I hate haters
I have a Leupold 35x Competition series scope sitting on my bench. I have two (2) 36x BSA scopes mounted on my competition rifles. Speaking strictly from 100 yard centerfire benchrest competition, I have more faith in my $80 eBay BSAs than I do the Leupold.
I don't have an opinion of the repeatability as I don't need to adjust much at 100 yards nor can I vouch for their variable power scopes.
But if you THINK that a $1500 scope makes you a better hunter and you can afford one, then by all means, get one. Kinda like the placebo effect.
If you can't afford $1500, buy what you can and get to know it. Intimately. There are very few products that can make someone a better shot, only practice, practice, practice can do that. When you can afford to move up, then move up to higher quality equipment.
I compete in hunter class/factory class with a completely stock Rem 700, not even action bedded, with a BSA scope, all my ammo has been loaded before I leave the house and I don't even own flags (I don't compete to win, just practice with what I would hunt with). My scores/aggs have been better than some (not all) of the competitiors in custom class shooting Pandas and BATs with Nightforce scopes, reloading at the bench and using flags.
I guess I am trying to say, he who spends the most doesn't always win.
Rocky