Hunting Washington Forum
Equipment & Gear => Scopes and Optics => Topic started by: Angus on November 17, 2025, 10:19:41 PM
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I currently have a Leupold Freedom 3-9x40 on my deer/elk gun that is primarily used in western Wa where I have yet to shoot an animal more than 140 yards. I'm going to start spending more time hunting eastern Wa and possibly out of state where shots potentially out to 300-400+ yards are more common. Being a family man I don't have a large budget so high dollar scopes aren't in my plans. I do have 5-$600 though that I could drop on a scope, something like a Leupold VX3HD or similar. Wondering if I'm gaining much over the Freedom to justify spending the money?
WWYD?
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I put a 3-9 Freedom with the CDS on my son’s 6.5 Creed about 4 or 5 years ago. Thought it would be a good “starter” scope. He doesn’t hunt with that rifle anymore, and honestly I was waiting for it to crap out, but that gun has been on many side by side and ATV rides and still holds its zero. He even shot a Whitetail two years ago at 430 yards with it. Not sure you’ll get a whole lot more out of a VX3 unless you just want more magnification. Maybe a little better glass, but glass quality isn’t my top criteria when picking a rifle scope.
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I would just practice shooting longer with it. Unless you need more magnification.
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Mine doesn’t have CDS
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You can get a freedom with CDS in that price range. When I was looking at possibly getting a scope to dial with, that was where I was going to start. I then decided to not start dialing and just get closer and continue using all of my other scopes I already have.
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Should be able to get a VX-3 with a cds for that price. With Black Friday coming up I would watch sportsman’s warehouse and Eurooptic for sales.
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https://www.eurooptic.com/leupold-vx-3hd-45-14x50-1-inch-cds-zl-duplex-riflescope-182517-blemished
Like this one. I’ve got some “blemished” scopes from them before and they were both tiny marks that I had to look hard for
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In that price range I would buy an SWFA 3-9.
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The scope you have is perfectly fine for 400 yards. If you are going to spend money on a new scope, get something more reliable than Leupold. There are offerings from swfa in your price range and the Huron line from Trijicon. I think there’s even a Trijicon Credo for sale on HW right now that you may be able to fit in your budget. Those are the scopes in your price range that have the least chance of failing under hunting conditions.
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Curious, I run almost all Leupolds and have never had any reliability issues with them.
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Curious, I run almost all Leupolds and have never had any reliability issues with them.
Same, but my dad had one that lost it's nitrogen seal...after 50'ish years. Leopold gave him a new one.
If you're net set on new, I've found gently used VX5-HD's pretty commonly in the $700 range. Little extra mag at the top end without losing the bottom end.
Mounts are as important as the scope. I happen to be a Warne fan from a value perspective.
Both made by our neighbors just south of us.
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The 3-9x40 Freedom is a great scope! If you want a new scope, go for a 4-12x40 from Leupold...
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Thanks for the input everyone, I appreciate it. As for Leupold reliability, I've owned 4 or 5 scopes, 1 spotting scope and 1 pair of bino's, never had an issue with any of the scopes, did have to send in the 20+ year old bino's that I dropped and they sent me a new pair. Very happy customer.
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I’d steer away from Leupold personally
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My scopes are built in the USA!
Not China.
All scopes can have a problem since they are made by man.
I sold optics for 38 years and anyone who says that Leupold has reliability issues
clearly is mistaken! They may be one of the only ITAR rated optic companies around.
If you aren't familiar with ITAR. Look it up.
They are 118 years old with over 80 full time top notch engineers, still being built
in the same location in Oregon. They started the Lifetime warranty and have the best customer service around.
Most scope manufactures will not survive Leupolds punisher test.
Good luck in your decision for a good scope. If you choose a Leupold, you will not be disappointed.
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I have a 3 to Leupold that was new in the mid 70’s. The only time I have had to touch the dials was when I switched from Remington to Federal Premium ammo.Both the scope and Ruger 77 it sits on have dings and scratches all over. I also have a set of 9 by 25 gold ring binos that a niece peeled all the rubber armor off of. They were replaced by Leopold free of charge. I also had a Burris scope that my son fell down and destroyed on a boulder. That was replaced with a new one by Burris free of charge. I believe those are both made in America companies unless something has changed.
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Not bashing Leupold, I specifically said the scope he has is fine for what the OP is doing. I own quite a few Leupold and I believe everyone that says they have never had a failure. I also think Leupold is a great American company and wish them nothing but the best. I completely understand why someone would buy a Leupold. Made in America, great warranty, excellent form factor, lightweight with incredible clarity. That is exactly what I want in a binocular or spotter. I want my children and neighbors made in the USA, I want my aiming system repeatable and reliable, that’s it. I have personally seen 3 failures in the last 5 years, that’s bias because most of the people I hunt with use Leupold. To be fair, I personally had a zero shift on a V4 (Zeiss). I didn’t try to defend it or say how nice the people are that work at Zeiss, I simply went through the necessary steps to prove it had shifted, took it off the rifle and replaced it with a aiming system I trust. Spoiler…. it wasn’t a Leupold.
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Since everyone has something "they" trust, I think the best the OP can do here is answer the following questions and they will arrive at 1 or multiple manufacturer X's
1. Does manufacturer X makes a scope that I would want in my price range?
2. Does manufacturer X have a good reputation
3. Does manufacturer X have a warranty that I can trust (in case I get a lemon)
4. Am I OK with whatever country manufacturer X is manufactured in?
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Leupold, Zeiss, Vortex I've owned them all and they are all fine until they are not. Side impacts especially are really hard on lightweight optics. Do some research on rokslide before you make a purchase if that's what you decided to do. There are durable scopes at all price points and its worth reading. It's also worth mentioning that there are scopes within brands that are durable and other models within the same brand that are not.
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your scope is just fine for what you want to do. dont get caught up in the "i need a newer, bigger, better" mentality. I am just as guilty as always looking for the next best thing. but a 3-9x40 is just fine for everything you need to do. 2.5 inches high at 100, 300 yards is a top back hold 100 and 200 hold on. don't overthink it, you will drive yourself crazy getting dials, and turrets, and this and that.
