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10 Best Leupold Scopes 2025 in the United States

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Our Top Picks

#1

Winner

Leupold Mark 5HD 3.6-18x44mm Riflescope

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,314
Reticle

Most important from
24 reviews

Reticle
The CCH reticle is excellent for hunting, particularly for moving targets.

The Leupold Mark 5HD 3.6-18x44mm Riflescope is designed primarily for serious hunters and precision shooters who need reliable performance in various conditions. Its magnification range of 3.6x to 18x allows for versatility, whether you're targeting at close range or taking a shot from a distance. The 44mm objective lens diameter helps to gather more light, which is beneficial in low-light situations.

One of the standout features is the First Focal Plane (FFP) reticle, which ensures that the reticle scales with the magnification, allowing for accurate range estimation at any zoom level. This is particularly useful for hunters who need to quickly adjust for distance. The M5C3 turrets offer precise adjustments with a low profile, enabling easy tracking without getting disoriented during adjustments. Additionally, the scope is built to be durable, being waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof, which means it can withstand the rigors of outdoor use.

Weighing in at only 1.62 pounds, it’s significantly lighter than similar scopes, enhancing portability without sacrificing sturdiness. The lifetime guarantee from Leupold adds peace of mind regarding its longevity and reliability. The price point can be a drawback, as it might be considered high for casual users or beginners. Some users might also find the adjustment dials a bit stiff, requiring more effort to turn than expected.

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,314
Reticle

Most important from
24 reviews

Reticle
The CCH reticle is excellent for hunting, particularly for moving targets.
#2

Leupold VX-3HD 3.5-10x40 (30mm) CDS-ZL Illum. FireDot Twilight Hunter Reticle Riflescope

Rating
10.0
Reticle

Most important from
130 reviews

Reticle
The FireDot reticle makes aiming too easy, enhancing the overall hunting experience.

The Leupold VX-3HD 3.5-10x40 riflescope is a reliable option for hunting enthusiasts. With a variable magnification range of 3.5x to 10x, it provides flexibility for different shooting distances. The 40mm objective lens diameter allows for clear and bright images, especially in low-light conditions, which is enhanced by the Illuminated FireDot Twilight Hunter reticle. This illuminated reticle also features Motion Sensor Technology (MST), which helps conserve battery life by deactivating when not in use and reactivating with movement detection.

The scope offers a comfortable 3-inch eye relief, which is essential for preventing eye strain during extended use. The CDS-ZL (ZeroLock) turrets are user-friendly, providing quick and precise elevation adjustments while preventing accidental changes, thanks to the ZeroLock system. One notable feature is the Custom Dial System (CDS), allowing users to customize their bullet-drop dial for specific ballistics.

The construction is robust, being waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof, and it comes with Leupold's full lifetime guarantee, ensuring durability and reliability. At 447 grams, it is relatively lightweight, making it easy to handle and mount on rifles. The Leupold VX-3HD 3.5-10x40 riflescope is a versatile and high-quality choice for hunters, offering excellent optical performance and user-friendly features, though it may lack some advanced adjustments preferred by precision shooters.

Rating
10.0
Reticle

Most important from
130 reviews

Reticle
The FireDot reticle makes aiming too easy, enhancing the overall hunting experience.
#3

Leupold Mark 5HD 3.6-18x44 (35mm) M5C3 FFP PR2-MIL Dark Earth Riflescope

Rating
9.9
Objective Lens Diameter
Reticle
Turrets

Most important from
24 reviews

Objective Lens Diameter
Optical clarity is outstanding, delivering bright and clear images suited for various lighting conditions.
Reticle
The CCH reticle excels for hunting, providing reliable holds even on moving targets.
Turrets
Initial tracking inconsistencies are likely due to a break-in period for the internal springs, after which performance stabilizes significantly.

The Leupold Mark 5HD 3.6-18x44 riflescope is designed for serious shooters and hunters who want professional-level performance. Its magnification range from 3.6x to 18x makes it versatile, allowing clear views at both close and long distances. The 44mm objective lens is a solid size that gathers plenty of light, which helps provide bright and clear images, even in challenging lighting conditions like dawn or dusk. The scope features a front focal plane (FFP) reticle, meaning the reticle changes size with magnification, making range estimation more accurate at any zoom level—a useful feature if you need precise shooting adjustments. Leupold’s proprietary glare reduction and high optical clarity further improve visibility in tough light. With a field of view of about 28 feet at 100 yards, you get a good balance between seeing enough of the area while zoomed in and still maintaining detail.

The scope is made from durable aluminum, is fully waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof, ensuring reliability in harsh outdoor conditions. Its turrets and parallax adjustments are designed for quick and precise changes, which is important for long-range accuracy. The dark earth finish adds a tactical yet natural look for hunting environments. One minor point is that it doesn’t have night vision compatibility, so it’s best suited for daylight or low-light use without specialized gear. While its price and features cater more to experienced shooters or professionals rather than casual users, this scope offers excellent optics, rugged build, and precise controls, making it a great fit for hunting and tactical shooting where quality and dependability are key.

Rating
9.9
Objective Lens Diameter
Reticle
Turrets

Most important from
24 reviews

Objective Lens Diameter
Optical clarity is outstanding, delivering bright and clear images suited for various lighting conditions.
Reticle
The CCH reticle excels for hunting, providing reliable holds even on moving targets.
Turrets
Initial tracking inconsistencies are likely due to a break-in period for the internal springs, after which performance stabilizes significantly.

Buying Guide for the Best Leupold Scopes

Choosing the right scope for your needs can significantly enhance your shooting experience. Whether you're a hunter, a competitive shooter, or just enjoy target practice, understanding the key specifications of a scope will help you make an informed decision. Here are the main specs to consider when selecting a Leupold scope, along with explanations to guide you through the process.
MagnificationMagnification refers to how much closer the target appears through the scope compared to the naked eye. This is important because it determines how well you can see your target at various distances. Scopes with lower magnification (1-4x) are ideal for close-range shooting and fast target acquisition. Medium magnification (5-9x) is suitable for mid-range distances, while high magnification (10x and above) is best for long-range shooting. Choose the magnification based on the typical distance you will be shooting.
Objective Lens DiameterThe objective lens diameter is the size of the front lens of the scope, measured in millimeters. This spec is important because a larger objective lens allows more light to enter the scope, resulting in a brighter and clearer image. Smaller diameters (20-32mm) are lighter and more compact, suitable for short to mid-range shooting. Medium diameters (40-44mm) offer a good balance of light transmission and size, while larger diameters (50mm and above) are best for low-light conditions and long-range shooting. Consider the lighting conditions and the weight you are comfortable with when choosing the objective lens diameter.
ReticleThe reticle, or crosshair, is the aiming point you see when looking through the scope. Different reticle designs serve various purposes. Simple duplex reticles are easy to use and great for general shooting. BDC (Bullet Drop Compensator) reticles help with long-range shooting by providing holdover points. Mil-dot reticles are useful for range estimation and windage adjustments. Choose a reticle based on your shooting style and the level of precision you need.
Eye ReliefEye relief is the distance between your eye and the scope where you can see the full field of view. This is important for comfort and safety, especially with high-recoil firearms. Scopes with longer eye relief (3.5 inches or more) are better for high-recoil rifles, while shorter eye relief (around 3 inches) is sufficient for low-recoil firearms. Ensure the eye relief is adequate for your firearm to avoid injury and ensure a comfortable shooting experience.
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 allows you to see more of the target area, which is beneficial for tracking moving targets and situational awareness. Scopes with lower magnification typically offer a wider FOV, while higher magnification narrows the FOV. Consider how important it is for you to see a broader area versus focusing on a specific target when choosing the FOV.
Parallax AdjustmentParallax adjustment helps to eliminate the apparent shift of the reticle when you move your eye position. This is crucial for precision shooting at varying distances. Scopes without parallax adjustment are typically set at a fixed distance (usually 100 yards), which is fine for general shooting. Adjustable parallax (side focus or adjustable objective) is beneficial for long-range shooting and ensures the reticle remains on target regardless of eye position. If you plan to shoot at various distances, consider a scope with parallax adjustment.
TurretsTurrets are the knobs on the scope used to adjust the windage (left/right) and elevation (up/down) of the reticle. Precise and easy-to-use turrets are important for making accurate adjustments. Target turrets are larger and easier to adjust, suitable for long-range and competitive shooting. Low-profile turrets are more compact and less likely to be accidentally moved, ideal for hunting. Choose turrets based on how often you need to make adjustments and the type of shooting you do.

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