24 January 2011, 22:34
GaryVA"new" LEUPOLD long tube 3X from Custom Shop
Just a heads up:
Leupold has tested a new 3X long tube scope over the last several years and should have it up and running ready to order out of the Custom Shop by the end of February. The demand for this scope has been fairly consistent over the years. I'm looking forward to ordering one for my current 416Remington project rifle.
Later

25 January 2011, 00:11
StonecreekIf you've tracked the price of a used (and long out-of-production) Leupold M-8 3X on places like ebay, you'll quickly understand why this is a smart move on Leupold's part. Making the body longer also lets users of long-actioned rounds have more latitude in how the scope is mounted and allows them to avoid gimmicks like extension rings or extended bases.
I can't believe it took Leupold this long to figure out the demand. I guess they were too busy putting divots in the bottoms of their objective lenses and designing reticles that make it look like you're peeping though a net wire fence. Glad to see them moving back to the practical side.
25 January 2011, 00:45
KurtCIt is my understanding that Leupolds more modern erector systems have not been compatible with a long tube. I'm glad to see they've been listening to us and finally figured out how to do it.
25 January 2011, 04:16
Conquote:
Glad to see them moving back to the practical side.
Not wrong! They've quietly also had an 8x50mm A/O scope from the custom shop for competition work. Their old 10x was also an immensely practical scope for users with a 22/250 or such.
Enough of the hubble scopes ... bring out QUALITY fixed power scopes with the upper range of glass optics fitted. I'd personally rather pay $500 for say a fixed 4x32 with EXCELLENT optics, rather than $500 for mid-range optics and 3-12x power range with Bullistic rectumicle. That Zeiss and others Europeans are now targetting the middle market with better quality glass is a wake up call. Shame the Europeans just cant build them as trim yet.
Cheers...
Con