Is It Time For A New Scope?

Vortex-Dead-Hold-BDC-Moa-Reticle-1.jpg
D.B. Cooper said:
Yeah, I had to do a little reading to grasp the differences in focal planes. 2nd focal plane is fine for my use. This is a 4-12 scope that has never...ever...been on anything other than 12x. I hunt on open tundra. Even at 100 yards, 12x isn't "too much zoom." Honestly, if manufacturers still made them, I could just buy a fixed power scope. (Maybe I can find a Unertl on etsy, lol.)
Click to expand...
Fixed 10x scopes with mildots were used for a long time, not my thing, but may be easier to aquire.
I have one of these scopes, they drive me nuts...
 
You can effectively "tune" your
Subtension on bdc/sfp scopes by correlating power poi/poa for each subtension...its also only effective in those conditions and takes a lot more adjustments.
Ive done ok with BDC reticles doing it like that but its alot easier with a standardized reticle even in sfp scopes.....on those i tend to run in 1/4 power range increments (+.25, +.50, +.75 subtension values etc.) and you need to check against a grid that your scopes power DOES match whats marked on the ring....most don't by at least a little bit

Easiest are accurate turrets and standard graduation ffp reticles.....while i admit im still not a huge ffp fan (just from lack of experience), and my favorite hunting scopes are sfp, ffps make alot of sense. Especially if your NOT gonna spend a bunch if time tinkering with your rig and memorizing stuff
 
AJC1 said:
View attachment 1158366
Click to expand...

That's the Vortex reticle, and I kind of like it. The elevation MOA marks correspond to 275, 400, 500, and 600 yards on my rifle w/ my handloads. That puts everything from 0 to 400 yards (my personal limit on taking game) right in my view with no adjustments...IF they're accurate enough.

I also like that there are some windage marks on there as well. The Redfield doesn't have that.
 
D.B. Cooper said:
That's the Vortex reticle, and I kind of like it. The elevation MOA marks correspond to 275, 400, 500, and 600 yards on my rifle w/ my handloads. That puts everything from 0 to 400 yards (my personal limit on taking game) right in my view with no adjustments...IF they're accurate enough.

I also like that there are some windage marks on there as well. The Redfield doesn't have that.
Click to expand...
The left right in 2moa is great. The up down is just nuts.... if the vertical was 2 I'd love it. The crossfire I have runs like 100-150 if you find it on sale. For hunting I'd be fine, sux for target work.
 
FWIW Leupold used to make a 1 inch fixed 12x w AO. The last version was called the FX3.
They may have all been matte finish.

There was an M8 12x gloss w AO for years. Oldest version is gangly w long tube. Last versions were better proportioned aesthetically.

Same w their 10x.
 
Hookeye said:
FWIW Leupold used to make a 1 inch fixed 12x w AO. The last version was called the FX3.
Click to expand...

The current iterations only go up to 6x. Too bad; I would have jumped on that.

Hookeye said:
... Oldest version is gangly w long tube...
Click to expand...

Again, I would have jumped on that. I'm shooting an old, flat back, pre accu-trigger Savage 110, blued w/ wood stock. Basically an almost direct competitor to the old Winchester Model 70, so it would totally look the part. The rifle has a long action, and modern scopes are pretty short between the objective bell and the power adjustment ring, so I have very little room to adjust eye relief...a "long gangly scope" is probably just what I need. LOL
 
AJC1 said:
The left right in 2moa is great. The up down is just nuts.... if the vertical was 2 I'd love it.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I totally agree. They should have kept uniformity on both axis.

Additionally, I would have liked more MOA on the horizontal because, up here, we have a minimum 50" antler spread in most areas for determining a legal moose. Having the right windage marks would give you a useful reference before deciding to shoot. It's a very difficult requirement to meet. I've missed two nice bulls because they ran off before I could get close enough to them with a tape measure.
 
D.B. Cooper said:
I have a Redfield Revolution (made in USA by Leupold) on my 243. I've had it...at least ten years. It's a good scope, but I think it's having repeatability issues.

I recently turned it all the way to the lowest elevation and back (157 clicks each way) to determine my "battlefield zero." Then, I turned it to max elevation and back to determine how much more elevation I had remaining. (43 clicks). Took it out to the range today, and it was about 3" low at 200 yards. Made 1.5 MOA or 6 clicks adjustment. Next shot was 3" high at 200. Next two were dead on and touching each other. Then I added 7 clicks and rang some steel at 300. Turned it down 7 clicks, and the next 3 shots were 3" high at 200. (Should have been back to dead on.) Made another 6 click, 1.5 MOA adjustment and the next 3 shots were 3" low. I then brought it back up 6 clicks, and the final 3 shots were 1" low @ 200.

Other than removing/reinstalling the base and rings (DNZ one piece base with built-in rings) with new locktite, is there any other troubleshooting I can do before condemning this scope? I've never had issues with it. Other than riding around in a Kolpin gun boot on a side by side, it hasn't had a hard life. Then again, this is the first time I've ever tried to shoot using the elevation knob adjustments. I usually just use the BDC reticle for the 300 yard shots and Kentucky Windage for everything else.

I wonder if Leuplod will even warranty this thing now that the Redfield name is dead an buried. I wonder what their turn around would be if they do warranty it. (47 days until hunting season opens.) Is this even worth repairing? (A comparable Vortex scope is $259, which is only slightly more than I paid for this Redfield 10 years ago.)
Click to expand...
Leupold honors the warranty on Redfield scopes they made while they owned the brand.

I sent one back last year. They replaced it with the Leupold equivalent. This was a Redfield RDS that was made in China. The adjusters for the built in laser froze up...mechanical issue, not electronic, so the warranty covered it.

While talking with Leupold, and since I have several other Redfield products made during their ownership of the brand, they confirmed that the lifetime warranty, was indeed lifetime, even if they no longer own the name.

Just be aware, they will not repair any Redfield products, they will simply replace them. So, if you have sentimental attachments (doubt many would..they didn't own the brand very long) you won't get it back if you send it in.
 
Megawatt maker said:
Leupold honors the warranty on Redfield scopes they made while they owned the brand.

I sent one back last year. They replaced it with the Leupold equivalent. This was a Redfield RDS that was made in China. The adjusters for the built in laser froze up...mechanical issue, not electronic, so the warranty covered it.

While talking with Leupold, and since I have several other Redfield products made during their ownership of the brand, they confirmed that the lifetime warranty, was indeed lifetime, even if they no longer own the name.

Just be aware, they will not repair any Redfield products, they will simply replace them. So, if you have sentimental attachments (doubt many would..they didn't own the brand very long) you won't get it back if you send it in.
Click to expand...

That's actually a pretty good deal. That kind of makes me wonder should I wait for a new VX scope or just go buy a Vortex. (Every other optic, except my rangefinder, which is also Redfield, is Vortex.)
 
AJC1 said:
View attachment 1158366
Fixed 10x scopes with mildots were used for a long time, not my thing, but may be easier to aquire.
I have one of these scopes, they drive me nuts...
Click to expand...
A fixed 10X is a very capable optic, but these days variable power scopes are just as reliable as fixed,
so you see many more variable options than fixed.
 
Walkalong said:
A fixed 10X is a very capable optic, but these days variable power scopes are just as reliable as fixed,
so you see many more variable options than fixed.
Click to expand...

Ironic since, by comparison, a Unertl seems so delicate compared to almost any modern scope. In my dad's day the 10 and 14 power Unertl was kind of the standard, or so I'm led to believe. (My dad hunted with his.) His dad never used a scope at all. I guess the old, 4x Weaver would have been a better comparison.
 
FWIW my current M8 10x gloss w CPC reticle is not click. Id like to find an FX3 or the old.M8 w tall vert turret, called the " varmint " model.

Or a 3.5-10x AO 40mm w click. Gloss. Dunno if they made em. Itd be for the Ruger #1.

Prices have gone silly on gloss Leupolds. Paid 400 for the 10x fixed to go on a #3 wearing #1 wood
 
Cool but IMHO a Ruger #1 has to wear a classic 1" Leupold (compliments the looks)
May just buy a later M8 12X and hope to swap elev turret if their custom shops starts back up.

My #1 is well worn so may just stay as is, with dinged 3.5-10X AO.
It works.
 
D.B. Cooper said:
Shipped the scope back to Leupold today, but I'm thinking I'm not going to wait to hear from them.
Click to expand...
Big mistake, unless you just like to burn money. Leupold has the finest glass I think you can get. Wait patiently for their answer and see what they will do. The last scope they repaired for me, I expected some spring replacements (didn't hold a zero from shot to shot) but they replaced everything but the tube, saying they don't do cosmetic repairs. The replacement was an unbelievable high quality, current parts etc. I didn't mind the couple of scratches on the tube that they wouldn't touch. The low light capability is truly top notch.
 
Thomasss said:
Big mistake, unless you just like to burn money. Leupold has the finest glass I think you can get. Wait patiently for their answer and see what they will do. The last scope they repaired for me, I expected some spring replacements (didn't hold a zero from shot to shot) but they replaced everything but the tube, saying they don't do cosmetic repairs. The replacement was an unbelievable high quality, current parts etc. I didn't mind the couple of scratches on the tube that they wouldn't touch. The low light capability is truly top notch.
Click to expand...
He returned a Redfield scope. They won't fix/repair it, they will simply replace it with a similar Leupold scope
 
Leupold does like many makers, they make scopes from “inexpensive” to “high end”, you have to compare scopes in the same price range to compare makers.
 
D.B. Cooper said:
Yeah, I had to do a little reading to grasp the differences in focal planes. 2nd focal plane is fine for my use. This is a 4-12 scope that has never...ever...been on anything other than 12x. I hunt on open tundra. Even at 100 yards, 12x isn't "too much zoom." Honestly, if manufacturers still made them, I could just buy a fixed power scope. (Maybe I can find a Unertl on etsy, lol.)
Click to expand...
SWFA still makes a number of fixed magnification scopes. I have not owned one of theirs though I have read good reviews on several models. I used to use fairly lower power fixed magnification scopes (3X, 6X) and they worked great for my purposes.

https://www.swfa.com/optics/riflescopes.html?brand=2744&magnification_by_group=5939
 
Been “lurking” on this thread since it began. Good info to garner. I made the mistake of looking through a Kahles, I don’t remember which model… anyway can anyone use a kidney? Lol But wow what clarity!
 
Id like better glass, but think my eyes such they won't get the full benefit.
So how much better for how much?
I dunno.

Dont hunt horrible conditions so mid level.proly good enough.

While not wonderful, for deer hunting here, old scopes of decent quality still work for me.

Having said that....buddy got some VX5 HD rig that was pretty amazing to look through.
Definition and color, when looking at stuff out yonder in the shade.
 
Last edited:
Hookeye said:
....buddy got some VX5 HD rig that was pretty amazing to look through.
Definition and color, when looking at stuff out yonder in the shade.
Click to expand...

I feel like that level of glass quality (and expense) are unnecessary in a rifle scope. The rifle scope is for aiming the gun; I don't need to count tines, verify ram curl, or look for evidence of sex at 600 yards with a rifle scope. (I shouldn't be pointing my rifle at anything I don't intend to shoot, anyway.) I have the 20-60x spotting scope for picking out those details. I think it's better to save $200 on the rifle scope and apply that to your spotting scope. I'd much rather have dependability, repeatability in a scope than amazingly clear glass and high magnification.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

kmw1954
  • Locked
Scope adjustment or holdover
2
Replies
47
Views
1K
kmw1954
kmw1954
D.B. Cooper
  • Locked
Indexing scope dials
Replies
7
Views
389
sparkyv
sparkyv
T
  • Locked
"bottoming out" a scope
Replies
21
Views
26K
Bart B.
B
papajoe222
  • Locked
Scope adjustment problem
Replies
11
Views
731
dranrab
D
G
  • Locked
Resetting a scope to zero - How to avoid losing track of how many turns? Rev counters, limiters?
Replies
11
Views
572
JFrank
JFrank
Back
Top