Thoughts on Leatherwood scopes?

[rocketsci]

I've never heard of the company before, but I'll admit I'm not well-versed on scopes in general.

I'm looking specifically at the Hi-Lux ATR long eye relief model to be mounted on a Socom 16, and possibly on a Ruger GSR later. I've never used a scout-style scope before, so the low cost of the scope is definitely appealing (I'm not out a lot if I don't like it).

The question is, is it an inexpensive scope, or a ~cheap~ one? If the scope can't handle .308 loads, then there is no sense in getting it.

Thanks for any feedback!

[mtenenhaus]

i too am interested in hearing people's experiences with this scope. I have the leatherwood cmr 1-4x scope on my 5.56 and love it.

[LBDamned]

I've never used one - but have read generally good things about them (from others that have used 'em).

[rocketsci]

Well, I went ahead and got one. The sale at Midway was too good to pass up.

I'll post pics and some thoughts once I get it mounted.

[MauserMike]

i have heard nothing but good things for hi-lux and leatherwood, i think they are as good or better than bushnell and as good as any other proven chinese supplier like primary arms. you will be happy iam sure

[LBDamned]

i have heard nothing but good things for hi-lux and leatherwood, i think they are as good or better than bushnell and as good as any other proven chinese supplier like primary arms. you will be happy iam sure

Just to be clear - you are compassing to Bushnell's lower line (Chinese made)... The Elite series (Japan) and some others are in another category.

[6mmintl]

I have two clones of the Winchester a5 old timmey scope and both are excellent but mounts need rework.

[OpticsPlanet]

I have looked through most of the scopes they currently have available. They manufacture excellent mid level optics. Even better, they are a stand up company. Their representatives are easy to talk to and very helpful.

Chase B.

[rocketsci]

I received the Leatherwood scope a couple of weeks back, and I mounted it to my M1A last night. A couple of observations and questions below, pictures to follow.

1) Using the scope is actually pretty intuitive. Keeping both eyes open with the scope at 2-4x is doable, and actually fairly comfortable. Using the higher magnification seems to require me to close one eye, as the non-magnified view from my other eye gets hard to reconcile at that level.

2) I'm not sure how far back I can mount the scope and prevent ejected cases from hitting the eyepiece of the scope. Cheek weld right now is OK, but I feel like I'm stretching my neck pretty far forward (at max magnification) to keep the field of view through the scope correct. If I drop down to where I would be when using the irons, I'm right where I would normally be, though. Is this normal?

3) I'm a bit of a scope newbie, so please forgive this perhaps obvious question: I need to adjust the eyepiece focus so that the target and the reticle are both in focus, right? I think I just answered my own question...

4) The view through the scope looks good, no obvious (to my eye) color variations or fisheye effects between the edge and center of the field of view.

So far, it looks pretty good. I won't be able to make it to the range for a while, but I'll update this thread again with range results when I do. I have the scope mounted in some Leupold QWR medium rings, so I'll try to remove the scope and put it back on to see how well the system retains zero.

[aaRdog]

I had that scope in the Leupold qrw low rings and was pretty happy with it. I can say simply, that when mounting a scope, maybe the best way is to tuck into your rifle as is most natural, but with your eyes closed. When you open your eyes, you should be looking right through your scope with a clear sight picture with no shaded areas around the perimeter of your view. If you need to add a cheek piece and/or shift the scope back/fwd in it's mounts in order to achieve this, then you will be "at one" with your rifle.

[rocketsci]

I had that scope in the Leupold qrw low rings and was pretty happy with it. I can say simply, that when mounting a scope, maybe the best way is to tuck into your rifle as is most natural, but with your eyes closed. When you open your eyes, you should be looking right through your scope with a clear sight picture with no shaded areas around the perimeter of your view. If you need to add a cheek piece and/or shift the scope back/fwd in it's mounts in order to achieve this, then you will be "at one" with your rifle.

Ah. Got it. Kind of like finding the natural point of aim with irons, huh?

[BroncoBob]

I had since 2008, at first really didn't like it but as time went on I enjoyed using it as it has held zero all these years.

[CSTactical]

I feel for a low budget scope they are OK. I would recommend looking at other scopes such as the Vortex HST or PST line.

Mike @ CSTACTICAL

[rocketsci]

I feel for a low budget scope they are OK. I would recommend looking at other scopes such as the Vortex HST or PST line.

Mike @ CSTACTICAL

Well, I know it isn't exactly top of the line, but I wasn't sure if I was going to like the whole scout scope concept, so getting the Leatherwood on sale seemed like a safe way to try it out. If I don't like it, I'm not out that much money. If I do... there is always the Leupold scout scope I've heard about!

[CSTactical]

I have used their 1-4x and their ART scope but not their scout scopes. They are OK and for the price they are not bad. If you looking for a scout scope Leupold would be my fist choice then Burris. With the said I think the Leatherwood will do the job.

Mike CSTACTICAL