anyone use the leupold ultimate slam muzzleloader scope?
 

this is the scope i was wanting to buy for my tc encore. ive always wanted a leupold.. just wondering if anyone had tried one

piketon_hunter#9

Yep! and it is a good one - you will really like it...

No but after my experience with Leupold's I wouldn't buy one either. I only personally know 3 people that own Leupold's including myself and all 3 of us have had them go bad and start losing zero and jumping around when you shoot. Now they were the cheaper VX-I lines but still for a $225-250 scope it shouldn't have an issues. I replaced it on my rifle with a Burris and it's so much nicer clearer scope for quite a bit less.

I currently own four Leupolds.... and have owned two others I wish I hadn't let go with rifles.

Nothing but positives on my end of the spectrum.... but unlike hometheatreman.... my gold standard is a VX-III... however, they are all built well and in my experience with them and selling them and installing them for almost a decade... homethman's experience with them is not the norm. Again, most of what I have dealt with has been the higher end leupold lines, but they are a quality scope throughout.... just have better coatings and higher quality glass in their higher end stuff.... and you can't hit what you can't see.

Best of luck to you.

I had one mounted on my triumph and i took it back to cabelas and got the Nikon Omega. Theres is just way to much going on looking through that scope for me. I have Leupolds on other guns and love them. I prefer the plain crosshairs on top. Ive read and heard nothing but rave reviews about them, i wouldnt hesitate to get one if you like the reticle setup, cant beat the gold ring warranty.......

I have three Leupolds, a 2x7 and two 3x9s. All are VX-IIs. Great scopes. I've never had a scope with any sort of bullet drop compensator though.

I have a leupold Ultimate Slam ML Scope on one of My ACCURA's. So far I put about 120 shots through the Ml and scope and have had no problems with the scope. Im getting 1" 5 shot groups at 100yds using it.
But had I known (should have known better, because I did know) that the scope is set up for a 250gr Bullet using 150gr's of powder and have the scope set on 9 Power to get the scope to work as it's suppos-to. If you dont use this load you'll have to guess as to where to hold using the SABR reticle, and that defeats the pourpose of using the scope, or buying one. For me Im using 105 gr's of Pyrodox RS with a 240gr XTP Mag, so I had to sight in with that load. Then for the marks on the SABR I did this for the scope to work for my load.....I used the circle cross for 100yds, then I seen where my load would hit for the bottom of the circle and noted where I hit. Then for the first black circle I shot to see where I'd hit using that and noted it, and I did the same for the bottom black circle. So my marks are sort of custom settings using the SABR Reticle as I did not use the recommended load. The scope is not for everyone unless you use 150grs of powder and a 250gr Bullet. And their recommended load is way too much powder for your best accuracy and recoli. That's why me using 105grs had to sight in the way I did to be able to use the scope. Why shoot 150grs of powder and have your bullets going all over with no consistant group and having this nice scope makes no sence. Would I buy this scope again, no, I'd buy a regular (non ballistics aiming scope) and sight in 2" high at 50yds and go Hunting, much easier. Also uless you really need to shoot out past 125-150yds, and your using 150gr's of powder and a 250gr bullet then you dont need this scope.
Is it a well built clear scope, yes, is it for everyone, no. Sorry Leupold, nice scope but not user friendly.
(BP)

I have a leupold 2-7x33 on my ML,its a rifleman,got it on clearance at walmart for $139,I just couldn't pass it up for that.It is my firrst leupold,and I can guarentee you it won't be my last,very nice scopes.

Breechplug

You are making it way to difficult... Who cares what load they designed the scope for.

Shoot your regular load with the scope on 9x - zero @ 100 yards or in my case I use a 3" Point Blank Range - so I end up shooting a group 2.5 inches high @ 100 that will give me a zero @ 165 yards...

The next thing i do is shoot @ 175 with the main cross hair dead and check for impact. I then repeat the process using the next mark on the scope and note that point of impact. Move the target to 200 and repeat the process. I do one finally shoot @ 225. With that information I am able to use the reticule for my load(s). So in effect it does work for me and I am really happy with it or any of the other ballistic reticule scope that I have.

I still have an Mil-Dot scope that I also used alot - but at this point I do prefer the ballistic reticules in both the U-Slam and my different Bushnell 3200's.

The only ML that I do not have a Ballist reticule on is my Knight DISC - 45 cal. I use the PBR and it also but it shoots the 200 grain Lehigh so flat - it is all the same to 200 yards - that makes it really easy.

Mike, this is why I had a problem using the scope other than the way I shghted in using my load the same as you did (almost) First Leupold said and I talked to 3 different people there, that you had to use 9power all the time using the SABR Reticle. So say I had a close shot at 20yds, 9 power would be way too much to use as the target would be way too close. So I could'nt sight in the way they said using 9 power, then change it to say 2 power for a close shot as my marks would be off.
They told me that when I change power on the scope the reticle lines, or dots also change from closer to further apart depending on what power you choose. This may be wrong but that's what they told me. So I just picked a power, and in my case used 5 power all the time to sight in, so the SABR reticle lines would'nt change on me. It did'nt seem right to me that they would change with different power settings but that's what I was told.
Are they wrong, I hope so as the scope is way to complicated to do it there way and what they said the scope will do when you change power settings. Now that I have used (my) way to sight in it works good, or is there another way? I hope Leupold is wrong!
(BP)
(BP)

Deer vitals are about a 5 inch circle. If you know the trajectory of your ML, hold over estimates should be easy without the need of scopes with trajectory reticules.

The average whitetail is 36 to 40 inches at the shoulder.

My ML drops about 3.5 inches at 200 yards if zeroed at 100

Breechplug

I am certainly no expert... but I really do not think so... Most American scope manufactures put the reticule ahead of the power ring, while European scopes are the opposit and the reticule changes with power. You can actually see it change as you move the Power Ring - I do not see that in the Leupold.

Also look on your Power Ring - you will see 2 small Gold Dots and in another place where there are 3 Gold Dots. All of this computes into the settings of the rings.

As i understand it???? the range lines represent a certain distance between lines when on 9 power. Same way with a mil-dot or even the Nikon Omega... but to be honest with you I have never read the directions because it did not mean a thing to me as I use the scope differently than designed.

When I sighted the scope in - I laser bore sighted it here at home then on 9x shoot a 25 yard target - then a 100 yard target - then the rest of the targets.

In real life about the only time I would ever use 9x is for a 175 plus yard shot when I was on a rest... other than I am somewhere between 3 and 5 power depending on the terrain.

OK - I just looked again - The reticule does not change size - but the distance between dots does change and is only constant on one power setting - so 9x is the suggested power to achieve the range distance indicated.

All to complicated for me - I just use the marks to fit my needs...

I am the proud owner of at least 10 of them and dollar for dollar you can't beat them..period.. I've never as much as had one single problem with any of them.. they are bright, clear and I've never had one move a single in of impact on their own..I mounted a 3x9 Ultimate Slam on my bone collector and have around 100 shots on it.. it still hits exactly where it's supposed to and the dots are absolutely perfect... the nikon is a great scope also BUT the semicirculars are all the same size and when your shooting far the circles darn near covers the whole deer.. the stagered of the Leupold dot make precise aiming alot easier in my opinion.. I just wonder if all these problem listed above are precieved or actual.. there's alot of things that can change impact points, stock, dirty barrel, loose mount and rings, improper cleaning techniques etc... but bad mouthing a scope company is easy, I'd but another one in a second without hesitation... the Ultimate Slam 3x9 is perfect for any slug gun or muzzloader, buy it and you'll never regret it...

Breechplug is right about adjusting the power and the marks moving farther and closer apart with power setting changes, here a snipit from a article that explains it better---

The one thing that people using BDC scopes typically have problems with is that a BDC scope has the reticle in the second focal plane of the scope. If the reticle was in the first focal plane of the scope the reticle would look smaller on low powers like 3x and grow proportionately larger as the power increased to say 9x top power. The problem is that while the marks on the BDC reticle correspond accurately to the bullet drop at the know distances 200, 300yds etc. What happens when you lower the power from the scopes maximum power to any other lower power is the reticle stays the same size and the field of view within the scope increases which means that the distance between these marks on the BDC reticle no longer corresponds to the point where the bullet will strike. In short BDC reticles only work at the maximum power of the scope or at a set specific power. At all other powers these BDC reticles do not accurately represent where the bullet will strike.



Heres the link to the article
http://www.ehow.com/how_4534639_bdc-...g-reticle.html



I talked to guys at Leupold and Nikon while having both the U-Slam and Omega on the Triumph, and the scopes are designed excatly the same way. People make it way harder than it has to be to set it up and work with ANY LOAD COMBO your shooting.

I tried one Leupold on a muzzleloader and it lost its innards after about 18 months. I keep it and the other ones that have fail in use with out a good reason in a special drawer and go through it periodically to remind myself what to stay away from.

revpilot

I think - I thought that is wat I was trying to say... the reticule does not change size but the distance between marks does. It is absolute at 9x.

But, theoretically... if you chose to do so you could shoot and set it up on any power that you choose - then you would have to shoot it in from there.

Got to find the directions and read what the 'dot' marks on the power ring means.

Even if you shot the recommended 250 grain bullet and 150 grains of powder - they would not all be the same. Bullet BC, 150 grains of which powder, shooting elevation - they also be factors...

Gotta go find the directions...

OK - You have forced me to read the directions...

Here is what Leupold has to say...

So in theory you have 3 different factory loads that the Leupold will handle - that's Theory...

All to complicated for me... And since I don ot shoot pointy bullets - I shoot my load then test at 9x power the longer ranges to see where they actually hit...

If you are interested pages 40 and 41 provide an alternative way of sighting in.. which is basically what I think I am doing.

Breechplug, wanted me to post this picture for him

So here it is - I think he will follow with an explanation...

Mike would you post this pic for me on the Forum about has anyone used the Ultimate Slam ML Scope? The target was at 100yds and I was using the first (black dot) on the reticle to see where I would hit. The 5 shot group at the top was with the scope, the bottom shot was open sights. Just to show the scope is a good one and so is the accura.

damn awesome shooter there BP!!

I completely disagree with this!

You cannot for a moment, pretend that ANY ballistic reticle (short of one designed for the military) is going to be dead nuts on the money.... because every barrel and every gun is different.... even with the same load.

I have a Vortex on my Omega with their version of the BDC (which I can see ten times better than any other manufacturers... and thats why I bought it... I don't care for the Nikon BDC reticle as you won't be able to see it at last light).

I am shooting 80grs of BH209, with a 240 XTP, zeroed at 100 yards and at 150 yards.... my gun is dead on using the 125 yard hold mark. Strange, but true.

Basically.... all that shooting a different load did was make you shoot your gun more... all the while making you more confident and comfortable with it. You were able to basically 'custom fit' the scope to your gun. Most people just blindly go on faith and blame the equipment when they whiff a shot at 150 yards (most folks like that can't shoot and have no business shooting that far).

It sounds to me like the Leupold just made a better shooter and better hunter out of you. All positive things my man! :fighting0007::biggrin:

If you cant see your cross hairs, its either to early in the AM or to dark in the PM to be hunting.

Not necessarily. Legal shooting hours in Louisiana are 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset, based on sunrise/sunset tables published by the game department. It can be pretty dark within those hours on a cloudy/rainy day.

Hi Mike, and Thank You for posting the pic for me! Im sorry for not replying earlier but after I sent sabotloader the pic I went BowHunting, I guess I have to get my priorities straight, LOL.
Anyway this was my 5 shot group using the (150yd Circle mark) on the Leupold USML Scope.The lower shot was done to see where I'd hit using just the open sights and I guess the shot will do if I had to use them. She does hold her own and so does My ACCURA. Anyway the Scope is complicated as everyone can see, I have read the comments and from what everyone says it has it's advantages and (possibly) some disadvantages.
I think Im gonna try using the recommended 100gr Load and see how close my marks are to the load I was using. I guess all and all it is a great scope if you got the patience to figure it out.
Please dont be afraid to buy one, just give yourself some time to figure it out. I'll post a review using the recommended 100gr or 2-pellet 20guage setting and let you know my outcome.
(BP)

Thank's MD, I owe it all to you for getting me away from shooting 150gr's and dropping er down to 105 & 110. The ACCURA shoots much better with a (custom Load) less recoil and a much tighter group!
(BP)

thanks for all the input.. i just read tho, i put encore in my first post, i mustve have been talking bout one while posting or something because i have a triumph.. ha wow i feel dumb... oh well i still got what i wanted from this thread, sounds like a real nice scope!!

Well even though my ACCYRA's were already sighted in using 105 and 110gr's of Pyrodox RS and a 240gr XTP Mag with T7 Primers, I decided the ACCURA using 110gr's was'nt the one I was gonna use right away for Hunting so I re-sighted it in using the recommended load of 100gr's.
Even though Leupold recommeded a 250gr bullet I figured my 240gr XTP was close enough to do to test.
I sighted in dead on at 100yds on 6 power, then switched the power selector to the (20 guage shotgun or 2-pellet setting) Then I used the bottom of the circle as stated by them for the 150yd mark. I shot 5 times at this range and I was within a suitable group (about 2-3") for this range. I was'nt as high as I suspected I would be but, 2 shots were above the center of the target and 3 were by it. Good enough for a 150 yd shot as this would probably be as long of a shot as I would take, possibly if I decided to shoot further I figured I'd better test the 200yd mark to see if I would be up to it group wise.
I cleaned out the Mler and reloaded and shot 5 times at 200yds using the first circle on the scope for the 200yd mark. Well let me say first I consider myself a pretty good shot, Im great out to 100yds, pretty good out to 150, but 200yds is a long poke! Needless to say I got them all on paper, and believe it or not they were all in the 6" circle I had on the target. Is this good? Im really not so sure. I did'nt shoot anymore as I did'nt have the time and my arm was sore as I have been shooting a-lot lately to get ready for the up comming season, mostly at 100yds. If I can get my 200yd group's down to about 3-4" I may consider a 200yd shot using Leupolds recommended load to use the scope there way, but my load of 105gr's was much tighter at these ranges. But untill I feel real confident I probably will stick to 100-150yds as my max as I owe my best shot to the game I Hunt.
Conclusion, the Leupold Ultimate Slam Scope does what it suppos-to do......but the more and more I think about it I was shooting much better using the 105-110gr's of powder and my groups were much tighter. So I will probably go back to the way I was using the scope as I said earlier in this forum as it worked better for me my way and I was more confident it my shooting. I guess the (Custom load) that your MLer shoots is the one you should use, not what Leupold says, unless it's the load that works for you.
And that's all I have to say about that..........
(BP)

I have the Nikon Omegas on 4 different muzzy's so I decided to try the Ultimate Slam on the Knight Elite I just got. I figured it was time to try something different. I really like the scope. It is very nice but I like the Nikon omega's better. Maybe that's because I have been using them and have hundreds of shots with them. I have only got about a dozen shots through the Elite with the Leupold Ultimate slam, so maybe that will change,. Right now I say get a Nikon Omega.