Rifle Scopes Tracking/loss of zero problems with Leupy Mark 4?

[TimK]

I have a Leupold Mark 4 in 8.5-25. I've had a chronic wandering zero that I thought was probably shooter error. Over the weekend, I shot in a match and did great on the first string, hitting 8 of 10. That's typical for me at these matches. On strings 2-4, my number of hits went steadily down, ending at 2 out of 10 for the last string. Conditions were essentially the same, and other shooters were having consistent results.

I shot it again the next day and discovered my zero is off. It looks like 1 to 1.5 moa in elevation and anywhere from 1-3 moa in windage (it was very windy when I checked).

At the match, I dialed for elevation on every shot, so there were 40+ changes to the knob. I was holding for wind, so it was touched just once to return it to zero from a previous outing.

Has anyone else experienced this kind of thing with Leupy scopes?

 

[Hoploman]

Re: Tracking/loss of zero problems with Leupy Mark 4?

You have to eliminate variables one by one. I know this might be a stupid question, but does this rifle's groups wander as the barrel heats up? Many do. Higher quality stress relieved barrels do this less, some to the point where it's barely noticeable. It's been a very hot summer too.

Next, are your rings and mounts secure?

Next, is your stock fastened with the proper torque? Anything causing any inconsistency there will throw off the zero. This also ties into the barrel heating up. The stability of rifle and action all plays a roll in how the barrel acts or doesn't act under different conditions.

If you have a spare scope that you know is in good working order, put that on, and check out the results. If the wandering zero goes away, you've got your answer. That's always been my best method for determining if a scope has gone bad. That silences any skepticism or questions by customer service personnel I've dealt with in the past. When they hear I put the competitor's scope on and it worked fine, the conversation instantly changes to setting up an RMA. It's a little bit of a hassle, but it's less of a hassle than sending a scope to the factory for inspection/repair only to get it back and find out it wasn't the scope.

Leupold has good service. Call them up and tell them what you told us. They'll make it right.

 

[Krav69]

Re: Tracking/loss of zero problems with Leupy Mark 4?

I had this identical problem. Turns out it was a glass bedding issue on my M700P--I didn't have any. (I was erroneously told I didn't need any). My rifle did well for the first 400 rounds, then started the "wandering zero" of about 1.5-2.0 MOA to 10 o'clock. It was really pronounced at 600 yards or more.

I had it glass bedded and it's been an awesome machine ever since.

(I have the Leupold MK4/LRT 4.5x14x50 riflescope).

 

[mikeyz250]

Re: Tracking/loss of zero problems with Leupy Mark 4?

What about on a ar-10, we have been experiencing the same issue, just wandering all over the place mk-4 also.

 

[AKAce]

Re: Tracking/loss of zero problems with Leupy Mark 4?

Send the scope in for a "Tune Up" Let them know the issue. While it's gone make sure the Base / Rings are SOLID, Action is bedded and preferably put a dif scope on it and see if you get the same results.

 

[Kells81]

Re: Tracking/loss of zero problems with Leupy Mark 4?

You take temp into account? I had this problem a couple times while at home and I figured it was cause it would be 80 when I started shooting and nearly 100 when did my RTZ before leaving.

 

[TimK]

Re: Tracking/loss of zero problems with Leupy Mark 4?

I took it out today and did some testing. In the process, I found the following issues:

Dialing up 36 moa yields 40 moa of movement
Tracking issues, won't return to zero
Canted reticle
Adjust the windage knob affects the parallax adjustment.

Back to Leupold it goes!

 

[pastor brian]

Re: Tracking/loss of zero problems with Leupy Mark 4?

I had a similar problem, an experienced shooter told me to wind my turrents both directions. They some times get off track in the Leopoldo. Mine has done it a couple times since, but that process always solves the issue for me.

 

[TimK]

Re: Tracking/loss of zero problems with Leupy Mark 4?

The scope just came back from Leupy. Will test it today.

 

[Arno]

Re: Tracking/loss of zero problems with Leupy Mark 4?

Hoploman's advice was good. I would go through everything methodically until you rule other variables out. I called them about a scope I used in the sandbox with the same issue. They told me it was everything but the scopes problem. Turns out I sent it back and the B erector was broken.

 

[TimK]

Re: Tracking/loss of zero problems with Leupy Mark 4?

Scope came back last week. I tested it, and they fixed half the issues. A couple of calls to customer service got me a UPS call tag to send it back...again. The rep I spoke to swore they'd get it all fixed this time around. It went back Friday and should be there today or tomorrow. We'll see what they say.

They seem very willing to fix it, I just wish they would.

 

[cornhuskid]

Re: Tracking/loss of zero problems with Leupy Mark 4?

I had the same issue with a 2009 VX3. My buddies Mark 4 works well though...

 

[davwil]

Re: Tracking/loss of zero problems with Leupy Mark 4?

I took off all my Leupolds for this very reason. Whenever I would send them back to their service department I was always told they couldn't find any problem. But, I've never had a similar problem since I switched to Zeiss, SB and my favorite, US Optics. Even the less expensive Zeiss scopes have performed flawlessly.

According to my gunsmith the earlier Leupold scopes had rubber (?)bushings that seemed to break down with age. I experienced this on my Weatherby 7mm mag that always dead-on. One day I made a slight adjustment and the zero was all over the place and I could never get it back. After calling Leupold service I was convinced it was me. I was told by Leupold to send it back and let them check it. They called back and suggested I let them install click adjusters, which I did and had to pay for it. The tech said however when they received it they couldn't find any problem with the scope as it was.

My friend has had the same problem on 2 Leupold scopes as well. I won't use them anymore...but that's just my experience....for what it's worth. I'm sure there are others who love them but not me.

 

[TimK]

Re: Tracking/loss of zero problems with Leupy Mark 4?

Final update. Leupold replaced my scope with a new one. I asked my customer service rep to check it for the problems I was having with the original before shipping it to me, and he said he did. It arrived a couple of days ago and is now up for sale. It's probably perfect, but I've lost confidence. I'd like to test it myself and see if the new one really is good, but I don't want to mount it and risk ring marks on a brand new scope.

I'll have to admit, Leupold's warranty and customer service are, in the end, outstanding. I guess if it doesn't sell, I'll mount it up and try it again.

 

[Glen Seekins]

Re: Tracking/loss of zero problems with Leupy Mark 4?

From my experiance, the best way to test a scope that you think is bad is to put another scope on your rifle and see what it does. Sounds like you are squared away but keep it in mind next time instead of throwing lead. I had one scope that just teased the crap out of me. Shot one hole, then 1-2" away shot another for a while then it would move somewerhe else. Looked everywhere but the scope and in the end it was the scope.