Opinions on Value of Leupold Scopes

[adamR]

What are your thoughts on the value of a Leupold VX3i 4.5x14x40mm 30mm Side Focus?  This is not a CDS model.  I am trying to determine whether it's worth putting the extra money into making it CDS compatible or selling it and buying a CDS model that is closer to what I want.  I think I would rather have a VX6HD 3x18x44mm.  I can get this for about a $1100 with the discount.  I think the custom work to make the VX3i work is around $180.  I guess I just need help figuring out what to do.  Is that VX3i worth $300, $400, or $500?

Also, what are you thoughts on the value for a VX1 4x12x40mm?

[Magnum_Willys]

That scope is under $500 new so figure 50% off used so $250-$300 I would say without looking online.   Add the CDS if you otherwise like the scope.  Really like my VX-6's but have gotten pricey.  Take a look at Swarovski Z5 with custom turret also.  Optics a bit better and lighter scope but same price even after buying turret as VX-6.   The VX-5 3-15 would be my suggestion at $999 unless going looong range then bump to a 4-24 VX6 or 5-25 Swaro but gonna cost almost 50% more.

[buckfvr]

Id look around on ebay and other used for sale sites to get an idea of value, as its subjective.  Ive had Kenton Industry custom dials and they were spot on (out to 600 yards) when the hunting conditions matched fairly closely to the conditions under which the data was collected, but that being said, I now use turreted scopes and cheat sheets for hunting situations.

[bobcat]

I would not spend the $180. You'd be better off selling it on eBay and buying what you want. Used Leupold scopes go for crazy prices on eBay.

[Bob33]

For $180 you would have a scope that isn't a whole lot different than one you would spend $1100 on.

[adamR]

For $180 you would have a scope that isn't a whole lot different than one you would spend $1100 on.

You don't think the quality difference is enough to warrant the expense?

[Bob33]

For $180 you would have a scope that isn't a whole lot different than one you would spend $1100 on.

You don't think the quality difference is enough to warrant the expense?

It wouldn't for me. I have scopes of lesser quality than the VX3 that have killed lots of critters.

[ellensburgpo]

TBH, I would never buy a Leupold beyond a VX3. The VX3 is more then optically good enough for a set and forget hunting scope. At their upper end they are impressive optically but you still can’t reliably dial with them. If you want to dial and spend that kind of money nightforce is your huckleberry. If you don’t want to dial but want better clarity I’d look and others such as Swarovski, Ziess etc. Bottom line for me is dialing and Leupold shouldn’t be in the same sentence and it seems like you want to talking about the cds system.

[Yote talker]

I find my vx6 hd 3-18x50 turret system to be absolutely reliable and repeatable after lots of target practice and quite a few box tests trying to find its flaws. Maybe I got lucky as I do hear a lot of negative about leupold and their cds system. I would buy another in a heartbeat..... as long as they are on sale.

[Magnum_Willys]

I can't complain about my VX6 4-24 and VX6 7-42 with the stellar long range success we've had,  but I'm sure Nightforce's are more rugged if you don't mind packing an extra 10 oz weight on your rifle.  I had a 10# threshold to stay under for my build so Nightforce wasn't an option.

[adamR]

I'm sure there are better options than Leupold out there but with the 45% discount I get, it's hard to look elsewhere.  I've had no complaints with the VX3, but the purpose is to build a rifle for out to 700ish yards and that's been a bit rough with the current scope.

[Magnum_Willys]

Crazy how much Leupolds have gone up in price - got the VX6 4-24 for $1199 about 4 years ago now street price is $2,000 and list is like $2600.  Even two years ago they were $1599.   

[High Climber]

I'm sure there are better options than Leupold out there but with the 45% discount I get, it's hard to look elsewhere.  I've had no complaints with the VX3, but the purpose is to build a rifle for out to 700ish yards and that's been a bit rough with the current scope.

How does a guy get a 45% discount? The VX5 3-15x44 would be around $600 for you and would be a heck of a bargain.

[adamR]

Hunter education instructor discount

[Crunchy]

I'm sure there are better options than Leupold out there but with the 45% discount I get, it's hard to look elsewhere.  I've had no complaints with the VX3, but the purpose is to build a rifle for out to 700ish yards and that's been a bit rough with the current scope.

How does a guy get a 45% discount? The VX5 3-15x44 would be around $600 for you and would be a heck of a bargain.

Military including VETs and LEO get the discount.  Not sure who else. 

[Houndhunter]

I'm sure there are better options than Leupold out there but with the 45% discount I get, it's hard to look elsewhere.  I've had no complaints with the VX3, but the purpose is to build a rifle for out to 700ish yards and that's been a bit rough with the current scope.

How does a guy get a 45% discount? The VX5 3-15x44 would be around $600 for you and would be a heck of a bargain.

Military including VETs and LEO get the discount.  Not sure who else.

Guides as well but we aren't supposed to say how much 

I like the cds system and scopes, I don't think you can ever go wrong with a Leupold

[jdb]

Also, what are you thoughts on the value for a VX1 4x12x40mm?

pm sent

[huntandjeep]

TBH, I would never buy a Leupold beyond a VX3. The VX3 is more then optically good enough for a set and forget hunting scope. At their upper end they are impressive optically but you still can’t reliably dial with them. If you want to dial and spend that kind of money nightforce is your huckleberry. If you don’t want to dial but want better clarity I’d look and others such as Swarovski, Ziess etc. Bottom line for me is dialing and Leupold shouldn’t be in the same sentence and it seems like you want to talking about the cds system.

Both my Mark 4s have no problem returning to zero ?

[The scout]

On my main rifle I upgraded from a vx3 to the vx6 and it is night and day better. I have the vx3 on a 243 I set up for blacktail but it’s not even close to the vx6

[adamR]

Interesting email response from Leupold about working on my VX3 that sort of changes things...

Thank you for your interest in the Leupold Custom Shop. At this time we are in the process of restructuring the Custom Shop in order to refine and improve our services. As a result, we are not accepting any new custom scope or retrofit orders at this time. To keep up to date with the status of the Leupold Custom Shop, please visit https://www.leupold.com/service-support/custom-shop-temp and sign up.

[Stein]

I have a VX5 and overall have been extremely happy with it.  I paid a little under $800 and hunted with it this year.  It held zero and returned to zero after dialing with no problems.  I haven't sent in the CDS dial as I think it's not all that great. 

The limitation is that they only will cut it using their calculations which only use G1.  Other places I have bought the stickers let me send them the clicks I want and I used good software, velocities and proven G7 values.  Further, it's only good for one elevation and temp.

At the end of the day, you have to range and dial, the only thing the CDS does is allows you to skip the easy step of glancing at a chart before you dial.  It's also less precise as you have to guess at the yardages between the CDS markings where a dope chart or phone software gives you the dope accurate to a single click.  If the shooter doesn't understand ballistics at any level but can range it and you aren't going out very far and always hunt the same area (elevation), it might be a decent tool, but not really something that is helpful if you are used to running the calcs and dialing.

I do like the turrets, the zero lock, the quality of the glass and reticle.  I would buy one again, probably one of the best options at that price point and it's assembled in the US.

[Magnum_Willys]

I have a custom turret with both yards (cds) set for 4000 ft and 40 degrees  and moa markings.  With my sig 2400 I get adjusted moa and usually my moa settings match the adjusted range settings exactly .   Could use either.   Not sure if you can get to fit VX5.

[highside74]

I have a VX5

 Further, it's only good for one elevation and temp.

You choose the elevation and temp but they are good for 2500ft above or below your chosen elevation and I believe 20 or 30 degrees above or below. So 2500 is good from 0-5000 and your temp set at 50 degrees is good down to 20s and up to 70s or so.

[Magnum_Willys]

On my rifle a 3000 ft elevation change is a 1 moa change.   So if your turret was made for  plus or minus 1500 ft from actual you would be within 6” at 1000 yards.   

[10mmg]

I am pretty much a Leupold guy. That said I sold my vx3 because I thought the top turret was to loose for being in and out of the case and truck. If it was just for the range maybe but any thing other than that forget it. If you need to shoot quickly at game worrying about your turret is not what you want. I love the vx 5 3-15 as the turret locks on the set zero. The vx 6 mark 4 I have is lights out with the clarity.

[Buckjunkie]

I am pretty much a Leupold guy. That said I sold my vx3 because I thought the top turret was to loose for being in and out of the case and truck. If it was just for the range maybe but any thing other than that forget it. If you need to shoot quickly at game worrying about your turret is not what you want. I love the vx 5 3-15 as the turret locks on the set zero. The vx 6 mark 4 I have is lights out with the clarity.

+1

I have two VX6’s and a VX5. I too am a Leupold guy. I’ve owned quite a few of them along with a few other brands.

The reason I switched to the newer Leupolds is because of my vision. About 5 years ago I started needing reading glasses at the range with the VX3’s to see the reticle and the target clearly.  I tried the VX6 and I no longer need my readers.

[Stein]

I have a VX5

 Further, it's only good for one elevation and temp.

You choose the elevation and temp but they are good for 2500ft above or below your chosen elevation and I believe 20 or 30 degrees above or below. So 2500 is good from 0-5000 and your temp set at 50 degrees is good down to 20s and up to 70s or so.

Elevation changes introduces error.  Temperature changes introduce error.  G1 ballistics introduce error (I believe that change with distance as well as error from the bullet manufacturer who almost always overstate them).  Sure, you could calculate all that out and figure out what you are comfortable with (or assume the manufacturer did it "correctly"), but for any given shot, you just won't know really where it will hit as the error can add together, subtract from each other, etc.

For me, I'll just dial for actuals as it isn't that hard or time consuming.  For quick, short shots, a 200 yard zero is plenty.  I shoot at 100' and 7500' from 95 degrees to below zero, so it works to just dial it in and not worry about changing turrets or making adjustments to the fixed turret based on actuals.

For some guys, I'm sure it works fine.

Either way, I'm very happy with the VX-5.

[2MANY]

I have a VX5

 Further, it's only good for one elevation and temp.

You choose the elevation and temp but they are good for 2500ft above or below your chosen elevation and I believe 20 or 30 degrees above or below. So 2500 is good from 0-5000 and your temp set at 50 degrees is good down to 20s and up to 70s or so.

Elevation changes introduces error.  Temperature changes introduce error.  G1 ballistics introduce error (I believe that change with distance as well as error from the bullet manufacturer who almost always overstate them).  Sure, you could calculate all that out and figure out what you are comfortable with (or assume the manufacturer did it "correctly"), but for any given shot, you just won't know really where it will hit as the error can add together, subtract from each other, etc.

For me, I'll just dial for actuals as it isn't that hard or time consuming.  For quick, short shots, a 200 yard zero is plenty.  I shoot at 100' and 7500' from 95 degrees to below zero, so it works to just dial it in and not worry about changing turrets or making adjustments to the fixed turret based on actuals.

For some guys, I'm sure it works fine.

Either way, I'm very happy with the VX-5.

VX-5 is a great scope and what was said above is spot on regarding dialing.

Ironically I just installed a VX-6HD 3-18 last night on a lead flinger.
Personally I like the low profile of the Leupold turrets.
My NF scopes have taller turrets that stick out more and don't fit in my leather horse scabbards as well.

[ballpark]

I have a VX-1 3x9 x50MM with CDS.  Even though it's a VX-1, I love it. Got it cheap and for $100 had Leupold add the CDS - Guaranteed for life  

[2MANY]

 
One thing is for sure..........the critter smacked by the projectile ain't gonna care what scope you have.
Being able to make the shot with your gear remains a must.

[Goshawk]

Stick with the cheapest import made by our friends in China import you can find.  That way you'll always have a realistic  excuse as to why you missed that once in a lifetime shot.

Or,

Get a real (Not the made in china counterfeit on EBay crap) made in the USA Leupold and have a great optic with a lifetime warranty that your kids can still shoot with.

It's really not a tough choice unless you like overpaying for Asian optics.

[buckfvr]

I have a VX5

 Further, it's only good for one elevation and temp.

You choose the elevation and temp but they are good for 2500ft above or below your chosen elevation and I believe 20 or 30 degrees above or below. So 2500 is good from 0-5000 and your temp set at 50 degrees is good down to 20s and up to 70s or so.

If you are 30* below and at 5k elevation for data collected at 2500ft, you will find the difference is a problem.  That is where a cheat sheet come into play.   Ill add, IMHO EVEN with Leupold, you buy a cheap scope, thats exactly what you have.

[Stein]

Yeah, I shoot between 750 feet and a little over 7,000 feet between 70 degrees and about -5, so it doesn't work.  That said, I just get the data from my phone and dial away.

If you only hunt one area, it might be pretty helpful, especially if you don't want to mess with apps, calculations or drop sheets.

[BeWitty]

Get 2 turrets. One for 2k and 6k

[carpsniperg2]

Once you get a dial made if you have a range finder that has the smart technology. You just input your dial info into it and it will make the differences from your turret settings to current conditions/alt/etc for you and its dial and shoot. I run the BR2 and why its spendy its a drop in the hat compared to all the other expenses that come with hunting.