We were picked up from the airport by Janos Jeszenszky, Director of Global Commercial Sales for Leupold & Stevens. We grabbed a hearty lunch at a restaurant called EEM, one of the best Thai BBQ establishments I have ever been to.

Following lunch and a discussion about what the next couple of days would hold, Janos dropped us off at our hotel. After we settled in, a wise decision was made to find a laundromat. After 10 days of travel, Brad’s clothes had developed an odour that made every breath a torturous test of endurance ☺. The next morning, resplendent in our freshly washed attire, Janos picked us up for our tour of the Leupold Factory.

Our visit to the Leupold & Stevens facility was nothing short of extraordinary. We had the privilege of meeting Bruce Pettet, President and CEO, and Tim Lesser, Vice President of Product Development and Marketing, who graciously allowed us to film them for our video. You can watch it via the QR code provided.

Established in 1907 by Fred Leupold and Adam Stevens, the Leupold & Stevens factory has an illustrious history that spans over a century. Today, it stands as a testament to their unwavering pursuit of optical excellence.

Accompanied by Pete Moe, a knowledgeable product line manager, we embarked on a captivating tour of the facility. Pete’s words resonated with confidence as he shared, “Here at Leupold, we make the best rifle scopes in the world. After 34 years of working here, I wholeheartedly believe that. Our motto is a lifetime warranty that you’ll never need to use”.

During the tour, Pete showcased the remarkable state-of-the-art machinery that defines Leupold’s advanced manufacturing processes. The facility’s commitment to precision engineering and rigorous quality control ensures that each optic produced upholds the renowned Leupold & Stevens standard of excellence.

Witnessing the transformation of a simple aluminium billet into a meticulously crafted, one-piece main-tube was nothing short of incredible.

Leupold’s lifetime warranty showcases their confidence, while their relentless focus is evident in their pursuit of creating the world’s best rifle scopes and products.

As the tour concluded, Brad and I carefully selected our scopes for the upcoming long-range challenge. We both decided on a Leupold VX-5HD 3-15x44. We were confident that its features perfectly matched the shooting requirements for the next day. Ensuring a proper fit, the scopes were fitted to our respective rifles and were packed to head out to the range.

The Leupold team took us out to dinner that night. I was hoping Brad would have a big night and be off his game for tomorrow. Like me, he only had a couple of beers and we took an early mark.

Tomorrow was going to be a big day.

Leupold Madras Range

Jon and Janos drove us to the range, a four hour drive through the snow to reach our destination. The Leupold range at Madras stands as a purpose-built facility, serving as both a range and home to the Leupold Optics Academy. During our visit, we were greeted by Brent Baer from Leupold, who provided us with a thorough safety briefing. The emphasis on safety was paramount on the range, and we were deeply impressed by the professionalism exhibited by the entire Leupold team.

The air crackled with anticipation as the sun cast its golden hue upon the Leupold rifle range in Madras, Oregon. It was cold. Amidst the icy air at the Leupold rifle range, Brad and I stood, our journey culminating in one burning question -

Who would emerge victorious?

Brad took the first position on the line, settling in with his Savage Impulse Mountain Hunter rifle. Equipped with the Leupold VX-5HD 3-15x44 scope, he was ready for the challenge. Both of us were armed with Federal Premium Gold Medal ammunition in 6.5 Creedmoor. As for me, I wielded the Savage Model 110 Ultralight, also chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor, with the trusty Leupold VX-5HD by my side.

Starting from a distance of 204 yards, we gradually worked our way up the range, taking calculated shots at 470 yards, 570 yards, 686 yards, and 850 yards. The pinnacle of our challenge lay beyond 1000 yards, precisely at 1004 yards. Though I had a shaky start, I managed to successfully hit the target at the same impressive distance that Brad achieved.

With the score tied, it was sudden death. Brad and I faced the ultimate test, aiming to hit the 1004-yard target once again. If Brad succeeded and I missed, he would claim victory. However, if I hit the target while Brad missed, then I would win. And if both of us managed to hit the mark, the competition would push forward, until one of us missed.

Brad positioned himself, lined up the target, and took a deep breath before squeezing the trigger. The suspense hung in the air as we eagerly awaited the verdict.

“It’s just off the left edge!” yelled Brent. Brad had missed his shot. The weight of the situation and ultimate bragging rights now rested on my shoulders, and I knew I had to remain calm and focused.

Taking my place behind the Savage Ultralight, I carefully aligned my sights on the 1004-yard target. I steadied myself, taking a deep breath before taking my shot.

“It’s just off the right edge!” exclaimed Janos.

Sigh. The opportunity to claim victory slipped through my fingers. It was Brad’s turn again.

With deliberate precision, Brad assumed his position, taking his time to aim and fire. The tension was palpable as we anxiously awaited the outcome.

“Hit!” exclaimed Brent. My heart sank as the realisation dawned upon me. I had one final chance to turn the tide.

I collected myself, finding solace in the stillness of the moment. Loading my rifle and focusing my gaze on the target, I regulated my breathing, waiting for the perfect moment to take the shot.

Finally, with steady resolve, I pulled the trigger.

We held our breath in anticipation. Janos broke the silence, saying, “I don’t see it.” And then, with jubilant cries, Brad erupted in celebration, claiming victory.

The Recap

Our experience was truly remarkable. Neither Brad nor I had ever attempted such long-range shooting before. The success we achieved was a testament to the exceptional rifles from Savage and the outstanding optics from Leupold. Additionally, we owe a great deal of credit to the training provided by the Leupold team. Their expertise truly made the world of difference.

We were so impressed with our rifle and scope setups that we decided to keep them and bring them back with us. The performance and reliability of these combinations were simply unmatched.

Thank you for accompanying us on this incredible journey. To relive the adventure in its entirety, simply scan the QR codes throughout this article to enjoy the full experience.