If you are looking for the best scope for deer hunting, Leupold scopes should be top of your list.
In this article, we make the search easier for you by highlighting the Best Leupold Scope For Deer Hunting.
Let’s get started.
Best Leupold Scope for Deer Hunting- Our Top Picks
1. Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9x40mm Rifle Scope
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| 2.Leupold VX-6HD 3-18x50mm Rifle Scope
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| 3.Leupold VX-5HD 3-15x44mm Rifle Scope
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| 4.Leupold VX-3i 4.5-14x40mm Rifle Scope
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| 5. Leupold VX-5HD 3-15x56mm Rifle Scope
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| 6. Leupold VX-6HD 4-24x52mm Rifle Scope
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Now let’s look at each comprehensively
Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9x40mm Rifle Scope
The Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9x40mm Rifle Scope features some of the best deer hunting scope features at a low price. The Duplex Reticle naturally draws the shooter’s eye to the image’s center, allowing for quick centering on the intended target making this scope a favorite among hunters. This scope has a 3x to 9x variable magnification range, allowing you to focus on targets from close to further distances, as well as a 40mm objective lens that improves light transmission and provides better target images. Leupold offers a Custom Dial System (CDS) top turret marked in yards for elevation adjustment, which allows you to easily compensate for bullet drop and make quick adjustments on the fly. The erector system has a 60 MOA adjustment range and clearly marked windage and elevation. This scope is made of high-grade aluminum, which makes it durable and rugged, allowing it to withstand any harsh conditions. Leupold’s modern waterproof and fog proof technology employs advanced internal gasses and sealing methods that withstand extreme temperatures, elevation changes, and shocks, ensuring that the optics’ internals remains moisture-free and crystal clear for the rest of their lives. Features
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Leupold VX-6HD 3-18x50mm Rifle Scope
Leupold VX-6HD 3-18x50mm Rifle Scope is the best Leupold Scope for Deer Hunting long range. This scope is best described as the ”do it all scope”. Its made for all conditions from close to long-range hunting and shooting. With the 3x times magnification you will be able to handle the field easily and when more magnification is needed for backcountry you can crank it up to 18x. With an illuminated Reticle, this Leupold will work perfectly for lowlight conditions. Long-range accuracy is enhanced by Leupold’s Professional-Grade Optical System and the in-scope electronic level. Other incredible features include Waterproof/fog-proof/ shockproof performance and the ZeroLock CDS-ZL2 (Custom Dial System). Features
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Leupold VX-5HD 3-15x44mm Rifle Scope
This Leupold VX-5HD 3-15×44 is one of the lightweight scopes. On the second focal plane, it has a proprietary FireDot illuminating reticle for bright, red-dot-like performance during the day with simple one-button intensity adjustment. The Custom Dial System (CDS) allows you to tailor your turret (adjustment dial) to your specific ballistics and environment. After you’ve installed your new custom dial, simply range the target, set the dial to that number, and aim dead on. With sharpened clarity and superior low-light performance, these Leupold Rifle Scopes combine a high-definition optical system with the Twilight Max Light Management system, giving hunters a distinct advantage at dawn and dusk. It gives you edge-to-edge clarity when focusing on a target where there is no light. It has a wide range of magnifications, allowing hunters and shooters to adapt to any situation. It has a magnification range of 3-15x, allowing you to focus on targets from close to far away. As a result, you’ll be able to shoot targets that are both close and far away. A specialized Custom Dial ZeroLock 2 (CDS-ZL2) elevation dial locks in place so you don’t accidentally rotate off zero, and you can dial up the elevation by two turns with a quick button press. This scope’s modern waterproof and fog proof technology uses advanced internal gasses and sealing methods that can withstand extreme temperatures, elevation changes, and shocks, ensuring that the optics’ internals stays dry and clear for the rest of their lives. Features
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Leupold VX-3i 4.5-14x40mm Rifle Scope
Due to its versatile magnification ranges (4.5-14x) and attractive design, this Leupold VX-3i riflescope is ideal for virtually any hunting situation. This scope provides crisp, clear images that will help you succeed in your hunt, whether you’re stalking sheep in rugged terrain or hunting whitetails from a treestand. This scope’s Elite Optical System delivers excellent dawn-to-dusk light transmission for a bright image when it matters most, elite-level glare reduction in harsh light thanks to blackened lens edges, and the resolution and clarity that diehard hunters and shooters demand. The VX-3i has a Twilight Max light-management system, which improves visibility in low-light situations when game is most active. The key to successfully using any scope is to make the necessary adjustments. This scope has windage and elevation adjustments, as well as a 1/4 MOA click value with each twist of the knob. The reticle itself is a Duplex wire version with a second focal plane for increased precision. It adjusts to the zoom dynamically and remains the same size at all times. The Leupold VX-3i 4.5-14x40mm Variable Power Rifle Scope features a twin bias erector spring for increased durability and reduced backlash on high-tech components. DiamondCoat 2 (hardened surface coatings added to meet extreme military standards) is applied to the riflescope’s lens coating, making it resistant to wear and tear. The illuminated reticle helps you see what you’re looking for, whether it’s a moving target or a stationary object. They’re simple to transport on any hunting trip because of their lightweight. With the addition of water resistance, these optics are also shockproof and fog proof. Features
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Leupold VX-5HD 3-15x56mm Rifle Scope
This Leupold VX-5HD 3-15x56mm Rifle Scope is capable of dominating anywhere from the mountains to the open plains to range day. It has a 56mm objective lens that maximizes as much exit pupil light as the eye can handle, and it has a wide magnification range that allows hunters to adapt to any environment. It also features the Firedot illumination system, which provides a bright, intuitive aiming point that won’t get lost in low light. This scope features a CDS (Custom Dial System) elevation dial that allows you to quickly dial your elevation adjustment to different ranges with a custom dial matched to your specific ballistic information, as well as a MOA scale dial to help you get on target. At high power, the reticles in the Second Focal Plane (rear focal plane) remain fine and only cover the target minimally. These reticles are ideal for hunting in low-light conditions. These Leupold rifle scopes feature the Twilight Max HD Light Management System, which adds up to a half-hour more shooting light and eliminates 90 percent more glare-producing light than the competition. In addition to being ultra-lightweight, waterproof, and fog proof, this scope is ideal for use in inclement weather. The Guard-Ion lens coating repels dirt and water, giving you clear images in any situation. The push-button-operated ZeroLock system prevents accidental dial adjustments, allowing you to stay focused on your target. Features
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Leupold VX-6HD 4-24x52mm Rifle Scope
Last but not least, the Leupold VX-6HD is without a doubt one of the best rifle scopes for serious hunters. This range of services is unrivaled by any other. There are several reticle options, including an illuminated reticle, a BDC reticle, and a CDS dial. Depending on the magnification range, the size of the reticle in the first focal point may change. This scope is extremely adaptable. Being able to walk around with 4x magnification while knowing you can switch to 24x magnification at any time gives you the advantage in almost any hunting or shooting situation. These Leupold rifle scopes are Argon/Krypton purged, sealed, and built on a twin bias spring erector system, making them fog proof, waterproof, and shockproof to withstand any hunting conditions. This Leupold 4-24x52mm Waterproof Rifle Scope also has a Guard-Ion rain shedding coating, which is extremely durable, scratch-resistant, and repels water, dirt, and fingerprints to keep your scope in tip-top shape. Wildlife hunters looking for a solid riflescope that can withstand harsh conditions will appreciate the rugged construction of this scope. You’ll never lose your customized adjustments again thanks to the Zero Lock windage adjustment feature, which prevents accidental changes to your scope while ensuring an accurate return to zero every time. From the range to the vast landscape of the backcountry, the Leupold VX-6HD Aluminum Rifle Scope is a premium optic that can take down targets in any situation or lighting condition. For its unique combination of features, durability, and professional-grade HD optical performance, it can handle any challenge you throw at it. Features
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Leupold Optical Systems
Professional-Grade Optical System – this system is made for professional hunters using the VX-5HD and VX-6HD series. With this system, the scopes have amazing low light performance, glare reduction, and unmatched image quality.
Elite Optical System– This system is found in the VX-3HD line. With this system, you are assured of clarity and optical performance when hunting.
Advanced Optical System– in the VX-Freedom line, the system features clarity, lowlight performance, and glare reduction.
Choosing Reticles for the Best Leupold Scope for Deer Hunting
Duplex, Firedot, and BDC are the favorites for deer hunting.
Duplex-One of the most popular reticles works for pros and beginners especially if you are looking for a simple aiming reticle. The reticle features heavy lines which eventually tapper into thin lines at the center for easy and quick target acquisition.
FireDot-this illuminated FireDot reticle comes in handy, especially in low light situations.
BDC-This reticle is based on the duplex reticle but features markers to help shooters account for bullet drops, especially in long-range shots.
Why Leupold Scopes
- Unrivaled performance, they are designed to redefine precision and accuracy
- Rigorously tested for durability
- Excellent edge-to-edge clarity
- Incredible in low-light situations
- Hardened surface coatings are added to Leupold scopes to meet extreme military standards for scratch resistance and lens protection.
- Waterproof, fog proof, and shockproof are all features of Leupold scopes.
Front Focal Plane and Rear Focal Plane
Front Focal Plane (also known as the First Focal Plane) is closest to the objective lens, whereas the Rear Focal Plane is closest to the ocular lens (also known as Second Focal Plane)
Another distinction is that, regardless of magnification, an SFP reticle appears to be the same size. When using an FFP reticle, the size appears to change as the magnification of the scope is changed.
If you’re a traditional hunter who uses dial-up or guesstimation to allow for holdover and doesn’t shoot particularly long distances, an SFP scope is for you. If you shoot long distances and prefer to use holdover marks etched on your reticle (whether in Mil or MOA), an FFP scope is an excellent choice.
Read First Focal Plane Explained. Meaning, Pros, and Cons
Choosing Mounting Styles
There are 5 basic mounting styles for the Leupold scopes. They are :
Bases
Available in 1-piece and 2-piece systems that attach directly to the rifle’s receiver.
Rings
Designed to fit into their corresponding bases and come in a range of heights ranging from extremely low to extremely high.
Ring mounts
These are rings with an integrated base that fits directly onto the receiver of a rifle.
Integrated Mounting Systems
These are rings with a built-in base that fits directly onto Picatinny rails.
Red Dot Mounts
Custom-made to fit pistols and rail bases.
Factors to Consider when Choosing the Best Leupold Scope for Deer Hunting
Reticle
The reticle serves as a central aiming point. Each reticle can be customized for a variety of shooting scenarios, hunting conditions, and target types.
Non-illuminated reticles are ideal for daytime hunting, illuminated reticles are ideal for dusk to dawn shooting, duplex reticles are ideal for most types of hunting, BDC reticles are ideal for long-range shooting, and Christmas Tree and Mil-dot reticles are ideal for tactical and military applications.
Before picking a reticle, think about how you’ll use the scope. To meet your requirements, you have a number of options.
Adequate eye relief
One of the worst things that can happen to a hunter is getting hit in the brow with a scope while shooting. That’s why a rifle scope with a lot of eye relief is essential.
This is especially important if you’re shooting a high-caliber rifle because the recoil is much more intense on these weapons. Looking for a scope with at least three inches of eye relief is a good rule of thumb. This Leupold scope satisfies these requirements.
Parallax adjustments
When selecting a scope, look for one that allows you to compensate for parallax errors. By moving your eyes while looking through your scope, you can spot these mistakes. If the reticle moves as your eyes move, you have a parallax error that needs to be fixed.
You can use the parallax adjustment to make sure the target and reticle are on the same focal plane. You can move your eyes as much as you want after the error is corrected, and your reticle will remain in the same place.
Adjusting windage and elevation
The shooter can adjust the impact point of the bullet by turning the dial to the left or right. Elevation dials work in a similar manner. The main distinction is that they are used to adjust the bullet’s impact point up or down.
The best part is that high-end hunting scopes include a turret, which is a special dial for adjusting windage.
Weight
Many types of hunting can be stifled by the weight of your scope and rifle combination. If you carry a heavy rifle for an extended period of time, particularly through rough terrain, your body will wish you had purchased a lighter setup.
30mm tube scopes weigh less than 34mm and larger tube scopes, while 1-inch tube scopes weigh less than 30mm tube scopes. Features that can add weight include parallax adjustment and illumination.
Are Leupold Scopes made in China?
No. All Leupold riflescopes are designed, machined, and assembled in their Beaverton, Oregon facility. There are no other riflescope manufacturing facilities or offices in the world. Leupold scopes are made in the USA.
Conclusion
Using a hunting scope will improve your accuracy because it eliminates the need to ensure that the rear and front sights are perfectly aligned before shooting. If you choose your rifle scope wisely, it can greatly improve your hunting skills by making it much easier to take clear, accurate shots.
The scopes we’ve examined in depth in this article meet that requirement and so much more. We hope you can find a scope that meets your needs.
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