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10 Best Leupold Scopes 2025 in the United States

#1

Winner

10.0 score

Leupold VX-5HD 4-20x52 (34mm) CDS-ZL2 Side Focus Duplex Reticle Riflescope

The Leupold VX-5HD 4-20x52 riflescope is a solid choice for hunters and shooters looking for versatile magnification, offering a broad 4x to 20x range that works well for both close and long-distance shots. Its 52mm objective lens gathers ample light, which helps maintain a bright and clear image even in low-light conditions. The Duplex reticle is simple and easy to use, making it a favorite for many users, and the illuminated option adds convenience in dimmer environments. Eye relief and field of view are comfortable for most shooters, while the side focus parallax adjustment allows quick and precise focusing from different shooting positions, enhancing accuracy.

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,185
Magnification
Objective Lens Diameter
Turrets

Most important from
33 reviews

Magnification
The scope delivers outstanding optical clarity with sharp, edge-to-edge views that enhance shooting precision.
Objective Lens Diameter
The large 52mm objective lens ensures bright, clear images even in low-light conditions, making it versatile for various environments.
Turrets
Precision adjustments and the CDS-ZL2 turret system allow for accurate elevation control and prevent accidental shifts.
#2
9.7 score

Leupold Mark 5HD 3.6-18x44 (35mm) M5C3 FFP PR2-MIL Dark Earth Riflescope

The Leupold Mark 5HD 3.6-18x44 riflescope is designed for serious shooters and hunters who want professional-level performance. Its magnification range from 3.6x to 18x makes it versatile, allowing clear views at both close and long distances. The 44mm objective lens is a solid size that gathers plenty of light, which helps provide bright and clear images, even in challenging lighting conditions like dawn or dusk. The scope features a front focal plane (FFP) reticle, meaning the reticle changes size with magnification, making range estimation more accurate at any zoom level—a useful feature if you need precise shooting adjustments. Leupold’s proprietary glare reduction and high optical clarity further improve visibility in tough light. With a field of view of about 28 feet at 100 yards, you get a good balance between seeing enough of the area while zoomed in and still maintaining detail.

Rating
9.7
Objective Lens Diameter
Reticle
Turrets

Most important from
26 reviews

Objective Lens Diameter
Optical clarity is outstanding, delivering bright and clear images suited for various lighting conditions.
Reticle
The CCH reticle excels for hunting, providing reliable holds even on moving targets.
Turrets
Initial tracking inconsistencies are likely due to a break-in period for the internal springs, after which performance stabilizes significantly.
#3
9.7 score

Leupold Mark 5HD 3.6-18x44mm M5C3 FFP Riflescope, PR1-MIL Reticle

The Leupold Mark 5HD 3.6-18x44mm Riflescope is designed primarily for serious hunters and precision shooters who need reliable performance in various conditions. Its magnification range of 3.6x to 18x allows for versatility, whether you're targeting at close range or taking a shot from a distance. The 44mm objective lens diameter helps to gather more light, which is beneficial in low-light situations.

Rating
9.7
Reticle

Most important from
26 reviews

Reticle
The CCH reticle is excellent for hunting, particularly for moving targets.

Top 10 Best Leupold Scopes 2025 in the United States

#1

Winner

10.0  score

Leupold VX-5HD 4-20x52 (34mm) CDS-ZL2 Side Focus Duplex Reticle Riflescope

Magnification: 4-20x
Objective Lens Diameter: 52 mm
Reticle: Duplex, Illuminated, Second Focal Plane
Parallax Adjustment: Side focus
Turrets: CDS-ZL2 turret system

Chosen by 1185 this week

Leupold Mark 5HD 3.6-18x44 (35mm) M5C3 FFP PR2-MIL Dark Earth Riflescope

Magnification: 3.6-18x
Objective Lens Diameter: 44 mm
Reticle: FFP TMR (Mk)
Field of View: 28.3 ft
Parallax Adjustment: yes
Turrets: yes

Leupold VX-6HD Gen 2 3-18x44 (30mm) CDS-SZL2 Side Focus Illum. TMOA

Magnification: 3 to 18 times
Objective Lens Diameter: 44 mm
Reticle: TMOA illuminated
Eye Relief: generous
Parallax Adjustment: side focus
Turrets: easy, accurate windage and elevation

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

Magnification: 7-35x
Objective Lens Diameter: 56mm
Reticle: First Focal Plane
Parallax Adjustment: present
Turrets: precise, easy adjustments

Leupold VX-5HD 3-15x56 (30mm) CDS-ZL2 Side Focus Illum. FireDot Duplex Reticle Riflescope

Magnification: 3-15x
Objective Lens Diameter: 56 mm
Reticle: Illuminated FireDot Duplex
Eye Relief: Protects eyes from recoil
Field of View: 38.2 feet
Parallax Adjustment: Side focus parallax
Turrets: ZeroLock 2 with Custom Dial

Leupold Mark 5HD 5-25x56 (35mm) M5C3 FFP PR2-MIL Dark Earth Riflescope

Magnification: 5-25x
Objective Lens Diameter: 56 mm
Reticle: First Focal Plane TMR
Field of View: 20.4 ft
Parallax Adjustment: PR2-MIL
Turrets: PR2-MIL

Leupold VX-6HD 4-24x52 (34mm) CDS-ZL2 Side Focus Illum. TMOA Reticle Riflescope

Magnification: 4-24x
Objective Lens Diameter: 52 mm
Reticle: Illuminated TMOA
Parallax Adjustment: Side parallax focus
Turrets: CDS-ZL2 elevation turret, two-turn dial

Leupold Mark 5HD 7-35x56mm M5C3 FFP Side Focus Riflescope, Illuminated TMR Reticle

Magnification: 7-35x
Objective Lens Diameter: 56 mm
Reticle: Illuminated TMR, front focal plane
Eye Relief: 3.8 inches
Parallax Adjustment: Side adjustable
Turrets: M5C3 turrets, 1/10 mil adjustments

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

Magnification: 3-15x
Objective Lens Diameter: 44 mm
Reticle: Fine Duplex
Field of View: 38.3 ft
Parallax Adjustment: Side-focus
Turrets: CDS-ZL2 system
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Buying Guide for the Best Leupold Scopes

Choosing the right scope for your needs can significantly enhance your shooting experience. Whether you're a hunter, a competitive shooter, or just enjoy target practice, understanding the key specifications of a scope will help you make an informed decision. Here are the main specs to consider when selecting a Leupold scope, along with explanations to guide you through the process.
MagnificationMagnification refers to how much closer the target appears through the scope compared to the naked eye. This is important because it determines how well you can see your target at various distances. Scopes with lower magnification (1-4x) are ideal for close-range shooting and fast target acquisition. Medium magnification (5-9x) is suitable for mid-range distances, while high magnification (10x and above) is best for long-range shooting. Choose the magnification based on the typical distance you will be shooting.
Objective Lens DiameterThe objective lens diameter is the size of the front lens of the scope, measured in millimeters. This spec is important because a larger objective lens allows more light to enter the scope, resulting in a brighter and clearer image. Smaller diameters (20-32mm) are lighter and more compact, suitable for short to mid-range shooting. Medium diameters (40-44mm) offer a good balance of light transmission and size, while larger diameters (50mm and above) are best for low-light conditions and long-range shooting. Consider the lighting conditions and the weight you are comfortable with when choosing the objective lens diameter.
ReticleThe reticle, or crosshair, is the aiming point you see when looking through the scope. Different reticle designs serve various purposes. Simple duplex reticles are easy to use and great for general shooting. BDC (Bullet Drop Compensator) reticles help with long-range shooting by providing holdover points. Mil-dot reticles are useful for range estimation and windage adjustments. Choose a reticle based on your shooting style and the level of precision you need.
Eye ReliefEye relief is the distance between your eye and the scope where you can see the full field of view. This is important for comfort and safety, especially with high-recoil firearms. Scopes with longer eye relief (3.5 inches or more) are better for high-recoil rifles, while shorter eye relief (around 3 inches) is sufficient for low-recoil firearms. Ensure the eye relief is adequate for your firearm to avoid injury and ensure a comfortable shooting experience.
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 allows you to see more of the target area, which is beneficial for tracking moving targets and situational awareness. Scopes with lower magnification typically offer a wider FOV, while higher magnification narrows the FOV. Consider how important it is for you to see a broader area versus focusing on a specific target when choosing the FOV.
Parallax AdjustmentParallax adjustment helps to eliminate the apparent shift of the reticle when you move your eye position. This is crucial for precision shooting at varying distances. Scopes without parallax adjustment are typically set at a fixed distance (usually 100 yards), which is fine for general shooting. Adjustable parallax (side focus or adjustable objective) is beneficial for long-range shooting and ensures the reticle remains on target regardless of eye position. If you plan to shoot at various distances, consider a scope with parallax adjustment.
TurretsTurrets are the knobs on the scope used to adjust the windage (left/right) and elevation (up/down) of the reticle. Precise and easy-to-use turrets are important for making accurate adjustments. Target turrets are larger and easier to adjust, suitable for long-range and competitive shooting. Low-profile turrets are more compact and less likely to be accidentally moved, ideal for hunting. Choose turrets based on how often you need to make adjustments and the type of shooting you do.

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