had a 40x competition scope returned from Leupold a week ago. It had a tracking problem. Have not had it to the range yet. I have had to return several Leupolds over the years for tracking problems - but had it with NF also. I own 3 Weaver 36x scopes and never had one problem with any of them.

 

[rafterfp]

YES! I have had tracking problems with multi mark 4's and one VXIII.
I have a very low opinion of leupolds ability to build a scope that will track reliably over a period of time, HOWEVER, I recently acquired in a trade a new vx5hd ZL2 and have purposely tried to break it! It has tracked perfectly for 996 documented rounds through a 14 lbs 338lm. 90% of those shots were dialed past 600 yards. FWIW this ONE works! And the glass is excellent!

 

[The Oregonian]

No scope company is perfect...but if something doesn't track correctly it doesn't matter how well you can see a target that you won't hit.

So tracking and durability are #1 for me...a warranty doesn't help me if I am on a hunting trip and only have a few days to get it done. So I have started to use NF almost exclusively and have gone with the ATACR to get good glass. Heavy, but I don't mind the extra 12-16 ounces. Not saying they won't fail but why not stack the odds in my favor?

 

[The Oregonian]

Here is a good article...doesn't include the most popular Leupolds but has many scopes that appear in conversations here.

http://precisionrifleblog.com/2014/08/13/tactical-scopes-mechanical-performance-part-1/

 

[bigbulls]

I have 2 VX-6 with the Holland reticle and turrets and they have worked perfect so far. I really like these scopes for my light weight hunting rifles, just got back to the house from shooting 420-805 yards and everything dialed perfect for me, I've been using them for 3 years now.

 

[JTB]

I had a Mark 4 on at 270 WSM for 10 years with perfect performance. Last year return to zero started missing the mark by a couple of inches and the parallax would not focus cleanly. I'm not going to lie, the scope had beed on some rough outings. Sent it in and it came back performing exaxtly as before in spite of substantial repairs. I honestly was just ready to toss it but gave the warranty one more try. They tested it and claimed no additional repairs were made but it is now back to perfection and the glass is actually better than it was new. As instructed, I did make a small mounting adjustment to make sure the rings were not covering the small indention on the front tube but otherwise went back on as before. I'm now glad I stuck with it but at the time I was really frustrated. Didn't want to waste any more time and ammo wondering if it was the scope or loads causing the problem. Bottom line is scopes can malfunction just like anything but in the end Leupold made it right.

 

[kingston]

I've had erectors replaced on Mark 4s. It's interesting, at least two of the last several times I've sent Leupold scopes for repair, they've come back not having had the issue documented in an accompanying letter resolved. In one case the scope went back twice on their dime.

 

[Reload10]

I have a vx6hd 3-18x50 and I'm starting to lose confidence in it. I sent it back for overtravel (dialed 20moa and reticle moved 20.75-21) and they said it was within their tolerance...

It's on a proof barreled 6.5x284 and every time I go out the zero is off at least 0.75 minutes. The groups are great, but poa is not matching poi. Yesterday I shot 535 yards and had 2 hits out of 5....i swear when I dial it it's moving something it shouldn't. Got out my 223 with a NF SHV 5-20 on it and had 19/20 hits. I'm going to swap the scopes and see what the culprit is.

 

[The Oregonian]

I have a vx6hd 3-18x50 and I'm starting to lose confidence in it. I sent it back for overtravel (dialed 20moa and reticle moved 20.75-21) and they said it was within their tolerance...

It's on a proof barreled 6.5x284 and every time I go out the zero is off at least 0.75 minutes. The groups are great, but poa is not matching poi. Yesterday I shot 535 yards and had 2 hits out of 5....i swear when I dial it it's moving something it shouldn't. Got out my 223 with a NF SHV 5-20 on it and had 19/20 hits. I'm going to swap the scopes and see what the culprit is.

4-5% error shouldn't be within tolerance, IMO. For close in that is fine, but it adds up as you go out.

 

[Barrelnut]

4% dialing error at 1000 yards is .41 inches. A 1/4 MOA click at 1000 yards is 2.61 inches. If I did the math right.....

 

[Reload10]

4% dialing error at 1000 yards is .41 inches. A 1/4 MOA click at 1000 yards is 2.61 inches. If I did the math right.....

Your math is wrong. If it takes 25 true minutes to get to 1000, and your scope has 4% over travel, your reticle moved 26 minutes. So 10.47" off at 1000 yards.

 

[Bravo 4]

Some of the worst MK4's and VX-III LR I've had (all 6.5-20x50...been issued dozens of 10x, 4.5-14, 3.5-10, and MK5 with few problems):
One I sent in with a 10% error and they said nothing wrong with it.
One had 1/10th moa (not mils) adjustment and 1/4 moa turrets.
Sent one in that failed to hold zero (repeatedly), when I got it back you couldn't turn the windage turret by hand.
My .338 Edge wrecked one the first shot out of it, ended up sending that one back 3 times. 3rd time they sent me a new one, to which I sold.
That was the last one I personally owned, about 5 years ago. Since then I think they have been stepping up.
Also, their customer service has been great to deal with. They even sent me a loaner a week before a hunting trip because my scope crapped the bed.
Like I said, I'd really like to try a VX5HD. But you know what they say: fool me once shame on you, fool me a dozen times and shame on me.

 

[RockyMtnMT]

I like my 6.5-20 mk4. This scope is 2 years old.

Steve