Leupold VX-3 Scopes

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Longrifle2506

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I wanted to post my testimonial of the Leupold VX-3 line of scopes. First of all, I have been Pro-Bushnell Elite for 9 years. I think the Bushnell Elite 4200 are especially good scopes, considering that I bought them over the past years at around $310-340. The facility in Japan that makes Elites is called Light Optical Works, and the glass that comes out of that facility is second only to Germany/Austria in my opinion. Light Optical Works manufactures NightForce, Sheppherd, Weaver, and some other very nice scopes; all of which have awesome clarity from edge to edge.

I recently acquired a Remington 700 Light Varmint; and needed a good scope. The 700 LVSF is a compact rifle so I didn't want an Elite 4200 2.5-10x40 because they are a little big for a compact rifle. I did a lot of research; and discovered that Leupold made big improvements to the some of there scopes in 2009. They did away with the Vari X-III name and named the updated model the VX-3; many people don't realize there is a difference. Anyway, I ordered the VX-3 3.5-10x40, which is a very nice semi-compact size.

I received the scope yesterday. And I was literally at a loss for words. I just could not believe how nice of a product Leupold is making. The box was sealed in plastic, the scope comes inside of a nice leupold scope-coat. The scope itself is beautiful. I got the gloss version; the gold ring and "L" logo are actually done in 24K Gold I also ordered the Alumina Flip-Back Covers. The Alumina accessories is a major asset to the Leupold Scopes. The Alumina covers make Butler Creek look and feel like junk. They actually thread into the objective and ocular. I wish All my scopes could have these nice Alumina Flip-back covers. When I got the scope, all I could think is: "man I gotta get another one of these." The click adjustments are Cryo Treated, the lenses have awesome coatings and the edges are coated black which supposedly lets more light get to the shooter. The view through the scope is the ultimate. Crystal Clear from Edge to Edge. I'm used to looking through Bushnell ELite 4200's; so I have pretty high standards compared to cheaper scopes anyway. The duplex reticle is my favorite duplex of all scopes. And the ocular adjustment sharpens it so crisp. There are other improvements Leupold has done with this VX-3 line versus the older Vari X-III line that you can read about on their website. I am Pro-Leupold now. I just wanted to post this for any guys or gals out there who might be doing research on the web and trying to figure out which scope to buy. I can tell you this: The Leupold VX-3 that I bought was $479 with free shipping from Natchez; plus I got a free lens pen and Alumina scope covers with it(not flip-back covers; I bought those). I think the VX-3 is the best you can do for inside of $500. I was actually going to buy a VX-R until I learned that the lens quality was equal to VX-II. I wanted ultimate glass quality; and the VX-3 was the right choice. I will definitely own another VX-3. They are the ultimate rifle scope. Enough said. Hope this testimony helps someone decide on their purchase. I still think Bushnell Elite's are very hard to beat; with 95% light transmission(4200's) but now I'm a Leupold Man. I don't know any numbers on light transmission for the VX-3; but it's bright; and I'm confident it will give you that shot at dusk when many other scopes cannot. This may not be much of a review; but more like a testimonial. You won't be disappointed if you buy a VX-3! I'm glad to start supporting an American Company also. Bushnell is American I guess; but their scopes are not made here like Leupold's are.
 
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several of my rifles have the VX III 6.5 x 20 x 40 with the AO mounted on them. very good scope in low light when I kill lots of hogs. used one on a .22-250 last nite to drill aq big boar at about 300 yards last nite and it was way past dark. fixin to put another on a new M1A I just got.
 
I've always owned Leupolds and have never had a bad one. I talked a friend into the VX3 6x20 with varmint reticle. Unfortunately I like that one so much I'm saving for it now.
 
Longrifle2506 said:
the lenses have awesome coatings and the edges are coated black which supposedly lets more light get to the shooter.
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Good coatings reduce Fresnel reflections at the air/glass interface and increase light transmission; black coatings on the lens edges have nothing to do with letting more light get to the shooter; they reduce the amount of scattered light inside the 'scope which contributes to loss of contrast and certain types of ghost reflections.

Currently, all but one of my 'scopes are Leupolds; in many regards, they outperform some much more expensive European 'scopes I've compared them to, side-by-side.
 
It's hard for me to remember all the improvements and features Leupold has listed under VX-3 on their website; I just remember it mentioned blackened lens edges and something about more light to the shooter; but here are the words from the website: "Blackened lens edges reduce light diffusion, so more usable light reaches the shooter’s eye, for a brighter image with increased contrast". Which is exactly what you said Hank. I'm not hugely technical about scopes when it comes to the science of lenses and stuff; but Man my new Leupold is Awesome!!!
 
Nearly all of my rifles as well as a slug gun wear Leupolds. I also shoot dozens of other folk's rifles, some wearing scopes costing twice as much.
I've yet to have the "DANG.. should've spent more on the scope" feeling.
I really really like those Leupolds.
 
It is hard for me to believe folks didn't know there was a difference between Vari-X III VX-III and VX-3.....I own two Vari-X III's and while they are good, they are nowhere near as good as my VX-3.
 
guess I aint as educated about Leupold scopes as HKguns, all I know is the VX IIIs I own do a helluva job, pay a good price for them and they are worth it. I dont quite get down to the finest points I guess. all I know is I will buy some more of the same quality scopes.
 
No I can't....I just know there were improvements between the three lines. Interesting how you interpreted that post Texas......While I can't enumerate the differences, I do know the model changes meant improvements over time. I do know between Vari-X III and VX-3 they went from roughly 85% light transmission to somewhere in the 98 -99% range. Most of this was achieved with better glass and coatings.

Redneck, if your scope is 25 years old, it has to be at a minimum the Vari-X III. The progression went like this.....Vari-X III - VX-III (2004) - VX-3 (2009)

I was able to find this on the improvements made in the VX-III over the Vari-X III.

The Leupold VX-III scopes
In 2004, Leupold introduces the VX-III line of Golden Ring Riflescopes. The VX-III carries many of the great classic features of the tried and true Vari-X III line but with several exciting new features. Based on the superior optical design of the Vari-X III, the VX-III delivers even more light transmission with The New Index Matched Lens System. No longer are tools required for making windage and elevation adjustments as we introduce the new, highly precise Finger Adjustable Elevation and Windage. Reticle focus will be faster and easier now with The Lockable Fast Focus Eyepiece. More Long Range models are now available. The VX-III 1.5-5x20mm and 1.75-6x32mm are top choices in dangerous game and quick pointing optics with wide field of view and now an even brighter image for dark, shadowed woods. The VX-III 2.5-8x36mm, 3.5-10x40mm and the 4.5-14x40mm fixed objective all meet the needs of the serious hunter who needs an excellent combination of low power, wide field of view and higher magnification for longer range shots, all in a package that fits well in a scabbard. The VX-III 3.5-10x50mm fixed objective provides the best low light performance while the VX-III 4.5-14x50mm Long Range gives both great low light performance for deep timber and is equipped for long range shooting of open country with side focus and generous adjustment travel. The VX-III 4.5-14x40mm Long Range, 6.5-20x50mm Long Range (also available in a Target model) and the 8.5-25x50mm Long Range Target meet the needs of shooters that demand maximum capabilities for placing shots accurately in a wide range of conditions. In addition to the full array of Leupold reticles, the VX-III riflescope family now also features the new Leupold Wide Duplex reticle (available in Spring 2004) in addition to the New Ballistic Reticle System: The Boone and Crockett Club Reticle for big game and the Varmint Hunters� Reticle. The Leupold Index Matched Lens System provides the best light management across the entire image, maximizing contrast and image brightness, delivering as high as 98% light transmission. New Finger Adjustable Windage and Elevation Dials make sighting in easy and zero can be reset by moving the golden pointer ring. Except for the diopter directional markings, The Lockable Fast Focus Eyepiece still carries the Leupold Classic look but focuses 4 times faster than did the Vari-X III, then can be locked in place when best focus is achieved. The Long Range configuration of Side Focus for parallax correction and 30mm maintube for added elevation adjustment travel has been carried through to all models of 4.5-14 power range and higher to provide easy to operate parallax correction and expanded capability to achieve longer range shots. Leupold's� new VX-III riflescopes are manufactured at the Leupold Beaverton, Oregon factory and are backed by the Leupold Full Lifetime Guarantee.
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If I am able to find the differences between the VX-III and VX-3 I will edit this post.

VX-III

The VX-III line was new for 2004, and uses ¼-MOA, low-profile, finger-adjustable adjustments and a fast-focus eyepiece. VX-III’s are fully multicoated and Index Matched to ensure that each lens has the best possible coating, producing total light transmission values higher than ever seen before.
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Leupold has loaded the Leupold VX-3 Series riflescopes with state-of-the-art optical engineering: Xtended Twilight Lens System, DiamondCoat 2 lens coating on exterior lens surfaces, giving the highest degree of scratch resistance Leupold has ever provided, blackened lens edges, second generation waterproofing, twin bias spring erector system, and cryogenically treated adjustments. It's all there to be able to help you make the shots of a lifetime. Ingrained with the thrill of the hunt the new VX-3L drastically boosts optical performance, mechanical function, and toughness.
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I just talked to the people at Leupold this past week. I had a maybe 25 year old VX-III 1.75x6x32 that wouldn't hold zero. They didn't have the older parts to fix it, so they were going to send me a brand new VX-3 free. I paid the difference and upgraded to a 4.5x14x40 VX-3 for my CZ rimfire.

I bought a VX-R with the Firefly reticule for a bear hunt in Canada. I was going to get a Swarovski Z-3. Always wanted a Swarovski, so that's what I was gonna get.

At the gun shop, the store owner and I took the Swarovski and VX-R out on the back deck. They were the same size objective, same magnification range. We looked at objects at about 150 yards. The Leupold was very slightly clearer. Wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it myself.

Used that scope for deer hunting this past fall. My friend had another brand scope, about the $250 range. We were looking toward the sunset. His scope had all kinds of glare. The Leupold had none.

Sent in a pair of Olympic binos that had the eye cup threads stripped. A couple weeks later I get a brand new pair of Mojave-3's in the mail.

The girl there said the lens coatings have been upgraded twice since the VX-III days. That's what gives the improved light gathering. I believe she said the glass on the VX-R and VX-3 is the same. The VX-R is the lighted reticule 30mm tube version.
 
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HK, wasnt trying to be a smartass, just like most people, I didnt know there was a difference, anyway, all I know is I am fixin to buy another VX III soon. for years I was a die hard fixed powere Leupold, I buy Redfield now and then cause I know they are Leupold made. also a Weaver Grand slam now and then. all I know is they work for me and I will buy some more. I will check some out HK, thanks for the heads up.
 
I ended up finding a bit of information for you Texas....Hope it answers some of your questions.
 
Welcome to the world of Leupold... beautiful scopes. I have a safe full of them. Only 1 of my rifles doesn't have a Leupold on it. I've got Leupolds from a "Rimfire Special", to 2 VX-III 4.5-14s on a .22-250 and a Sako heavy barrel .243. I love them all.

My non-Leupold was an experiment... a Simmons on sale for my .17HMR. I wish it was a Leupold. It will be one when I can get around to it....
 
Not impossible, but I doubt it Red, what you likely saw was the VX-2 which is an entirely different model.

I'm not a Leuopold expert by any means so this could be 100% bad information, but I think all the Vari-X models were changed over in 2004.

What makes it more confusing is their distributors advertise them as the old models as well. I've seen websites advertising Vari-X III models while investigating this question. Either they have some very old stock or they don't understand the model changes either.
 
I had used, and was happy with the VX-II (comparable to the old VariX-3). I didn't think the VX-IIIs could be all that much better to justify the cost. Then, when shopping online for a scope for my new 7mm Rem Mag in 2007, I stumbled on an Ebay auction for a 3.5-10x50 VX-III.

It was being sold by a shop in Georgia that was going out of business and liquidating its stock. I got it for about $10 LESS than a 3-9x50 VX-II was selling for locally because they had unloaded a bunch of scopes on Ebay at once. When it arrived, I was amazed by the quality and the difference between the VX-II and III models. I'm hooked for life.
 
Not impossible, but I doubt it Red, what you likely saw was the VX-2 which is an entirely different model.
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Very well could be. It said VX-II but it could well be the VX-2. I didn't know the difference until this week, and I've got maybe six Leupold scopes.
 
Here's a Leopold service story: years ago, I decided a rifle I owned would best be served by a low power fixed scope (I wanted a small, light scope) and at a gun show, found an old, used Leopold fixed 3-power. I remember it cost me $75, and I was pleased, since it was a model no longer made.

But when I got home it, I discovered that one of the inner lens was slightly off.....I guessed it might have been damaged in a fall. So I sent the scope to Leopold, explained the conditions of purchase, and asked for an estimate of repair.

Almost by return mail, I received the scope back....."uh, oh," I thought. "They don't want to fix it."

Instead, they'd repaired it, re-charged the nitrogen (or whatever the inert gas they used in those days) and the invoice was marked "no charge." A note from the tech suggested I not break it again.....they were running out of parts for that model.

Needless to say, I've never bought another brand of scope since.
 
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