All my Vari-X III's and VX-III have power rings that move easily.
I got a VX-1 as a replacement from Leupold, power ring on that moves easily also.

I must say though, I have never found it necessary to adjust a power ring while looking through the scope. I usually pick power for the situation before shoulderning the rifle, but to each their own.

ELK,

I...likemost hunters.... pick my magnification before shouldering my rifle as well. If you were refering to my original explanation of the problem, I was simply trying to convey how difficult it is to manipulate the power ring on this particular scope.

Your statement that you own multiple Leupolds, none of which seem to have this problem, furthers my point that my scope was not "designed" to operate as it does.

Have you talked to Leupold yet?

Mine do the same thing. I believe it's b/c you loosen the eyepiece ring so you can focus the scope. Tighten it back down, and walah!, you're good to go.

Portage,

A good friend has the same problem with his Leupold, (same model). He contacted the company and they told him it was not defective, howeverthey would fix it anyway.(sounds strange to me)

I have not made the decision whether it it worth my time and energy to to remove the scopeandto send it back to the factory. As I mentioned earlier, if it comes off that gunI will be purchasing a new scope to put back on.

Coolbreeze,

I think you may have missed the point of my discussion concerning tolerences. I was refering back to a previous post.

I am not a big fan of Leupold but I have three of them and the ring turns easy on all of them. However I hardly ever touch it.