Cartidge vs. Scope Quality: What Optics For Big Power?

[Duckford]

I've been mulling a scoped Super Match M1a or M21, and the recent gun control talk has gotten me to start actively pursuing this project before legislation even drives prices up. Between chasing down my father's old Super and mulling if the extra big bucks are worth the M21 instead, I have gone ahead and put an order for a Bassett and a proper optic.

Midway has a killer deal on Leupold Mk 4 4-14x for $750, which is a cheap deal on a variable version of the military's choice, so I have made that purchase. But during the hours I spent looking at the market and customer reviews, as well as Youtube offhand comments and videos, this and that, about what types of bipods and optics can handle how much punishment from X or Y. Which got me thinking...

How real is the problem of high power rifles breaking/damaging optics? A friend put a $50 Wally World knockaround on his single shot 50 BMG that could not hold zero with firing, but otherwise I have not heard much on what it takes to screw up a scope. Will cheap rimfire fail on 30-06? Is my father's old 6x fixed Redfield which I have on my CZ safari rifle in 375 H&H going to get knocked off zero or worse with enough use? Could my new on the way Leupold handle being attached to a 50 BMG, or other "destructive device" 20mm cannon? Is durability only an issue for cheap junk, or is it case by case on quality/power?

 

[Kanewpadle]

My father used a Leopold on a 338 magnum for many years. He never had a problem. I think you’ll be fine.

 

[chief38]

I've yet to see a Leupold Scope damaged by recoil. They also carry a Lifetime Warranty if I am not mistaken so - no worries.

From their website:

Leupold products are built to perform at the highest levels. Anyone can offer a lifetime warranty, but guaranteeing performance takes serious dedication and craftsmanship. From our Beaverton Oregon factory, to the wilderness, the battlefield, and everywhere in between, we won't let you down.

 

[CH4]

Leupold is all about I’ve used for the past 35 years - never thought about trying anything else. Use Leupolds on rifles chambered for cartridges from .17HMR to 416 Rem Mag.

 

[ericrlarson]

I think the Mk 4 is a solid choice for a semi auto 308. I have a Vari-X 3 6.5x20 on a Larue Tactical OBR 308 and never had any issues. I’ve fired a couple thousand rounds through it and it still tracks precisely. Good luck with your project.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

I have 17 Veri-X III, a couple Veri-X II, and several M-8 Leupold scopes (Plus a few compacts). Figure Quality, cost and customer service (fulfilling warranty and speed) I think Leupold IS THE BEST BANG FOR THE BUCKS! Are their equal scopes? Maybe Burris or Nikon (again maybe). Are the better scopes? Definitely! But the COST! You can buy a small stack of your scope for what Schmidt & Bender, Zeiss, and others cost.

Minimum target size, and maximum distance determine "Need" for the type of glass.

a) Police/Military application to 1000 yards, A 4.5-14x50mm Scope will do just fine, side focus just does it easier!

b) Deer Hunting at any realistic distance for the 308 cartridge, again your scope is fine (the gun's a little heavy!)

c) Groundhogs in the shade at 800+ is tough with any scope! But I would try it with your set-up!

Ivan

 

[Fishinfool]

Leupold scopes are about as good as any, and better than most, IMO. Have had an issue with one, mounted on a Contender. The windage adjustments are stiff, I think from an over tightened ring. Gun maintains zero fine.

I run a Burris 3x9 on my M1a. Maybe 3k rounds, works fine. My experience with scopes is either they let go pretty quick if there is an issue, or they last. I have had cheap Tasco's and Simmons scopes on rifles that kicked, and they have lasted fine, with clear optics. I have had "Name" brand scopes fail. You do minimize your chance of a lemmon by buying a respected name like Leupold.

Larry

 

[Skeet 028]

Any scope can break. Even Leupold. but they usually don't. I once put an OLD Trashco on a 12 ga slug gun. It was a japanese Trashco though. Like a 1 -3x with a German reticle. Lasted for a lot of rounds(at least 300 slugs) till I replaced it with a Leupold 1-4X Vari X II. The guy I gave it to put it on a 20 ga slug gun for his daughter. Still on that old 870. working good

 

[Farmer17]

For long range I've heard a lot of guys say the higher end Vortex scopes are a good bang for the buck.

 

[M29since14]

I agree, you should be just fine. Modern scopes seem to be pretty darned good on the big kickers. I’ve always thought Leupold was the ideal combination of quality and value, and I’ve never had a problem with any of mine. If I was going on a big game hunt far from anywhere, I’d take an extra scope, regardless of the brand, but for your application, I think you made a fine choice.

 

[Golddollar]

In hopes of being able to hunt out west, I acquired a Remington 700 in 375 H&H. Maybe I overengineered things a bit but I had a Bushnell Elite scope put on it. It was a very accurate set up and in my limited use there seemed to be no problems. My use was limited by having to sell the gun when I lost my job.

 

[Dave.357]

Leupold is good choice.
I have had good luck with
Them ,have sent 2 pistol
Scopes in for repair.
They were fixed and upgraded
for free.
Never had a Leupold rifle
Scope fail, shoot a 375 HH
And a 300 HH and a
Bunch of smaller rifles
most have Leupolds
On
No complaints

 

[Gaffer]

I had a Leupold VAR-XII 6.5x 20 hung on a 10" Contender Barrel in 270 REN for many years. The bell housing was out ahead of the barrel end and caught all the muzzle blast from that wildcat cartridge. Finally after a couple years it said enough and I sent it back No charge and it was back in apx. two weeks. Most scopes would have quite way earlier. I have several dozen Leupolds and swear by them.

 

[7tenz]

I had a Leupold VAR-XII 6.5x 20 hung on a 10" Contender Barrel in 270 REN for many years. The bell housing was out ahead of the barrel end and caught all the muzzle blast from that wildcat cartridge. Finally after a couple years it said enough and I sent it back No charge and it was back in apx. two weeks. Most scopes would have quite way earlier. I have several dozen Leupolds and swear by them.

Quite a feat for a variable. A regular pistol or fixed power Leupold would easily handle it for years and years.

There are a lot of brands that will meet your expectations, but if your obsessed about recoil on a scope then Leupold is probably the best choice to put your mind at ease. I don't believe in cheaping out on scopes.

 

[jdlii]

How do you spell "rifle scope?" "LEUPOLD!"

 

[Rudi]

Can't go wrong with a Leupold. Mine made the trip to Alaska and back. Great value.

 

[SteveA]

I have Leupolds on both of my .375s as well as my 45/70 Guide Gun. Never a problem. I have an old (my first centerfire rifle scope) 4x Bushnell Sportview I paid $20 for new in the late '70s. I wanted to check a load in my .375 Ruger #1 and didn't have any other glass available so I slapped the old Bushnell on board. It held zero through a couple of hundred rounds and is fine to this day.

 

[Engineer1911]

Scope abuse

I have a 20 year old BSA $19.95 red dot sight I installed on a 3" M629. I will cheerfully admit the sight is "junk". 100 rounds later the gun is shooting to point of aim at 25 yards (indoor range) as good as I can hold the gun. My wrist has had enough! The scope is doing fine.

Two weeks before that 'endurance test', I saw another cheap red dot mounted on an AR15 self destruct in less than 15 rounds. The sight had parts rattling inside the tube.

I have had several Leupold scopes mounted on non-magnum caliber rifles that fired thousands of rounds. Never had a problem with holding zero, repeatability, or windage / elevation changes.

 

[H Richard]

Don't over look the "mounts & rings". Same or better quality as the scope you mount .

 

[WR Moore]

Decades ago Leupold had an ad that featured one of their scopes mounted to a 1911 slide. The guy who did the work commented that it was the only scope that would survive the pounding. Getting curious, Leupold duplicated the setup and then did accelerometer testing to see how severe the recoil effects actually were.

The recoil effect/shock load (slide in full recoil) was something like 700 Gs. The shock load going into battery was 750 Gs.

I cut the ad out and saved it.