The Accurate Reloading Forums THE ACCURATE RELOADING.COM FORUMS Guns, Politics, Gunsmithing & Reloading Optics Which Scopes are tough?Go | New | Find | Notify | Tools | Reply | |
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Do you have any scopes that you have been hard on. Exposure to the elements rain, snow, heat, or dropping it etc and not had any problems with it? I.E. ones that have been through the wringer but yet you never had to send them back etc. Doesn't matter if its cost 100 bucks or 2,000. Would like to hear stories "Science only goes so far then God takes over." | ||
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Never had a problem with any Leupold however I believe the Bushnell Elite 4200's are built like a tank! | |||
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The old steel tube Weaver K series are (were) probably one of the most durable scopes as far as taking physical punishment without affecting the scope's function. However, they weren't sealed very well to begin with and were subject to foggin in cold/wet conditions whether damaged or not. I've never seen a Leupold's function impaired except if damaged to the point that it's physical integrity was compromised (crushed, bent, etc.) There have been a few anecdotal tales of Leupold variables succumbing to recoil on big bruisers, but this may sometimes be a shooter's excuse for why his .560 Brontosaurus doesn't "group" well. For what it's worth, the best fixed power scopes are ALWAYS more damage resistant than the best variables. I once saw the entire objective bell of a Simmons-branded scope fall off when the hunter took a sighting shot in bear camp (100 miles from civilization) before going out. The scope had appeared undamaged before the shot. Although it could have received some shock during its plane ride, it was shipped in an aluminum hard case and the rifle showed no sign of damage. It appeared that the metal where the scope tube joined the bell was extremely thin on one side. Obviously a quality control problem. Fortunately for the hunter, he intended primarily to bow hunt, so he just put his disabled rifle away in favor of the bow. | |||
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USO makes the most robust product in the market. They are also top tier performance wise as well. Have many of them as well as S&B PMII's, Zeniths, VMV's, Nightforce (for 1K competition only) and a few Swaro's. | |||
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FOR DURABILITY RELIABILITY AND CUST SERVICE LEUPOLD-LEUOPOLD-LEUPOLD. IF OTHER AMERICAN COMPANYS WOULD TAKE A LESSON WE AS AN ECONOMY WOULD BE MUCH BETTER OFF. | |||
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I've never had to take a leupold off any gun to send back. Only scope I can say that about and why Americans are stuck on leupold. | |||
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Is their much difference in the 3200's vs the 4200's? "Science only goes so far then God takes over." | |||
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Wonder how the new K4's would be for a general woods rifle? "Science only goes so far then God takes over." | |||
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Nightforce is one of the toughest scopes I have used. I was hunting elk in Idaho, while climbing up a mountain I sliped and fell with my rifle and still killed a elk at 560 yds. After the shot we were climbing down to go get the elk and I fell again, this time it really scartched the scope up badley,even the turrets were messed up. Went back to camp to shoot the rifle, knowing it was knocked off but it was still dead on. One of the best sopes in my opinion, I also use nightforce bases and rings with all my scopes. | |||
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I use the Swaros now as my eyes are aging some. They seem tough but I cant say that I dropped them or beat them in any way. From 270 to 416 Mag they seem to hold up. One thing is the adjustments seem to keep working - if you need them. In the older days I had a couple of Leupolds that were tough. They bounced around in the truck, in the boat, in whatever. They were the old style Vari-X II with the friction settings. No clicks and not great repeatability but tough as it seemed then. Before the move to the Swaros I had a few Kahles. I can say they were tough - but I went on a very cold hunt and the seal ring gave up. Swaro fixed it back then - but I sold the Kahles off for the Swaros. So I would say the Swaros or the Leupolds as they are both backed by some some good customer service if you need it. If you have enough scopes, do enough hunting or shooting, one day you will need one serviced or repaired. It just happens - but hopefully not at the worst time. If it does - well iron sights are really tough  . Good to have on a really deep woods rifle. | |||
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The 4200's have an extra lens to flatten the field of view (according to Bushnell) so a bit clearer is my understanding. Lens coatings "may" be a little better. EZ
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Weaver V-16's are tough. | |||
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About 12-15 years ago, I had a 1970's vintage Redfield Traditional 3-9 scope on a 30-06. I was bear hunting and had the gun slung and slipped on some ice and fell down right now, flat on my back. It was a hard fall and I landed on some rocks. My Stanley thermos received a large, deep, dent, about the size of your fist and the objective bell of the Redfield had a deep scratch and the lip was bent down a bit; the elevation turret cap was dented in majorly. Well I found a target at approx 100 yards and fired a shot to see if I was still OK to hunt that day. I hit what I was aiming at and drove on. When hunting season was over I took the gun to the rifle range and fired the gun at a real target. The gun was still perfectly zeroed. That was a rugged scope and a rugged mounting system (Redfield rotary dovetail) as well. Don't hesitate to buy a 1970's vintage Redfield scope. They were the scope in the day. PA Bear Hunter, NRA Benefactor | |||
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Maybe fine, maybe not; I have no idea as the current "K-4" shares only its name with the original steel tube models. The Weaver name has been owned or rented by so many different marketers over the years since the El Paso company folded that it has become meaningless. It's like the Yankees sticking some guy in the outfield in tomorrow's game and calling him "Mickey Mantle" (presuming they had a right to the name). That wouldn't make him hit 60 homers this season any more than renaming Peewee Herman "Sir Edmund Hillary" would make him able to climb Mount Everest. | |||
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Sorry but USO  is the ONLY AMERICAN MADE SCOPE THAT EXISTS. Loopy is made overseas and final assembly is conducted here--- big difference. If you take off the ocular it will speak Chinese  to you.Do your due diligence before you post. | |||
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I must agree airgun 1 ! For me, the Redfield 2 3/4 x, 4x and 6x, made in USA -Denver- in the late 60s and 70s are he best fixed scopes made anytime in the USA. It is as simple as to test one of these in good shape against ANY actual scope of the same power. I have made this many times with Leupolds and Burris 4 and 6x, and the old Redfields were the clear winners in Resolution, field of view and eye releif. And the roughly the same in brightness. I used a lot one 4x Redfield Bearcub in my .375 and also tested this scope many times against new ones including Zeiss, S&B and is practically on par with these scopes! By the way, I am in the market for one of the late Kollmorgen (26mm tube) in 4x, made just prior to the Redfield Bearcub. For me there was a back-step move since then in that tipes of scopes. Regards PH | |||
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This is not correct. Of course the optical glass comes from overseas, as it has for quite some time, and this glass is made to meet LEU specs. But, all the Gold Ring scopes are manufactured in the US. As to a tough scope on a sporting rifle, it would be hard to find a tougher scope than a LEU 2.5X UL. Some of the military scopes are tough, but they are too obnoxiously large and heavy for anything but heavy rifles. Best | |||
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Due Diligence well done Gary | |||
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I'll have to agree with Gary about situs of "manufacture" of Leupolds. All of their scopes, even the new Redfield line, are manufactured in Oregon. Although it makes no difference, the only parts that are likely sourced overseas are the lenses. Those are sourced mostly from the same set of opitical glass manufacturers that supply European optics makers with most of their glass, also. I.E., the lowest bidder who can meet specs. True, some European manufacturers do grind SOME of their own glass (although the bulk glass itself may come from Asian sources), and my expectation is that Leupold does not (and never has) made its own glass (nor does USO, I'm sure). At any rate, Leupold has a rather significant investment in plant and equipment in Oregon and makes its scopes no other place. The same is NOT true of some of their other optics like binoculars (mostly Chinese now) or rangefinders and spotting scopes. The raw aluminum ore for the tube billets may have come from Chile or Texas, the billets themselves may have been forged in Mexico or Illinois, and the nitrogen filling the tube may have spent much of its existence in Antarctica before blowing up to Oregon to be caputured, dried, and sealed inside the scope tube. But in terms of "where" the scopes are manufactured, they are as American as American can get. Which, if that matters to you, fine; and if not, fine. | |||
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Schott does have a plant in PA that makes optics quality glass. It's rumored that Leupold does get some of their glass from this plant, but they do not make enought to fill their needs, so much of it does come from overseas. | |||
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I have been told that the old original Bushnell Banner (I believe)scope is the toughest scope ever produced. It had no internal moving parts as the windage and elevation settings were accomplished by way of the base and rings. I actually saw a guy take one of these old scopes and slamm it down on a wooden table several times with absolutely no damage to the scope. And I mean SLAMM! "The right to bear arms" insures your right to freedom, free speech, religion, your choice of doctors, etc. ....etc. ....etc.... -----------------------------------one trillion seconds = 31,709 years------------------- | |||
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I think Rae is confusing that scope with the old Bausch and Lomb externally adjustable model (8, 8A, etc.) They were just a telescope made with a seamless tube which gave them advantages in sealing and physical integrity. A popular magazine ad showed someone purporting to drive a nail with the objective bell of a scope. This was pure B.S., of course, but it illustrated the point that the lack of internal adjustments did avoid some of the vulnerabilities of other scopes. These scopes are still popular with some shooters and there is a shop in New York City that specializes in used B&L scopes and their adjustable mounts. | |||
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I am sure you are correct, as you are more knowledgable on such things. But I really thought I was told it was called a Banner. Is it not? The scope I saw was quite used and I don't recall seeing any markings except scope power. It wasn't anything I was interested in so I did not OOH and AWH at it other than than demostration of abuse. "The right to bear arms" insures your right to freedom, free speech, religion, your choice of doctors, etc. ....etc. ....etc.... -----------------------------------one trillion seconds = 31,709 years------------------- | |||
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Rae: The "Banner" was Bushnell's mid-line scope back in the 1970's era, give or take a decade. Their premium line was the "Scopechief", and their leader line was the "Sportview". All had internal adjustments. There is some natural confusion between Bushnell and Bausch & Lomb because Busnell owned/rented, or otherwise had the rights to the Bausch & Lomb brand for their sport optics for a number of years. The recent 3200 and 4200 Busnell scope lines were originally branded "Bausch & Lomb". Bushnell used the prestige of the B&L brand very effectively to market their higher-end optics, and once their rights to the brand expired Bushnell effectively rechristened their entire B&L lines as "Bushnell". However, back in the day of the external B&L scopes (1960's mostly), Bushnell was not connected with B&L. | |||
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Rea, I'm sure it was something else, because the variable power banners are junk. If someone comes to be with an accuracy problem, and the rifle is wearing a banner, the first thing I do it take it off. | |||
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[QUOTE]Originally posted by Stonecreek: I think Rae is confusing that scope with the old Bausch and Lomb externally adjustable model (8, 8A, etc.) QUOTE] Gentlemen, I stand corrected. S-Creek, you are absolutely right. I called my friend who purchased several of these. He said they were Bausch & Lomb Balvar scopes. I don't know were I got the Banner BS from. My defense is; it was at least 15 years ago and I have never had experience with Bushnell or Bausch & Lomb. He said something about he had a couple of 2-8 power variables, which would mean his did have some internal moving components. "The right to bear arms" insures your right to freedom, free speech, religion, your choice of doctors, etc. ....etc. ....etc.... -----------------------------------one trillion seconds = 31,709 years------------------- | |||
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Confusing scopes from a quarter century ago is much more forgivable than confusing a hen and a cock pheasant, at least according to the game warden who brought that to my attention.  | |||
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Sorry but bad news for the Loopy USA fans----do the research and you will see for yourself. USO does get Glass from the US and European source---same company. This is a fact---call them yourself. | |||
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Burris used to be the toughest scope made and they bragged about it. They offer, or used to offer, the thickest tube material in the industry. Captain Finlander | |||
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The older Bushnell Trophies were the best for the money. I have about a dozen of them. We used the 3-9 variable for our donkey culls in Australia. My buddy fired in excess of 1,100 rounds in 5 days, I fired a little over 900. Both rifles fell off the truck twice and the zero never changed. Our other buddy used an expensive 30mm Swarovski that the guide predicted would not last. He was right. The Swarovski failed after two days of shooting. Fortunately, we had a spare Leupold with rings that fit is Ruger. I use the Bushnell Trophy for all of my heavy shooting cull hunts. My Leupolds have failed but they have the best warranty and service. Repair and replacement have cost me nothing, even if the failure was due to my own abuse. Geoff Shooter | |||
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I've never had a Nightforce fail. Leupolds? I've been a big fan for many years but have also sent approx 3 of 10 back for repairs. These were all Mark 4s, Vari-X 111s and VX3s. The ones on my 45-70, 12ga slug gun, .375 and .338 are fine. The ones on a .223 and .308s failed. My latest Leupold purchases did not say "Made in USA" anywhere on the scope or box... I'm sad to say that I've lost confidence in them. Zeiss Conquests have better optical quality at a similar price point and the NF offers superior repeatability, durability and features. I even encountered a Leupold on display at SHOT that had a frozen power selector ring. To the red-faced, white-knuckled reps credit he was able to sort of make it turn before pulling it off of the display. I sincerely hope they can salvage what's left of their brand equity and get their QC under control. They do however have awesome customer service! | |||
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I think that any scope which is rated for use on Springer Air Rifles would qualify as really tough scopes. BTDT At one time, all of Leupold's scopes were "Springer" rated. Don't know about today's Leupolds. Bushnell's 4200's, at least some of them, are "Springer" rated. Don | |||
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I alway like to cary a spare scope on a hunt. Leupold fixed 4x already set in rings and bore sighted. I have yet to have to use it though. | |||
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Two experiences with LEU: 20 years agoe, I fell on a 2 x 7, on granite. put a healthy dent in the tube. At the range, it was not off more than 1/4", if that. 5years ago in Namibia, I was running up a creek bed after leopard, caught my toe and literally threw the rifle 15' onto the boulders. Horrible damage to a nice piece of walnut, deep scratches on the barrel. Leupy was still dead on. 1.75 x 6 VRXIII Very tough, light weight, perfect customer service, optics 98% of scopes costing 4x more. What's not to like? | |||
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About 12 years ago I had a beat up rem 700 in ADL with a tasco world class on it. It was my sheep rifle. I put this rifle through hell and the scope never failed. When I sold the rifle the scope was on it. I'm not saying I'm gonna run out and buy another tasco but damn...... I like my leupy's and I got my first zeiss (so I will see what the big hub bub is about). A lesson in irony The Food Stamp Program, administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is proud to be distributing this year the greatest amount of free Meals and Food Stamps ever, to 46 million people. Meanwhile, the National Park Service, administered by the U.S. Department of the Interior, asks us... "Please Do Not Feed the Animals." Their stated reason for the policy is because "The animals will grow dependent on handouts and will not learn to take care of themselves." Thus ends today's lesson in irony. | |||
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I have, about 2 weeks before a safari! The scope had not been abused in any way, never dropped. It was the 2.5-10x24, had it on a 458 win mag and 416. Replaced it with a 1.5-5 leupold which has and is still serving me well! I still have 3 Nightforce scopes. NF service was excellent and they offered to expedite the repair in time for the trip, but I declined. I leave in 2 weeks for another safari with another Nightforce but its on a 308 this time! Double Rifle Shooters Society | |||
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Other than an occasional Weaver or Nikon, most all of my scopes are Leupolds, and I have never had an issue with any of them. On many occasions I have needed spare mounting screws, adjustment covers, exchanged bases, etc. and Leupold has never refused and never charged me for anything. There may be others better, but I will never know because Leupold will be the only scope I buy. The only exception would be if I pick up a Zeiss, Swaro, Khales, etc. in a trade. Even then, I will probably trade it for a couple Leupolds. To my mind, Leupolds are the best bang for the buck, and IMHO, the best looking scope! **************** NRA Life Benefactor Member | |||
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Leupold ________________________________________________ Maker of The Frankenstud Sling Keeper Proudly made in the USA Acepting all forms of payment | |||
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Zeiss! And not only their military models, they use much of the same technology in the civilian scopes as well. I have used my Zeiss 2,5-10x50 in every type of weather and have bumped into trees and rocks without problems. | |||
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