Leupold scope problem

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  • Last Post 03 July 2018
loophole posted this 29 June 2018

I have a Leupold compact 6x scope mounted on my Marlin 357 lever gun.  This will be a serious steel target and plinking gun if I can get it to shoot cast bullets.  My range is only 200 yds, and I found out years ago that my ground hog rifles got boring shooting steel at ranges which did not require any sight adjustment from point blank to 200 yds.  The 357 rifle ought to be just the thing.  Besides, I found out about Marlin's problems in time to find an early 357 carbine and I love the rifle.

The problem with  the scope is that the adjustment knobs are extremely hard to turn.  The coin slot is not deep enough to get a good grip on the knob.  The elevation knob is a good deal tighter than the windage knob.  Both knobs seem to move the crosshairs properly once they are turned.  I have thought of using Kroil or some other solvent on the knobs, but I wonder if that will harm the internals if it seeps down to whatever is binding the knobs?  Years ago there was some fellow who did a great job installing klick-adjustable knobs and custom crosshairs on leupold scopes, but I have forgotten his name and I suspect he has long since retired.

Any thoughts or ideas?  Thanks in advance.

Steve K  

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Larry Gibson posted this 29 June 2018

I'd call Leupold's service department.  They can probably put click adjustable turrets on it for a nominal price.  I've had them do that for me on a couple scopes.

LMG

Concealment is not cover.........

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Bud Hyett posted this 29 June 2018

Do no use Kroil, it will eventually penetrate anything to the internals of the scope and worsen your problems.

Call the Leupold service department and talk to them, you may have to sent it in. They are knowledgeable and will service any Leupold scope, even if you are not the original owner. I have had very good response from them for several items including reticle replacement.

Personally. I would not change to target turrets on a hunting / plinking rifle. The cost is excessive and the knobs stick up everywhere.  I only have knobs on my prairie dog rifles, in part because I share with my son and we shoot to different points of impact on windage adjustment.  

Farm boy from Illinois, living in the magical Pacific Northwest

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John Carlson posted this 30 June 2018

One more vote for calling Leupold (if nothing else, you'll learn how they pronounce it).  I've had very pleasant experiences with both their repair and customizing departments.

John Carlson. CBA Director of Military Competition.

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mrbill2 posted this 30 June 2018

https://www.leupold.com/service-support/services-repair

 

mrbill2

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loophole posted this 30 June 2018

Thanks, fellas.  I will call Leupold and see what they advise.  I hate to send the scope off for  fix--my experience is that when anybody in a gun-related business tells you it will take x weeks you can simply convert that to x months.  I am fortunate to have a few guns so I usually find a problem after I decide this is the one I want shoot and I have found and gotten together all the reloading stuff for it.  so I want something done NOW!

I found a couple of outfits who sell outside adjustment turrents for about $50+, which they claim just screw on instead the lens cap.  Anybody have any experience with these? They probably wouldn't cure the stiff adjustment but something hand turned with a decent size knob would make that problem easier to deal with.

Steve K  

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rhbrink posted this 30 June 2018

How about taking the scope off the rifle and try the adjustments? I have seen a problem scope or two with the alignment of the scope rings and or bases or the holes drilled into the reciever causing the scope to be in a "bind" making adjustments difficult.

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Bud Hyett posted this 30 June 2018

I shoot many matches at Clark Rifles which is close to Beaverton, Oregon. Being close, I have dropped off a scope at Leupold for repair or crosshair change and had it back always within two weeks, often within one week. Call them and ask them about the problem, it may be easy to fix over the phone. If you need to send it in, they honor their commitments. 

Farm boy from Illinois, living in the magical Pacific Northwest

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durant7 posted this 01 July 2018

I have about 7 Leupold scopes for the Silhouette game.  The only time I have found it difficult to turn is when I am at the end of adjustment travel.  Elevation is this case. Leupold scopes are known for their greater range of adjustment than others.  BUT!  One time I had the windage so far adjusted to one side, my elevation started to have resistance while coming up.  The reason, I was so far "left" lets say, that the erector tube started to come in contact with the innards.  Come right, and the resistance went away.  I see said the blind man!  Solution, find mechanical zero and see if resistance continues. If the issue is continues, "mechanical zero", call them, they will tell you to send it in for service.  If there is anything wrong, they will fix it.  For something in the $75 range you can have a them modify and put a target turret on.  You don't need both.  Just elevation.  Or, there are the Stoney Point add ons.  I fooled with them once and was not a fan.  All depends on your budget.

Now back to sizing my 311299 for my M1.  Can't put a scope on that.

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Seattle slug posted this 02 July 2018

I have a pair of stoney point knobs that screw on a leupold scope to create target style knobs.  Willing to sell them for $20.00.

Don't know if it would cure the hard turning problem, but at least you would not have to use a coin to adjust.

Seattle slug

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loophole posted this 02 July 2018

Just talked to a fellow at Leupold  service.  He says most likely cause is too close to the end of travel, like Durant7 suggested.  They can install target type turrets on some of these old scopes, but apparently not mine. I took the scope off the rifle and, sure enough,  the reticle was up as far as it will go.  It moves much easier when I move it down.  Anybody want to guess how much shimming I need?

Thanks again.  Steve K

 

 

 

 

 

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45 2.1 posted this 02 July 2018

Now back to sizing my 311299 for my M1.  Can't put a scope on that.

http://www.ultimak.com/M12.htm

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Scearcy posted this 02 July 2018

If you have a 1 piece base on your Marlin - which is likely. I would shim the back of the base so that the rings stay in proper alinement. Try a shim the thickness of the vertical adjustment you need at 100 yards divided by 1,000. Oh and don't bet the farm on my numbers.

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Ken Campbell Iowa posted this 03 July 2018

... if you have interchangeable rings, as with the classic weavers ... you can try swapping rings front to back ...   for shims, i have good luck with strips of kitchen aluminum foil .

to center the scope adjustments, i prefer to lay the scope in a couple of v-notches cut into a cardboard box ... then gently twirl the scope and adjust until the image stays near the center of the field.   it might never hold still, as scope tubes are not perfect either .... dang tolerances ...

ken

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BigMan54 posted this 03 July 2018

Leupold service is a lie.

I had the Ocular Bell from a Vari-X 'll come off for no apparent reason. I bought the scope new in 1974. It was the best they offered back then. 

They called and asked for $100 to replace the scope. When I complained about that they sent me a bottom of the line rifleman series scope. It's no where as good as what it replaced.

At the same time, this was in 2004, I bought a Leupold 30X60 Spotting Scope. Came in a nice hard case with a bench tripod. I had believed all Leopold products were made in the USA. Well not anymore , neither the catelog or the website said anything about the scope being made in China . Neither did the packaging. When I opened the box I found one of those tiny little gold stickers that said china.  

I won't trust Leopold for anything. They DON'T stand behind their products and lie in their advertising. 

After buying a least a Dozen Leopold products between that 1st one in 1974 and the last one in 2004, I'll never buy another. Burris, Vortex, Nikon. At least they tell you where their stuff is made.

Long time Caster/Reloader, Getting back into it after almost 10yrs. Life Member NRA 40+yrs, Life S.A.S.S. #375. Does this mean a description of me as a fumble-fingered knuckle-draggin' baboon. I also drool in my sleep. I firmly believe that true happiness is a warm gun. Did I mention how much I HATE auto-correct on this blasted tablet.

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