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6 Best Leupold Scopes 2025 in the United States

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Our Top Picks

#1

Winner

Leupold VX-3HD 3.5-10x40 (30mm) CDS-ZL Illum. FireDot Twilight Hunter Reticle Riflescope

Rating
9.9
Chosen by1,492
Reticle

Most important from
130 reviews

Reticle
The FireDot reticle makes aiming too easy, enhancing the overall hunting experience.

The Leupold VX-3HD 3.5-10x40 riflescope is a reliable option for hunting enthusiasts. With a variable magnification range of 3.5x to 10x, it provides flexibility for different shooting distances. The 40mm objective lens diameter allows for clear and bright images, especially in low-light conditions, which is enhanced by the Illuminated FireDot Twilight Hunter reticle. This illuminated reticle also features Motion Sensor Technology (MST), which helps conserve battery life by deactivating when not in use and reactivating with movement detection.

The scope offers a comfortable 3-inch eye relief, which is essential for preventing eye strain during extended use. The CDS-ZL (ZeroLock) turrets are user-friendly, providing quick and precise elevation adjustments while preventing accidental changes, thanks to the ZeroLock system. One notable feature is the Custom Dial System (CDS), allowing users to customize their bullet-drop dial for specific ballistics.

The construction is robust, being waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof, and it comes with Leupold's full lifetime guarantee, ensuring durability and reliability. At 447 grams, it is relatively lightweight, making it easy to handle and mount on rifles. The Leupold VX-3HD 3.5-10x40 riflescope is a versatile and high-quality choice for hunters, offering excellent optical performance and user-friendly features, though it may lack some advanced adjustments preferred by precision shooters.

Rating
9.9
Chosen by1,492
Reticle

Most important from
130 reviews

Reticle
The FireDot reticle makes aiming too easy, enhancing the overall hunting experience.
#2

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

Rating
9.8
Reticle
Parallax Adjustment
Turrets

Most important from
319 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
9.8
Reticle
Parallax Adjustment
Turrets

Most important from
319 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 4HD 8-32x56 (34mm) M5C3 Side Focus FFP PR2-Mil Riflescope

Rating
9.7
Magnification
Reticle
Parallax Adjustment

Most important from
3 reviews

Magnification
Maintains clarity at its highest magnification of 32x.
Reticle
The only missing feature is an illuminated reticle, but it checks all other boxes.
Parallax Adjustment
Parallax adjustment is quick and responsive.

The Leupold Mark 4HD 8-32x56 (34mm) M5C3 Side Focus FFP PR2-Mil Riflescope is a high-end optical device designed for professional shooters and hunters. Its magnification range from 8x to 32x allows for precision targeting at varying distances, making it versatile for both close and long-range shooting. The large 56mm objective lens ensures excellent light transmission, which is crucial for clear visibility in low-light conditions. The First Focal Plane (FFP) reticle is a significant advantage, as it scales with magnification, allowing for accurate range estimation at any setting. This scope features a Mil-Dot reticle, which is beneficial for those who prefer precision measurement and adjustments in the field.

The field of view will narrow as the magnification increases, but this trade-off is typical for high-magnification scopes. Parallax adjustment and turrets are crucial for fine-tuning the scope, and the M5C3 turrets are designed for precise adjustments. The scope's build quality is robust, being waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof, which ensures durability in various weather conditions.

One downside could be its weight (1.29 kg), making it somewhat heavy, which might be a consideration for long hunting trips. The scope is backed by Leupold's legendary customer care, adding a layer of reliability and support for the user. This riflescope would be highly beneficial for professional guides, shooters, and serious hunters who demand precision and durability in their optical devices.

Rating
9.7
Magnification
Reticle
Parallax Adjustment

Most important from
3 reviews

Magnification
Maintains clarity at its highest magnification of 32x.
Reticle
The only missing feature is an illuminated reticle, but it checks all other boxes.
Parallax Adjustment
Parallax adjustment is quick and responsive.

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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