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Thread: How Tough is a Weaver?

  1. #1
    Boolit Master

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    How Tough is a Weaver?

    I have a Weaver K2.5-1 Micro-Trac Scope with #4 German reticle. I would like to use it on a .375 H&H, but I am unsure about the recoil. Will the .375 H&H shake the Weaver apart?

  2. #2
    Boolit Master
    swheeler's Avatar
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    It never did on mine, 270 grainers at 2700ish, took it for 4-5 years and hundreds of rounds.
    Hell, I was there!

  3. #3
    Boolit Master
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    All of the older models (1960ish) that I had were tough as nails, we knocked them around and they held zero and with precise adjustments. If we couldn't afford a Unertl, we bought a Weaver.

    My 300th post, I'm getting all teary!LOL
    Last edited by fishnbob; 11-14-2011 at 05:32 PM. Reason: add celebratory comment
    You boys gonna draw them pistols or whistle Dixie?


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  4. #4
    Boolit Master

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    This is a steel tube Weaver, I bought of a young guy for $25. He wanted a newer Tasco for his deer rifle. My old eyes like the #4 Ger. reticle, I'm going to try it.

  5. #5
    Boolit Master Artful's Avatar
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    As long as it doesn't have the plastic lens ring's it should do fine - my Weaver 2.5 is backup to Leupold 3x9 on 375 weatherby - that rifle killed several scopes only the weaver and the leupold survived it.

  6. #6
    Boolit Master
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    Prices on scopes at present really break my heart... It's not that they're not premium instruments... but dang!
    Inasmuch as I'm an old f@rt who appreciates old guys sitting at manual lathes and end mills, you can understand why I seek out old El Paso Weavers. They were tough enough to take us through 2 wars and can still be had in premo or near new condition for about $100 bucks.
    And if you find one really cheap (free) there are still a few good old men who can rebuild 'em if needed.
    Besides... they just look right on older guns of the same vintage.
    Lyman Alaskans are good too, but tougher to find and often regarded as collector pieces.
    Last edited by pls1911; 12-03-2011 at 04:52 PM. Reason: spelling

  7. #7
    Boolit Master
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    I had a very experienced African guide tell me that of all the scopes that he had seen come and go in Africa , some of the most expensive in the world, the only scopes he had never seen fail were fixed power Leupolds and the steel tubed weavers.

    I to have never had an old weaver break on me.

  8. #8
    Boolit Man
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    Using any fixed power old Weaver on a .375 should not concern you at all. I have an old K3 on a Whitworth .375. I have fired 400 to 500 full power jacketed rounds, maybe twice that number of moderate cast loads, and hunted with it a lot. It has been in pickups, on horses, bicycles, and ATVs for the last 20+ years and is as dependable as anything I've owned. I just put an old K4 with a post reticle on my new light weight .338/06. This scope spent the last 33 years on a .338 Magnum that has been shot a lot. For about 4 years of that time it was the only rifle I had. Used it on everything from ground squirrels to elk. Still going strong! It's is so nice to have a sleek blue steel scope on a blue steel rifle. I buy every fixed power K model I see. They are one of the great bargains in the world. Enjoy that cool reticle !

  9. #9
    PAPERPATCH MASTER


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    I`ve got an old K3 Weaver on my .375 H&H mag. that I bought back in `63 IIRC. It did yeoman service on several other rifles till I settled it on the H&H. I have the German #4 reticle on my .416 Taylor in a Leupold 1.5 x 4.5 power 30mm scope and I love it.Robert

  10. #10
    Boolit Master


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    The early made in USA Weavers were tough as nails. The newer ones are garbage. I have an early K3 on my 458 Ruger Tropical and it works just fine.
    If God didn't want man to eat animals, he wouldn't have made them out of MEAT!

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  11. #11
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    I have a weaver challenger fixed 4X and to date it has never shifted POA. Every other scope I own or have owned in the past has let me down at least once, but not the weaver. The only reason I use other scopes us because the weaver's lenses are bleary. I wish there was somebody that could restore it for a reasonable price.
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  12. #12
    Boolit Master
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    I love El Paso T-series Weavers ! Rock solid !
    Anybody have a T-10 for sale ?

    Jerry

    T-series on .357MAX
    S&W .38/44 Outdoorsman Accumulator

  13. #13
    Boolit Master





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    Have 3 of the older K series and think they are hard to beat. Bought 2 of them used on e-bay at very good prices. The K-8 on my #3 Ruger in K-Hor, has been deadly on P-dogs to 250, the K-3's on my #1, 45-70 and #1 375 H&H Ruger handle anything I put thru them.
    1Shirt!
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  14. #14
    Boolit Master


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    My first Weaver was purchased by my father before WWII. I still use it. I have bought MANY Weavers over the years. I currently have a new production Weaver 2.5-8x on my TC .44 mag. It works flawlessly.


    http://swfa.com/Weaver-25-8x28-Class...ope-P2857.aspx


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  15. #15
    Boolit Master
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    It's not relevant to the OP's question about handling recoil, but I have a 60s vintage K6 on my "ugly" post-'64 model 70 .243, neither of which has ever changed zero unless something like moving to a less-humid environment was involved. The only time it needs to be re-zeroed is when a new load is used. I have a K4 of the same vintage that has been equally durable and accurate.

  16. #16
    Boolit Master
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    I have a 1970 El Paso V3-9x weaver on my Savage 99. It still holds its accuracy. I have to admit the glass is not as bright and sharp as some newer higher doller scopes I own.

  17. #17
    Boolit Master
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    A fixed power steel tubed, El Paso made WEaver will take anything any rifle can dish out and come up grinning.
    Disclaimer: The above is not holy writ. It is just my opinion based on my experience and knowledge. Your mileage may vary.

  18. #18
    Boolit Master oldgeezershooter's Avatar
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    I buy every old Weaver I come across, at the local gun stores they are around 20-45 bucks. I have one on my Ruger#1 in 45-70 and shoot loads approaching 458 Win. mag. velocities.
    One of my dumber buys was a B&L scope for $12.00, when I got it home it didn't have any turrets.(Needed ajustable rings.)

  19. #19
    Boolit Master

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    There are several steel-tube/El Paso Weavers on hand here.

    Except for one K4-1, they are now relegated to back-up status. I've graduated to Leupolds, and have no regrets. Comparing optics between a modern Leupold and a steel Weaver, the Weaver looks like the lenses were cut from Coke bottles (I exaggerate, but still....). The same holds true for virtually ANY manufacturer's scope from twenty or more years ago. Optics have come a long way!

    I had one K4 in which the objective lens broke loose and rattled around in the tube. The edges of the lens were badly cracked, allowing it to come loose. No obvious reason for this failure was apparent; the rifle wasn't dropped or any other trauma inflicted on the sight. One day...there it was, broken loose.

    The T-series Weavers are fine instruments; I had a couple over the years and wish I still had 'em. "Regret at leisure..."! If only we knew our future opinions BEFORE getting-rid of good stuff.
    Regards from BruceB in Nevada

    "The .30'06 is never a mistake." - Colonel Townsend Whelen

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BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
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