No Leupold love

[Gman]

Just an interesting observation on the 2022 IBS 600 yard Nationals in Memphis, Tennessee (Sept 16 & 17).

There was NOT 1 Leupold scope used in either light gun or heavy gun. Both classes of 99 & 100 shooters respectively.

My how times change.

 

[BartsBullets]

Leupolds glass and ability to hold poi haven’t kept up with the competition.

Bart

 

[Bill K]

I believe Leupold is as good as it has always been, both in being a fine optic and customer service, if needed.
You are seeing more, maybe, of others due to the new marketing hype and people buying into it.
But, also saying, the new stuff showing, are at least good optics and will work fine.

 

[nmkid]

I believe Leupold is as good as it has always been, both in being a fine optic and customer service, if needed.
You are seeing more, maybe, of others due to the new marketing hype and people buying into it.
But, also saying, the new stuff showing, are at least good optics and will work fine.

Not trying to start a pissing contest. But, are you saying that people are buying inferior scopes(compared to Leupolds) because of marketing hype?

 

[jobhopper66]

It appeared to me that Leupold lost a large share of the precision market with the problems they had with the competition series (35X-45X) of scopes and also for being a day late and a dollar short in the development of premium high power variable scopes. They really left the door open for other companies to fill that void and they have quite well. A company can only stand on its history for so long. These are just my observations as I am sure there are others who have different opinions.

 

[Buzzsaw]

Leupolds are Fine for any competitions or hunting. They just have not been able to compete against the HYPE and Marketing from other companies. Leupold needs to get some "Skins" on the wall with PRS shooters and hunters.
I admit, I drink the Nightforce Koolade. They are great scopes. I can't afford the Tangent Thetas, March, etc.
I agree with jobhopper66 above.

 

[BartsBullets]

I believe Leupold is as good as it has always been, both in being a fine optic and customer service, if needed.
You are seeing more, maybe, of others due to the new marketing hype and people buying into it.
But, also saying, the new stuff showing, are at least good optics and will work fine.

I’d say you need check out some of those scopes with the marketing hype. You’ll see why accuracy shooters have moved on. @jobhopper66 nailed it.

Bart

 

[lawman29]

I have March, Nightforce, Leupold, Vortex and Sightron scopes & Marbles tang sights on my rifles. They all do the job admirably for the purpose intended.

 

[NZ_Fclass]

I still have a soft spot for Leupold - having said that, I'm down to one - and that's the first one that I bought - a 3-9 Vari-X. Sightron and Burris have filled the gap for my F-class rifles. I did have a look at the Loopy F-Class scope, but when I saw the price and the fact that no-one seemed to be using/winning with one, well, I bought another Sightron. In my future - Kahles 10-50 or March 10-60 HM.

 

[davidjoe]

They seem content with hunting and mid magnification tactical markets. They don’t seem interested in high magnification (40x plus) target scopes anymore.

They dropped their high magnification fixed power line. Even before they dropped the big fixed power scopes, they declined to make big, high power variables.

I use their old design of exposed knob M4’s on tactical, factory .308’s that don’t seem to quite warrant a 2k scope, like FN SPR’s.

Don’t they make the currently most expensive scope on the market? I have some personal qualms about an approximate 40-50 fold price range in a scope line, which is the record they hold right now. Their cheapies might get some excellent internal parts and thinking, but I’d be wary their monster scopes got some scaled up $200 scope internals.

I don’t want to see Rolex make a very good $300 waterproof automatic, even if they can. It would cast doubt on everything they do. Choose a “lane”.

 

[Tommie]

@BartsBullets 100% dead nuts on

 

[Tommie]

A few decades ago the Leupold versus (insert your favorite premium optics) discussion was a valid debate.

 

[Big_Daddy]

I’d say you need check out some of those scopes with the marketing hype. You’ll see why accuracy shooters have moved on. @jobhopper66 nailed it.

Bart

Bart is spot on.
The claim that it is mostly "marketing hype" that has caused top shooters to move on to another brand is nothing short of ridiculous.

 

[boltfluter]

While I like my Leupold scopes, the marketing people really missed the boat for the last decade, to say the least!! Very hard to play catch up in the highly competitive scope market. Good luck Leupold, your gonna need it.
Paul

 

[nwmnbowhunter]

The premium hunting scopes vx5 and vx6 have the mushiest turrets out there. And will lose zero if you dial.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

For my needs and price point, Sightron has been a pleasure to work with.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

Leopold makes fine hunting scopes. Just not quite up to par for serious accuracy work...depends on your discipline. Their glass imo is very satisfactory but I've seen too many that just don't hold poi well enough for br work. You can't leave 1/16" of reticle movement on the table in br but that amount easily gets lost in the noise on a hunting rifle.
Honestly, the competition market is a very tiny pita portion of the market. Can't say I blame them, from a business standpoint but competition drives everything from sales to technology advancements.

 

[CJ6]

I have 7-8 Leups, mostly in the Vari-X III or VX-III in 4.5x14 or 6.5x20. I've never had a bit of trouble with them. That being said It's been 12-15 years since I bought a new one.

 

[Ned Ludd]

I didn't see anyone mention the absolutely hideous golden ring. Offering scopes with an all black option might be something to consider as a starting point. Then putting in a little more R&D on the exact features and specifications their customers currently desire in riflescopes would go a long way toward fixing Leupold's market share. I've looked through a few fairly new Leupold rifle and spotting scopes. The glass was fine. Not the absolute best out there, but more than good enough for a variety of shooting disciplines. However, if their scopes don't offer the exact features someone wants or are have issues with holding zero, a customer will be more likely to purchase from another manufacturer that has the exact features they want and performs flawlessly. It's simple marketing, really.

 

[Ranger188]

They have a couple problems, first they have way too many scopes.
When the PRS started to catch on, they went into that pretty heavy.
A lot of FFP scopes.
But thats up to the marketing department. Good or bad.
Luckily we lots of other scope manufactures that cater to other disciplines.