Leupold Rifleman

[teacher74]

I am looking to get a 3-9X scope for my FAL and came across this ad from Cabela's for a Leupold 3x9x40 gold ring rifleman, that also comes with a range finder for $399.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp;jsessionid=L5LZNZZ1AY3P5LAQBBISCOFMCAEFEIWE?id=0049757&type=pod&cmCat=catfeatoptics&_requestid=141105

I know Leupold has a good reputation, and I am not looking for a tactical scope, just something that will last for years of non-competition paper punching. Since I also was wanting a range finder, this seems like a good deal. Does anyone know about the quality of the Leupold rifleman? I know for the price, it can't rank with the best, but I only have about $300 to spend for a scope, but could go up to $400. Would this be a good buy or a waste of money on a crappy scope and crappy range finder?

Thanks

[CHUCK-E]

I'm happy with my rifleman. Ive shot 160 rounds through my Howa in 270 without any problems.

[brassburnz]

I think the Rifleman series of scopes used to be what Leupold called the VX-1 series. I have a couple of VX-II's. The image is very clear and bright.

I got my Leupold's used at very good prices. I don't mind buying used Leupold's because:

1. People that buy Leupold's generally take very good care of them.
2. Leupold has a lifetime warranty.

[maxicon]

The Rifleman is closer to the old Vari-X II, according to Leupold. All the low-end Leupolds are good quality scopes, with their excellent warranty. Here are the main differences in the bottom-end scopes:

Rifleman:
1/2 moa marked friction adjust
Fully coated glass (mostly single-coated)
Limited selection of reticles, no custom shop options

VX-I:
1/4 moa marked "micro-friction" adjust
Multi-coated glass (their Multicoat 4)
Bigger selection of reticles, custom shop options

You don't get click adjusts until the VX-II. I've got a number of Leupold friction adjust scopes, and they adjust and hold their zeroes very well.

I'd spend a little more for the VX-I if it were me, due to the better coating. Jumping to the VX-II is a bigger price jump.

[RobT2K]

How are you going to mount it to your FAL?
I had a cheap scope mounted to a stripper clip topcover, and I was never certain if the scope or the mount caused the loss of zero.

[PistolPete75]

i would only mount this on a small bore like a .223

scope would most likely fall apart under recoil with a 30cal.

[cornholio1]

The FAL is really smooth. I think the rifleman might survive the recoil of the 308 in this case

[mike452]

You need to drop that range finder. It is not free!
Wal-mart sold that scope for under $200.

You can get a good 3-9x40 scope for $300-$400 that will last forever on a FAL. The cheapest I can think of is the Bushnell 3200 10x40mm for around $160. It can take the recoil of a 50BMG. A Nikon Monarch also comes to mind.

Check out www.samplelist.com

[Jicko]

Get VX2.... rifleman line isn't great leupold line...

I think u can get vx2 for around $300. Check out riflescopes.com

[maxicon]

The Rifleman should hold up fine on most centerfire rifles. Even the low-end Leupolds have always worked well on standard hunting rifles. You might have trouble on something big like a .50 BMG, but that's a challenge for a lot of scopes.