I'm introducing this topic here, in 'Gunsmithing', hoping it will get the most attention on this forum, and by so doing, if enough of us agree and are willing to bend Leupold's ear, maybe we'll get some results. It worked with Pachmayr when we asked for red Decelerators, so maybe it'll work again!

Anyhow, Leupold needs to bring back their old fixed 3X scope, complete with the original tube length. Their current 2.5X Compact, while a great and very tough little scope in its own right, simply isn't long enough to work with many of the actions that house the extra-long big-bore cartridges which are the natural application for a tough, low-power fixed-magnification scope. In the old days, Leupold's fixed 3X was the perfect answer if you wanted to build a .416 Rigby or .458 Lott on a long magnum action and wanted the toughest, most reliable scope possible. Today's 2.5X Compact is Leupold's pat answer to that need, but in practice it's not the right scope. The VX-III 1.5-5X is another tough and excellent scope, but the magnification adjustment ring gets in the way and uses up valuable tube space on some of these same actions.

We need the old 3X back, pure and simple....

AD

Agreed, but I'd also like to see it in 4x.

I agree. I think the current 4X is too short in the tube as well. The old 4X was just about a perfect scope.

AD

You know Allen, your post is very timely. I've got a 2.5x M8 on my Lott and it's just barely long enough to fit between the rings. The rear ring is far enough back to limit my ability to adjust the occular lense. I can't move the scope back much more as I don't want the front ring sitting on top of the objective lense. Up until now it's not been a real issue as it worked where it is for me.

My dog scratched my right eye's cornea the day after Thanksgiving. Right now my vision in that eye is still screwed up as there been a steepening of the cornea right in the middle of the pupil. Until they can zap it with a laser, the doctor suggested adjusting my rifle scopes to compensate while shooting. I can't adjust it on this rifle. So shooting the Lott is out for a while.

So I've 'seen the light'. Having another 1/2" or so would sure help.

Here's an email address that might be a place to start:

[EMAIL]productspecialist@leupold.com [/EMAIL]

Take Care,

-Steve

Allen,

I agree! I still have one and it's on my 404 Jeffrey. Wouldn't part with it. I'll email Leupold and bend their ear.

I agree as well. Even on my 350 Rigby, built on a standard length mauser, the tube is just barely long enough.

Yeah! Bring back the M8 3X.....

Allen,

That's a great idea which is overdue. I'd be interested in a Leupold fixed 3x scope for sure.

From what some of the other posters have said it looks like it's time for Leupold to reconsider the overal length of some of the more compact scopes in their line up.

Couple questions.....

What's the best way to get Leupold to take this sort of request taken seroiusly? Phone calls and emails I guess...? I am thinking it would take quite a bit of noise to see a 3X offered. What worked to get Pachmayr in gear?

Regards,
Dave

This has been one of my pet peeves for many years. I only have one and wish it had the newer heavy duplex reticle... Ah to dream. et's hope they listen for once.

I have an old 3x or 4x but it is a fine-plex do you know if Leupold will overhaul it for me as a heavy duplex?

I had to put an old steel tube Weaver on my 416 because the Leupold was too short. I'd go for a new Leupold.

Well, Weaver doesn't have the brand appeal of the Leupold but a LOT of my rifles are wearing Steel Tube Weaver K2.5's. That's what Leupold needs to hear........

If I had to pick, it would still be the 1.5-5X. I want field of view more than magnification on a DG rifle.

I would like them to produce them again too. Anybody going to SCI or ACGG where there will be reps from Leupold, maybe take a printout of this showing them how much it is desired.

They could even pawn off a whole bunch of "prototypes" to us AR members. :-) Hey, I can dream.

Red

Yes I would like it as well....the 2.5x compact has worked and worked well but I would like the extra room for sure.

Dear Allen,
Picked up two of the 3xs many years ago. Still have one NIB[wrong box] and glad I got them when I did.Nice weight and size. Too bad Leupold doesn`t make a run once in a while.

Aloha, Mark

The 3X is a far better fit on long action bolt guns and Ruger #1s. I'll use the old Weaver K2.5s until I can get a 3X Leupold.

Ed

I does strike me as more than odd that Leupold, knowing those that use low X, fixed scopes generally put them on LA rifles, would only offer the petite 2.5X... I like that little scope and had one on a SA 358 Win. However, the straight 3x should be brought back as it makes more sense for a wider variety of guns.

Brad,
I was on the phone with Leupold just the other day regarding the MX series of fixed powers. They have made some changes but most of it is cosmetic. They are now called the FX series and have a few new models. Unfortunately one of them is not the 3X. You can finally get a fixed 6X in matte. I have two on the way.

I wish all manufacturers would concentrate on making solid, practical scopes for those who want them. I would most definitely like to Leupold's 3x back. I also use old Weaver 2.5 and 3x scopes. The compact scopes are nice enough conceptually but their shortness does create mounting problems. As well, their field of view is somewhat reduced in comparison to the old 3x. If the amount of money which is spent on designing saleable features was spent on improving reliability and ruggedness, we'd have some pretty nice scopes now. Regards, Bill.

FYI, I forwarded comments to Leupold on the subject, and a link to this thread. In response:

Leupold Customer Service
Product Specialist Group
Phone (503) 526-1400
Reference Call #

Caller: - DAN XXXXX
Phone:
Summary: 3X

Mr. XXXXXX:

We appreciate your input.

I will forward your e-mail on to our product development department.

Sharon Stephen
Support CallID: %#%ec37ea3b-ef9c-4a81-8591-c5b6151447fd%#%

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ropes:
I have an old 3x or 4x but it is a fine-plex do you know if Leupold will overhaul it for me as a heavy duplex?

---

I believe Leupold will change the reticle in any of their scopes. I don't recall the price of this service.

I got the following reply from Leupold:


Leupold Customer Service
Product Specialist Group
Phone (503) 526-1400
Reference Call #

Caller: - Steve Holder
Phone:
Summary: Leupold Re

Mr. Holder,

Thank you for taking the time to send your thoughts, you are not the
only one who would like to see the 3x return to our line. I have
forwarded your inquiry to the proper personnel.

Regards,

Tim Lesser



I'll also stop by the Leupold booth at SCI as bend some ears about this as well.

-Steve

There i s a Leupold factory guy on the Nosler Reloading forum. I sent him a query regarding this thread; no reply yet.

I will visit their booth at SCI.

jim

I have two 3x Leupolds and one 2.5. The 2.5 is on a 660 Rem. 350mag, while the 3's are on a 375 H&H and a 35 Whelen. I wouldn't trade the 3's for anything; for they have the length for long actions, field of view for close in shots, are light in weight, and have a longer eye relief than anything its class. The actual magnification listed in Leupold's old catalogs states it is actually 2.7 magnification. I sure hope they bring it back because I could use another one for a 9.3x62. Mags

Allen

Went to the Leupold booth and spoke to a guy there abou the 3x. He said that many people had come by to request the same thing. He felt that it was very likely that they would be reintroducing it.

Also got to spend lots of quality time with your Echols 338 while Lisa and D'Arcy were working. Very Nice!!

-Steve

Steve, I'm glad you had the chance to visit with D'Arcy, look over my rifle, and speak with the Leupold folks!

The 3X project needs to happen. I'll be at the RMEF Convention in Portland this year (at least I'll be able to make THAT convention!) and I'll try to visit with Leupold about it myself.

AD

Last year I sent an older VXII 3x9 in for a reticle change and it cost $45, very reasonable in my opinion and the T/A was less than a month. The bonus was, they updated the windage/elevation parts to the newer style for more internal adjustment and put new turret caps on for no charge! I've always been satisfied with their products and service!

I talked to the senior Leupold marketing guy at SCI about the 3X and other subjects. They have definitely noticed the requests for the fixed 3X scope, if you have not told them now is the time.

They will "probably" do something, but it might be in the form of a special run of 3X scopes. Pay attention!

jim