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10 Best Leupold Rifle Scopes 2025 in the United States

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Our Top Picks

#1

Winner

Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9x40mm Riflescope, Duplex CDS (174182) (174182)

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,326
Reticle
Turrets and Adjustments
Durability and Weather Resistance

Most important from
505 reviews

Reticle
The Hunt Plex reticle is simple and effective, making it a standout feature for hunters.
Turrets and Adjustments
The CDS dial tracks great, and the glass is clearer and brighter than anything in its price range.
Durability and Weather Resistance
Great scope with basic features, excellent glass, and a lightweight yet tough build.

The Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9x40mm Riflescope (Model No. 174182) is a versatile and reliable option for hunting enthusiasts. It features a Duplex CDS reticle and a matte finish, providing a clear and precise aiming point. The 3-9x magnification range and 40mm objective lens diameter offer flexibility and good light transmission, making it suitable for various hunting conditions.

One of its standout features is the Twilight Light Management System, which adds up to 10 extra minutes of shooting light and reduces glare, ensuring crisp image quality even in low light conditions. This can be a significant advantage during dawn or dusk hunts. Additionally, the riflescope is built with 6061-T6 aircraft-quality aluminum and is 100% waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof, ensuring durability and performance even under harsh recoil and weather conditions.

The precision 1/4 MOA finger click adjustments for windage and elevation allow for accurate and repeatable adjustments, which is essential for maintaining accuracy over time. The scope is relatively lightweight at 1.2 pounds, making it easy to handle and mount on your rifle. The lifetime guarantee offered by Leupold further adds to its appeal, ensuring you can rely on this scope for years to come. This riflescope is best suited for hunters looking for a durable, high-quality scope that performs well in various lighting conditions and offers precise adjustments.

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,326
Reticle
Turrets and Adjustments
Durability and Weather Resistance

Most important from
505 reviews

Reticle
The Hunt Plex reticle is simple and effective, making it a standout feature for hunters.
Turrets and Adjustments
The CDS dial tracks great, and the glass is clearer and brighter than anything in its price range.
Durability and Weather Resistance
Great scope with basic features, excellent glass, and a lightweight yet tough build.
#2

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

Rating
10.0
Reticle
Turrets and Adjustments
Parallax Adjustment

Most important from
318 reviews

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.

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.

Rating
10.0
Reticle
Turrets and Adjustments
Parallax Adjustment

Most important from
318 reviews

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.
#3

Leupold Mark 5HD 5-25x56 (35mm) M5C3 FFP Tremor 3 Dark Earth Riflescope

Rating
9.9
Magnification
Reticle

Most important from
34 reviews

Magnification
The quality of the glass is crystal clear throughout the magnification range, and the scope is significantly lighter than the competition.
Reticle
Firm clicks on the dials and the excellent optical clarity enhance the user experience, even with a busy reticle.

The Leupold Mark 5HD 5-25x56 (35mm) M5C3 FFP Tremor 3 Dark Earth Riflescope stands out with its impressive magnification range of 5-25x, making it suitable for long-range shooting. The objective lens diameter of 56mm allows for excellent light transmission, ensuring clear and bright images even in low light conditions. The Front Focal Plane (FFP) reticle is particularly useful as it magnifies with the image, aiding in range estimation at any magnification setting.

Designed with durability in mind, this scope is 100% waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof, which means it can withstand harsh environmental conditions without compromising performance. The aluminum construction adds to its robustness while keeping the weight relatively low at 20 ounces. The scope features a Tactical Milling Reticle (TMR), which is ideal for precision shooting and adjustments.

The professional-grade optical system reduces glare and provides high resolution and clarity, which is beneficial for professional guides and shooters. However, the scope lacks night vision capabilities, which might be a limitation for those who need to shoot in complete darkness. Additionally, the integral mount is convenient but may restrict flexibility if you prefer custom mounting solutions. The Leupold Mark 5HD 5-25x56 is a high-quality, durable riflescope that offers excellent optics and is well-suited for serious shooters and professionals looking for reliability and precision.

Rating
9.9
Magnification
Reticle

Most important from
34 reviews

Magnification
The quality of the glass is crystal clear throughout the magnification range, and the scope is significantly lighter than the competition.
Reticle
Firm clicks on the dials and the excellent optical clarity enhance the user experience, even with a busy reticle.

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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