Why Leupold scopes?

[resident-shooter]

Heys there,

I have been reading through some older threads regarding building 1022s and I noticed that many people had Leupold scopes. So I am curious what makes those scopes worth so much money? Why mount such scope on a .22? Why not go with a cheaper alternative like Barska Plinker series?

PS: Yes, I did search....

Thanks !

[Tythagoras]

Clear, bright optics are for any rifle. The scope doesn't necessarily help you aim, it helps you see. If you can't see it, you can't hit it. If you spend some time behind some low-end glass, and then do the same with high-end optics, you will realize that shooting is much more fun when you can see clearly.

I suffered through cheap optics for years. I don't consider paying triple the cost of the rifle on optics to be a waste at all. Once you pay for it, it's yours forever.

Repeatable adjustments are a very nice plus.

[reagan8]

I think it all depends on how you're planning to use the gun and which Leupolds you are considering.

If you're just shooting paper at 50 yards, then a low-budget Simmons is more than adequate; use the money you save to buy ammunition and/or a better trigger/barrel/whatever.

If you're shooting at longer ranges with varying light conditions, then spending more on a Leupold may be worth it. I would look at their rimfire models.

[Rusty_Buckhorn]

So I am curious what makes those scopes worth so much money?

If you compare high end scopes, you'll find that Leupolds pricing is quite a bit lower than some of the others. Leupold also has many "levels" to chose from, not to mention, one of the best warranties in the game.

I also like to support that "Made in the USA" sticker.

[Droppin Deuces]

I wondered the exact same thing about high-end brands in general.


Then I bought a Leupold.

[Kilenger]

If you're going to spend any amount of time looking down range then Leupold is absolutely worth it. Cheaper glass will cause more eye strain over extended use. If your eye's aren't perfect 20-20 then it's worth it. Major improvement in clarity of high end scopes can really help those of use with poor eyes. If you plan on doing any varmit hunting then it's worth it. The clarity of the image is significantly better than lower end scopes making it easier to pick out ground squirrels that are perfectly camoflaged in high grass. Obviously we all have our own budgets to work in, but at this point I won't buy anything less than a Leupold.

[Purdey]

Price is relative as is product quality. While Leupold is typically more expensive and better than say Bushnell or Simmons, the same could be said about Swarovski, Leica or Zeiss compared to Leupold.

On the other hand a high price is not always indicative of high quality/performance nor is a low price indicative of low quality. You don't always get what you pay for. Best to shop around and compare in person if at all possible.

[ZX-10R]

Price is relative as is product quality. While Leupold is typically more expensive and better than say Bushnell or Simmons, the same could be said about Swarovski, Leica or Zeiss compared to Leupold.

On the other hand a high price is not always indicative of high quality/performance nor is a low price indicative of low quality. You don't always get what you pay for. Best to shop around and compare in person if at all possible.

Winner...Some Leupolds do not stack up against lesser priced scopes.

[Carsgunsandchics]

If your just playing with it it's not worth the extra $$ in my opinion. I have a mil-dot BSA on my 10-22 and I am quite happy with it. I purchased one on the bit of overpowered side but I like to shoot from 25yds to 150, and the mil-dots help with hold over/under. Leupold makes a real nice clear bright scope sight but it has to be balanced out in cost for use. I have a Leupold on my M1A and wouldn't even think about putting it on my 10-22 unless it was for strict competition.

[toby]

I have scopes ranging from an old Burris up through top end Kahles and the Leupolds from VXII on up to VX3 and the upper MK4's or on par with at least the middle class Zeiss, Meopta,VortexVipers, Nikons...I just purchased a FX3 6x it runs $400 so this $$ could have gotten me any of the others but this scope fills the need I had for this rifle.

[pennys dad]

Actually I challenge your "Why Leupold" and offer instead, "Why not Redfield"!
Redfield is made by Leupold which allows Leupold to offer the same quality for a reduced price without compromising the Leupold name.

http://www.texasguntalk.com/forums/gun-product-reviews/14885-redfield-scope-review.html

[resident-shooter]

Thanks pipl! U r a real help

[jyo]

Ya know, I prefer quality over quantity---this means fewer but better firearms---this also goes for scopes---I have just a few scoped rifles, but they all have Leupold on them---this is not to say other brands are bad, but I come from an era when there were some truly awful optics available and Leupold has never failed me. I found that when hunting moose in Alaska, our guide first looked over my rifle and said "Oh good, Leupold, nothing to worry about there!" That says it all.

[j1133s]

Heys there,

I have been reading through some older threads regarding building 1022s and I noticed that many people had Leupold scopes. So I am curious what makes those scopes worth so much money? Why mount such scope on a .22? Why not go with a cheaper alternative like Barska Plinker series?

PS: Yes, I did search....

Thanks !

What you want is a quality scope, not necessary a leupold branded scope.

IMHO, Barska anything will highly likely not make you happy.

[j1133s]

I have scopes ranging from an old Burris up through top end Kahles and the Leupolds from VXII on up to VX3 and the upper MK4's or on par with at least the middle class Zeiss, Meopta,VortexVipers, Nikons...I just purchased a FX3 6x it runs $400 so this $$ could have gotten me any of the others but this scope fills the need I had for this rifle.

Can you get a Zeiss or Meopta for $400?

I've found that $500 is the sweet spot for scopes where you are getting good quality at a great price (i.e. further increases in price nets very small quality improvements) and it is easy to get good scopes at this price. At $400, there's only 1 scope that is very good value Weaver Grandslam series.