It can be hard to find the right scope. There are a lot of companies out there, many of them making inferior products. Where do you start looking if you need a quality scope maker?
If you are looking for a scope that will give you excellent performance and durability at a reasonable price, you should consider Leupold. Here, we’ll introduce you to some of the best and most affordable Leupold scopes and help you pick out the perfect one.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Leupold Scopes
- OUR TOP PICK: Leupold VX-2 4-12x40mm
- BEST LEUPOLD SCOPE FOR A 270: Leupold VX-1 3-9x40mm
- BEST LEUPOLD SCOPE FOR AR15: Leupold VX-3i 3.5-10x50mm
Best Leupold Scopes Comparison Chart
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Who is Leupold?
Leupold is the maker of some of the highest quality performance hunting scopes. Founded in 1907, the company was originally a maker of surveying equipment. Leupold only began manufacturing hunting scopes when one of its owners missed a buck on a foggy day. Frustrated, he claimed he could make a better scope.
Ever since, Leupold has been designing some of the highest quality scopes that you can find. Their scopes are designed mainly for hunting but they make a wide range of products.
The company is known for producing some of the highest quality lenses you can find. Fortunately, they also make a range of affordable rifle scopes. Although cheaper than Leupold’s flagship products, these scopes still feature the same high-end optics that made Leupold famous.
How Do Leupold Scopes Compare to the Competition?
Leupold scopes are some of the best scopes that you can find. Here are some of the main areas where they stand out:
Accuracy
Leupold scopes are meant to be some of the most accurate scopes out there. To that purpose, they feature some of the finest lens systems, with great brightness and sharp resolution. The lenses are also designed to work in a variety of lighting conditions. That means you won’t miss a shot because the sun suddenly came out from behind the clouds.
Durability
Designed for performance, Leupold scopes are also built to last. The bodies of their scopes are always well-built, so they can take a beating when you are hunting in rugged terrain. And their lenses have an excellent coating that gives them some of the best abrasion protection you’ll find in any scope
L.P. Brezny shooting the Best Leupold Scopes (Source)
Fogproofing
Leupold scopes stand out for their performance in foggy conditions.
Price
Leupold offers high-performance, durable scopes at prices that are affordable.
Review of the Best Scopes from Leupold
Let’s dive into the reviews on the Leupold scopes. The company makes a wide range of different scopes, all of them with unique strengths. There’s no one scope that is best for everyone, so compare the main features of each scope to see which one is right for you.
Best Overall:
Leupold VX-2 4-12x40mm
This is one of the most popular scopes offered by Leupold. The reason? It offers excellent, versatile performance and durability in a moderately-priced package.
Where this scope stands out is with its light transmission. It has an index matched lens system, which means that you’ll get a bright, clear image in just about any lighting conditions.
The duplex reticle is excellent and performs well at all magnification settings. The scope also has excellent, quick sighting that means you can always track your target.
It has the company’s DiamondCoat protective coating on the lenses, which gives them a durable outer layer with excellent anti-abrasion properties.
What’s the downside to the VX-2? It’s not the best option if your main focus is tactical shooting.
The VX-2 is great at various distances and features all of the durability and lens clarity you’d expect from the company. And it has just about the best light transmission you’ll find in a Leupold scope. Because of its versatility, it is the best overall Leupold scope.
Best Leupold Scope for a 270:
Leupold VX-1 3-9x40mm
This is one of the better all-around scopes from Leupold, featuring sturdy, durable construction with excellent optics. It is also one of the most affordable options the company offers.
Like all Leupold scopes, this one features excellent brightness, clarity, and contrast. This means you’ll get excellent accuracy at a wide range of distances. The scope also features an excellent reticle that gives you quick sighting, great for game that moves around quickly.
Because of its versatility and performance in a wide range of lighting conditions, it’s a great scope for a 270, especially if you plan on hunting game such as deer at variable distances. Its great durability and anti-abrasion lens make it an excellent choice if you are hunting in rugged conditions.
Best Leupold Scope for AR15:
Leupold VX-3i 3.5-10x50mm
This scope is excellent for those that need a high-performance scope that will perform at various distances.
It has the clarity, brightness, and contrast you’ll need, no matter the lighting conditions. And the finger click adjustments are excellent, giving you smooth and precise movement that will help you focus on the target.
The scope features DiamondCoat 2, the next generation of the company’s coating technology. This gives it some of the best light transmission you’ll find with a Leupold scope and it means the lens has some of the best abrasion protection you can find. It has a generous eye box, which makes it an excellent choice if you are looking to mount the scope on something like an AR-15.
This is one of the best scopes that Leupold makes. It’s an excellent upgrade over the earlier VX models and gives you greater light transmission and clarity. It will cost you more than other Leupold options, but it’s an excellent choice if you need a high-performance scope for your AR-15.
Best Leupold Scope for 300 Win Mag:
Leupold VX-3i 4.5-14x50mm
The lens on this scope features the DiamondCoat 2 system, which gives it some of the best light transmission you will find in any scope. Also, its anti-abrasion performance is excellent, keeping the lens safe in rugged terrain.
The long focal length and long distance magnification make this an excellent choice for those that are using a 300 Win mag for hunting.
Because it is a newer model, this scope will cost you more than some other Leupold options and it’s not a great choice for those that need a scope for short range hunting, as it has a fairly narrow field of view.
With excellent magnification and incredible lens clarity, this scope is the best choice for those that want a high-performance Leupold scope for long distance hunting.
Best Leupold Scope for the Money:
Leupold VX-Freedom 4-12x40mm
This is one of the best options for those that want to dip their toe into the world of high-end Leupold optics without spending too much money.
The lens is clear and bright, with great contrast. This makes it one of the most accurate scopes in its class. The reticle is basic but functional, giving you excellent sighting. And the scope has some of the best zeroing that you’ll find for a scope in this price range.
The zoom ring is smooth and responsive, so you won’t have any issues getting to the right magnification.
For the money, it’s hard to do better than the VX-Freedom. Excellent sighting, clear and bright optics, and a durable build make this one of the best Leupold scopes out there.
Best Leupold Spotting Scope:
Leupold SX-1 Ventana 2 15-45x60mm
Leupold makes more than just scopes to mount on your rifle. This is an excellent spotting scope and one of the best that you’ll find at its price range.
It's built with the same durable body and lens protection that you’ll find in the hunting scopes. It really is waterproof and fog proof, so it’s a great choice if you plan on shooting or hunting in areas where the weather can be rough.
The scope stands out for its focusing. It gives some of the sharpest images you’ll find in a spotting scope in this class. Adjustments are also smooth and responsive. That means you won’t overshoot as you try to focus and end up with a blurry image.
The magnification goes up to 45x, giving you plenty of range. However, some users report blurry images at higher magnification levels.
With its clear images, excellent range, and sturdy build, this is the best Leupold spotting scope and one of the best spotting scopes you can find at this price range.
Best Leupold Scope for 243:
Leupold VX-1 3-9x50
The VX-1 line of scopes is some of the most popular Leupold scopes, offering excellent optics and great durability for an affordable price. The VX-1 3-9x50 is the best scope in the line for those that need this same performance, but with a slightly longer focal length.
It has excellent optics, ensuring that you are as accurate as possible. The multi-coat, four lens system gives great clarity and brightness. It won’t blow you away if you are used to expensive optics, but it’s unbeatable for a scope at this price range.
The reticle is also great, although a bit basic. This might bother some users, but others may appreciate its simplicity. It will give you quick sighting, allowing you to easily track targets.
This is a great scope for those that need high-end performance for mid to long-distance hunting. Its quick sighting and magnification range make it an excellent choice for those using a 243 rifle.
Conclusion
It’s hard to go wrong when picking a Leupold scope. Nearly every scope the company makes is worth buying, offering excellent optics and durability.
However, you should still look for a scope that fits your particular needs. With our guide and reviews, you will find the Leupold scope that is perfect for you.
