12/28/07
Leupold has been outsourcing their lenses for decades. I have a Guns and Ammo article from the 80's with a factory tour which states clearly all their lenses come from overseas.
The big issue is 'domestic content'. This allows companies to lable'Made in USA' even though some/many of the parts come from Global suppliers.
Lenses are dominated by the Asian factories. Some of the top Japanese houses have set up factories in China and the Phillipines to make the best lenses in the world. Many Euro scopes source from Asia too.
Remember, China/Phillipines has all of the newest factories built to the same specs as in Europe or Japan. They just have done it at 1/3 the costs.
Much of the scope tubes are made in China. Why a number of big name clones can exist so cheaply. Yes, the Mk4 is cloned to no end. Makes you wonder how they got the design specs?
A top of the line CNC machine run by an Asian or an American stil produces the same product. China now leads the world in Robotic manf. Yep, your Chevy might very well be built with Chinese robotics.
China is rapidly becoming the world's largest consumer of quality aluminum alloys. So no wonder that is where much of the tubes are sourced there.
At the end, domestic content allows any company to lable based on US import/export rules. Why you can have an import Caddy and a domestic Honda.
Many scope companies outsource various parts but keep the content/assembly high enough to legally call their product domestic. Others can't be bothered and go for the better margins.
The jobs left a very long time ago and aren't returning anytime soon. Ah, capitalism....
Jerry
i'm sure some people think you can't stalk deer unless you have a pair of Harkila trousers a hand built rifle and Swarovski bino's (been a bit caught up in this myself for a while).
I think Ian may remember a Fullfield accounting for three of his Roe whilst sitting on a .270Hi Paul,
Further to Malc's comments - have a look at the Burris Fullfield 3-9 x40 for your rimfire.
I have been very impressed by the light gathering, and the 'Ballistic Plex' hold-over points let the .22 get used out to very acceptable ranges.
Certainly, 9x magnification has proved adequate for bunny sized targets within R/F ranges. Click adjustments are pretty crap, but once zeroed, they don't move. The build quality ensures that these scopes do just fine on a .375HH - your intended usage should not be a problem!
All in all, recommended as excellent value for money.
Rgds
IanF
Chinese manufacturer's as previously mentioned, now have some of the newest & finest machinery & obviously the technical know how in using it, by the way, Airbus have manufacturing facilities out there now, does this mean some aircraft are inherently unsafe?................. the stigma some people attach to stuff from China is in my opinion a hangover from when stuff was poorly made in Korea & places over there in late 70's