Leupold vx3 modifications

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Dbryan

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Hi there,

I have sent my VX3 to the shop at Leupold and I am looking at various options for changing the knobs and reticle.
Although I have been shooting for many years, I am quite new to the precision world. Initially I wanted target knobs and a mil-dot reticle installed, but now after talking to a few shooters, they recommend trying to keep everything mil/mil. Leupold offers an M5 .1mil turrets as well as TMR reticle.

I use my rifle for target/hunting. It is a modified 700 5r. 308. I have been shooting out to 600 meters, and plan on going out farther. I have not got into reloading yet so I am currently using Federal Match 175gr. But I plan on reloading in the not too distant future. Not really interested in competing, I just shoot for practice and hunting. I might one day though.

I know I should just buy a new scope with the features I want, but I have huge emotional attachment to this one, as it belonged to my brother who was recently killed in Afghanistan.

Should I keep with the M1 .25 MOA turrets, go with the .5MOA BDC M2 turrets, or go with the new M5 .1mil turrets?

Any thoughts on the TMR reticle? I have tried it out and I like it better than the mil dot.

Trying to keep everything simple.

Thanks,

Dave
 
Since it was your brother's I would keep it, to get the reticle changed and to add turrets contact "Korth Group" they are leopold's Canadian service center. I am sending them my VX-3 this winter for a Mil-dot recticle and turrets.
 
Dave if you are going to get a Mildot/TMR or any reticle that employs mils you need to get knobs that adjust in Mils - it makes adjustments easy and fast. If you are using MOA knobs and a Mil Reticle you will need to convert - MOA knobs are beneficial to use with a MOA reticle (NP-2R Nightforce for example). The only other option I would recommend is to accept that your TMR will be used for ranging only and have the M2/M3 BDC knob with BDC for your specific load. This works alright and you can still use the TMR for holdovers at various ranges. However here are my recommendation for your scope:

1.) Get the TMR/Mildot reticle (your choice) get M5 knobs installed. They may look a little bit weird if you have a 1" tube so it probably would help more to know what tube and mag you got. (30mm Tube for this option only as 1" tubes look ghey with these turrets)

2.) Leave the turrets and get a Boone and Crockett Reticle. This reticle is good for hits on animal sized objects out to 5-600m. (1" or 30mm Tubes)

3.) Get a CDS Turret if you have a 1" tube and leave the reticle.

4.) Get a TMR/Mildot Reticle - for ranging and holdovers and have a M2/M3 BDC installed (ONLY ON 30mm tubes)

I am not a huge fan of normal target turrets as they are too high profile which is also why I am not a fan of the M1/M5 turrets either. You mention hunting and I would point out that big knobs are just one more thing to get dinged up when you are out hunting however your choice should depend on what you will be doing more of - target shooting or hunting...

I forgot to mention - the TMR is a better reticle (IMO) to the Mildot - I have one and (Option 4 with FFP M2 BDC Custom Shop) and it works great. The TMR is finer and easy to spot in the scope it also works on any mag for my scope (FFP)
 
Thanks for the replies,

Leupold can not do a M5 turret conversion. So its either the M1 or the M2.

They can put a TMR reticle in. (illuminated)

BTW it is a 30mm tube.

Thanks for the recommendations. Keep them coming!

Cheers,

Dave
 
So unfortunately, they can not do M2, M3 or M5 turrets on this model. It is basically M1 or keep them the same.

How much more complicated will it be to use with the M1/TMR reticle combo?

Is this something that I should avoid?

Dave
 
M1/TMR works - you just have to do conversions from Mils to MOA for your dial in on the turret. I would personally use this setup in the following options:

1.) Get the dope on your .308 rifle load - find out your drops and paste it on the rifle or get a Leupold Drop chart for your scope and then just get a Laser Range Finder and dial your dope in. (Don't need a TMR for this)

2.) Get just the TMR reticle: Find out your drops and use the TMR as holdovers and range finder (Don't need M1 knobs for this)

TMR/M1 isn't something to avoid the reticle and the knobs are value added to the scope but the reason everyone is keen on MIL/MIL or MOA/MOA adjustment is that if you fire a shot and your spotter sees the splash and can read a correction in MILS to you (i.e. 2.5 Mils High and 1 Mil Left) on a 1/10 Mil adjustment you click 25 times up and 10 times left fire again and bada bing you hit. If you are using MIL and MOA Adjust you or your spotter sees the same splash and you have to convert it from MILS to MOA and then apply the adjustment a little bit more complicated but not the end of the world - snipers used to do it all the time....
 
Cool, thanks for that. It makes total sense. I have been using holdovers for quite some time. I am looking forward to dialing things in to be a bit more precise.

Even though the VX3 4.5-14x40 LR is a 30mm tube, the internals are different than the Mk4s. That is why only the M1s can be retrofitted to the VX3. With the Mk4 the options are quite vast: they are able to put the anything from M1 to new M5 turret (mil) on them. (which is what I wanted...but was unable to do.)

BTW I went with the TMR (illuminated) and M1s. One day I will buy a scope with mil/mil adjustments/reticle. I think this will work out just fine for now.

Thanks again

Dave
 
I use a Leupold 6.5 X 20 with a M1/TMR reticle combo for long distance shooting. It works awesome! If I can see a target (out to the extent of the distance I shoot that particular cartridge) I can put a hole in it; if I do my part (I don’t always do my part well). Once you have established a drop chart for your specific cartridge as far as you are going to use it, all you have to do is dial in your target distance and then use the hash marks on your reticle for wind; and target lead if the target is in motion. I never dial in my windage because I have seen (and had myself!)too many missed shots caused by clicking in the wrong direction or miss counting clicks or moving to other targets and forgetting to re-zero windage after the last shot. In my experience it is best to adjust for windage on the fly. I get my range with a laser rangefinder but if you know the dimensions of your target you can use the hash marks in the optic quite effectively. I have been using this setup for years with great success.

The newer Mill/Mill setups might be a little more efficient to operate but if you put some time “in the field” with M1 dials and a TMR reticle you can become very effective way past a grand for most calibers. Successfully completing first round hits at distance (past 300m) is more depended upon your ability to read the wind than any other factor.

The recipe for success in making the long shot is repetition, repetition, repetition. No amount of the newest “gear” will replace repetition. If you really want to become proficient in the long shot, practice (especially wind reading), join your provincial Rifle Association and ask questions. I have yet to meet anyone at a rifle association shoot who you not go out of their way to help out a new shooter.

Good luck with your set up; I hope it brings you lots of fun in the field!
 
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