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10 Best Leupold Scopes 2025 in the United States

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Our Top Picks

#1

Winner

Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9x40 (1 inch) CDS Duplex Reticle Riflescope

Rating
9.8
Chosen by1,420
Turrets

Most important from
686 reviews

Turrets
Turrets provide a satisfying tactile feedback and track adjustments accurately every time.

The Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9x40 riflescope is a solid choice for hunters looking for a reliable and durable scope with versatile magnification. Its 3 to 9 times zoom range is ideal for mid-range shooting, allowing clear target identification without complicated adjustments. The 40mm objective lens gathers enough light to provide good image brightness, especially with Leupold’s Twilight Light Management System, which enhances visibility in low-light conditions and reduces glare. The Duplex CDS reticle is simple and effective for quick target acquisition, suitable for most hunting scenarios, although it’s a second focal plane reticle, meaning the reticle size doesn’t change with magnification. Eye relief at 3.7 inches is comfortable for most users and helps avoid recoil impact. A 13.6-foot field of view at 100 yards gives a decent viewing area to track moving targets.

The scope features precise 1/4 MOA finger-click turrets for reliable windage and elevation adjustments, which are easy to use and repeatable in the field. It’s built tough with aircraft-quality aluminum and is waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof, ensuring it withstands harsh outdoor conditions and recoil from powerful rifles. However, it lacks parallax adjustment, which could limit precision shooting at longer distances. Also, it doesn't support night vision. Weighing just over a pound, it’s lightweight enough to carry comfortably on most hunting rifles. The lifetime warranty adds peace of mind.

This scope is well suited for hunters or casual shooters who want a rugged, dependable scope with straightforward features rather than high-end tactical options.

Rating
9.8
Chosen by1,420
Turrets

Most important from
686 reviews

Turrets
Turrets provide a satisfying tactile feedback and track adjustments accurately every time.
#2

Leupold VX-5HD 3-15x44 (30mm) CDS-ZL2 Side Focus Illum. FireDot Duplex Reticle Riflescope

Rating
9.6
Reticle
Parallax Adjustment
Turrets

Most important from
342 reviews

Reticle
The reticle design is simple and effective, allowing for elevation adjustments and wind holds without being overly busy.
Parallax Adjustment
The side parallax adjustment ensures the reticle doesn't shift across the target when your head moves, providing consistent accuracy.
Turrets
The turrets have a nice tactile click at 0.25 MOA per adjustment, enhancing precision in elevation adjustments.

The Leupold VX-5HD 3-15x44 Riflescope stands out with its impressive magnification range of 3x to 15x, making it suitable for various hunting and shooting scenarios. The 44mm objective lens diameter ensures a bright and clear image, even in low light conditions.

One of its main attractions is the Illuminated FireDot Duplex Reticle, which helps in quick target acquisition and better visibility in different lighting conditions. The CDS-ZL2 (Custom Dial System with ZeroLock) allows for precise elevation adjustments and eliminates accidental dial movement, enhancing shooting accuracy. The hydrophobic Guard-ion lens coating keeps the lenses clear by repelling water and dirt, requiring minimal maintenance. This scope is also fogproof, shockproof, and waterproof, ensuring durability in the field.

Additionally, the side focus parallax adjustment feature allows for easy and precise focusing from any shooting position, improving the shooting experience. It is heavier at 1 pound, which might be a consideration for those looking for lightweight options. Leupold's full lifetime guarantee offers peace of mind, as it promises repair or replacement without the need for proof of ownership. This scope is best suited for avid hunters and shooters who need a reliable, high-performance optical device.

Rating
9.6
Reticle
Parallax Adjustment
Turrets

Most important from
342 reviews

Reticle
The reticle design is simple and effective, allowing for elevation adjustments and wind holds without being overly busy.
Parallax Adjustment
The side parallax adjustment ensures the reticle doesn't shift across the target when your head moves, providing consistent accuracy.
Turrets
The turrets have a nice tactile click at 0.25 MOA per adjustment, enhancing precision in elevation adjustments.
#3

Leupold Mark 5HD 5-25x56mm M5C3 FFP Side Focus Riflescope, PR2-MIL Reticle

Rating
9.4
Magnification
Reticle
Turrets

Most important from
13 reviews

Magnification
The magnification range and bright objective lens maintain crisp, bright images even in challenging light situations.
Reticle
The reticle is clear and easy to read, making precise shot adjustments straightforward without clutter.
Turrets
Tactile, low-profile turrets offer precise and intuitive adjustments for fine-tuning shots with confidence.

The Leupold Mark 5HD 5-25x56mm riflescope is a solid choice for serious hunters and long-range shooters who want precise adjustments and durability. It offers a useful magnification range from 5x up to 25x, making it versatile for both closer and distant targets. The 56mm objective lens lets in plenty of light, which helps maintain a bright, clear image even in low-light conditions. The First Focal Plane (FFP) PR2-MIL reticle adjusts with magnification, allowing you to estimate range and make accurate shots at any zoom level — a big plus if you need reliable rangefinding on the fly.

The turrets are low profile with tactile clicks that let you easily track your adjustments without guessing, featuring 1/10 Mil clicks and 30 Mils of total travel over 3 revolutions, which is great for fine-tuning your aim. The side focus parallax adjustment helps sharpen your target image at different distances, enhancing accuracy. Weighing about 1.88 pounds, it is lighter than many scopes in its class, which helps reduce the overall load on your rifle without sacrificing ruggedness. Plus, it’s waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof, so it’s ready for tough outdoor conditions.

This scope is well suited for hunters and marksmen who value precision, durability, and a clear image across variable distances. However, those seeking night vision compatibility or specialized features for extreme low-light performance may want to consider other options.

Rating
9.4
Magnification
Reticle
Turrets

Most important from
13 reviews

Magnification
The magnification range and bright objective lens maintain crisp, bright images even in challenging light situations.
Reticle
The reticle is clear and easy to read, making precise shot adjustments straightforward without clutter.
Turrets
Tactile, low-profile turrets offer precise and intuitive adjustments for fine-tuning shots with confidence.

Buying Guide for the Best Leupold Scopes

Choosing the right scope for your needs can significantly enhance your shooting experience. Whether you're a hunter, a competitive shooter, or just enjoy target practice, understanding the key specifications of a scope will help you make an informed decision. Here are the main specs to consider when selecting a Leupold scope, along with explanations to guide you through the process.
MagnificationMagnification refers to how much closer the target appears through the scope compared to the naked eye. This is important because it determines how well you can see your target at various distances. Scopes with lower magnification (1-4x) are ideal for close-range shooting and fast target acquisition. Medium magnification (5-9x) is suitable for mid-range distances, while high magnification (10x and above) is best for long-range shooting. Choose the magnification based on the typical distance you will be shooting.
Objective Lens DiameterThe objective lens diameter is the size of the front lens of the scope, measured in millimeters. This spec is important because a larger objective lens allows more light to enter the scope, resulting in a brighter and clearer image. Smaller diameters (20-32mm) are lighter and more compact, suitable for short to mid-range shooting. Medium diameters (40-44mm) offer a good balance of light transmission and size, while larger diameters (50mm and above) are best for low-light conditions and long-range shooting. Consider the lighting conditions and the weight you are comfortable with when choosing the objective lens diameter.
ReticleThe reticle, or crosshair, is the aiming point you see when looking through the scope. Different reticle designs serve various purposes. Simple duplex reticles are easy to use and great for general shooting. BDC (Bullet Drop Compensator) reticles help with long-range shooting by providing holdover points. Mil-dot reticles are useful for range estimation and windage adjustments. Choose a reticle based on your shooting style and the level of precision you need.
Eye ReliefEye relief is the distance between your eye and the scope where you can see the full field of view. This is important for comfort and safety, especially with high-recoil firearms. Scopes with longer eye relief (3.5 inches or more) are better for high-recoil rifles, while shorter eye relief (around 3 inches) is sufficient for low-recoil firearms. Ensure the eye relief is adequate for your firearm to avoid injury and ensure a comfortable shooting experience.
Field of ViewField of view (FOV) is the width of the area you can see through the scope at a specific distance, usually measured in feet at 100 yards. A wider FOV allows you to see more of the target area, which is beneficial for tracking moving targets and situational awareness. Scopes with lower magnification typically offer a wider FOV, while higher magnification narrows the FOV. Consider how important it is for you to see a broader area versus focusing on a specific target when choosing the FOV.
Parallax AdjustmentParallax adjustment helps to eliminate the apparent shift of the reticle when you move your eye position. This is crucial for precision shooting at varying distances. Scopes without parallax adjustment are typically set at a fixed distance (usually 100 yards), which is fine for general shooting. Adjustable parallax (side focus or adjustable objective) is beneficial for long-range shooting and ensures the reticle remains on target regardless of eye position. If you plan to shoot at various distances, consider a scope with parallax adjustment.
TurretsTurrets are the knobs on the scope used to adjust the windage (left/right) and elevation (up/down) of the reticle. Precise and easy-to-use turrets are important for making accurate adjustments. Target turrets are larger and easier to adjust, suitable for long-range and competitive shooting. Low-profile turrets are more compact and less likely to be accidentally moved, ideal for hunting. Choose turrets based on how often you need to make adjustments and the type of shooting you do.

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