Gotcha. ANY scope could fail under adverse circumstances. Some people pay for reputation (likely the reason that Leupold sells many of their low-end scopes), others pay for performance (aka Vortex Viper).
If you can show me a S&B or Nightforce that weighs 14oz to go on my light-weight hunting rifle, I'd be most interested. As a hunting guide in grizzly country, I too have trusted my life to my riflescope. It's not uncommon to come across 15-20 grizz in a season in certain areas where I've guided, and I've found that EVERY manufaturer puts out the odd lemon. Granted, the high-end makers put out fewer lemons than cheaper alternatives, but some scopes fail, regardless of price or make.
What I've found to work for me, is to use a scope that I have a personal track record with, for life or death scenarios. If I'm running the risk of having to stop a charging grizz, a Bushnell or Burris scope that has held zero and worked flawlessly for me for 10 years or more will get the nod over a new, unproven, and more expensive scope every time, even a S&B or NF.