Anyone know anything about a Leupold Rifleman?

Chris Powers · Joined: 10 Aug 2006 Posts: 4 Location: Oklahoma

I found what appears to be a great scope for the price. I am looking for a low-light vis scope, preferably a 50mm lens. I have a Vari-XIII, and I love it, but I can't afford another one. I have a TC .54 Cal Muzzeloader that I think this scope will fit perfectly. I also have a Rem .270 that I need to suit up. ITHis scope is a Leupold Rifleman 3-9 x 50mm, for $279 at Wal Mart, of all places. I think it is a great deal, but does anyone else have an opinion? I don't want to spend over $ 350 really. I saw the Bushnell 3200 Elite series, they were nice. I am not sure who is better though. ANy help would be great.

MrGman · Guest

I have seen them, I am not impressed with them. I definitely do not like the contiuous friction adjustments on them instead of the click detent type on better model Leupolds and most other scopes. I had a Leupold VX-I with the friction lock continuous adjustment type system for windage and elevation and I got rid of it. Probably not a good idea for a rifle with a pronounced long pulse recoil of a muzzle loader. I was never able to make precise adjustments with mine and I was only shooting 22 mag.

Don't think you need a 50mm end bell, the difference in actual brightness is not really signicant. I would spend the money on a better grade 3 X 9 hunting scope with the 40mm (42 44mm also) scopes that have better overall features. The Bushnell 3200 series in the 3 X 9 X 40 range will work well.

There is a lot of info in various posts from Steve about not needing the 50mm end bell and not having to deal with the excess weight and increased scope height over the barrel which causes you to have less of a cheek weld and less consistency in your shooting. I agree with all of those points 100%. If you absolutely need extreme low light capability spend the money for the Zeiss Conquest, it is extremely bright for the money. The 3 X 9 X 40. They spared no expense in premium multilayer antireflective coatings on all the lenses which maximizes light transmission to your eyeball. I have friends who have literally offered to trade 2 Leupolds for it. Need I say what my answer was. Cool

Chris Powers · Joined: 10 Aug 2006 Posts: 4 Location: Oklahoma

Thanks MrGman, I appreciate the reply. I didn't realise that the dial on the scope was friction, that does make a big difference when it's being pounded by a .54 cal. And let me tell you, it kicks like a 6000 lb horse, if there were such a creature! Thanks again, I am going to look into the Bushnell.

briken12 · Guest

I purchased the Bushnell Elite 3200 in 3-9x40 for under $200.00 US a few years ago and mounted it on a Tikka T3 Lite (Sako) chambered in
270WSM. I am more than pleased with the Scope. Rain and fog proofing is just as good as they claim. The scope has a clear and bright site picture under all conditions, the reticle has stayed true after about a 1000 rounds of 270WSM and several hunting trips. The 270WSM fired from a 6.7lb rifle kicks like a mule, heavy recoil has had no effect on the cross hairs. I would recommend this Scope to any one. I have several top dollar scopes and this is as good as any of those. For the price you wont find a better scope.

Steven-L · Joined: 01 Jun 2006 Posts: 1023

Hi,

The Rifleman scopes were made for Walmart. They have single coated lenses. The VX-I scopes that cost the same have multicoated lenses. Besides the different incremental marks that the friction dials have, they are the same.
Friction dials are not any less strong than dials with click adjustments, just less expensive.
Black powder recoil pulse is much easier on scopes and your shoulder simply because of the significantly lower pressures generated, and the slower burn rate of black over smokeless.
I, too, much prefer click adjustments, but it is not crucial, just greatly favored.
The Bushnell 3200s are really fine scopes, and I recommend them also. The recoil on a 270 WSM out of a T-3 is healthy.
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