Rifle Scopes Do scopes wear out or break with ordinary use?

[kepler314]

I was wondering if high end scopes (S&B, Nightforce and the like) with etched reticles have a lifetime. Of course all mechanical things break eventually, the Sun burns out, etc. I'm speaking in practical terms.

I'm not talking about the scopes with actual fibers for the crosshairs, or other cheaply made optics.


This is my first post and I'm glad to be here. I looked through the faq and did a bit of searching, and couldn't find anything on this topic.

 

[The Shottist]

Re: Do scopes wear out or break with ordinary use?

Not only is it very unlikely that you could wear it out, they have lifetime warranties, so if you could wear out the turret or parallax adjustment, the factory would repair/rebuild it for free.

 

[Strangedays]

Re: Do scopes wear out or break with ordinary use?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ColtAllure</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> I was wondering if high end scopes (S&B, Nightforce and the like) with etched reticles have a lifetime. Of course all mechanical things break eventually, the Sun burns out, etc. I'm speaking in practical terms.

I'm not talking about the scopes with actual fibers for the crosshairs, or other cheaply made optics.


This is my first post and I'm glad to be here. I looked through the faq and did a bit of searching, and couldn't find anything on this topic. </div></div>
Not in your lifetime. A good scope should go to the grandkids not the trash.

 

[ORD]

Re: Do scopes wear out or break with ordinary use?

Unless your idea of "ordinary use" involves using the scope as an entrenching tool, hammer, target, jack stand, etc. then I think that you can easily expect a lifetime of faithful service from an S&B, NF, Hensoldt, etc.

 

[noname]

Re: Do scopes wear out or break with ordinary use?

usually the people get bored and want to try something new so they sell them on sniperhide.

 

[sirhrmechanic]

Re: Do scopes wear out or break with ordinary use?

Actually, scopes are more likely to wear out from lack of use!

The turrets should be exercised to ensure that the reticles don't stick and bind up.

Especially on high-end scopes, regularly run your turrets both directions, set back to zero and make sure your point of impact is the same. Your scope should hold its zero when exercised.

Every time I go to the range, after cold bore shot, I run the turrets up and down... then back to zero. If it won't go back to my zero, there's an issue.

Cheers,

Sirhr

 

[jlaw973]

Re: Do scopes wear out or break with ordinary use?

The view through my Nikon Monarch has become a little hazy around the edges over the years and has only been used for hunting. Hopefully the newer ones are better.

 

[Chiller]

Re: Do scopes wear out or break with ordinary use?

If you can burn one of those out.....you have MAD skillz....

 

[rware91]

Re: Do scopes wear out or break with ordinary use?

Jlaw have you looked into getting glasses? Ha just messing around. OP I dont think you will have to worry about a scope wearing out on you.

 

[dareposte]

Re: Do scopes wear out or break with ordinary use?

The AMU purportedly wears out a Leupold MKiv in 2-3 years, but they are cranking on the knobs constantly. He said the springs are the first thing to go on them, so I guess you could have the springs replaced and be back in business. Leupold would probably do that under warranty if you were to ever wear one out.

The same sgt from the AMU says that after 10 years of use in his group he has yet to have anybody wear out a Nightforce, and the only reason he's changed them out is to try the new features on the newer scopes.

Not sure on S&B or USO but I'd imagine if you ever wore one out you could have them fix it with pride.

 

[LoneWolfUSMC]

Re: Do scopes wear out or break with ordinary use?

Springs can wear out. Detents can wear out. Scopes can loose their seal and have moisture intrusion and fungus growth on the lenses.

It's just all a matter of how often and how hard you use them. I don't think your average recreational user will come close to wearing out a high end tactical scope. The Unertl was widely considered a tank of a rifle scope. They got pretty ragged after decades of service.

 

[Prairie Dog Dundee]

Re: Do scopes wear out or break with ordinary use?

I have several 50+ year old Weaver scopes that are still in service. One has some rust on the tube but the glass is clear and the adjustments still work.

 

[scotharr]

Re: Do scopes wear out or break with ordinary use?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: LoneWolfUSMC</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Springs can wear out. Detents can wear out. Scopes can loose their seal and have moisture intrusion and fungus growth on the lenses.

It's just all a matter of how often and how hard you use them. I don't think your average recreational user will come close to wearing out a high end tactical scope. The Unertl was widely considered a tank of a rifle scope. They got pretty ragged after decades of service. </div></div>

+1 all precision instruments require maintenance. Harder and more frequent use will require shorter maintenance windows.

 

[BMG50CAL]

Re: Do scopes wear out or break with ordinary use?

I dont see how not using a scope could wear it out faster either ?