The best Leupold scope for deer hunting will give you a successful hunt whether you are shooting at short-range, mid-range, or long-range targets. These scopes are notable for their long lifespan and low price.
This article will review the best options that will serve you well when deer hunting, from the variety of options available.
Now let’s dive in….
Best Leupold Scope for Deer Hunting-Top Picks
- Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9x40mm Rifle Scope-[Medium-Range]
- Leupold VX-Freedom 6-18x40mm Rifle Scope-[Long Range]
- Leupold VX-6HD 4-24x52mm Rifle Scope-[Long Range]
- Leupold VX-5HD 2-10x42mm Rifle Scope-[Medium-Long Range]
- Leupold VX-6HD 1-6x24mm Rifle Scope-[Short-Range]
1. Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9x40mm Rifle Scope
One of the most popular rifle scopes and it’s perfect for deer hunting. What makes it unique is the fact that it gives you excellent performance at an incredibly low price of under $300. In addition, you get a CDS customizable reticle that you can match to your shooting conditions and the ballistics of the rifle that you are going to use the most.
The custom reticle helps to simplify your reticle by removing the numerous hash marks that can be confusing for inexperienced shooters.
Another feature that makes this one of the most valuable scopes is its lightweight yet rugged design, which makes it a reliable option. Furthermore, the 9x magnification, which easily takes on medium-distance targets, allows the shooter to keep his distance from the deer in order to avoid being noticed.
Features
- Objective Lens Diameter: 40 mm
- Magnification: 3 – 9 x
- Second Focal Plane (SFP)
- 1 – 13.6 ft at 100 yds Field of View
- Eye Relief: 4.2 – 3.7 in
- Weight: 12.2 oz
Pros
- Constructed with a rugged design
- Lightweight
- Comes at a budget-friendly price
- Will take on long distant targets.
- custom dial system (CDS).
2. Leupold VX-Freedom 6-18x40mm Rifle Scope
This alternative is unique for its high magnification of 18x which gives the shooter perfect sighting capabilities for long distant targets. In addition, this scope comes with a twilight management system feature that boosts light transmission even in twilight hours.
The deer is typically arboreal and will, mostly emerge at dawn or dusk to avoid detection. Fortunately, this scope performs admirably in such conditions, and you can rely on it to deliver meat.
This scope also includes Leupold’s renowned custom dial system, which allows the reticle to be customized to match the ballistics of the rifle and shooting conditions. This, combined with the very generous eye relief, guarantees the shooter accurate shots over unnervingly long distances.
Features
- Objective Lens Diameter: 40 mm
- Magnification: 6 – 18 x
- Second Focal Plane (SFP)
- 3 – 13.1 ft at 100 yds Field of View
- Eye Relief: 3.8 – 5.1 in
- Weight: 17.1 oz
Pros
- High magnification is good for long range
- Generous eye relief
- Leupold Customizable Dial system.
- Twilight management system for low-light
- Recoil tested
3. Leupold VX-6HD 4-24x52mm Rifle Scope
This is a versatile rifle scope also suited for the long-range target with a variable magnification of 4-24x, which would work perfectly on targets 1000 yards out. This scope is extremely durable and incorporates a scratch-resistant lens that enables it to withstand the toughest conditions.
The forte of this scope however is the quality of the image it displays to the user. This is a credit to the fully multicoated lens and massive 52mm objective lens that lets in the optimum amount of light, allowing the shooter to identify a deer from a long distance.
Overall, this is the best option if you want something for long-range hunting, and while it is pricey, it is well worth it.
Features
- Objective Lens Diameter: 52 mm
- Magnification: 4 – 24 x
- Tube Diameter: 34 mm
- Second Focal Plane (SFP)
- 1 – 4.8 ft at 100 yds Field of View.
- Eye Relief: 3.7 – 3.8 in
- Illuminated reticle
- Weight: 25.4 oz
Pros.
- Wide 52mm objective lens
- High 24x magnification good for long range
- Made using durable materials
- Custom dial system
- Scratch-resistant lens
Cons
- Unwieldy dimensions
- Pricey
4. Leupold VX-5HD 2-10x42mm Rifle Scope
This one can be recommended due to its versatility. This is because it has both a low and high magnification that would fair well with short-range and long-range targets. Sometimes deer hide in plain sight and it might be closer than expected especially under the dense thickets.
A hunter using this rifle scope would simply change to a lower magnification and take a clean shot at the target. On a large landscape, such as that which characterizes whitetail deer hunting, the shooter returns to a higher magnification.
This scope has excellent light transmissions that rival some of the more expensive options on the market. Furthermore, it has an ingenious glare reduction system that allows the shooter to see a clear image of the targets even in direct sunlight.
Features
- Objective Lens Diameter: 42 mm
- Magnification: 2 – 10 x
- Duplex reticle
- Second Focal Plane (SFP)
- Exit Pupil: 4.2 – 21 mm
- 5 ft at 100 yds Field of View
- Eye Relief: 3.8 in
- Weight: 17.9 oz
Pros
- Versatile and can be used for both short and long distance
- Glare reduction system
- Good image quality
- Built using a high-quality aluminum
- Scratch-resistant lens coating
Cons
- Available at just over $1000
5. Leupold VX-6HD 1-6x24mm Rifle Scope
If you need a short-range Leupold LPVO scope for short-range deer hunting then this is the perfect alternative. It features a 1-6x magnification and delivers excellent light transmission, glare reduction, and comes in a rugged package that will withstand all the harshness of the outdoors.
Although this scope is slightly more expensive, it is well-made and includes all of Leupold’s ingenious features. The first feature is a twilight light management system, which allows the scope to be used at dawn and dusk when the majority of deer hunting takes place.
The other feature is a custom dial system that allows you to tailor it to your specific rifle and hunting conditions. It also has an illuminated reticle with 8 brightness settings.
Features
- Objective Lens Diameter: 24 mm
- Magnification: 1 – 6 x
- FireDot Duplex Reticle
- Second Focal Plane (SFP)
- Exit Pupil: 4 – 24 mm
- 2 – 20.3 ft at 100 yds Field of View.
- Eye Relief: 3.7 – 3.82 in
- Weight: 13.4 oz
Pros
- Lightweight
- Gives a bright image under low-light
- Low magnification for short-range targets
- Custom dial system
- It’s Well put together
Cons
- Pricey
Best Leupold Scope for Deer Hunting-Buying Guide
These are the characteristics one should consider before buying a Leupold scope to use for deer hunting.
Magnification
This depends on when and where you are hunting your deer. If the hunting occurs over a vast landscape, you require high magnification say something like 4-18x 50. The 18x magnification will greatly help in making the distant target appear closer and enable you to take an accurate shot.
When hunting in a dense forest, you are more likely to encounter close targets, a lower magnification, such as 2-9x 40, can be used.
During the day, for example, the image will be clear, and you will not need a high magnification to identify the target. This, however, is dependent on the quality of the image being displayed, and it takes us to the next factor…
Image Quality
This depends on 3 things; the size of the objective lens, the glass quality, and the amount of coating on the lens. The size of the objective lens is shown by the last value in the nomenclature of the scope. In a figure like 4-18x 50 for example the objective lens measures 50mm.
A wide objective lens allows more light to enter the lens, resulting in a brighter image. On the other hand, the type of glass and the amount of coating affect light transmission through the lens. More coatings on high-quality glass mean better light transmission and a sharper image.
Eye relief
This is the total distance from the eyepiece to the eye of the shooter where the image of the target is fully visible without any dark edges. On most scopes, it typically ranges from 2 to 5 inches.
A longer eye relief allows the shooter to position the scope in a variety of ways while still seeing the target clearly. It also serves as a safety precaution when using the scope with weapons that have high recoil and kick backward when fired, increasing the risk of hitting the eye.
Durability
It is simple to care for a scope knowing that some parts, such as the lens, are delicate. However, the unavoidable can occur and damage to your scope occurs.
A good scope should account for this scenario and include some preventive measures to protect the scope from unavoidable damage. This can include features such as a scratch-resistant lens, waterproofing, fog proofing, and a durable casing to protect against impact.
Type of Reticle
Having the best reticle on your rifle scope will give you an edge out in the field over the deer. Whereas this is mostly a shooter’s preference, you can check out the different types of reticles.
FAQs
Where are Leupold scopes made?
Leupold scopes are designed, machined, and assembled in the United States at an assembly plant in Oregon.
What is the best size for objective lens on a Leupold scope?
The larger the objective lens, the brighter the image will be. This has its own limitations because a large-diameter rifle scope is bulky and unwieldy if the hunter is constantly on the move.
However, for medium to long-range targets, any objective lens wider than 40mm will provide a sufficiently bright image of your target.
What does Custom Dial System (CDS) do on a Leupold rifle scope?
The CDS tailors the optics of the scope to your rifle, taking into account ballistics and the average shooting conditions where the rifle is used. It follows a process in which the buyer first purchases the scope, then sends the load data to Leupold, who then produces a dial for each rifle that may be used with the scope.
This improves the effectiveness of the scope and reduces the time required to adjust for the target.
Leupold Vs Vortex which one is better?
When it comes to build quality and dependability, Leupold scopes have a slight advantage over Vortex. However, the Vortex brand of scope is less expensive.
CONCLUSION
This is the most in-depth review of the best Leupold scope you can use for deer hunting. The scopes included in this article will give you the utmost value and at the end of the day you’ll always go home with meat. The buying guide provided will also go a long way to help you make an informed decision when looking at other alternatives not included in our article.
Related