Opinions on Value of Leupold Scopes

[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.