Leupold VX3 scope quality

I don't see what the hype is about. I've tried a couple now over the years, both vx3i and hd and they have left me underwhelmed. Way to much money for the glass quality. I would save the money and go with a vx freedom before buying another vx3. Recently bought the vx3 hd 4.5-14x40 1" tube and it's going up for sale. I expect more from a $1050 optic. I've had a viper hs 2-10 for years now, and bought the vx3 3.5-10 for a similar set up, thinking it would be superior and for a scope that cost $350 more it didn't even come close. It's gone too.
VX5-HDs on the other hand are really nice, highly recommend.
 
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Like many in this thread, I've been underwhelmed by Leupold for years. I only have two left, both VX-3HDs, and neither would be my first choice when Trijicons exist. Being told that sometimes I need to dial past zero and come back up on a scope with an exposed turret and a zero lock was about the dumbest thing I'd ever heard considering that has never been a problem with scopes costing half as much especially when the bloody dial is the reason I paid extra for the Leupold in the first place.

I also love watching Rokslide crap all over them in testing :ROFLMAO: I was really hoping the Mark IV would be an improvement. Oh well.

The upside is the warranty group here is very well-regarded. And because of their popularity there is plenty of options for things like scope caps/bikinis. And Leupold makes very good accessories as well, rails and rings and ringmounts etc all very good quality that I've seen. Their other optical products like rangefinders, binoculars, and spotting scopes have always been a bit of a laggard - I have their RX1400 rangefinder which is "good enough" but definitely superceded by other brands.
 
I use my VX-3's for hunting and well satisfied with them. I'm not into cranking the turrets just zero them in and leave them alone and they work perfect for me holding zero just fine. The Leupold scope for cranking the turrets would be the VX-5 or VX-6 with the larger turrets. My VX-7 would be ideal for that with the large pop up turrets. Hell you could crank on them all day long but, again, I zero the VX-7 in and leave it alone. I like the VX-7, 2.5-15x44, with the extra wide field of view with the Xt Duplex Twilight lense that brings in extra light at twilight. It weighs 19.2 oz and mounted on a pre-64 F/W. It's a step ahead of the VX-3's alright but the VX-3's get the job with no complaints from me.
 
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Only have a VX3HD currently but I would agree with some of the above comments. Are they good still? Yes however there is significantly more competition in that price bracket than there was 20 years ago. Really bright glass and alot of features packed in for how much they weigh.
 
Tkab said:
Are they good still? Yes however there is significantly more competition in that price bracket than there was 20 years ago. Really bright glass and alot of features packed in for how much they weigh.
Click to expand...
i.e. , a Helos 2-12x42 w/ir weighs in at 26 ozs, Riton 3-18x44 @ 25 ozs while VX3hd 4.5-14x40 only 15 ozs
I like range-toy scopes but also know which I'd hunt with
 
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A ten or 15 oz weight difference is a small price to pay for a scope that will hold zero and actually track and return to zero.
I have range toys too, but they are close range rimfire toys and say Leupold on them.
 
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I have been using the Leupold 3 series scopes for almost 35 years (Vari X-III, VX-III,and VX-3), and they have been consistently robust and reliable. I have only had to send two back for service due to knocks in the field, which were repaired as warranty and returned at no additional cost and back on the rifles in less than 2 weeks, including shipping by Canada post both ways!

The only Leupolds I have that are not 3 series scopes are a couple of VX-II's (one on a rimfire rifle, and a compact that came with a beautiful custom rifle I just acquired second hand), one Freedom rimfire scope, a couple of VX-Rs with Fire Dot reticles on lever actions, 3 VX-5HDs and a VX-6HD.
All of my Vari X-III and VX-III scopes have been upgraded to the VX-3 w/ B&C reticles, as I really like this simple BDC type reticle for hunting, as I am a set it and forget it guy. My one VX-5HD has the Fire Dot as it is on my 358 Win which really doesn't need a B&C reticle, but the other 2 are B&C reticles, and the VX-6 is a B&C Illuminated reticle. Leupolds have been my latest acquisitions, as I am impressed with the VX-5s and 6 glass quality, nd while a little heavier than the 3 series, I have mounted them on rifles where weight is not an overall concern, or the rifle was lighterso the the extra weight of the scope still ended up with an acceptable overall scoped rifle package weight. The glass is great, the scopes are light, or lighter than other comparable scopes, as I stick to 44mm objectives and smaller, and have performed for me very well over the years.

I have heard about issues of some of the newer Leupold 3 series scopes, but fortunately have not experienced any of these for myself. But as set it and forget it guy, (even on my VX-5s and 6, and I have yet to order a turret for my CDS equipped models) I am not constantly cranking on turrets for dialing for range (I use the B&C reticle even when at the range, as this is what I'll be using in the field while hunting), and checking and rechecking tracking everytime I go to the range (as I commonly see others doing; once is enough), which all puts additional stress on erector assemblies. My scopes stay on the lowest power setting until needed for a longer shot, or at the range for testing ammo or handloads. Moving parts is where things are apt to fail more often. As an old friend of the family once said, every thing only has so many twists, turns, pushes and pulls before it wears out; we do not have to do this unless needed to!

I do own other makes and models of scopes, such as Burris, Swarovski, Kahles, Trijicon, and Schmidt & Bender. I do prefer quality glass, as I hunt a wide variety of terrain (open prairie to alpine, thick timber and more open forests) and lighting conditions (first to last light, under all weather scenarios).
While I am not wealthy, this is my priority and I do spend the extra dollars on quality equipment that will provide decades of reliable service. And it pays for itself in the end. I also spent a number of years working in local gun stores, and am familiar with the older brands available at that time, and some of the issues that the newer brands were presenting as they were introduced. I know which brands I will stay away from. But this is just my opinion and experience.

In the end, I hope this and the other info shared here helps you determine if the VX-3 scope is right for you and your hunting/shooting style of practice.
Best of luck in your quest!
 
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Almost every warranty claim I have had on Leupold scopes has been due to tracking issues. I find the turrets feel mushy (for lack of a better term) and imprecise, hard to tell if it even actually moved 4 graduations or was it 3 or 5? There are no real "clicks". Eventually it gets to the point where you adjust the turret 16 graduations and POI moves 1.5 inches at 100 yards so off to Korth it goes, again. Just my personal experience.
 
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I have maybe 6 dozen VX 3 series of various generations and both 1” and 30mm. I view them as set em and forget em scopes, though several CDS have seemed to creep into the flock B&C is hands down my favorite reticle.
I have a few VX5s and my more serious dialing scopes tend toward my aging Mark 4s and Night forces. Heavy though.
In a general sort of way if a rifle that has anything other than a Leupold on it goes sour I pull the scope off it. If its got a Leupold I pull the barrel off it
 
The lower end hunting stuff has good eye relief and eyebox, bright as anything else, light and hold zero. Not really meant for cranking to shoot long range.
Their middle tier is a bit muddled and over priced, lots of options but all kind of underwhelming in one way or another.
The A tier stuff meant for long range cranking, dragging, dropping, and pure neglect and abuse is pretty solid still.
 
I like the VX-3s as a lightweight set and forget hunting scope. Show me a better scope in that price range, at that weight, and I'll gladly give it a try.

The Swarovski Z3, Trijicon Accupoint 3-9x40, and older Zeiss Conquest are the only ones I've found that are comparable, and each one of those has other drawbacks IMO.
 
Maybe this is a good spot to mention. I have a vx3hd 3.5-10 x 50 that i might put up in the EE. Selling as im taking the plunge to mils
 
Many years ago, a Leopold rep told me that the VXIII (3) in 2.5 to 8 x 36 was the brightest scope in their range.

I had two of them and loved them.
 
I have never had issues with any Leupold product. The Vari-X 3.5-10x40mm was an extremely popular hunting scope in my day... had a few of them, sold many. My last great hunting scope was a 2-7x33 with a firedot reticle and a 30mm tube. I wish that had been made sooner.
I use to buy beat up old Leupolds where the scope tube had turned purple with age. Leupold replaced them with new scopes, no charge. Great company.
 
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