Rifle Scopes Experience with Valdada IOR scopes?

[Great-White Hunter]

Would like some insight from those of you that have experience with the Valdada IOR line of scopes. I am buying one from my brother to mount on my AR-30 .300 WinMag.

Pros/Cons???

I have looked at NF, USO, S&B, Horus Vision, and even Leupold Mark IV.... but obviously I am getting a hell of a deal from my brother on this one (he got rid of the rifle he had it mounted on, not because there is something wrong with it).

Thanks in advance

 

[BCP]

Would like some insight from those of you that have experience with the Valdada IOR line of scopes. I am buying one from my brother to mount on my AR-30 .300 WinMag.

Pros/Cons???

I have looked at NF, USO, S&B, Horus Vision, and even Leupold Mark IV.... but obviously I am getting a hell of a deal from my brother on this one (he got rid of the rifle he had it mounted on, not because there is something wrong with it).

Thanks in advance

What model IOR is it?

There are decent ones and really bad ones I have had some of each...

 

[Gunfighting Inc]

I have an IOR 3.5-18 on my 308 and 6-24 on my 338LM, both with the MP8 reticle. I like their clarity and capability. The 35mm tube can a bit inconvenient as not a lot of variety of mounts/rings. I got good deals on both, and to get anything better I would have had to pay another 2k each.

 

[hondo1312]

I had an issue with a 5-year old 2.5-10x42 SFP. It wouldn't focus at all above 5x. I sent it to IOR and they replaced it with a brand new optic about 2 weeks later. I haven't had any issues with the 3-18x42 or the 3.5-18x50. But I don't put thousands of rounds down range every year, either.

 

[Great-White Hunter]

I have an IOR 3.5-18 on my 308 and 6-24 on my 338LM, both with the MP8 reticle. I like their clarity and capability. The 35mm tube can a bit inconvenient as not a lot of variety of mounts/rings. I got good deals on both, and to get anything better I would have had to pay another 2k each.

BCP, it is the 3-18.

 

[steves1911]

Bought the 3.5-18x50 for my sons AAC and absolutely love everything about it! I've heard some people having concerns about the 3-18x42's eye relief, not much back and forth movement in the scope rings when mounting to your base. Don't have that issue with my sons, more clearance with his model. It is on the HEAVY side though, built like a tank! Got a great deal from Scott at Liberty Optics, great guy!

 

[fdkay]

I have the 3-18x42. I bought it a couple of years ago.
EXCELLENT glass, accurate, repeatable adjustments.
I am rather long limbed and have the scope set as far back on the pic rail as it will go and it works great for me, but that is NOT the case for every one.

A couple of cons on the 3-18 model.
The tube length on the ocular end is VERY short, limiting the mounting options. Luckily, the scopes come with a pair of the excellent IOR rings, which are made with this in mind. But there is VERY little real estate there.
Since the erector assembly is set so far back on the scope, it is IMPOSSIBLE to see past the scope ring to see what you have set on your windage turret. Elevation turret is not affected.
Minimum parallax is somewhere between 75 to 100 yards.

I am EXTREMELY happy with my 3-18. Honestly, though, I would have rather had the 3.5-18 as it has addressed some of those problems and has illumination to boot (they released about three months after I bought the 3-18).

My recommendation:
Since you are talking a .300 WM, I would be more inclined to go with either the 3.5-18 or the 30mm 4-16 model.

 

[BCP]

BCP, it is the 3-18.

3-18x42 models have really short eye relief and some weren't too reliable. The 3.5-18x50 is a whole other scope, longer eye relief and supposedly much better reliability.

Not sure I would get a 3-18x42 again but I would definitely try out a 3.5-18x50 model especially if you can get it for a good buddy deal.

 

[Great-White Hunter]

Thanks to everyone so far for the replies....

 

[sobrbiker883]

Every IOR I've had has had outstanding glass. Every one I've had has also gone tits up in one way or another on me.
I've gone through 5 of various models before learning my lesson...

 

[bobaguilar]

I have the 3X18X50 model. I've had it about 2.5 years. The glass is great and so far no issues.

 

[Great-White Hunter]

Every IOR I've had has had outstanding glass. Every one I've had has also gone tits up in one way or another on me.
I've gone through 5 of various models before learning my lesson...

What did you end up going with?

 

[sobrbiker883]

US Optics, 3.2-17 and 3.8-22, for shooting comps
USO 1.5-6 DFP for hunting

 

[Cobracutter]

Heavy, built like a tank.


The only real optic i regret selling was a IOR 2-12... Without a doubt the best SPR type optic I have ever used.

MP8 blows most reticles out of the water. Glass is as good as your are going to get. CS may be spotty, but if you buy from Scott, He'll make sure your taken care of.

I paid around 900 brand new for mine in 2005. Miss those days of cheap optics, comparitively.

 

[springer01]

Very happy with my two (3.5-18x50, 2.5-10x42) have owned a 2nd gen 3-18x42 and it went bad, but IOR took care of it without any problems and I bought it used.

 

[phillip61]

I have the 3.5X18 and have never looked back. Awesome scope, there are more expensive scopes out there but the IOR is a great scope.

 

[Clark]

Leupold 14X gives me the same detail resolution as 10X in IOR scopes.

But the Leupold color resolution can pick out the Golden stripes on a brown ground squirrel on a brown dirt background, and the IOR cannot.

 

[Chance]

IOR scopes have served me really well through the years. I think you'll be happy. Out of the ones I've had, I really think the 3-18 has the best features in one package.

 

[lestersurv]

Not looking to cause a family rift, or hard-feelings between brothers but... Might want to contact IOR=Val and get their assurance in writing that the scope you might buy will be warrantied. Probably also want to be sure you get the original sales receipt and that scope was bought from one of their "dealers". Might even check with the dealer and see if they will stand behind you if IOR=Val does not.

Sobr is telling you the straight skinny.

 

[BCP]

The warranty follows the scope.

I've had about the same luck with IOR scopes as Leupold, except the IORs have much better glass, features, and the warranty replacement got here in a week or two instead of 2 months.

Don't see why not to give it a try, if it doesn't work out you can always sell it and go with something else.

Right now I really like the Bushnell HDMR scopes for a 300win mag I think it'd be great.

 

[Great-White Hunter]

Update....

First off, thanks to everyone so far that has replied and given me great insight. This past weekend I decided to go ahead and try the scope. I got it mounted, unfortunately it was raining so have yet to fire the setup/conduct a zero. Though there is not much room for adjustment of the scope within the rings, there is plenty of room on the rail of my AR-30 (see the pic).

Now I just have to fix my cheek weld on the buttstock (sitting about a 1/2 inch to low to see relaxed through the scope). I do not prefer the stock skeleton buttstock, so I am thinking about a MagPul PRS buttstock.