Leupold Freedom scope reviews
- Thread starter Bad Bob
- Start date
I got one of the Duplex 3-9x40 Freedoms from Prophet River when they were really cheap.
I couldn't be happier. Glass was more clear than I would expect and the new turrets are much nicer than previous VX-1 etc Leupold.
Mine is not CDS so as far as tracking it tracked well when I zeroed it and it hasn't moved.
I couldn't be happier. Glass was more clear than I would expect and the new turrets are much nicer than previous VX-1 etc Leupold.
Mine is not CDS so as far as tracking it tracked well when I zeroed it and it hasn't moved.
- Location
- Western Manitoba
I would echo SJAR in Post #2 - I have bought 3 x 3-9x40 VX Freedom - on a PC-10 in 223 Rem, on a Rem 700 223 Heavy Barrel and on a Rem 783 in 243 Win - and one 2-7x33 Rimfire VX-Freedom - on a BRNO #1 - same experience - turret clicks were perfect - sighted in easily - have never moved, since. View through that glass at least as good as VX-2 - so noticeably brighter and clearer than the VX-1, Vari-X's and M8's that I had been using mostly.
Maybe a bit about how you use one?? When I am hunting, I wear and use binoculars for glassing. My binos are also built in laser range finder. For me, a hunting scope is for a sight - so Weaver, Bushnell, etc. seem to work as well as Leupold for the second or two to find the aiming point, line it up, and fire. A bit more of a challenge when peering at 100 yard or further paper target and trying to see bullet holes. Really good glass in scope and higher magnification saves carting the big spotting scope to the target range - but I do not find those things much advantage when hunting.
Maybe a bit about how you use one?? When I am hunting, I wear and use binoculars for glassing. My binos are also built in laser range finder. For me, a hunting scope is for a sight - so Weaver, Bushnell, etc. seem to work as well as Leupold for the second or two to find the aiming point, line it up, and fire. A bit more of a challenge when peering at 100 yard or further paper target and trying to see bullet holes. Really good glass in scope and higher magnification saves carting the big spotting scope to the target range - but I do not find those things much advantage when hunting.
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I have two Leupold VX Freedoms:
3 - 9x40mm CDS
4 - 12x40mm with 6.5CM reticle
The clarity of the glass is phenomenal in various lighting conditions (I am comparing it to the other scopes I have which are a Vortex and Bushnell). Even my oldest son, who has limited shooting experience noticed a significant different in the clarity of the scope, in clear definitions. The dials/turrets feel solid when adjusting. I have set zero once and it has maintained it well.
Only things I don't like. The 3-9x40 one has a threaded cover for the side windage turret but weirdly no cover (by design) for the elevation turret so it's just exposed (the cover is not missing, it's just not designed to have one - and some websites use stock photos for this scope which incorrectly show a cover for the elevation turret - there's not even threading there for a cover). In contrast, my 4-12x40mm has removable threaded covers for both turrets. Other thing I don't like is that they don't come with removeable protective lens covers (both my Bushnell and Vortex came with protective lens covers, whereas my Primary Arms scope has flip covers. Would have been nice if Leupold included even a rubber removable lens cover.
It looks good on a bolt action rifle. I tried putting it on a semi auto black rifle and the design of the FX Freedoms looks too minimalistic (in my view) to match aesthetically.
Price wise, I think it is OK for what you are getting. I think I paid around $470 for the 4-12 and $400 for the 3-9 (I think). But I am hardly an optics connoisseur, so I can't conclusively say whether the price was a screaming good value or not. Others have suggested different brands with a lower price and said they can get comparable performance.
3 - 9x40mm CDS
4 - 12x40mm with 6.5CM reticle
The clarity of the glass is phenomenal in various lighting conditions (I am comparing it to the other scopes I have which are a Vortex and Bushnell). Even my oldest son, who has limited shooting experience noticed a significant different in the clarity of the scope, in clear definitions. The dials/turrets feel solid when adjusting. I have set zero once and it has maintained it well.
Only things I don't like. The 3-9x40 one has a threaded cover for the side windage turret but weirdly no cover (by design) for the elevation turret so it's just exposed (the cover is not missing, it's just not designed to have one - and some websites use stock photos for this scope which incorrectly show a cover for the elevation turret - there's not even threading there for a cover). In contrast, my 4-12x40mm has removable threaded covers for both turrets. Other thing I don't like is that they don't come with removeable protective lens covers (both my Bushnell and Vortex came with protective lens covers, whereas my Primary Arms scope has flip covers. Would have been nice if Leupold included even a rubber removable lens cover.
It looks good on a bolt action rifle. I tried putting it on a semi auto black rifle and the design of the FX Freedoms looks too minimalistic (in my view) to match aesthetically.
Price wise, I think it is OK for what you are getting. I think I paid around $470 for the 4-12 and $400 for the 3-9 (I think). But I am hardly an optics connoisseur, so I can't conclusively say whether the price was a screaming good value or not. Others have suggested different brands with a lower price and said they can get comparable performance.
- Location
- Quebec city
I have a rimfire 3-9X40. Love the glass but hate the turrets. I almost can't feel the clics when adjusting (mushy)... But overall positive and much better than Vortex Diamondback.
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- Location
- Western Manitoba
May need to go find a post that I started a year or two ago - Korth replied that VX-Freedom have VX-2 erectors, etc., similar or identical tubes to VX-1 and VX-2 and same glass coatings as the last version of VX-3. Used to be a chart on Leupold site to show differences, but is gone now - really eye opening to see the variation among - 12 or so variations of Leupold scopes that were made and sold at various time. Can see on some WTS ads that some people do not understand that a Vari-X II, is not a VX-II, is not a VX-2. PM to me if you want to see a copy of it - was originally passed on to me by a CGN guy - how I got it, after Leupold dropped it from their website, or at least how I found out about it in the first place.
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- Location
- Western Manitoba
I have the 3-9x40 TRI MOA
It is the best value for money scope I have ever bought. The glass is extremely clear, great for late low light hunting. The clicks when adjusting the scope are nice and "clicky".
The reticle is great for conducting holdovers. I have one sat on a CZ527 zeroed at 200m, with Chinese Surplus 7.62x39 I am able to get 2MOA and make good hits out to 400m easy peasy.
I am now eyeing up a 4-12x40 TRI MOA so that I can reach out to 400m when hunting
It is the best value for money scope I have ever bought. The glass is extremely clear, great for late low light hunting. The clicks when adjusting the scope are nice and "clicky".
The reticle is great for conducting holdovers. I have one sat on a CZ527 zeroed at 200m, with Chinese Surplus 7.62x39 I am able to get 2MOA and make good hits out to 400m easy peasy.
I am now eyeing up a 4-12x40 TRI MOA so that I can reach out to 400m when hunting
- Location
- Western Manitoba
Bratwurst - I am just guessing, but I think you are describing the reticle that you have - which line of Leupold scope is a different issue - is usually engraved on the front objective bell, at least on the ones that I have.
Hey Potash, perhaps I ought not have assumed this but as the thread title was "Leupold Freedom scope reviews" I thought it natural that everyone would know that I was referring to the freedom line when commenting about my 3-9x40 TRI MOA for example
I like the glass for the price. Turrets leave something to be desired. I've compared these with my buddies similarly priced vortex and the glass is better in low light but I think the turrets are slightly mushy or undefined. Overall happy with the ones I have.
- Location
- Western Manitoba
Bratwurst - yep, same thought went through my old head about 3 minutes after my post. We are taking about VX-Freedom here!!! All good!!
- Location
- Western Manitoba
Bad Bob - the $$ is the thing for many, I suppose. I bought mine when being introduced - I think the prices have worked their way up since then. That rimfire version that I bought - was the last that the vendor had on-line - have not lately seen even one other available in Canada. At some point supply and demand get together - but pricing drives that, I think?
lenses and treatment are one thing but reticle is helping as well. my old vari x iii with a german 1 was way more clearer than a vx3 bc reticle.
leupold just serviced and changed lens and add a retcle german 4 on a vxii and it is clearer than the vx3 ...
just saying.
leupold just serviced and changed lens and add a retcle german 4 on a vxii and it is clearer than the vx3 ...
just saying.
ALBERTA BOY
Regular
- Location
- Edmonton, AB
I have, I dunno maybe a half dozen of them along with some more expensive Leupold scopes (and others)
My impression is very positive. They’re noticeably clearer than the competition, even if the competition is at a higher price point.
I hate the name. It’s so dumb. Also, I don’t really care for the “tactical” look of the turrets.
That said, the MOA rimfire reticle on the rimfire models is great and they all hit what they aim at.
I put alumina flip up covers on all of them and use the alumina accessory filters as desired.
If I had to criticize something it would be the turrets for sure! They’re kind of mushy and have a bit of play back and forth either way before they actually “click” to make a change. You have to be careful to listen/feel for that positive click. Once I’ve got it sighted in, I’ll give it a wiggle to Center it in between click. The turrets aren’t great. The more expensive Leupolds have much better turrets and so do the Japanese bushnell elites you can pick up brand new for about $200 right now (though the elites are weaker in other areas).
The freedom line is simply not for turret twisters. It’s a set and forget hunting scope. Good thing the rimfire models feature that excellent drop reticle.
It excels at what it does/is but don’t expect to be constantly changing the zero.
It’s best in class in my opinion if you know what it is when buying it.
Edit; I know of at least one retailer in Edmonton with tonnes of Leupold scopes just sitting on the shelf ready to be bought. I also ordered one or two online not long ago from, shoot. I’m not sure. I ordered a few scopes.
My impression is very positive. They’re noticeably clearer than the competition, even if the competition is at a higher price point.
I hate the name. It’s so dumb. Also, I don’t really care for the “tactical” look of the turrets.
That said, the MOA rimfire reticle on the rimfire models is great and they all hit what they aim at.
I put alumina flip up covers on all of them and use the alumina accessory filters as desired.
If I had to criticize something it would be the turrets for sure! They’re kind of mushy and have a bit of play back and forth either way before they actually “click” to make a change. You have to be careful to listen/feel for that positive click. Once I’ve got it sighted in, I’ll give it a wiggle to Center it in between click. The turrets aren’t great. The more expensive Leupolds have much better turrets and so do the Japanese bushnell elites you can pick up brand new for about $200 right now (though the elites are weaker in other areas).
The freedom line is simply not for turret twisters. It’s a set and forget hunting scope. Good thing the rimfire models feature that excellent drop reticle.
It excels at what it does/is but don’t expect to be constantly changing the zero.
It’s best in class in my opinion if you know what it is when buying it.
Edit; I know of at least one retailer in Edmonton with tonnes of Leupold scopes just sitting on the shelf ready to be bought. I also ordered one or two online not long ago from, shoot. I’m not sure. I ordered a few scopes.
