Leupold VX Freedom "Rimfire"...any takers?

.22LRGUY

.22LRGUY

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Hey guys~figure I may get more traction on this question here vs the Optics forum. I got a chance to look through a 3-9X yesterday, and really liked the thing! (other than the mushy-feeling, plastic windage/elevation knobs)

Anyone have one of these? Opinions? Glass looks very decent for the price, and I like the reticle more than I thought I would.
 
I grabbed the 3-7x33 freedom none rimfire, on the plus side it has better elevation/windage adjustment but mot the hold over reticle. it seems like a decent light compact scope for a beater rifle but time will tell if it holds up.
 
They are nice save for the finish, seems cheaper and more prone to scratches/marks. For a rimfire, I still think the Nikon Prostaff Rimfire models are the best value vs performance vs features option.

Patrick
 
Based on what I saw, if that VX Freedom rimfire had an adjustable objective AT that price, there is no way Leupold could make them fast enough. They have a 50 yard parallax setting if memory serves, but playing with that one yesterday it "appeared" to be problem free much closer when the magnification was dialed down. Not allot you can tell holding a scope indoors mind you, but being a bit of an authority on cheap scopes (=lol) it seemed like an above average scope for the money. In the $300-ish range, I own a Sightron S1..and used to have a Vortex Diamondback and a Mueller APT. Based on fiddling with it indoors, and without the other scopes beside to compare, I'd say it's better than the Vortex and Mueller, possibly better than the Sightron S1. I think I like the reticle more than the S1, and it's certainly a nicer looking scope than the S1. (if that means anything)
 
KDX said:
I'm waiting for the EFR version to land.
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Is that in the plans? I've heard rumors about Nikon making AO/SF version of their P-22 scope. Chunky/less appealing option if that's the case, but I need a scope before SHOT show when new stuff like this is usually announced.
 
.22LRGUY said:
Is that in the plans? I've heard rumors about Nikon making AO/SF version of their P-22 scope. Chunky/less appealing option if that's the case, but I need a scope before SHOT show when new stuff like this is usually announced.
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I contacted Korth Group last week and they are hoping 4-6 weeks for the arrival.
 
.22LRGUY said:
Hmm...decisions.. Wonder what the price point will be...? Looks like a different reticle than the VX Freedom 3-9. Wonder why that is..
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I don’t know about you but if find that I only use the AO on my centerfire rifles out at much longer distances. A fixed 50 yard parallax works for 95% of the 22lr shooting I do, especially with a lower magnification like 3-9. I know the benchrest guys with their 12lb rifles and giant scopes like them but I just don’t find I have a practical need when shooting Rimfire.

Patrick
 
.22LRGUY said:
Hmm...decisions.. Wonder what the price point will be...? Looks like a different reticle than the VX Freedom 3-9. Wonder why that is..
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It's a duplex reticle. I would prefer a fine duplex, but I think I could live with it.
 
phinton81 said:
I don’t know about you but if find that I only use the AO on my centerfire rifles out at much longer distances. A fixed 50 yard parallax works for 95% of the 22lr shooting I do, especially with a lower magnification like 3-9. I know the benchrest guys with their 12lb rifles and giant scopes like them but I just don’t find I have a practical need when shooting Rimfire.

Patrick
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I have a VXII 4-12 AO on my Sako Quad and like it for 50-100 yards. I don't see a reason to not get an AO scope for my 10/22 build.
 
.22LRGUY said:
Based on what I saw, if that VX Freedom rimfire had an adjustable objective AT that price, there is no way Leupold could make them fast enough. They have a 50 yard parallax setting if memory serves, but playing with that one yesterday it "appeared" to be problem free much closer when the magnification was dialed down. Not allot you can tell holding a scope indoors mind you, but being a bit of an authority on cheap scopes (=lol) it seemed like an above average scope for the money. In the $300-ish range, I own a Sightron S1..and used to have a Vortex Diamondback and a Mueller APT. Based on fiddling with it indoors, and without the other scopes beside to compare, I'd say it's better than the Vortex and Mueller, possibly better than the Sightron S1. I think I like the reticle more than the S1, and it's certainly a nicer looking scope than the S1. (if that means anything)
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Which reticle do you have on the S1? I have a SIII 10-50 on my 6BR and like their glass. Looks are secondary to me. Looking at the physical differences there is a couple inches more in length with the Sightron and about 5.3 ounces in weight being the main things. 40mm objective (Sightron) vs 33mm for the Leupold. The eye relief is very similar, with the nod going towards Leupold. There are reticle choices with the Sightron that there isn't with the Leupold, unless you go the custom shop route.
 
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I’ve got several of the VX-Freedom Rimfire scopes: two 2-7x33 and three 3-9x40. I prefer the latter as that extra bit of zoom is nice. The only thing missing is adjustable parallax (they’re factory fixed to 60 yards). Other than that they’re great light scopes and have excellent glass for the price. I’m not complaining. I’ve also got two FX-1 4x28 Rimfire scopes which are awesome. I like these more than the Freedom scopes actually... smaller, lighter and overall higher quality (and they come with a bikini cover!) 😉
 
KDX said:
Which reticle do you have on the S1? I have a SIII 10-50 on my 6BR and like their glass. Looks are secondary to me. Looking at the physical differences there is a couple inches more in length with the Sightron and about 5.3 ounces in weight being the main things. 40mm objective (Sightron) vs 33mm for the Leupold. The eye relief is very similar, with the nod going towards Leupold. There are reticle choices with the Sightron that there isn't with the Leupold, unless you go the custom shop route.
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My S1 has the HHR (Hunter Holdover Reticle), my own SIII has the MOA-2 reticle. I liked the 3-9 Freedom reticle, thought not married to the idea. I think the larger OBJ (vs the 33 on the AO model I didn't know was coming) does hold some appeal. I did dial it down to 3X in the store and looked at closer objects. Doesn't really tell you much, but I'm mindful of the first 4-5 years spent shooting 22LR with a sh***y Bushnell 3-9X and doing just fine. I'd dial it down to 3-4X on close stuff and the world was as simpler place. Now, instead of 1 x 22 rifle..I have...well, more than 1. lol

I think allot about AO/SF, but also how it plays into the role of the rifle I'm putting it on. Oddly enough, my Sightron S1 I use for gopher shooting where I'm rarely UNDER 50 yards...in spite of all of the opportunity to use it closer. =lolz :) For this gun, it'll be a mix of everything from barn pigeons 40 FEET away to gophers over 200 yards. Screaming AO/SF...but I do dig the idea of giving one of these Freedom scopes a go.
 
I like looking through nice (or relatively nice) glass. The nice thing about scopes is that you can sell the rifle it was on and put it on the next gun.
 
I stopped by Cabelas today and checked out the VX Freedom with the Rimfire reticle. Nice scope and the reticle is nice also. As per Korth Gropup:
Yes we can install a rimfire MOA reticle into your scope. The cost to do so will be $166.25 plus tax and plus $15 shipping and handling.
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So I may get the EFR version and get the reticle changed if it's not an option at the time of purchase.
 
KDX said:
I stopped by Cabelas today and checked out the VX Freedom with the Rimfire reticle. Nice scope and the reticle is nice also. As per Korth Gropup:

So I may get the EFR version and get the reticle changed if it's not an option at the time of purchase.
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I can see that. For me, the price of this scope holds some appeal (even if the 60 yard parallax doesn't) so adding another $166 plus shipping does launch this scope into the $500 zone. Not crazy, but $500 opens up a few scope options I'd take over the VX Freedom. I may grab the 3-9X, deciding right now.
 
Which alternatives would you be looking at for $500.00? I haven't been keeping up on optics at all these last few years as I haven't bought or built anything.
 
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