New Leupold scope issues

cptmclark · July 31, 2014, 07:13 PM

I've talked with Leupold about my frustration. They are deightful folks and want to work with me to help me end up with the right product for me. I was frustrated to be shootiing my shiny new VX-II (or whatever the new one is called) on my really accurate 308 hunting rifle, and also a less expensive scope on my Marlin 44 mag, at the same time. Sadly, the cheap scope is bright and ultra clear, allowing me to see fine detail at the 100 yard target while the better Leupold is less bright and not well focused. Bummer. My old eyes need crisp focus on the target and most of my rounds are shot at a 100 yard target range. Wish i could hunt more but it is what it is. Leupold says that I should get a rimfire scope with adjustable objective to shoot at 100 yards, as they are of equally good quality, and the hunting scopes are parallax adjusted at 150. Didn't think it should make that much difference. I look it up and see that the rimfire scope has much less eye relief though, a deal breaker.
My question is whether other brands of "hunting rifle scopes", such as my Bushnell Scopechief 3x9x40 and my Bushnell Legend 2x7x33 are parallax adjusted at closer range. Both are both brighter, clearly focused at 100 yards, and not expected to be of the quality of the new Leupold.
The Leupold guy suggested I take the new scope, along with two older Leupold scopes I have out at the same time and compare. Wow, a NEED to go to the range. Oh yea, even the new leupold has adjustment issues at 12 inches to the click. He said that's not uncommon and to run it from stop to stop a couple of times to correct that. Now there is some useful information as I have cussed scopes forever for waiting for recoil a time or two to decide to comply with my adjustments.
Sorry for so many words. I appreciate any scope wisdom. Parallax settings for fixed parallax scopes is hard to find.

Mike

jmr40 · July 31, 2014, 07:18 PM

Leupold scopes are not focused when they leave the factory. Most of us are used to scopes with a "fast focus" feature. Leupold chooses not to use this method. They are a little harder to focus for the individual eye, but once there can be locked down. The fast focus used on most scopes today can be adjusted quickly and easier, but are prone to getting out of focus easier. Read up in your owners manual about how to focus. Leupold also has some good instructional videos on their website.

cptmclark · July 31, 2014, 08:03 PM

Thanks for the reply. The eyepiece focus you refer to is for focusing the reticle. That works fine. It's the target at 100 yards that is not sharply focused. This is a fixed objective scope.

gyvel · July 31, 2014, 09:24 PM

Hmmmm. This is not good news. I recently purchased a .270 and have been researching the best all-purpose Leupold scope to put on it. Maybe I need to rethink this.

SSA · July 31, 2014, 09:45 PM

Leupold's 150 yard parallax setting should work perfectly at 100 yards.
If you can't get a clear image, and the adjustments move 12" per click, the scope is broke.

cptmclark · August 1, 2014, 08:54 AM

I'd better make sure I don't leave the wrong impression. I have Leupold products and they are an excellent manufacurer. Don't want to bash the company, but just a question about an isolated case. Also I try to learn more about my hobby each time I have an issue.

To SSA et al, tell me more about a 150 yard parallax setting being sharp and crisp at 100 also. I notice that my AO scopes are more finiky about parallax setting being just right than my fixed power ones, and I don't understand that. Maybe its psychological. Clearly on my AO scopes I'll see a difference in sharpness when I move it 50 yards, but much less so at longer ranges.

July 31, 2014, 07:13 PM	#1
cptmclark Senior Member Join Date: November 22, 2004 Location: Indiana Posts: 432	New Leupold scope issues I've talked with Leupold about my frustration. They are deightful folks and want to work with me to help me end up with the right product for me. I was frustrated to be shootiing my shiny new VX-II (or whatever the new one is called) on my really accurate 308 hunting rifle, and also a less expensive scope on my Marlin 44 mag, at the same time. Sadly, the cheap scope is bright and ultra clear, allowing me to see fine detail at the 100 yard target while the better Leupold is less bright and not well focused. Bummer. My old eyes need crisp focus on the target and most of my rounds are shot at a 100 yard target range. Wish i could hunt more but it is what it is. Leupold says that I should get a rimfire scope with adjustable objective to shoot at 100 yards, as they are of equally good quality, and the hunting scopes are parallax adjusted at 150. Didn't think it should make that much difference. I look it up and see that the rimfire scope has much less eye relief though, a deal breaker. My question is whether other brands of "hunting rifle scopes", such as my Bushnell Scopechief 3x9x40 and my Bushnell Legend 2x7x33 are parallax adjusted at closer range. Both are both brighter, clearly focused at 100 yards, and not expected to be of the quality of the new Leupold. The Leupold guy suggested I take the new scope, along with two older Leupold scopes I have out at the same time and compare. Wow, a NEED to go to the range. Oh yea, even the new leupold has adjustment issues at 12 inches to the click. He said that's not uncommon and to run it from stop to stop a couple of times to correct that. Now there is some useful information as I have cussed scopes forever for waiting for recoil a time or two to decide to comply with my adjustments. Sorry for so many words. I appreciate any scope wisdom. Parallax settings for fixed parallax scopes is hard to find. Mike

July 31, 2014, 09:24 PM	#4
gyvel Senior Member Join Date: August 30, 2009 Location: Northern AZ Posts: 7,172	Hmmmm. This is not good news. I recently purchased a .270 and have been researching the best all-purpose Leupold scope to put on it. Maybe I need to rethink this. __________________ As always, YMMV. __________________________________________ MIIAA SIFE

July 31, 2014, 07:18 PM	#2
jmr40 Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 10,808	Leupold scopes are not focused when they leave the factory. Most of us are used to scopes with a "fast focus" feature. Leupold chooses not to use this method. They are a little harder to focus for the individual eye, but once there can be locked down. The fast focus used on most scopes today can be adjusted quickly and easier, but are prone to getting out of focus easier. Read up in your owners manual about how to focus. Leupold also has some good instructional videos on their website.

July 31, 2014, 08:03 PM	#3
cptmclark Senior Member Join Date: November 22, 2004 Location: Indiana Posts: 432	Thanks for the reply. The eyepiece focus you refer to is for focusing the reticle. That works fine. It's the target at 100 yards that is not sharply focused. This is a fixed objective scope.

July 31, 2014, 09:45 PM	#5
SSA Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2010 Posts: 641	Leupold's 150 yard parallax setting should work perfectly at 100 yards. If you can't get a clear image, and the adjustments move 12" per click, the scope is broke.

August 1, 2014, 08:54 AM	#6
cptmclark Senior Member Join Date: November 22, 2004 Location: Indiana Posts: 432	I'd better make sure I don't leave the wrong impression. I have Leupold products and they are an excellent manufacurer. Don't want to bash the company, but just a question about an isolated case. Also I try to learn more about my hobby each time I have an issue. To SSA et al, tell me more about a 150 yard parallax setting being sharp and crisp at 100 also. I notice that my AO scopes are more finiky about parallax setting being just right than my fixed power ones, and I don't understand that. Maybe its psychological. Clearly on my AO scopes I'll see a difference in sharpness when I move it 50 yards, but much less so at longer ranges.