Scope woes
- Thread starter 8MM Mauser
- Start date
The only scope I ever had fail was a really cheap impulse buy, I don't remember the brand. My rule of thumb, somewhat arbitrary I admit, is to buy scopes that are at least equal in value to the rifle. So far that tactic has worked out well.
I own several of the older Burris models (USA made) Leupolds, and lately Weavers. The Weavers I have bought have all been their upper end models but bought when I found them on sale. Their clarity and performance is remarkable.
I own several of the older Burris models (USA made) Leupolds, and lately Weavers. The Weavers I have bought have all been their upper end models but bought when I found them on sale. Their clarity and performance is remarkable.
Over the years I 've had three Leupolds fail. Fortunately two occurred at the range and the one on the hunt was pure luck. Scope checked out fine at the NRA's Whittington Center and the hunt for a cow elk on the neighboring ranch the next day gave me about a 350 yard shot at an undisturbed animal. Held for a high chest shot and she went down DRT. When the guide and I got to her we found no shot on the body but she's been hit in the neck at the base of the skull. 
I was positive I'd called the shot right.
When I got home from the hunt, I went to the range a few days later and the rifle was shooting all over the target. I put a Nikon I'd brought with me, replaced the suspect scope and the rifle was back shooting it's nice tight .50" to .75" groups.
As with the first two that had gone sour, it went back to Leopold and was back within two weeks with a detailed list of what was done to repair the scope. I'll also admit every one that failed was on a relatively hard kicking rifles. (.35 Whelen and .300 Win. Mags.)
Paul B.
I was positive I'd called the shot right.When I got home from the hunt, I went to the range a few days later and the rifle was shooting all over the target. I put a Nikon I'd brought with me, replaced the suspect scope and the rifle was back shooting it's nice tight .50" to .75" groups.
As with the first two that had gone sour, it went back to Leopold and was back within two weeks with a detailed list of what was done to repair the scope. I'll also admit every one that failed was on a relatively hard kicking rifles. (.35 Whelen and .300 Win. Mags.)
Paul B.
Heavy Metal 1
New member
Maybe I just got lucky. I have a Simmons Aetec on my Win Mod 70 featherweight (which has a bit of a smack when I shoot it because of its light weight) I have dropped my rifle twice when it had slipped off my shoulder while slung and it still is ok. No lectures on the dropping please; I was tired as h*** after a long day's hunt having driven 200 miles in the wee hrs of the clock before the hunt. I have had the scope on this rifle since 1996 or so and have fired I am guessing 500 rds through it. At the time I bought it I was stretching to spend what I did on that scope. I might upgrade, but since it has kept its zero I see no need to change.