Another scope going back.

[LoonWulf]

So i have another scope going back for repair (well replacement, because who actually fixes anything).
This time its a Vx-3hd, which I honestly think was bad from the get go, but slowly got worse untill it was obvious it wasnt just riding on a marginally accurate rifle.

The scope has been on my 7-08 Christensen since i got it. Previously the rifle had a 4.5-14x32 Burris on it, and groups ran about 1-1.5" with everything. When i switched to the leupold it continued to shoot about that, tho i noticed id get a random flier that was another 1-2" out. I figured it was just me since the guns small and light.

A friend of mine has been borrowing it alot since then and has re-sighted it a couple times, which I also wrote off as just user error/preference.

Fast forward to a few days ago when the rifle came back from the factory after a stock replacement. I sighted the gun, shot a couple groups, or tried to.

The bottom groups on this target are the 7-08 after firing a zero shot at 33yds.
I was originally off the box right at 100 and came back 4". Shot 5 rnds of which at least one missed the box again.
I then shot 3 rounds at the lower left and gave up.


These are sight in and groups shot this morning using the same everything except one of the Bushnell Primes (which are decent, but have their own "issues").

1-3 are a group. 4 and 5 are after adjustment. 6 and 7 were both adjustments. 8-10 are a group, all fired in about 5-10mins.



While im miffed i had to tell my buddy he might have missed some animals because of the scope, it will get taken care of.


But yeah, I grumble, but im not really upset. Its just one more in a list of stuff thats broken (or has been broken) lately.....hey beats changing the rear waterpump seal on a 6g72 derivative, and the having the lifters and/or oil pump fail a week later......

 

[Heir Kommt Die Sonne]

Aside from the groupings starting to be all over the place, how else can you tell it's a bad scope? Is there a measure of quality from the start that you can inspect in a scope before you use it ?

So far I only have been affording Vortex

 

[LoonWulf]

Aside from the groupings starting to be all over the place, how else can you tell it's a bad scope? Is there a measure of quality from the start that you can inspect in a scope before you use it ?

So far I only have been affording Vortex

Right from the get go you can give em a shake and listen, check tracking and adjustments, but for the most part "you pay yo munneh n take yo chances" As only the worse cases show much if any issues in those tests....and even then sometimes you have a useable scope its just quirky.
Damaged scopes are another mater, but easier/more likely to diagnose as they follow an event.



The more you spend the less likely you are to have issues, but its no guarantee. Honestly scope failures are pretty rare considering the sheer quantities that are out there.

 

[JDeere]

I have one of the those on my heavy barrel 700 in 7-08 and so far so good. It's a pain chasing gremlins but you know Leupold will make it right. I recently put a new Eotech dot on a Sig 10mm pistol and had had issues. After about 300 rounds the dot disappeared. UH oh back to Eotech. Bottom line stuff happens...

 

[WisBorn]

I would be curious how quickly you get the scope back from Leopold?
I have had several Leopolds and have only sent one back for repair.
Their turnaround time was acceptable, about 3 weeks.

 

[lightman]

Leupold has the rep for legendary customer service. Please let us know how this goes for you.

Scope problems and loose rings and bases can make you feel like you are chasing your tail sometimes!

When I mount a new scope I set up the rifle on a sturdy rest and rear bag at the range and check the adjustments against a carpenters folding rule that I tape to the target frame. Then I shoot a box pattern.

 

[Heir Kommt Die Sonne]

.and even then sometimes you have a useable scope its just quirky.

What I look for in a "Budget' scope, or budget anything, is something that is built to the same quality as the higher models, but just lacks the nicer features. Are the cheaper Vortexs and the Sig scopes built of the same toughness as the higher end models although I do see they lack the features the nicer ones have?

From my understanding and to be generous towards budget scopes, most of them are adequate as basic range scopes if all you're doing is taking your rifle out to the range occasionally every now and then; it'll hold zero and the scope will work. Whether or not i'd rely on a 80 dollar amazon scope for hunting, probably not . "Pay yo munneh yo get u pay for. Mo munneh mo bettah" Am I correct in this sentiment?

 

[horsemen61]

I’ve used luepolds warranty 3 times iirc and each time they made it right by me I’d have no problem using them for anything that they warranty they are my favorite scope brand

 

[Hookeye]

Ive had around 2 dozen Leupolds.
Over half of them used.
No problems w the used scopes.
4 of the 9 or so new ones, sent back. 3 fixed, 1 replaced. All had issues from the get go.
No probs after fix.
Have had half a dozen of their Redfields too, zero issues.

If any give me probs from now on, will upgrade to euro stuff.

I run Leupold because I hunt, like their forgiving eyebox and decent eye relief.

 

[Hookeye]

Leupold and Ruger.................good warranty, expect to use it down the road, maybe right off.

 

[LoonWulf]

What I look for in a "Budget' scope, or budget anything, is something that is built to the same quality as the higher models, but just lacks the nicer features. Are the cheaper Vortexs and the Sig scopes built of the same toughness as the higher end models although I do see they lack the features the nicer ones have?

From my understanding and to be generous towards budget scopes, most of them are adequate as basic range scopes if all you're doing is taking your rifle out to the range occasionally every now and then; it'll hold zero and the scope will work. Whether or not i'd rely on a 80 dollar amazon scope for hunting, probably not . "Pay yo munneh yo get u pay for. Mo munneh mo bettah" Am I correct in this sentiment?

Ive generally found that even cheap scopes will do what you want most of the time.
Theres a thread somewhere about a 30 dollar amazon scope I tried to kill, and there an 80 dollar one riding around on the .458WM i built.

Also had two or three cheapish scopes have to go back immediately.
What I've noticed is if they make it thru the initial sight-in and range trip your usually good to go. Ive only had maybe 2 or 3 fail after having been in use (without some kinda event).

I would be curious how quickly you get the scope back from Leopold?
I have had several Leopolds and have only sent one back for repair.
Their turnaround time was acceptable, about 3 weeks.

Thats about what I've experienced with Leupold as well.

 

[D.B. Cooper]

Is there a measure of quality from the start that you can inspect in a scope before you use it ?

It's called the "Box Test." Shoot 5 rounds. After the first shot, dial the elevation up one inch. Take the 2nd shot; it should impact one inch above the fist shot. Dial the windage one inch right. Take the 3rd shot; it should impact one inch to the right of the 2nd shot. Dial the elevation down one inch. Take the 4th shot; it should impact one inch below the 3rd shot and one inch to the right of the 1st shot. Dial the windage one inch left. Take the 5th shot; it should impact near the 1st shot and one inch below the 2nd shot. When you're done, your target should have a roughly one inch box on it when you connect the bullet holes. (This, of course, assumes a solid rest, you're a good enough marksman to shoot a tight group, and you're using quality ammo.) If successful, you will have proven that a one inch adjustment on the scope truly equals a one inch change of impact on the target, and that the scope is repeatable, meaning that, once zeroed, you can make an adjustment, then reverse that adjustment, and the scope will hold/return to that original zero.

 

[LoonWulf]

It's called the "Box Test." Shoot 5 rounds. After the first shot, dial the elevation up one inch. Take the 2nd shot; it should impact one inch above the fist shot. Dial the windage one inch right. Take the 3rd shot; it should impact one inch to the right of the 2nd shot. Dial the elevation down one inch. Take the 4th shot; it should impact one inch below the 3rd shot and one inch to the right of the 1st shot. Dial the windage one inch left. Take the 5th shot; it should impact near the 1st shot and one inch below the 2nd shot. When you're done, your target should have a roughly one inch box on it when you connect the bullet holes. (This, of course, assumes a solid rest, you're a good enough marksman to shoot a tight group, and you're using quality ammo.) If successful, you will have proven that a one inch adjustment on the scope truly equals a one inch change of impact on the target, and that the scope is repeatable, meaning that, once zeroed, you can make an adjustment, then reverse that adjustment, and the scope will hold/return to that original zero.

The box test and tall target test are great, and definitely worth performing. Especially if you plan on making regular adjustments.
but theres plenty of scopes out there that work fine as set and forgets that wont pass either.

There are also scopes that change POI with power changes, or need tapping to settle adjustments (one of the primes ive got is showing the need for taps right now, might get better)
Again all technically defective (imo), but if the user dosent mind the issues then they still provide fine, if quirky, service.
The absolute failure is not holding zero.

 

[ms6852]

I'm guessing the reticle on that scope is wired or is it etched? If you had your doubts since the beginning there is alway a good possibility it got ruined in shipping, leupold brand optics have always been stellar in performance according to their price points. Sorry your blood pressure is rising...it's understandable

 

[LoonWulf]

I'm guessing the reticle on that scope is wired or is it etched? If you had your doubts since the beginning there is alway a good possibility it got ruined in shipping, leupold brand optics have always been stellar in performance according to their price points. Sorry your blood pressure is rising...it's understandable

Wired id assume, tho im not very familiar with leupys current reticle construction options.
Its certainly possible, shipping is always a weak link. I've had a few things broken on the way over. My other leupolds have been for the most part mechanically sound so far.

 

[LoonWulf]

Update from leupold. Scope received, expected 5 week turnaround.

 

[Megawatt maker]

Update from leupold. Scope received, expected 5 week turnaround.

Wow.

5 weeks turn around? I too just sent back a VX-3i LRP that quit tracking, just this morning.

So..I can expect at least 5 weeks. That's most disappointing. I expect so much more from Leupold. This is the first time I've sent an actual Leupold back for repair. My other dealing was a Redfield product..that they took 8 months to replace.

Say what you want about Vortex. I've had to send a few back to them..but ALWAYS..they paid the shipping both ways (Leupold makes you pay to ship it to them..as I found out today)..and I ALWAYS got it back in less time than they said..never more than 10 days.

Leupold just lost some reputation in my book. See how it goes...may get worse.

 

[LoonWulf]

If they have em in stock, id guess closer to 3weeks turn around.....or at least thats been my experience.

Some companies are noticeably slower, some noticably fastwr, but IME 3-6 Weeks is what i expect when i send stuff from hawaii..... figure 2-3days extra travel.

 

[Riomouse911]

Hopefully they get it back to you soon and it is working right!

I sent my S&W 624 back to Springfield after it locked up, I am hoping to get it back soon.

Stay safe.

 

[LoonWulf]

Ive never dealt with Smiths CS, as i dont own any, but a friend of mine has had some issues with his 627, so I'm curious how your experience goes.

 

[Riomouse911]

Ive never dealt with Smiths CS, as i dont own any, but a friend of mine has had some issues with his 627, so I'm curious how your experience goes.

I have sent 4 back now, a 66-2, a 48-3, a 686+ and now my 624. The others were not too bad time wise, this one has been gone almost 4 weeks now.

When I get word from S&W, I’ll start a thread.

Stay safe.

 

[Bronco72]

Boy that's frustrating. I have had only good luck with Leupolds, it has been years since I bought one though. I sure hope that their over quality has not gone by the wayside. Make me hesitant to send anything back if it is a minor annoyance.

 

[LoonWulf]

Boy that's frustrating. I have had only good luck with Leupolds, it has been years since I bought one though. I sure hope that their over quality has not gone by the wayside. Make me hesitant to send anything back if it is a minor annoyance.

Ill admit Leupold ruggedness isnt why I buy them lol. Ive only had two issues with my own, but theres a few more that I'm aware of having failures.

Personally with an optic on a limited distance hunting rifle Im ok with quirky, if the scope does the things i need it to and i like it.

 

[troy fairweather]

I'd bet from now to September is probably when they get the most scopes in for repair or replacement, guys want them fixed before hunting season starts. I know Burris you used to be able to send a scope in for a free cleaning, amazing how they got them looking like new. Not sure if they do that anymore or not.

I've owned a good many leupolds and haven't had any fail, I like there light and have good eye relief plus there glass looks good to my eye. Not tapping the turrets on a scope that needs it will drive a person crazy if they didn't known.

 

[Skylerbone]

I experienced a Leupold failure a week or so ago, this one a VX-5HD sitting atop a Ruger 300 Win Mag. with dad shooting.

First round was dead on, second and third were nowhere to be found using my 6.5X Vortex Fury’s.

Should have known. Even at 75 the old man still outshoots me, sorry for doubting you, Leupold. Hope they make that -3 right for you, @LoonWulf







I know it’s only 3 @ 50 yds but come on, he took his trifocals off!