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10 Best Leupold Rifle Scopes 2025 in the United States

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Our technology thoroughly searches through the online shopping world, reviewing hundreds of sites. We then process and analyze this information, updating in real-time to bring you the latest top-rated products. This way, you always get the best and most current options available.

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Our Top Picks

#1

Winner

Leupold VX-6HD 3-18x50 (30mm) CDS-ZL2 Side Focus Illum. TMOA Reticle Riflescope

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,354
Magnification
Objective Lens Diameter
Reticle

Most important from
49 reviews

Magnification
Optical clarity is outstanding, making targets appear crisp and detailed at various magnifications.
Objective Lens Diameter
Exceptional light gathering delivers clear, bright images even in challenging lighting conditions.
Reticle
The HD FireDot reticle enhances aiming clarity with bright, easy-to-see illumination.
Turrets and Adjustments
The custom top turret dial simplifies range adjustments, letting you dial in without second-guessing elevation settings.
Durability and Weather Resistance
Build quality and finish reflect the high standards expected from a premium Leupold optic.

The Leupold VX-6HD 3-18x50 riflescope is a solid choice for hunters needing a versatile, high-quality optic. It offers a broad magnification range from 3x up to 18x, which covers both close-range and long-range shooting scenarios well. The large 50mm objective lens helps gather a good amount of light, making it easier to see targets in low-light conditions like dawn or dusk. Its T-MOA reticle is illuminated, which adds convenience for aiming in varying light situations without being overly complicated. The side focus parallax adjustment allows you to fine-tune your view for clearer, sharper images at different distances, which is important for precision. Eye relief and field of view are comfortable for typical hunting rifles, helping reduce eye strain and maintain situational awareness.

The scope is made from durable aluminum, giving it a lightweight feel (only 0.4 pounds) yet solid build quality that can handle rough outdoor use. Weather resistance is supported by the brand's reputation and materials. One potential downside is that this model doesn't support night vision, so it’s less suitable if you plan to hunt in very dark environments. Also, while it has a dependable adjustment turret system, it may not be as quick to dial as some tactical scopes designed for rapid changes. The Leupold lifetime warranty is a major plus, providing peace of mind with repairs or replacement no matter the ownership length.

This riflescope is well-suited for hunters who want a reliable, flexible scope with good light gathering, clear optics, and trusted durability. It balances performance with user-friendly features and is best for daylight or low-light hunting rather than night operations.

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,354
Magnification
Objective Lens Diameter
Reticle

Most important from
49 reviews

Magnification
Optical clarity is outstanding, making targets appear crisp and detailed at various magnifications.
Objective Lens Diameter
Exceptional light gathering delivers clear, bright images even in challenging lighting conditions.
Reticle
The HD FireDot reticle enhances aiming clarity with bright, easy-to-see illumination.
Turrets and Adjustments
The custom top turret dial simplifies range adjustments, letting you dial in without second-guessing elevation settings.
Durability and Weather Resistance
Build quality and finish reflect the high standards expected from a premium Leupold optic.
#2

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

Rating
10.0
Reticle
Turrets and Adjustments
Durability and Weather Resistance

Most important from
512 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
Reticle
Turrets and Adjustments
Durability and Weather Resistance

Most important from
512 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.

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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