If you are on the market for the best Leupold Hunting Scopes, you came to the right place, we look at the best, their features, pros, cons, and considerations for different hunting situations.
How to Choose the Best Leupold Hunting Scope
Magnification and Zoom Ranges
Large riflescope magnification ranges for example (4-12 or 3-18) are the best for medium and long-range shooting in open fields. Lower magnifications (1 to 3) work best if you are hunting in the woods or bushes.
The zoom ratio (broadness of the magnification) is also very important. The bigger the zoom ratio, the more versatile the riflescope. To understand the ratio, for example, a 3:1 zoom ratio means the highest magnification will be 3x the bottom end magnification. So in matters of the zoom ratio, a scope with a bigger ratio(eg.3-18 or a 4-24) is versatile enough for the woods and long-range hunting.
Leupold Optical Systems
Advanced Optical System-this system features glare reduction, clarity, and amazing lowlight performance
Elite Optical system-this is a step up from the Advanced system, it features clarity and performance for hardcore hunters
Professional Grade Optical system- this is the best of all systems and is found in the VX-5HD and VX-6HD series riflescopes. It features glare reduction, low light performance, and unmatched image quality.
Choosing a Reticle
Reticles give you a central aiming point. Low light hunters will go for thicker reticles while precision shooters want fine crosshairs.
Duplex– this reticle has heavy posts, which narrow to thin lines at the center, it offers quick target acquisition and distraction-free and simple aiming points. It’s also one of the best for beginners.
Firedot– this illuminated reticle is designed to bring the crosshairs to your eye, especially in low light conditions. This is the best reticle for dawn to dusk hunting.
BDC– BDC (bullet drop compensation), the reticle is based on the duplex reticle but adds markers to account for bullet drop when taking long-range shots.
Lenses
Lenses quality is everything when it comes to hunting scopes. With the Leupold brand being aware of this, their scopes are made of high-quality lenses which are multi-coated to enhance light transmission. This provides the hunter with bright and crisp clear target images.
This coating also minimizes light reflection to produce bright images that are full of contrast. The coating also makes the lenses scratch-proof and prevents them from getting dirty.
Weight
Always remember that hunting will always require you to carry the scope around as you move from one point to the other. Therefore, a lightweight scope will be simpler to carry through the fields and easier to keep on target when firing offhand.
However, heavy scopes might be more durable and contain more inbuilt features, therefore you will need to consider what is important to you as a hunter as well as how you intend to you the thermal scope.
Construction
Hunting especially at dawn or dusk can be delicate. The best hunting scope should therefore be able to withstand several bumps and falls along the way without getting damaged.
The body of the best hunting scope should be built from durable quality materials and aircraft-grade aluminum is the most commonly used material. The scope should also be built of materials that are completely water-resistant, fog resistant, shockproof, and dustproof to ensure all-weather use.
Eye Relief
When out in the woods hunting, one of the worst things that can happen to any hunter is to get hit in the eye when shooting. It is therefore important to have a rifle scope with adequate eye relief especially if you are using a high-caliber rifle. The ideal rifle scope should have an eye relief of 3 to 4 inches.
Best Leupold Hunting Scopes
| 1. Leupold VX-6HD 4-24x52mm Rifle Scope
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| 2. Leupold VX-5HD 3-15x56mm Rifle Scope
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| 3. Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9x50mm Rifle Scope
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| 4. Leupold VX-3HD 3.5-10x50mm Rifle Scope
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| 5. Leupold VX-6HD 3-18x44mm Rifle Scope
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Now Let’s look at each comprehensively
Leupold VX-6HD 4-24x52mm Rifle Scope
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This Leupold scope features a versatile 6:1 zoom ratio for close encounters on lower magnifications and long-range shots for up to 24x magnification. You also get a side focus for a clearer reticle even in different distances and situations. Other Incredible features include the Professional-Grade Optical System for unmatched light transmission and Leupold’s Custom Dial System (CDS) for turret customization for the exact ballistics and environmental conditions. Features
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Leupold VX-5HD 3-15x56mm Rifle Scope
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This Leupold Side Focus Riflescope features an interesting technology in the world of riflescopes, the motion sensor technology which extends battery life by deactivation after every 5 minutes of inactivity. It also features a Twilight Max HD light management system which adds up to 30 minutes of shooting time providing you with more hunting time. The 3-15x magnification range found in this scope enables you to hunt in any environment, whether in thick woods or in plain fields. The CDS Elevation dial eliminates the need for holdovers or ballistic calculations, therefore, simplifying longer shots. Its illuminated reticle makes hunting easier even under low light conditions. It also provides edge-to-edge clarity as well. Its. For weather reliability, this scope is completely fog proof and waterproof. It is also lightweight and easy to pack and carry even in a backpack.
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Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9x50mm Rifle Scope
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This Leupold VX-Freedom Riflescope features sturdy housing that enables withstand the harshest recoil ever. Its rugged construction provides you with relentless performance even in the thick hunting fields while its impressive Field of view and Light Management System makes this the ideal scope for hunting. When it comes to weather reliability, this scope is argon purged for total waterproof properties and nitrogen sealed to avoid moisture damage, fogging as well as clouding. Its robust mechanical construction ensures that this scope is completely shockproof. It is also made with 6061-T6 aircraft grade aluminum which enhances its durability and guarantees great performance even under the harshest recoil. Its lenses are scratch proof while the twilight light management system provides the hunter with additional hunting time.
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Leupold VX-3HD 3.5-10x50mm Rifle Scope
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Legendary performance, clarity, lightweight package, and versatile magnification are some of the amazing features you will get with this scope. With Leupold’s Elite Optical System, you are able to hunt even in low light conditions/ dawn-to-dusk. Definitely one of the best Lupold hunting scopes.
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Leupold VX-6HD 3-18x44mm Rifle Scope
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The versatile 6:1 zoom ratio makes this scope a perfect choice for close to long-range hunting. Another amazing feature is the Professional-Grade Optical System for unmatched light transmission even in the worst lighting conditions. You also get the Motion Sensor Technology for extended battery life.
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FAQs
- Does wearing glasses make a difference while using Leupold scopes?
Normally, the use of glasses alters the view of the scope just a bit which might make some people not hunt as well as they would like. The images that end up being visible at the end of the scope are seen to be narrower, therefore, making it difficult to get an accurate shot.
- Is there a need for the lens to be coated?
Yes, a big one. Coated lenses are considered better off because they enhance light transmission, providing the user with bright and clear images which in return enhance shooting accuracy.
- What size of objective lens do I need for my hunting riflescope?
The objective lens should be matched to the magnification of a scope. Always ensure that you look through a scope before buying it to ensure that it is clear and has a bright view.
- Which riflescope reticle should I choose?
Any hunter is recommended to go with a plain reticle with minimal or no internal markings.
Leupold Hunting Scopes Advantages
- Leupold scopes are specially designed in a manner that they can be used for hunting as well as other outdoor activities that necessitate the use of a scope.
- Most are made of aircraft-grade aluminum which is sturdy and lasts long.
- All-Weather reliability. These scopes are O-ring sealed and nitrogen purged to make them fully waterproof and fog proof.
- Lightweight and sturdy.
Conclusion
Leupold scopes offer glitch-free clarity when hunting which is all you need to get that accurate shot. Their manufacturing procedure and rugged performance will offer you great value for money as they will serve you for many years.
If you are looking to invest in one, get anyone from the review above and take your hunting passion to the next level.
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