Is there any certain brand scope, that would be better on a high caliber rifle with a good bit of recoil. Reason asking I have heard that some scopes are not made heavy enough for the recoil of some of the bigger calibers, such as 338 Lapua, 375 H&H, and so on.

Any quality scope will do fine on a large bore, heavy recoiling firearm. Leupolds ride mine (.375, .416, .458). You cannot expect an inexpensive (cheap) scope to hold up, IMO, and why would you want one on a large bore anyway?

I have been looking at a March, and was wondering if it would stand up.

Schmidt and bender. or swarovski will out perform a Leoupold anytime, anyday, and all weather conditions....didn't you see the video when they froze(cryogenically))those top five rated scopes? Leoupold was the first to go...

quote:

Originally posted by AKsheephunter:
Schmidt and bender. or swarovski will out perform a Leoupold anytime, anyday, and all weather conditions....didn't you see the video when they froze(cryogenically))those top five rated scopes? Leoupold was the first to go...

I don't keep my scopes in the freezer, so guess I needn't worry. Ever try to get service on a european scope such as the brands you suggest? Good luck with that! Leupold has the best warranty service of any scope I know of, even if you aren't the original owner. All scopes fail at some point.

from the mechanical pov the top Brnads such as Swarovski, Zeiss, S&B or Leupold should work with the recoil without problems. Another question is that the scope mount will work as well. There the SR-rail system from Swarovski is the only one having force transmission by shape and not by friction - so this is by far the strongest design to transfer the recoil forces...

quote:

didn't you see the video when they froze(cryogenically))those top five rated scopes? Leoupold was the first to go...

AKsheephunter,

Could you please give us the link to this video clip that you refer to, or perhaps share with us the outcome of this test.

Many thanks

Warrior

Leupold is AMERICAN, with an unconditional warranty. Leupold warrants their scopes no matter what -- regardless of who bought it, when, and you don't need to "register" as an owner.

Literally, if you were out plowing and dug a Leupold out of the pasture, Leupold would fix it like new or replace it for you.

I not kidding about this.

These days when you buy anything you're buying the warranty. The product is incidental.

I'm trying to find the link...the reason they did this freeze test was the nitrogen reaction due to extreme temps, and one such case was a hunter went on a hunt in nunivat, for Polar bear, had a 1.5 power scope in a VX-3, again, not sure what the temps were but when he did his sighting in, the scope seals gave away, on the first shot,...obviously with the money this guy had he sent for another different scope, and refused to hunt open sights.

jcjr, the March scope is a great piece of kit, and I can see easily why one might want one on something like a 338 Lapua or similar, a real long range rig deserves a great scope. One of the 'selling' points of March scopes is that the adjustments stay through thick and thin, so I would think that is in line with your use.

Nightforce is another one to look at for the type of use you are lookng at, and with all due respect, the specific product IS important, having said that, Leupold makes a Tactical scope that is damn fine...I would probably go with a Nightforce, Swaro, Zeiss and even S&B before a March, but honestly I don't know much about March's rep for service...I have fired rifles with March scopes on them, and they are VERY fine scopes, optically and mechanically. They have quite a following in some target shooting circles.

good luck!

SCHMIDT & BENDER

quote:

Originally posted by AKsheephunter:
I'm trying to find the link...the reason they did this freeze test was the nitrogen reaction due to extreme temps, and one such case was a hunter went on a hunt in nunivat, for Polar bear, had a 1.5 power scope in a VX-3, again, not sure what the temps were but when he did his sighting in, the scope seals gave away, on the first shot,...obviously with the money this guy had he sent for another different scope, and refused to hunt open sights.

i'e like to see the test

There was an article in Safari magazine a few years ago including several popular brand scopes mounted on a .460 Weatherby, then fired repeatedly. All of them passed the test. I have used the least expensive Leupold variables on three .375's and two .416's with complete satisfaction. Leupold customer service told me that their least expensive scopes and variable vs. fixed power scopes were equally recoil resistant. The difference, per Leupold, is optical quality, a subtlety I find hard to identify. Their lifetime warranty is a rarity in today's throw-away world.

Any others' experiences would be appreciated.

I've read about March scopes may very well buy one but the web site is a bit sketchy about warranty.

I have a bunch of Leupolds and have used various varieties on cartridges up to 458 Lott in rifles with no problems at all. I have broken a couple of Leupold handgun scopes on heavy recoiling handguns and they were repaired quickly with no whining by Leupold.

I also have Nightforce scopes. I believe their warranty only applies to the original buyer and they're bigger and heavier than the Leupolds; I like them but some might not.