Leupold: new vs old

[goodbadugly]

Wondering how the "new" leupold scopes compare to the "older" style scopes. All my scopes are from the late '70s & '80s. VariX-111 3.5x10x40mm with AO. VariX-111 8.5x25x40mm with AO. etc. Looking at the new VX-3 4.5x14x40 # 180620. I see the new ones dont the the AO. Dont wanna go with a 50mm objective because of cheek press. The old ones all say "made in america". New ones dont say that. Assembled, designed but not made in. Is the quality as good as the older ones? It will be mounted on a rem 700 CDL .300 Win mag for deer and black bear hunting, no more than 300 yards. Any all all opinions and comments be welcome. "we the people" thanks

 

[SteveOak]

The lower levels, Mark AR, are not so good.

I just bought a Mark 4, I will let you know.

From the Leupold website;

"Leupold riflescopes are all designed, machined, and assembled in our Beaverton Oregon manufacturing facility. We do not have any other riflescope manufacturing facilities or offices anywhere in the world. So if you come across a Leupold riflescope being shipped into the United States from China, it is a very likely a counterfeit."

 

[C.E.Smith043]

I have several VX3 and VX3i, and Mark AR. I've been very pleased with all of them.

 

[Infrequent Shooter]

4.5x14 older leupold are pretty nice get target knobs

 

[AWS]

The only Leupold 1-4's I've been able to break on my combo guns have been the VariX. Vx -II, Vx-1-2-3 and Freedoms have stood up well.

 

[goodbadugly]

I know their warranty is outstanding for sure. Picked up a VariX-111.. 1.5x5x20 at a garage sale for $100. Kinda beat up. Made in '87. Sent it off to leupold. Wont list everything they done to it. It was substantial tho. Even touched up the matte finish. In a month I got it back. Free of charge including return shipping. Cant beat that in this day and age. Mounted on a marlin guide 45/70. Kicks like festus's mule, Ruth. Holds Zero like a champ. Thinking the older VariX-111's are the way to go. Thanks guys. "we the people"

 

[DiffEQ]

I have an old vari-x iii mounted on a Win M70 338 WM. Light, excellent clarity, dropped a bunch of times and still zeroed. In all my abuse, it was one Leupold ring that broke.
I have a MK-4 and VX7-L that are heavier, but crush the vari-x when it comes to clarity and low light.
My bro has a VX3i that is superb.
IMO, the new, flagship lines are truly a case of "get what you pay for", all excellent scopes.

 

[STOMP442]

I personally find the VX5 or Mark 5 line of optics from Leupold to be top notch in clarity, function and reliability. They are well built, way lighter than most comparable scopes and they are clearer to me than any Nightforce, or Vortex I have ever looked through.

 

[freebird22/250]

Wondering how the "new" leupold scopes compare to the "older" style scopes. All my scopes are from the late '70s & '80s. VariX-111 3.5x10x40mm with AO. VariX-111 8.5x25x40mm with AO. etc. Looking at the new VX-3 4.5x14x40 # 180620. I see the new ones dont the the AO. Dont wanna go with a 50mm objective because of cheek press. The old ones all say "made in america". New ones dont say that. Assembled, designed but not made in. Is the quality as good as the older ones? It will be mounted on a rem 700 CDL .300 Win mag for deer and black bear hunting, no more than 300 yards. Any all all opinions and comments be welcome. "we the people" thanks

Personally i like the older Vari x 2 & 3 scopes as well as M-8 series of fixed varmint scopes in 8 power and up as i have several on my varmint & target rifles, i like the gloss finish scopes more than a matte scope.

 

[bullfrog]

The new VX-3HD have much, much better glass than the old vari-xIII. I don't miss the adjustable objective on my hunting scopes. The zero lock CDS turret is very well thought out and works great. All around great scope without being huge and heavy.

 

[goodbadugly]

Anyone have any experience with Leupolds Boone & crockett reticles? Do they work ok, or are they a pain in the ass? Internet is full of pros & cons on this.

 

[LHSmith]

Well I am shocked, 10 posts and no one trashing Leupold.
Regarding the B&C reticle, I have a Varmint Hunters reticle on a 4.5 -14 x40 mounted on a 6.5 x 55AI . I choose the VH over the B&C because the hashmarks are thinner. I don't shoot when it is that dark that warrants thick reticles.

 

[john 800]

The only new Leupold I have tried out is my dads vx3 2-8 or so power, I was cery impressed with it. Its very clear and tracks perfectly, something I can not say about the older Leupolds I have owned.

 

[Just Say Moe]

Anyone have any experience with Leupolds Boone & crockett reticles? Do they work ok, or are they a pain in the ass? Internet is full of pros & cons on this.

I have 4 B&C's plus 4 Varmint hunters. I have much more experience with the VH's as my current large game situation does not have a need for hold overs but I have them If I need them. They are simple to use hands free. I get buck fever and have no use for knobs.. ha ha.

It's a shame Leupold has cut back these offerings drastically while entertaining the PRC knob twisting crowd and dissing hunters. I guess that is what is selling now.

 

[goodbadugly]

In the military you usually have time to fool with a rangefinder & dial in the range with an R40. Whitetail bucks dont stay in one place that long. Time you mess with the rangefinder & dial in the dope, hes in the next county. B&C would be much quicker I think. If they work like they should. Plus/minus 1" or so is not a big deal with a 8" center mass. Especially with a .300 win mag..180 BT at 3200FPS. DRT AATW Rob

 

[3Sigma]

I never used the older stuff, so I can't compare to that, but my VX5 has pretty good low light glass for the $1000 price point. I have a Meopta Optika 6 to put on a 308, and I am very interested in comparing the Schott glass to the Leupold.

I went with the leupold over others due to weight, low light performance, and mag range. The 3-15 × 44 is perfect for my 30-06.

BTW, the dial system is the most intuitive I've found for a hunting scope. But, if you prefer to hold off, the Impact 29 reticle would be worthwhile.

 

[Bill Clifton]

Anyone have any experience with Leupolds Boone & crockett reticles? Do they work ok, or are they a pain in the ass? Internet is full of pros & cons on this.

I've got two on rifles and had a B&C 4.5x14x40 VX3 on my main deer rifle for going on 20 years and like it. Browning A Bolt 7mmWSM, would fill a dump truck with the deer it's taken in the past 20 years at ranges from up close and personal out to well over 400 yards. Have no intention on changing it, haven't adjusted point of aim in years and it's still dead nuts.

 

[jelenko]

Thinking about selling the Leupold Vari-X 111 8.5x25x40 AO 1" tube Matte # 51086 target. Like new with box. Bought in '97. Mounted on a rem 700 V 22/250 for 1 season. Been in box in safe for 22 years. Hellofa scope for chucks. Hard to know what to ask for it. Dont wanna give it away but dont wanna screw anyone either. Any suggestions? "we the people" Rob

I think $500 - $600.

 

[284winner]

Tough to beat the older mark 4 scopes. My VX5HDs aren't any better. Just lighter and lower profile.

 

[goodbadugly]

Does Leupold still set their parallax at 150yrds on the VX3HD?