Scope Problems

[ntsqd]

My Swarovski was on my rifle when I dropped it off at the gunsmith for some work. While it was there, the smith recommended a different ring/mount set-up. (the scope was in Burris Signature (insert) rings.

After mounting the scope into the new Tallys, the smith noticed that the parallax adjustment was binding. He recommended sending the scope back to Swarovski for review. Swarovski charged me $275 to replace the tube. The tube was visibly in 100% condition when it was sent to them. What ever the problem was, it wasn't shooter induced. I protested the charge but lost.

I was extremely disappointed in Swarovski's customer service.

On another note - my buddy dropped his rifle from his metal ladder stand. The scope slammed into a steel rung and was battered as it headed to the ground. I unmounted the scope and sent it to Leupold with a letter explaining what happened and a willingness to pay for the repairs. Leupold said the scope was beyond repairs and just sent a new scope an NO COST!

Sounds like the scope and it's mounting were fine before the change? I've long preferred Burris rings and bases and I know that some decidedly do not like that particular model of their rings but I think they're a brilliant solution. The Talleys that I used on a ultralight build had to be lapped as they were not concentric in the least. I'd have used the Burris rings, but there was a substantial weight difference.

 

[doctorjj]

Sounds like the scope and it's mounting were fine before the change? I've long preferred Burris rings and bases and I know that some decidedly do not like that particular model of their rings but I think they're a brilliant solution. The Talleys that I used on a ultralight build had to be lapped as they were not concentric in the least. I'd have used the Burris rings, but there was a substantial weight difference.

Sounds like a gunsmith problem to me.

 

[ntsqd]

Which part?

 

[Phil Rizzo]

I listened to a podcast a couple weeks ago from Gunwerks and Aaron said they put between 2 to 3 thousand luepold scopes on a year and he could only remember 2 having problems. I put a 5 HD 5x24 on a 22 Creed that I built last years and like it but I don't like the windward slash mark they have on it, it's on a angle and I really have to watch to make sure it lines up's correct. But it shoots real well. I'm a Kahles fan myself.

They also used Huskemaw at one time.
To get my drift you'd have to look through one of those models.

Ever heard of Lexan?

 

[doctorjj]

Which part?

The changing mounts and, even if not visibly perceptible, damage to the tube.

 

[flyguy1]

My last 2 scopes were Tract Torics, and I think I'd go there again. I have 2 Leupold Mark IVs, 3 VX 5 HDs, a Swaro Z5 and thinking 3 Zeiss. They all work fine, and get driven around bumpy pastures, and, the Mark IVs, on horseback all the time.
I had an ancient VX2 fail on a rifle I loaned out to kids for their first deer hunts. Fixed without incident. I guess I should have bought lottery tickets instead.

And, the Rokslide tests are not blinded, so to me, not valuable information. We learned that operator bias cannot be overcome, like decades ago.

 

[doctorjj]

Although the Rokslide tests are far from perfect, anyone who believes a current model Leupold is as rugged and reliable as a Nightforce is high. There are just too many stories about the VX5 and VX6's having parallax and/or erector issues to be ignored. You see tons of those stories all over the internet. It's not like all those people have bias.

 

[David_h]

I have had 2 Leupold scopes that have completely failed, like 4 foot groups at 100, no warning just sudden failure. The Leupold repair ticket showed that the "erector tube was adjusted and springs replaced"

I wish mine had failed that dramatically so that I would have avoided hundreds of rounds of load development trying to improve 1.5 MOA results. I'll keep rocking some of the Leupolds but my new March F 3-24x42 will get used somehow too. Currently it is on 6.8 Western but might consider putting it on the 300PRC

My Leupold ZL3 turret gets me 69.5 MOA and took me to a mile and back to under 1000 yards fine.

 

[Knight]

Many years ago I purchased a new Simmons 4 × 12 for around $112.00. I didn't want to spend to much money on a scope only because it was for a back up rifle for my hunts. The rifle is a 1891 Argentine Mauser in caliber 7.65 Argentine which I sporterized with a Fajen stock.
I reload this caliber with 150 grain spire point by Hornady. I recently took this scope off in exchange for a Vortex 6x25x50. A problem arose so I switch back to the Simmons 4x12. In rezeroing at a 100 yd. This was my final target results. What I learned for this was, you don't have to spend a lot of money for a name brand scope that breaks your bank.. instead, take a loved one to dinner instead.

 

[COBrad]

Many years ago I purchased a new Simmons 4 × 12 for around $112.00. I didn't want to spend to much money on a scope only because it was for a back up rifle for my hunts. The rifle is a 1891 Argentine Mauser in caliber 7.65 Argentine which I sporterized with a Fajen stock.
I reload this caliber with 150 grain spire point by Hornady. I recently took this scope off in exchange for a Vortex 6x25x50. A problem arose so I switch back to the Simmons 4x12. In rezeroing at a 100 yd. This was my final target results. What I learned for this was, you don't have to spend a lot of money for a name brand scope that breaks your bank.. instead, take a loved one to dinner instead.

Like factory the occasional factory rifle that will shoot bug holes, sometimes a budget scope will actually have reliable turrets, hold zero and return to zero… this includes leupold scopes IME. I've only had a half dozen leupolds and the best was an MK5 which was spot on. The other was a VX Freedom I put on a grandsons first rifle. Much to my surprise this scope actually had good enough turrets to sight the rifle in and neither elevation or windage moved when the other was adjusted. This is a set it and leave it hunting rifle but it's held zero and worked flawlessly for the couple hundred rounds we've put through the gun.

 

[Crockett12]

This seems to be the case on any of the turret configured Leupolds.

The Rockslide forum has scope tests and has found the Leupolds have a major durability issues with shifting zeros. In other words…it's a thing, unfortunately.

I did a search on Rockslide Forums and couldn't find "Scope tests". Could you give me the url so I can read it? Thanks in advance!

 

[Kernal1984]

Just google rokslide scope evaluations

 

[FireFlyFishing]

I did a search on Rockslide Forums and couldn't find "Scope tests". Could you give me the url so I can read it? Thanks in advance!

Rifle Scope Field Evaluations

rokslide.com

 

[Bill Peet]

For over a year I struggled to get good groups with my Weatherby 2.0 ti Backcountry in 280AI. Tried lots of bullets and several powders. I figured it was just to light (under 6 lb). Finally decided to get a Browning X-bolt Mountain Pro (on sale!) in 6.8 Western. I took the VX-6HD 3-18x44 scope off of the Weatherby and put it on the X-bolt. The Weatherby got a lesser VX-5HD 3-15x44. Well the Weatherby immediately started shooting really good (0.7 MOA at 200 yards). The x-bolt, not so much.

So I figured it was time to test out the VX-6HD to see what's up. I had an extra 30mm cheapo scope from Amazon and so I set out to compare the performance of the two scopes today. Turns out the VX-6HD is a bummer (my first bad Leupold). My cheap scope out shot it by far. Same ammo, same gun, same bench, same environmentals. I switched out the scopes on the bench at the range. I shot at 200 and at 100 yards. The x-bolt is 0.5 MOA for 3-shot group at 200 yards on windy (15-20mph) day. 151gr HH at 3300 fps.

It is going back to Leupold to see what they can offer.

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I have the same VX6 as you and my A bolt 300 WM will shoot half inch at 100 and stay tight at 600. Leupold is very good taking care of custemers . Had one replaced for free after a fall broke tub