Here is my personal rundown of the three best Leupold scopes.
USA – -(Ammoland.com)- Back in 1964 I walked into a Target store in Minneapolis, stepped up to the gun counter, yes Target sold guns at one time prior to Mark Dayton ( Owner ) going totally soft in the head, put down one hundred bucks and some change, and bought a closeout Winchester Model 70 in 30-06 that today is the famous “pre 64 “.
Then, with a trip to a local jewelry store that sold guns and scopes out of the back room I also bought a Leupold Gold ring with a 40 mm objective in 3X9. Locking the tube down on the Winchester with a set of standard Weaver rings, then shooting the rifle for the next 50 years, I never re-zeroed it once right up until writing this material today.
That Leupold my friends is scope number one on my list of the best Leupold scopes, being what I believe to be the gold standard of rifle scopes over the past four decades.
While the Leupold Gold Ring 3X9 is not going to take any awards when shooting half miles or more steel targets, it is going to stack up one pile of harvested deer, elk , and speed goats all across the country. As a big game options it is clearly a work horse of sorts, and carries a history of staying in one piece even when the going gets rough. (Leupold now offers a Full Lifetime Guarantee on all its gear)
However, in terms of effectiveness afield, my first 425 yard mule deer shot out of the high country near Ten Sleep Wyoming iced the deal for me, and total trust in the Leupold Gold Ring scope system summed up my attitude toward the optic over almost a lifetime of big game hunting.
Best Leupold Scopes: Leupold VX-R Riflescopes
When I locked down my 3X9 tapered cross hair Gold Ring Leupold, that reticle was the only show in town as offered by this scope manufacture. The Leupold Gold Ring built today is varied in terms of reticle options, and includes the LRV Duplex Triangle, Boon and Crocket, Varmint Hunter as well as the SA.BR Long Range option. Magnification ranges today from 2X7X33 through 4X12X40. As in so many things today the options are endless, however the Leupold VX-R Riflescope is still a very affordable basic optical system for hunters looking for the best in Leupold scopes.
Best Leupold Scopes : Leupold VX-3L Riflescopes (DISCONTINUED)
Update: 11/29/2017, my old stand by the Leupold VX-3L has, sadly been discontinued and replaced by the Leupold 6.5-20x50mm Side Focus CDS Target VX-3i Scope.
The second Leupold on my three glass review is a throw back from my Best Hunting Scopes Under $1.200.00 review, and it is the Leupold VX-3L Contoured Bell system. Mounted low to the bore and using a “ Light Optimization Profile “ system 48.6% more light is pulled into this big game optic then many standard model glass sights. With the Leupold CDS option in turret / reticle systems applied, this scope with its bullet drop compensator installed can double as a very effective longer range tool, as well as an outstanding big game sighting option. I have applied this scope via my Ruger #1 Rifle chambered in 7mm Rem Mag on both varmints and big game with equal effectiveness down range. My scope now being some 12 years back dated carries the Boon & Crocket ranging option in this case.
Best Leupold Scopes : Leupold Mark IV Riflescopes
Interviews I have had with US Army Ranger snipers as per my second long range rifle book ( Amazon .com ) that have seen one hell of a lot of action, as well as those in other areas of the service have nothing but good to say about the Leupold Mark IV Riflescopes when paired up to an M-110 7.62 NATO, or M-24 turn bolt rifle. When I put my Kimber Advanced Tactical together a decade ago I turned to the M-4 ( general designation ) as my go to optic for western states big game, coyotes, and grass rat shooting.
I have never been more pleased with a packaged long range system, and the Leupold holds many of the cards in terms of that gunning systems success.
The Leupold M-4 Riflescope is currently offered in no less then 19 different combined options. This ranges from the basic 3.5X10x40, with m.o.a. designation turrets and reticle, through the 8.5X25X50mm BDC dial reticle system.
Be advise here. Leupold will Custom Shop install any system you like. By example I am currently shooting a Browning X Bolt Heavy Varmint in 6.5 Creedmoor that mounts a Leupold Mark V with the Horus etched glass reticle installed for advanced one mile work down range. In this case the “Christmas Tree” MILRAD designated reticle eats up elevation adjustments for those 1500 to 1700 yard shots on steel plates even when you don’t have a 20 m.o.a. rail installed.
One thing that you need to understand about rifle optics is that in general your going to get what you pay for, The heart of all of these systems rests in the scope turret itself much of the time. Cranking elevation and windage day after day by way of open turret knobs will make for a short life out of a budget priced rifle scope. Scopes in the first focal plane versus the second are going to up the price a bit, as will the choice of reticles offered by the manufacture. Leupold works very hard at offering every optic buyer a system that will function well, and fall into a price range that is affordable, or in some cases well off the low budget charts due to the possible needs of the professional rifleman.
Let’s just put it all this way. As stated by an Army Ranger / sniper that used the M-4. When they are shooting at you that rifle and glass sight is everything. I rest my case on that statement.
Leupold Scopes Resources:
- Leupold Frequently Asked Questions & Answers.
- Ask A Leupold Expert Contact Page.
- Leupold Scope Video Reviews .
- More places to Shop the Best Leupold Scopes
About the Author L.P. Brezny:
With more than 50 years experience in the field and the testing lab, author L.P. Brezny is one of today’s most recognized shotgun experts and authors. He is a contributor to dozens of firearms publications, such as Wildfowl, Shotgun Sports, and Varmint Hunters, and he is a regular columnist in the Gun Digest annual. Be sure and check out his newest book: Long Range Shooting, Second Edition
AmmoLand Editor Comments: This article was updated to reflect changes in product improvements / availability on 11/29/2017.