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8 Best Leupold Rifle Scopes 2025 in the United States

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Our Top Picks

#1

Winner

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

The Leupold VX-5HD 3-15x44 riflescope is an excellent choice for hunters and shooters looking for a high-quality, durable scope. Its magnification range of 3x to 15x provides flexibility for various shooting distances, and the 44mm objective lens ensures bright and clear images. The Fine Duplex reticle is user-friendly, making it easier for accurate targeting. With the CDS-ZL2 system, you get precise elevation adjustments and the added security of preventing accidental changes.

The Side Focus Parallax Adjustment enhances accuracy by allowing quick and easy focus from any position. The Guard-ion lens coating is particularly valuable as it repels water and dirt, maintaining clear visibility in different weather conditions. Built to last, this scope is waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof, and it's backed by Leupold's lifetime guarantee, which speaks volumes about its durability and reliability.

However, weighing 1.2 pounds, it might be a bit heavy for some users. Additionally, the price could be on the higher side for those on a tight budget. Despite these minor drawbacks, its performance and build quality make it a top contender in the rifle scope market.

Customer Highlights

A summary of real customer reviews to highlight what shoppers are saying!
Reticle
The reticle is just as I like it, not too busy, with only horizontal hashes.
Turrets and Adjustments
Turrets have a nice tactile click at 0.25 MOA per adjustment.
Parallax Adjustment
The side parallax adjustment ensures the reticle doesn't shift across the target if your head moves.
#2

Leupold Mark 5HD 3.6-18x44mm Riflescope

The Leupold Mark 5HD 3.6-18x44mm Riflescope is a high-quality option for hunting and shooting enthusiasts. It offers a versatile magnification range of 3.6x to 18x, making it ideal for both close and long-range targeting. The 44mm objective lens ensures clear and bright images, while the First Focal Plane (FFP) reticle adjusts with magnification, helping with precise range estimation at any zoom level. The Illuminated Tremor 3 reticle is particularly beneficial for low-light conditions.

The scope features M5C3 turrets, providing precise adjustments with clear tactile feedback, ensuring you stay on target without confusion during adjustments. Durability is a key strength, with the scope being waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof, making it suitable for various weather conditions. Weighing less than many competitors in its class, it is easy to handle and mount on different platforms.

The riflescope is designed, machined, and assembled in the USA, backed by Leupold's renowned customer care and lifetime guarantee, ensuring long-term reliability. On the downside, the product's price might be steep for some users, and its current best-sellers rank suggests it’s not as widely adopted as some other scopes. Additionally, while the night vision capability is a plus, it might not be the strongest feature compared to specialized night vision scopes. This riflescope is well-suited for serious hunters and shooters who value precision, durability, and reliable performance across various conditions.

Customer Highlights

A summary of real customer reviews to highlight what shoppers are saying!
Reticle
The CCH reticle is excellent for hunting, especially for moving targets.
Durability and Weather Resistance
This scope is incredibly tough and light, perfect for mounting on various firearms.
#3

Leupold VX-6HD 3-18x44 (30mm) CDS-ZL2 Side Focus Illum. FireDot Duplex Reticle Riflescope

The Leupold VX-6HD 3-18x44 Riflescope stands out with its versatile 3-18x magnification, making it suitable for various hunting scenarios, from close to long-range. The 44mm objective lens diameter allows for a decent amount of light transmission, ensuring clear images even in low-light conditions. The FireDot Duplex reticle is illuminated and equipped with Motion Sensor Technology, which conserves battery life and enhances target acquisition in dim environments. Additionally, the reticle flashes when the scope is not level, aiding in making more accurate shots. Eye relief at 3.7 inches is adequate for comfortable viewing without strain.

The field of view is sufficient, helping in quickly spotting and tracking targets. The CDS-ZL2 turrets offer precise elevation adjustments with a lock feature to prevent accidental movements, and the custom dial system can be tailored to specific ballistics, adding to its precision. Parallax adjustment capability further enhances accuracy for long-range shooting. The scope is built to last, with an aluminum body that is waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof, ensuring durability in various weather conditions.

However, it is relatively heavy at 2 pounds, which might be a consideration for those who prefer lighter gear. The product is backed by Leupold's lifetime guarantee, reflecting their confidence in the scope's quality and craftsmanship. This riflescope is an excellent choice for hunters and shooting enthusiasts seeking a reliable, high-performance scope with advanced features, but those looking for a lightweight option might need to consider other models.

Customer Highlights

A summary of real customer reviews to highlight what shoppers are saying!
Field of View
The V6 at half the price of a Swarovski scope is just as great, offering bright, clear images and a wide field of view.
Reticle
The FireDot reticle helps bring the crosshairs onto the target quickly, with a low glow being ideal for visibility without being too bright.

Buying Guide for the Best Leupold Rifle Scopes

Choosing the right rifle scope is crucial for enhancing your shooting accuracy and overall experience. A good rifle scope can make a significant difference in your ability to hit targets at various distances, in different lighting conditions, and in diverse environments. When selecting a rifle scope, it's important to consider several key specifications that will determine how well the scope meets your needs. Understanding these specifications will help you make an informed decision and ensure that you get the best fit for your shooting requirements.
MagnificationMagnification refers to how much closer the target appears through the scope compared to the naked eye. This is important because it affects your ability to see and aim at distant targets. Scopes typically have fixed or variable magnification. Fixed magnification scopes are simpler and often more durable, while variable magnification scopes offer more flexibility. For general hunting, a 3-9x magnification range is common, while long-range shooting might require 10x or higher. Choose a magnification based on the typical distance of your targets and the type of shooting you plan to do.
Objective Lens DiameterThe objective lens diameter is the size of the front lens of the scope, measured in millimeters. This spec is important because it affects the amount of light that enters the scope, impacting image brightness and clarity. Larger objective lenses (e.g., 50mm) allow more light and are better for low-light conditions, but they can make the scope heavier and bulkier. Smaller lenses (e.g., 32mm) are lighter and more compact but may not perform as well in dim lighting. Consider the balance between light-gathering ability and the weight/size of the scope based on your shooting environment.
ReticleThe reticle, or crosshair, is the aiming point you see when looking through the scope. Reticles come in various designs, such as duplex, mil-dot, and BDC (bullet drop compensator). The choice of reticle is important because it affects how you aim and compensate for factors like bullet drop and windage. A simple duplex reticle is good for general hunting, while a mil-dot reticle is useful for range estimation and long-range shooting. Choose a reticle that matches your shooting style and the complexity of your aiming needs.
Eye ReliefEye relief is the distance between your eye and the scope at which you can see the full image. This is important for comfort and safety, especially with high-recoil rifles. Longer eye relief (e.g., 4 inches or more) is better for powerful rifles to prevent the scope from hitting your face during recoil. Shorter eye relief (e.g., 3 inches) can be acceptable for low-recoil firearms. Consider the recoil of your rifle and your comfort when choosing the appropriate eye relief.
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 is important for tracking moving targets and situational awareness. Scopes with lower magnification typically offer a wider FOV, while higher magnification narrows the FOV. If you need to track fast-moving targets or require a broad view of your surroundings, opt for a scope with a wider FOV. For precision shooting at long distances, a narrower FOV may be acceptable.
Turrets and AdjustmentsTurrets are the knobs on the scope that allow you to adjust the windage (left/right) and elevation (up/down) of the reticle. This is important for zeroing your scope and making precise adjustments for different shooting conditions. Some scopes have exposed turrets for quick adjustments, while others have capped turrets to prevent accidental changes. Consider whether you need quick access to adjustments or prefer a more protected setup. Also, check if the adjustments are in MOA (minutes of angle) or MRAD (milliradians) and choose based on your familiarity and preference.
Parallax AdjustmentParallax adjustment helps to eliminate the parallax error, which occurs when the reticle appears to move relative to the target when you shift your eye position. This is important for maintaining accuracy, especially at longer distances. Some scopes have a fixed parallax setting, while others offer adjustable parallax. For general hunting and short to mid-range shooting, a fixed parallax setting is often sufficient. For long-range precision shooting, an adjustable parallax is beneficial to ensure the reticle remains on target regardless of eye position.
Durability and Weather ResistanceDurability and weather resistance are crucial for ensuring your scope can withstand harsh conditions and rough handling. Look for scopes that are shockproof, waterproof, and fog-proof. These features are important for maintaining performance in various environments, from rain and snow to extreme temperatures. Consider the typical conditions you'll be shooting in and choose a scope that offers the necessary protection to ensure reliability and longevity.

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