quote:

Originally posted by Robgunbuilder:
Please supply the exact dates and scope models that were sent back on a weekly basis for our edification!

quote:

michael458 wrote:
In one 18 month period I sent 13 Leupold scopes back for repair. Most of these were 1.5X5 Vari and VX 3s, 1x4 VX 2s, I only owned one 2.5 Compact that has been declared indestructable, at least until the cross hairs on mine fell apart, not to mention the fact that it has a terrible field of view compared to the other models. At one time I ALWAYS had 2-4 scopes at Leupold, and 2-4 on the bench to be sent. I sold 30+ Leupolds at 1/2 price, replaced all of them with Nikon 1X4s, and other Nikon Models. I have run Nikons now over two years since the first one, it is still going strong, and I have yet to have a busted Nikon. Use what you wish based on ego or price, I can't afford so much aggravation and down time from test work or field work, so I use what works.........

quote:

michael458 wrote:

I suppose I am the only one that could bust Leupolds on such a regular basis, that I always had 3-4 at Leupold for repairs, and 3-4 on the bench ready to send out for repairs.... In one 18 month period I sent 13 Leupolds back for repairs from being on big bore rifles. It was common, and I just figured it was the price I paid for shooting so much big bore........ I watched a brand new out of the box 1.5X5 VX 3 EXPLODE on the 3rd round with a 50 B&M..... 3 rounds!

I made the switch to Nikon after purchasing 1X4 African (Now Just Plain Monarch), a nice little Weaer, Trijicon, and a couple of others that made my requirements. The Nikon beat all of the others in meeting what I required. This has been well over 2 years ago now, maybe 3 years.... I now have an entire stable of Nikons only on everything, probably a dozen or more of the 1X4s, and have not had one issue, ZERO, never busted one, never exploded one, and now I can be far more productive without having to change scopes every week due to failures........ Not One Nikon has given the least issue at all, and for me that is just unheard of, incredible.......... Unless something changes, I don't need to look any further........

Michael

quote:

michael458 wrote:

Well, most all of you know how many leupolds I have busted and probably broken records doing so on a regular basis.... One of the most memorable is the new 1.5x5 VX3 straight out of the box new, 3 rounds of 50 B&M put it in the dirt....... 4 broken on the bench and 4 at leupold for repairs on a continued basis..... one 18 month period I busted 13 of them... Enough was enough.

What is so hard for me to fathom, 2 years or so, maybe close to 3 now since the first Nikon 1x4 and have not busted one, have not broken, have not had one single issue?????? For me, the glass is clearer, brighter than the leupolds, focus is precise and easy at the touch of a finger, mechanically as good as anything I have worked with, moves correct when you move it right/left, or up/down, and one can't beat the price.... Down side, objective is a little larger than the leupolds, and the turrets are a little large, but none other than those, and I am used to them now..... Having not busted one nor suffered a minute down time for repairs, this largely outweighs any small downside to the scopes......

I sent 35 Leupolds down the road a year or so ago, replaced every one of them with Nikons of some sort or another. I have several of the really cheaper models, Prostaff and Buckmaster I think they are called, just to try and see, and damned if those have not turned out to be excellent scopes on various rifles in smaller calibers..... Another favorite is the 2X8 Monarch, which would be comparable to the 2X8 leupold VX3 easy, I think better, and about the same size as well.....

I just counted, currently I am running 14 of the little 1X4 Monarchs/used to be Africans........ Zero issues......

Even if one busts all to hell today, I am way ahead of the game..
Michael

quote:

Originally posted by 458Win:
On large bore, heavy kicking rifles the larger and heavier the scope the quicker they will self destruct either themselves or the mounts and bases.
The lightest, smallest and toughest scope is the little Leupold 2 1/2 X compact. Any game animal that requires a rifle over .40 caliber should be large enough that it doesn't need to be magnified more than twice, so long as the hunter knows how to stalk. And for an Alaskan guide who might need make a longer shot on escaping game the little Leupold will suprise you if you give it a chance.

....Mac >>>===(x)===> MacD37, ...and DUGABOY1
DRSS Charter member
"If I die today, I've had a life well spent, for I've been to see the Elephant, and smelled the smoke of Africa!"~ME 1982

Hands of Old Elmer Keith