can a scope go bad

[buckhorn2]

I have a leopold 4.5 x 14 50 milimeter lps scope that just seems something is wrong. We put it on a 300 weatherby mark 5 and could;nt group under 5 inches. Took it off and put a 4.5 x14 50 millimeter very x 3 on and the gun shot inch groups. Sent the scope back to leopold and they checked it out and said it was up to specs. We put it back on same gun and 5 inch group put the other scope on and back to 1 inch. Tryed the same thing by putting it on a 300 wby accumark and same deal the lps would;nt group the other scope with the same gun same loads shot great. I don;t know if I should send it back or try to trade it  off or sell it. Just wondering if anyone ever had a scope go bad. I like leuopold and there service but am stuck with a spendy scope I don;t trust anymore.

[PA BEN]

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http://www.opticstalk.com/default.asp?SID=78c276f7d1c7a83eef29a145zf37z5f2

[wrangler]

send it back untill they fix it. iv had to send a couple back to leupold because they would not hold a zero. it's not common but i wouldn't say it's uncommon either.... especially on a magnum. the true test was putting in on a different rifle, thats basically the first and last step. you have a bad scope it seems...

[Hunterman]

I have had two scopes go bad on me. Both were Refields. The first one was the one my dad put on his .30-06 after his 4X redfield (it was bought brand new in '65) started to fog on him. He bought a low profile and worked great for him for years. I used it for a few years when it seemed to lose its light gathering. The middle of the day looked like dusk. So I buy me a redfield 3X9 Tracker. That scope worked great. I spent something over $300 on it. I told my wife (who just about creamed her jeans at the price) that this scope will out last me on this rifle. It was great for the first three years, 3 head shot elk the longest shot was a little over 300 yards,( with a rest out of the ranch house), 9 deer, 3 headshot blacktails, 4 whitetails,3 head shot,one shot in the neck, and 7 pronghorns, 5 neck shot, and 2 in the head. The 4th year I was having some trouble with the zero. I would fire 6 rounds in groups of 3 the size of a dime, then the 7th shot wouldn't hit paper It was my wife that noticed that when she dry fired it the cross hairs seemed to jump We sent it back to Redfield and about 3 months later I get back a brand new scope, zero it, and off hunting I go(I'm not going to mention the B/C Whitetail I missed in Montana. My daughter(Quick Draw) and I were up in Ashford, a nice 2 point a good distance away, I'm shooting prone, take aim fire and the deer just stands there I figured that i needed to raise abit, and a little in front ( uphill angle a such) fire and he looks back at us  . The 3rd shot I put the cross hairs on his hips, and breaks his NECK :yike:Dead frigging center. When we get home I checked all the screws, TIGHT. I dry fire and the damn cross hairs JUMPED! That Monday I called Redfield, they told me to send it back and they would check it out.3 months later another scope. Put it on the rifle, dry fire, SAME THING. No more redfields for me. Put on a Burris. I have not used more than 1 shot on any animal I killed with it.

So in short yes I have had scopes go bad, and have had bad scopes..

Hunterman(Tony)

[Bscman]

I agree.
I've heard a lot of very good about leupolds customer service. Get on the horn and raise some heck--and make sure they send you a shipping label so you don't have to send it back.

More than likely, as mentioned, it's a problem with a loose reticle.

[Guy]

buckhorn, yes, call Leupold and also enclose a note telling them the circumstances and what the scope does... Tell 'em it fails when used on a magnum. Send it back again and push it a little. They are great about fixing stuff and apparently they haven't gotten to the bottom of whatever is wrong with your scope.

Regards, Guy

[thinkingman]

Lots of scopes go back to Leupold for various defects and failures.
Lots of scopes get repaired or replaced by Leupold.
You will get some satisfaction out of it.

[Caseyd]

I have had the same problem....a couple years ago.

I couldnt even hit the paper at 50 yards  Sent the scope to leupold and they sent it back saying nothing was wrong and scope was fine  Tried it again and still had the same problem 

Thats a good idea Wranger....maybe ill try sending it back again and see what happens this time! Its just been sitting in the safe(retired) and my 30-06 hasnt got any use since then either. Just cheaper to use one of my other rifles 

[X-Force]

Not that it seems like any of you are having this problem but my brother had a Leupold scope mounted on a pump action 30-06. The scope wasn't the problem. The scope mounts were tight but for some reason they weren't tight enough to keep the scope in one place. Every shot seemed to put the cross hairs in a new position. We shot over a box of shells through it and nothing seemed to work. Finally we brought it to Kesselring's and they told us what the problem was. A couple of new scope mounts later he was getting the groupings he wanted.

[Jerbear]

Hunterman

Don't know if you are aware of the fact that Redfield and Simmos scopes are bith built in a new high tec plant in CHINA.  The story I read was that they hired some of the top people from Leopold to run it.  You are using were using your fingers to make adjustments.  Read the directions.  You must use chop sticks.

[X-Force]

Good point Jerbear. I was thinking of scopes worth their weight in gold not 值得他们的体重在水稻

[Jerbear]

Good one.   I have no idea what the hell that means, but it is  funny