Thanks for the article. Objective Diameter (in) 1.60 The reticle subtends along the horizontal axis in 1-­MOA increments. Leupold was quick to embrace the .350 Legend cartridge. Muzzle velocity is especially critical. Leupold’s Custom Dial System® (CDS®) helps you easily compensate for bullet drop and make ultra-quick adjustments on the fly. From the center of the reticle, there are 10 MOAs in each direction. Leupold sent me the CDS dial for the ammunition I use most (Browning matrix tip 155 grain) and it works incredibly well out to 500 yards (as far as I can go on the home range). It is the kind of scope that can guarantee you a shot of a lifetime. We’ll customize your scope’s elevation dial to match your exact load, velocity, and conditions for unprecedented precision. If I’m shooting beyond 500 yards out to, say, 1000 yards (my record is a 735-yard hit on a central Oregon coyote), I really like a 3-18×44 or a 5-25×56. My transition was over. Quantity. When you buy Leupold, you become part o One big decision you need to make when choosing a scope is whether you need a scope with adjustable parallax. For example, the Nightforce 4-14×50 SHV is an outstanding scope, but at 30 ounces, it’s a chunky monkey. For most situations, I would spend the extra $65 and buy the version of the 4.5-14×40 that features a side focus (parallax adjustment) turret and Wind-plex reticle (SKU 177820). Elevation Adjustment Range (MOA) 64.00 For my 6.5 Creedmoor, that gets me out to roughly 700 yards at 7000′ MSL. The user provides ballistic data for a specific load and gun, and Leupold creates a CDS dial engraved with range markings that correspond to the given bullet’s trajectory. All I had to do was turn my new dial to the distance I was shooting and pull the trigger. Leupold is described as making very tough optics as well. Leupold also offers a free custom dial, matching your ballistics, with the purchase of every CDS system. 0 users rated this 3 out of 5 stars 0. Word is that Leupold engineers hate the Punisher, because if the prototype scope fails to perform in any way during the tests, the engineers have to go back to the drawing board, make adjustments, and test it again. The two nodes tell me that I probably have a pressure point on the barrel and need to inlet the stock a bit more to ensure a free-float barrel. This Leupold scope has an easy-to-grip power selector that allows quick zoom changes and a Custom Dial System that allows quick elevation adjustments. The Wind-­Plex reticle subtends along the horizontal axis in increments of one minute of angle (MOA). The Twilight Max Light Management System is the mid-tier coating system and is the one applied to the VX-3i scope line. The clarity, precision and minimal weight of this riflescope are perfect for this application. … In my experience, if the actual conditions are within 20 degrees of the temperature that you cut your turrets for, the custom CDS turret will still be deadly out to 500-600 yards (+/-). Twitter. But you have to remember that on a second focal plane scope, the holdovers are calibrated for only one magnification setting. Leupold VX-3i Rifle Scope - 6.5-20x50mm 30mm Side Focus CDS Target Fine Duplex Matte …accurate at longer ranges, so make sure you have the right scope for the job. Spot it, range it, dial and shoot. I own over 30 samples of their work. Once you range your target, simply turn the dial to the correct position, and aim dead on. Pinterest. I am a caveman when it comes to new gadgets and changing my ways; however, I decided that I was not happy with the limited 300 yard range of my favorite rifle. If you want better (i.e. I was sold, and now I am a huge CDS fan. How well the system works depends on a number of variables, including the selected load, the elevation, and temperature. If I were to take it out West for an elk hunt, for example, I would plug in the numbers for that load and those conditions and buy another dial. Before moving to production, every prototype has to survive 5,000 impacts on the Punisher, which replicates recoil roughly that of three times that of a .308 Win. My most recent edition is the VX-5HD 3-15x44mm, with the FireDot, which rides on a Browning Hell’s Canyon Speed 30-06. If the dial is cut specific to a special pet load, elevation, and temperature, the results can be quite impressive. However, if my preferred elk hunting location is at 8000′ MSL, some additional adjustment will be needed to make the system work. Add to Cart. However, there’s a trend in the hunting community toward longer range hunting, with 500 to 600-yard shots becoming more commonplace, and a few hunters even venturing out as far as 1000 yards and beyond. Leupold scopes with the Leupold CDS System are some of the most accurate ballistic scopes I have had the pleasure of using. The scope uses a 1-inch matte tube, second/rear focal plane, and 3:1 zoom ratio. Leupold Specifications Quick Review magnification range: 2X to 10X scope weight: 16.4 ounces scope length: 12.5 inches eye relief: 3.8 inches scope finish: matte black. Overall: * * * * * Leupold sent me the CDS dial for the ammunition I use most (Browning matrix tip 155 grain) and it works incredibly well out to 500 yards (as far as I can go on the home range). As mentioned above, Leupold’s CDS allows you to switch your elevation turret marking from the MOA standard to a custom BDC turret tuned to your pet load Leupold will send one free laser-marked dial. When it comes to hunting scopes, Leupold has always been my go-to scope brand. Leupold also offers a free custom dial, matching your ballistics, with the purchase of every CDS system. They are rugged and durable, resolve detail in low light, and are very lightweight compared to the competition. Leupold has been around since 1907 and will undoubtedly be around for a good long time. If you know the distance to your target is, say 300 yards, you just turn the elevation dial counterclockwise until you reach the “3” mark. The Leupold VX-3i is the standard by which all other mid-priced scopes are judged. But if your quarry is small (i.e. The Twilight Light Management System is the basic series of lens coating that Leupold applies on its budget-friendly scopes such as the VX-Freedom line. Linear FOV (ft/100 yd) – High 7.40 Here is a brief overview of some of the features of the new for 2013, Leupold VX-6 3-18x44mm CDS riflescope that is the subject of this review: 6:1 zoom ratio. In the case of the American made VX-3i 4.5-14, the hash marks work at the 14X magnification setting. One thing you can see from the target is that my 12 MOA 5-shot group clustered in two very tight nodes. The whole transition from old-school to new-school was painless and the process was simple. As mentioned above, the Leupold VX-3i’s zero stop limits the amount of elevation that I can get out of the turret to around 14.5 MOA. $899.99. Leupold’s golden ring warranty is also famous for its reliability. 4. 1 users rated this 5 out of 5 stars 1. Eye Relief (in) – Low 4.40 Quality: * * * * * While that information may be useless as an objective measure of quality, it does give you a sense of how Leupold rates their three tiers relative to one another. Leupold now adds a significant improvement to their venerable VX-3i design: zero lock turrets on their VX-3i 4.5-14×40 CDS rifle scope. By. For example, I had some of my turrets cut for an altitude of 4000′ MSL, because that’s the elevation of my practice range. They have completely taken the guess work out of shooting long ranges with a rifle and allow users to have the confidence to make accurate shots regardless of distance. Like all Leupold scopes, the VX-3i 4.5-14×40 is very well made right here in the USA is and backed by a great lifetime warranty. Best Selling in Bipods & Monopods. So when I dial 11 on the elevation turret, I need to be able to rely on the fact that the scope will actually dial exactly 11 mils, as opposed to 10 mils, 12 mils, or even 10.7 mils. In addition to having excellent glass, the Leupold VX-5HD … Our test optic is Leupold’s VX-3i CDS-ZL in 3.5-10x40 with the standard Duplex reticle. A 30-ounce scope on a 5 lb. This set-up was supposed to end that old practice and I was eager to give it a try. However, I’ve used other Leupold scopes since the late-1970s and never had a problem. Leupold VX-5HD 2-10x42 CDS-ZL2. 3 In Stock. leupold vx3i CDS-ZL ! I zeroed in at 100 yards and hoped for the best. 0 users rated this 4 out of 5 stars 0. Reticle: * * * Belding ground squirrels) or typically found at longer ranges (i.e. Featuring Leupold’s patented FireDot Reticle System, the VX-R is available in a number of different sizes and strengths, ranging from a 1.25-4x20mm to more powerful 4-12x40mm and 4-12x50mm models. 1241. (1.047 x 12 = 12.56 inches). Facebook. They included most popular magnification ranges, the 1.5-4x20mm, the 2-7x33mm, which is the subject of this review, the 3-9x40mm, as well as the 3-9x50mm and the 4-12x40mm. Now where can I purchase a 3i, 4.5×14, 40mm with a 30 mm tube. As mentioned above, many of the older Leupold VX-3 turret designs didn’t give you any easy way to remember how many rotations you had dialed on your scope. Scope image quality and low light performance are getting better and better, so I have replaced most of my older scopes even though they still technically work. For around $500.00, you get a great scope with adjustable parallax and objective focus rings. My specific dial is good out to over 600 yards, but I think I had better practice some more before taking a poke that far. You can repeat this test using the windage knob to move the POI 3 inches, 6 inches and 12 inches to the right and left of zero, all while using the same target. The nice part about today’s AR platform is that it can be readily modified for virtually any end use. One of my rifles typically needs 11 mils to hit steel at 1000 yards with Federal GMM 175 grain. But if you hunting experience involves short stalks or ambush techniques (tree or ground blinds, etc. Great article, very informative. my kid put a vx-3i on his 6.5 creed ar pattern rifle If you are dialing your elevation, your scope’s ability to accurately and precisely “track” is critical, and it’s an area where problems frequently occur. We’ve been making world-class optics that bear our family name for over 100 years. The windage turret remains a capped design, which is reflective of the fact that few hunters will dial windage solutions. Other Boring Technical Info Reticle. As shown in the photo above, this T&E sample does not have adjustable parallax. And by “mid-range,” I mean that this scope is, generally speaking, optimized for shots between 100-500 yards. At the 2018 NRA Convention in Dallas, Leupold rolled out six additional models to its VX-Freedom line, which Guns & Ammo is in the process of evaluating. Rather, the parallax is set at the factory for 150 yards. ), the weight may not matter as much to you. Length (in) 12.60 But most of the scopes in the mid-power range are 4-16’s, and they typically weigh in it at 21-30 ounces. Really unbelievable, at least for this hunter. rifle is a no-go for me. Modern mid to long distance hunters either use the scope’s turrets to dial in their elevation solution, or use a modern reticle with subtensions for elevation holdovers. In 2018, Leupold launched the VX-Freedom line at the SHOT Show. Twilight Max HD is the same coatings as the Twilight Max, but those coatings are applied to HD optical glass, providing even better resolution, contrast, and color fidelity. If the game you’re hunting is too skittish to allow you the time to dial your firing solution, a more complex reticle with subtensions will be your huckleberry. To use the CDS system successfully, the shooter needs to provide Leupold with key data points: It is critical to get this data correct, because garbage data will result in bad shooting results. Joined Apr 22, 2018 Messages 136. The theory behind a BDC turret is that if the hunter knows the range to the target, the hunter need only turn the dial to that distance hashmark and take the shot. Scope Review: Leupold VX-3i CDS-ZL Optics Line. I’m a big Leupold fan, for binos and scopes. The CDS system is essentially a bullet drop compensation (BDC) device. Trending Price. 5.0. Once installed, the CDS works well, but is limited insomuch as it is calibrated to only one bullet trajectory, and any changes in bullet grain size, temperature, and altitude can affect the results. Leupold VX-3i 6.5-20x40mm EFR CDS Target Rifle Scope. You can also use them at 7X, but in that case each subtension is 2 MOA. Check great and honest reviews! That’s one of the reasons I have 30+ Leupold scopes. There aren’t many serious, rugged, 14x scopes that weigh in at 13 ounces. Think of these three systems as “good, better, best.”. better than any of my $200 scopes but not 3 times as good I haven’t had the opportunity to take this particular sample out for a hunting season yet. The next step was to simply replace your factory dial with the new custom dial. Leupold VX-R Review: Available Models. I tried and tested the Leupold Custom Dial System (CDS), and here is what I learned. FireDot Duplex CDS (172368) Verified Purchase Have several VX6 Leupold Scopes, this VX5 has the clarity and sharpness I need. The VX-3i’s glass is not the best glass Leupold offers, but it is better than anything in its price class. Jan 5, 2020 #1 R. riley Active member. The Leupold CDS dial and custom reticle won’t make you a better shot—that takes hours of practice and pounds of burnt powder—but they will give you confidence that your bullet will go where it’s supposed to when you do your part. I guess if you can hold your head in the exact same spot every shot, then it doesn’t matter that much, but I find that difficult to accomplish in practice. Leupold VX-3i 4.5-14x50mm Side Focus Riflescope, 30mm Side Focus - Duplex (170709) (170709) There’s one limitation inherent with the Leupold dials that you to need to be aware of: because of the zero stop, the CDS system only works with the first revolution of the turret. The Leupold VX-Freedom 3–9x40 CDS Scope is built for simplicity and accuracy. Glass: * * * * * That makes sense, since the VX-3i is now a mid-tier product line for Leupold. I have to report, I am terrified no more! The Leupold VX … I can think of only one reason not to buy this scope for a mid-range hunting rifle. Be the first to write a review. The other thing you can see is that the Leupold scope properly tracked 12.5 inches up at 100 yards when I dialed a 12 MOA elevation solution. I have to say that I really missed that feature, however. And they will still have that same great warranty they have always offered, even though it’s highly unlikely that you will ever need to use it. 2. Just before SHOT Show 2020, Leupold & Stevens, Inc., announced four new models of the VX-3i riflescope line, all featuring the company’s ZeroLock CDS dial for the first time. Made in America I would really have preferred the Wind-Plex reticle, so I will probably have Leupold swap it out at some point. This feature allows the shooter to lock the turret at the zero position. It takes all of two minutes and after that, I was finished. The trend in the industry is to move to 30mm tubes, which provide a greater turret adjustment range. But if the scope if being used on a .308 Win, that will only get you out to 600 yards at the same elevation. $652.49 New; $650.00 Used; No ratings or reviews yet. And, oh man, LOVE that beautiful Boyds stock! One of the sample test targets is shown above. Has the power range 3-15X, I was looking for as well...great warranty as well from Leupold, great scope, good service and communication.... 11 people found this helpful These two particular scopes caught my eye. its the fancy one with the side parallax and bdc reticle Reticle: Duplex (Wind-Plex optional) Really unbelievable, at least for this hunter. Affiliate Disclosure: Evolve Media LLC, and its owned and operated websites may receive a small commission from the proceeds of any product(s) sold through affiliate and direct partner links. The VX-3i takes weight off your rifle while leaving some cash in your pocket, and when ounces equal pounds and pounds equal pain, trimming weight from your rifle is the right answer. I also am a big fan of Leupold, I’ve got maybe 7 different kinds, all but 1 are gold rings, all but 1 are mounted on hunting rifles, the one I have on my A R 15 is different. Thread starter riley; Start date Jan 5, 2020; 1; 2; Next. Josh Wayner-December 28, 2020. This makes it harder to print tiny groups at 50 or 100 yards, and will also have some effect at longer ranges as well. Shop Leupold VX-5HD 3-15x44mm CDS-ZL2 Side Focus Riflescope | Up to 23% Off 4.9 Star Rating on 31 Reviews for Leupold VX-5HD 3-15x44mm CDS-ZL2 Side Focus Riflescope Free 2 Day Shipping + Free Shipping over $49. As much as I think the CDS turret is a great feature to have on any hunting scope, Leupold’s Wind-­Plex reticle is equally important. But the 4.5-14×40 is a great scope for generalist hunting in the mid-ranges, particularly if your eyesight isn’t what they used to be. Again, whether you want a side-focus feature will depend on the type of hunting you do. For my tracking test, I shot to zero at 100 yards, and then dialed 12 MOA and shot again at my “zero” target. HD) glass, you will have to pay for it. I bought the least expensive model of scope that featured the CDS, the Leupold VX2 4-12×40. I shot that test group with my new Boyds Spike camp stock. 1 of 2 Go to page. For the lightweight Kimber 84M rifle featured in this review, I really wanted the lightest weight scope possible with 15X magnification, so I opted not to get the side focus. This equates to 15 MOA of usable elevation adjustment. Thus, when you think about a lifetime warranty, you have to wonder if your scope company is going to be around ten or twenty years from now when you need it. Excellent article. Exact ballistics and conditions for unprecedented precision “ one-MOA ” hash-marks in each direction have to remember on. Its budget-friendly scopes such as the Impact 29 MOA reticle, is a mid-range hunting rifle dial and shoot the... Turrets and weren ’ t really designed for dialing up your firing solutions we,! Think of only one magnification setting that few hunters will dial windage solutions that makes sense since... 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