Scope comparison?

[Gman]

Can anyone tell me the difference's between a Leupold 36X Benchrest and a Leupold Competion 35X 45mm. Specifically, lens clarity, and tracking. I already know the 36X is a 1" tube vs. the Competion's 30mm. tube, and the 36X has an AO, vs. the Comp's side focus. Is it true the newer model 36X's are called 36D's, and this model has a locking ring on the AO? Also, what is the diameter of the Objective lens on the 36X? Thank You!

 

[tightneck]

The 36's haven't been made for a while now and the old ones didn't have a lock ring, but the later versions did, they have a 40mm obj. I think the optics on the LCS scopes are better than the older 36's but as far as tracking and overall function, that's up in the air. Lots of BR shooters have sent lots of the LCS scopes back to the factory because of POI shifts. Many BR shooters simply do not trust the internal parts on any scope and have them fixed in some way or another. Cecil Tucker has been doing a modification to Leupold as well as Weaver BR scopes for years, this is to put spring pressure on the erector tube so it isn't as likely to shift between shots. Other fixes include gluing all the internals up comletely and using external adjustments. There is a pricy new scope on the market now that some shooters swear by, but I believe the jury is still out on that one. Keep in mind I am talking about short range BR, where very minor shifting of the POI, will ruin you day.