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10 Best Leupold Rifle Scopes 2025 in the United States

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Our technology thoroughly searches through the online shopping world, reviewing hundreds of sites. We then process and analyze this information, updating in real-time to bring you the latest top-rated products. This way, you always get the best and most current options available.

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Our Top Picks

#1

Winner

Leupold Mark 5HD 7-35x56 (35mm) M5C3 FFP PR2-MIL Dark Earth Riflescope

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,293
Magnification
Objective Lens Diameter
Reticle

Most important from
26 reviews

Magnification
The glass is exceptionally clear with great magnification and easy-to-use controls, delivering a sharp and bright image.
Objective Lens Diameter
The scope’s magnification range and large objective lens perform impressively, especially in low light and at long distances.
Reticle
The illuminated reticle settings could be more visible, with only a few brightness levels effectively usable.
Eye Relief
The eye relief offers comfortable spacing, ensuring safety and ease during recoil.
Turrets and Adjustments
Precise turret adjustments and parallax correction provide reliable accuracy for serious shooters.
Parallax Adjustment
Precise turret adjustments and parallax correction provide reliable accuracy for serious shooters.
Durability and Weather Resistance
Durability stands out with a waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof aluminum build suited for harsh outdoor conditions.

The Leupold Mark 5HD 7-35x56 rifle scope is built for serious shooters needing high-performance optics. Its powerful magnification range (7-35x) paired with a large 56mm objective lens allows for clear, bright images even in low light or at long distances. The First Focal Plane reticle is a real plus because it scales with zoom, helping with accurate range estimation regardless of magnification setting. This scope features precise turrets for windage and elevation adjustments, plus parallax correction, which is essential for maintaining clarity and accuracy at varying distances. Eye relief is comfortable, providing enough space to avoid recoil impact on the shooter's eye.

Made from durable aluminum, it's fully waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof—perfect for tough outdoor conditions. Its relatively heavy weight might be a consideration for those carrying gear long distances. With its professional-grade features, it comes at a higher price point, making it best suited to experienced shooters or professionals who need reliability and optical excellence in demanding environments.

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,293
Magnification
Objective Lens Diameter
Reticle

Most important from
26 reviews

Magnification
The glass is exceptionally clear with great magnification and easy-to-use controls, delivering a sharp and bright image.
Objective Lens Diameter
The scope’s magnification range and large objective lens perform impressively, especially in low light and at long distances.
Reticle
The illuminated reticle settings could be more visible, with only a few brightness levels effectively usable.
Eye Relief
The eye relief offers comfortable spacing, ensuring safety and ease during recoil.
Turrets and Adjustments
Precise turret adjustments and parallax correction provide reliable accuracy for serious shooters.
Parallax Adjustment
Precise turret adjustments and parallax correction provide reliable accuracy for serious shooters.
Durability and Weather Resistance
Durability stands out with a waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof aluminum build suited for harsh outdoor conditions.
#2

Leupold VX-6HD 3-18x50 (30mm) CDS-ZL2 Side Focus Illum. FireDot Duplex Reticle Riflescope

Rating
10.0
Turrets and Adjustments

Most important from
52 reviews

Turrets and Adjustments
Leupold provides a custom top turret dial for your specific round, eliminating the need to manually calculate elevation.

The Leupold VX-6HD 3-18x50 riflescope is an excellent choice for hunters and shooting enthusiasts looking for a versatile and durable scope. With a magnification range of 3x to 18x and a large 50mm objective lens, it offers a bright and clear view, making it suitable for both close-range and longer-distance shooting. The illuminated FireDot Duplex reticle is particularly beneficial in low-light conditions, allowing for quick target acquisition.

One of the standout features is the ZeroLock 2 (CDS-ZL2) adjustment system, which allows for precise elevation adjustments with a straightforward locking mechanism to prevent accidental changes. The Motion Sensor Technology (MST) enhances battery life by turning off the illumination after a period of inactivity, while also ensuring immediate activation upon movement, which is a handy feature for dynamic hunting situations.

Durability is another strong point, as the scope is 100% waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof, making it capable of withstanding harsh weather and rugged conditions. Leupold's commitment to customer care is demonstrated through their full lifetime guarantee, providing peace of mind for users. Potential buyers should consider a couple of drawbacks. At 2 pounds, the scope may feel a bit heavy on lighter rifles, which could impact maneuverability for some users. Additionally, while the illuminated reticle is a significant advantage, the complexity of the features may be overwhelming for beginners who are not familiar with advanced optics.

Rating
10.0
Turrets and Adjustments

Most important from
52 reviews

Turrets and Adjustments
Leupold provides a custom top turret dial for your specific round, eliminating the need to manually calculate elevation.
#3

Leupold VX-5HD 3-15x44 (30mm) CDS-ZL2 Side Focus Illum. FireDot Duplex Reticle Riflescope

Rating
9.4
Reticle
Turrets and Adjustments
Parallax Adjustment

Most important from
349 reviews

Reticle
The reticle design is appreciated for not being too busy, allowing for easy dialing for elevation and holding for wind.
Turrets and Adjustments
Turrets provide a nice tactile click at 0.25 MOA per adjustment, enhancing precision.
Parallax Adjustment
Side parallax adjustment prevents reticle shift across the target, ensuring consistent accuracy.

The Leupold VX-5HD 3-15x44 riflescope is an excellent option for hunters and shooting enthusiasts looking for a versatile and high-quality scope. With a magnification range of 3 to 15x, it offers great flexibility for various shooting scenarios, whether at close range or further distances. The 44mm objective lens diameter allows ample light transmission, contributing to a bright and clear image, which is especially valuable in low-light conditions.

One of the standout features is its illuminated FireDot Duplex reticle, which enhances visibility against different backgrounds, making target acquisition easier. The side focus parallax adjustment is another advantage, providing quick and precise adjustments from various shooting positions, ensuring optimal accuracy.

The scope is designed with durability in mind, being 100% waterproof, fog-proof, and shockproof. This makes it suitable for all-weather use, a crucial aspect for outdoor enthusiasts. Additionally, the Guard-ion lens coating helps repel dirt and water, maintaining a clear view even in challenging conditions.

Rating
9.4
Reticle
Turrets and Adjustments
Parallax Adjustment

Most important from
349 reviews

Reticle
The reticle design is appreciated for not being too busy, allowing for easy dialing for elevation and holding for wind.
Turrets and Adjustments
Turrets provide a nice tactile click at 0.25 MOA per adjustment, enhancing precision.
Parallax Adjustment
Side parallax adjustment prevents reticle shift across the target, ensuring consistent accuracy.

Buying Guide for the Best Leupold Rifle Scopes

Choosing the right rifle scope is crucial for enhancing your shooting accuracy and overall experience. A good rifle scope can make a significant difference in your ability to hit targets at various distances, in different lighting conditions, and in diverse environments. When selecting a rifle scope, it's important to consider several key specifications that will determine how well the scope meets your needs. Understanding these specifications will help you make an informed decision and ensure that you get the best fit for your shooting requirements.
MagnificationMagnification refers to how much closer the target appears through the scope compared to the naked eye. This is important because it affects your ability to see and aim at distant targets. Scopes typically have fixed or variable magnification. Fixed magnification scopes are simpler and often more durable, while variable magnification scopes offer more flexibility. For general hunting, a 3-9x magnification range is common, while long-range shooting might require 10x or higher. Choose a magnification based on the typical distance of your targets and the type of shooting you plan to do.
Objective Lens DiameterThe objective lens diameter is the size of the front lens of the scope, measured in millimeters. This spec is important because it affects the amount of light that enters the scope, impacting image brightness and clarity. Larger objective lenses (e.g., 50mm) allow more light and are better for low-light conditions, but they can make the scope heavier and bulkier. Smaller lenses (e.g., 32mm) are lighter and more compact but may not perform as well in dim lighting. Consider the balance between light-gathering ability and the weight/size of the scope based on your shooting environment.
ReticleThe reticle, or crosshair, is the aiming point you see when looking through the scope. Reticles come in various designs, such as duplex, mil-dot, and BDC (bullet drop compensator). The choice of reticle is important because it affects how you aim and compensate for factors like bullet drop and windage. A simple duplex reticle is good for general hunting, while a mil-dot reticle is useful for range estimation and long-range shooting. Choose a reticle that matches your shooting style and the complexity of your aiming needs.
Eye ReliefEye relief is the distance between your eye and the scope at which you can see the full image. This is important for comfort and safety, especially with high-recoil rifles. Longer eye relief (e.g., 4 inches or more) is better for powerful rifles to prevent the scope from hitting your face during recoil. Shorter eye relief (e.g., 3 inches) can be acceptable for low-recoil firearms. Consider the recoil of your rifle and your comfort when choosing the appropriate eye relief.
Field of ViewField of view (FOV) is the width of the area you can see through the scope at a specific distance, usually measured in feet at 100 yards. A wider FOV is important for tracking moving targets and situational awareness. Scopes with lower magnification typically offer a wider FOV, while higher magnification narrows the FOV. If you need to track fast-moving targets or require a broad view of your surroundings, opt for a scope with a wider FOV. For precision shooting at long distances, a narrower FOV may be acceptable.
Turrets and AdjustmentsTurrets are the knobs on the scope that allow you to adjust the windage (left/right) and elevation (up/down) of the reticle. This is important for zeroing your scope and making precise adjustments for different shooting conditions. Some scopes have exposed turrets for quick adjustments, while others have capped turrets to prevent accidental changes. Consider whether you need quick access to adjustments or prefer a more protected setup. Also, check if the adjustments are in MOA (minutes of angle) or MRAD (milliradians) and choose based on your familiarity and preference.
Parallax AdjustmentParallax adjustment helps to eliminate the parallax error, which occurs when the reticle appears to move relative to the target when you shift your eye position. This is important for maintaining accuracy, especially at longer distances. Some scopes have a fixed parallax setting, while others offer adjustable parallax. For general hunting and short to mid-range shooting, a fixed parallax setting is often sufficient. For long-range precision shooting, an adjustable parallax is beneficial to ensure the reticle remains on target regardless of eye position.
Durability and Weather ResistanceDurability and weather resistance are crucial for ensuring your scope can withstand harsh conditions and rough handling. Look for scopes that are shockproof, waterproof, and fog-proof. These features are important for maintaining performance in various environments, from rain and snow to extreme temperatures. Consider the typical conditions you'll be shooting in and choose a scope that offers the necessary protection to ensure reliability and longevity.

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