Scope Reliability

[Foxfyre]

They did some pretty stringent drop testing on some of the most popular scopes over on the rock slide forum. Leupolds were very disappointing.

*appears that forum is verboten here*

Didn't know the two forums had beef with each other. I will say this forum places more value in a turn-of-century gentlemans aesthetic and **NOT**PERMITTED** is does a bit more modern tacticool. Good people in either but i can see where they might clash. Both have their place i suppose: i.e., I’m a firm lover of woolens everything but if i have to climb 6k ft to lay in -6F snow for three days i’m probably taking the most modern synthetic i can.

‘Not permitted’ oh thats a bit funny!

 

[cajunchefray]

In my time filming hunts, I saw 2 PH rifles hired to clients have scope problems. One was a leupold on a 300 h&h. It had been on the same rifle for years- 5 or 6 years. It was dropped on the hunt and then would not zero after that. Next was a Swarovski on a 375 h&h hired to clients. It was temperamental with electronic red dot and the vari power was gritty but it still held zero and worked. PH replaced it and sent the old one for service. My own scopes, I haven't had on fail. Have a nikko Sterling that has seen service on a 308 for 20 years +. Have a lynx that has evidence of a big hit before I got it- still working at 20 + years on my 30-06.

Seems to me the old fixed magnification scopes were more robust. Any engineer will tell you, the more moving parts, the more breakdown.

Seems to me the old fixed magnification scopes were more robust. Any engineer will tell you, the more moving parts, the more breakdown.

The fixed power scopes give me a bit of reassurance, as well as better optic, because of fewer lenses, that is better for me with my bad eyesight. John Barsness writing "Optics for the Hunter" explained this very well, fewer lenses, less distortion easier to focus while wearing my glasses.
The Zeiss Conquest fixed 4x, to me is a great option for vision and durability. I was told by my optics dealer (Sport Optics, local retail and internet dealer) that these were built in a Meopta USA factory with German Zeiss lenses.

I've banged up the same Zeiss Conquest 4X twice, once at the range and once dead dropped onto concrete floor in my garage, mounted with Talley rings on a Win M70 .416 Remington. Dented the scope cap. At the range, it was spot on and still is 10 years later.

In my simple opinion, the Zeiss Conquest fixed 4x is the best combination of optics, FOV, eye relief and durability. It's not really compact, but damn they work.
I have 3 and wish I had bought 5 more when closed out.

My first "deer rifle" scope was a Simmons Aetec 3-10x44 , on a Ruger 77, .308, got my first deer with it. Later, it drifted in zero, and I replaced it with a Leupold 2-7.

My Leupold VX-R 2-7 with #4 Firedot reticle is holding up on my .35 Whelen after 200 rounds. Hunted but not yet abused, holding zero perfectly.

Zeiss Diatal 4X32 from the 1990s holding up well on my 30-06.

 

[Clodo Ferreira]

Hi cajunchefray,

Make mine your words!!!!
Perhaps because I learned to shoot with open sights and because a good Light Optical Works 2,5x20 was my first scope, I am a 4x scopes user!! Strong, bullet proof and always in the right setting.
I live in the foothills of the Andes, Argentine Patagonia.
In my rifles I have two scopes, already sighted in detachable rings. The "main" one a variable 1,5-6x or 2,5-10, Zeiss, S&B and Kahles. The back ups, all 4x32: Hensoldt from the sixties, Zeiss Diatal from the seventies (the same scope, non compleately weather sealed but with care they never fogged), Zeiss ZA (the first sealed and self centered reticle of the firm) from the eighties and a Schmidt & Bender 4x36 from the nineties. Also have a Redfield Bear Cub, a great scope.
The thing is, in the mayority of the rifles, the 4x slowly became the main scope.
To me, the advantage of the variables, is to be able to use the low power settings for some very close range shoots more than the high power ones!!

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

There is so much discussion here about scopes, but almost never any discussion about scope reliability and durability.

To me, the single most important quality in a scope, rifle, and ammo, is that it will work correctly to send the bullet to the intended point of aim. When the animal of a lifetime is standing there, I want everything to work - right then and there. A warranty is utterly useless at that moment.

To me, the best customer service is not free return shipping to fix something, but to have designed it right, built it right, and give it a quality control check before it goes out the door so it will work correctly and not need to go back.

Through the years, scopes that broke on me include Leupold, Zeiss, Redfield, US Optics, Unertl, Nikon, and some cheap stuff that came on rifles.

Even the much vaunted Swarovski EE has reports on here of it breaking.

In 2005, I bought my first Nightforce and have bought several more since. So far, not one has ever had a problem. That oldest NF conservatively has 25,000+ rounds fired under it including 1000’s of 7 WSM, .300 Win Mag, and .338 Lapua. It still works perfectly. I have a 75 year old Lyman Alaskan fixed 4x still works correctly.

Curious to hear, especially from the PH’s, which scopes others have seen fail and which seem to be most durable and reliable?

@Tex .416
I have scopes of different prices and makes
One scope with an illuminated reticle I bought of the supplier for cost price so I could do an evaluation for him.
That scope cost me ninety bucks 15 years ago and has been on four different rifles over that time. It has never failed to keep zero, adjustments are always spot on and the illumination is great. For a cheap scope it does all I need and now resides on my REM 788 in 222.
It still allows me to shoot sub half inch groups and hits rabbits out past 200. Sure it's not as bright as my meopta or Zeiss scopes ( they have never failed either) but after all that time it still works so I can't ask for more
Bob