Looking through the RDS will give you a true 1X view. The VX-­3i series have similar optical performance when compared to Leupold’s old Mark 4 scopes — at half the price. The RDS surprised me. The blueprinted and precisely machined action allows Springfield to offer the Model 2020 with .75" MOA accuracy guarantee. The underside of the base has three ribs machined into it to mate like a puzzle to a Picatinny rail. For a $390 optic (MOA version), it’s impressive that you won’t have to worry about the electronics failing or losing your zero. The people asked and Trijicon answered. Subscriber Services. That is not the case when reviewing Leupold’s new VX-­3i 4.5-­14x40mm scope with Wind-­Plex reticle. The red dot is also daylight bright and can be dimmed by pushing on the Leupold logo located on the battery housing. If the target is 250 yards away, spin the turret to “2.5” and let her fly. I hunted in Colorado last fall and was reminded that really good equipment doesn’t have to cost a bunch of money. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets. To survive the drop test and extreme temperatures they put them through, you know this optic will take the abuse of banging around in the back of a truck, sludging through muddy trails in an ATV or those bitter-cold Minnesota winters. Leupold tells me that the 176011 (VX-Freedom 3-9x40 .450 Bushmaster) comes with the CDS (Custom Dial System) calibrated for .450 Bushmaster, installed. Get all of Hollywood.com's best Movies lists, news, and more. Trijicon's new RMRcc features the durability and reliable controls that have made the RMR so successful, but its reduced dimensions make the “Concealed Carry” model better suited for the popular small-frame pistols designed for discreet carry and personal defense. At the heart of the rifle is the Model 2020 action which wish designed and built with very tight tolerances thanks to Springfield's technology-driven manufacturing capabilities The stainless steel action features an integral recoil lug, and pairs with a fluted bolt employing dual cocking cams and an enhanced extractor for high pressure loads. Manufacturing changes over time. The 1-MOA red dot is just the right size for accuracy at longer distances where a larger red dot could obscure a target. Powering off the RDS is like many electronic items. The underside of the base has three ribs machined into it to mate like a puzzle … The 2x-12x-44mm Leupold VX-6HD gives a bit more top end, and for a rifle that will be in the elk woods, or hunting moose across a lake, this scope makes a great choice. The RDS has its own proprietary coating called the Twilight Red Dot lens system, which Leupold touts to provide better color consistency and lens clarity than other red dots. Looking through the RDS, its field of view (FOV) is similar to other 1-inch objective lenses. The ability to have a scope that has a side-­focus turret, a vetted optical system with improved coatings, turrets that are repeatable and accurate, zero stop, zero lock and a reticle that allows for basic wind holds is a relatively new combination. My other red dots tinge the image with a blue hue, and although the image through the glass is close in brightness to the environment, the mid-tones are weak. The result is a sub-­$600 rifle scope that tracks better than a $1,600 scope made 10 years ago. There are many reasons for reloading for your handguns. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets. Technically, you can dial elevation gains to shoot out far distances, but since it lacks a zero feature, it complicates things. To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine. Some information is required to get an accurate turret made, but it’s included in the cost of the scope, and is worth the effort. If given the choice, I would choose the BDC version and tune it to a hunting load. I typically like a dial with numbers representing the power of the illumination and having an offsetting position in between, but I quickly got used to Leupold’s design. If you start with a dim dot and push the button repeatedly, the brightness will increase. All Guns and Ammo subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. In this Guns & Ammo TV segment, Gun Tech Editor Richard Nance and Pro-Shooter Jim Tarr discuss the benefits of airsoft training for uniformed professionals and armed citizens alike. As a photographer, I know quality glass and coatings when I peer through a lens. Moving the sight revives the dot instantly. In the rare chance that it happens, Leupold backs the RDS with a 100-percent guarantee. Surefire XSC Micro-Compact Pistol Light: First Look, SIONYX Aurora Night Vision Cameras Review, Browning Citori 725 Trap Max Shotgun Review, Leupold DeltaPoint Micro Red Dot Sight for Pistols: New for 2021, Burris RT-25 5-25x56 Long Range Riflescope Review, Red Dot Sights One of the Best Shooting Accessories for New Firearm Owners, Leupold VX-3i 4.5-14x40mm CDS-ZL Scope Review, Guns & Ammo TV: Cameras Don't Lie: 9mm vs .45 ACP. When researching any type of riflescope, binocular or spotter, the name Vortex pops up just... Give a Gift   These are second focal plane (SFP)reticles, so when the magnification gets cut in half, the value of each subtension mark doubles. Introducing the RMRcc miniature red-dot sight for compact, concealed-carry pistols. All that’s required to hit (when using a good ballistic calculator) is a quick twist of the turret. Just send it back to Leupold for repair or free replacement, even if you’re not the original owner. The .300 Blackout cartridge was developed to provide greater effectiveness than a 9mm at short and medium ranges when fired from a short-barreled suppressed firearm. Every major optics company offers one; some offer many. Leupold launches its new DeltaPoint Micro Red Dot sight, a low-profile red dot sight designed... Small, lightweight and purpose-built for sub-compact carry guns, Surefire's XSC pistol light... Trijicon has dominated the Carry Optic landscape on hard-use handguns for years. The RDS includes a motion detector, which will put the red dot to sleep after five minutes. As well, the Gold Ring is inscribed with ".450 Bushmaster", Mark H. by Mark H., Gear Expert, April 18, 2019 From the center of the reticle, there are 10 MOAs in each direction. |   The Leupold 1.5x-5x-20mm Vx-3i is a classic for dangerous game in Africa and Alaska, but makes an excellent choice for almost of my hunting needs here in the Northeast. There’s also a Custom Dial System (CDS) built-in on this scope, making it easier for you to dial up for longer shots. (Don’t be scared off by the $845 suggested retail price.). That doesn’t make it cheap, but it does make it an excellent value. What’s better is to shell out the extra $130 and get the BDC model that comes with a BDC turret tuned to a 55-grain .223 Rem. The age-old question, 9mm vs .45 ACP. If you’re concerned about battery life, don’t fret. The resulting elevation adjustment will be dead-­on. Hunters in the West and Midwest might argue that 10 MOA of wind hold in the reticle isn’t enough. Removing the cap on the MOA turret reveals a large rubberized dial with easy-to-read numbers. I'll argue that the most advanced red dot and magnifier combination currently available is... Give a Gift   In an optics world that sees more and more options available every day, I take comfort in products that offer the performance I desire from a source I trust. It comes mounted in Leupold’s own AR mount, which has a substantially thick base. These Riflescopes from Leupold feature their updated Twilight Max light management system for clear, bright sighting even at dusk or in deep shadows. Receiving a sample for evaluation, it’s weight and robustness stood out. It was a great companion to have on a hunting rifle because once Leupold has the necessary information, they engrave a turret that allows the shooter to dial the distance to the target. Just as cell phones and computers are much more capable and economical than they were a few years ago; So are the computer-­controlled machines in use by manufacturing today. For a nominal fee, you can get a custom BDC turret tuned to your load data. However, surfing around the internet reveals that the same scope is available from select retailers for around $560. Not only do the turrets do an excellent job tracking, the owner has a couple of options. Leupold.com suggests that the retail price of the VX-3i with 4.5-14x magnification starts at “$844.99.” That number is expensive for a hunting scope. Getting that kind of recognized and vetted performance for under $600 is a big deal, in my opinion. The temperature and elevation will vary at your hunting location, but as long as the actual conditions are within 20 degrees in temperature and 2,000 feet of elevation, the custom CDS turret will be accurate out to 600 yards or so. Any free ballistic calculator app that’ll download to a smartphone can calculate a wind hold given muzzle velocity, BC, distance to the target and wind speed. ©2021 Outdoor Sportsman Group. ©2021 Outdoor Sportsman Group. The optic is waterproof, nitrogen purged for fog proofing and is scratch resistant. A prepared hunter could have a range card for wind done by calculating wind holds in 5 mile-­per-­hour (mph) increments out to the furthest distance one is willing to shoot. Leupold’s Freedom Red Dot Sight (RDS) is made for those who expect their red dot to withstand rough and tumble conditions. In this segment of “At The Range,” Handgunning Editor Jeremy Stafford and contributor Patrick Sweeney compare the visibility of red and green lasers in outdoor, sunny conditions. The name Burris Optics is often mentioned in the same breath as NightForce and Leupold brands. There’s a ton more windage adjustment available if the shooter is willing to dial down from maximum magnification and do some simple math. Even with the Wind-­Plex reticle, knowing the correct wind hold is either going to take a lot of time, attention and field experience or some savvy use of a ballistic calculator. Added to the enhancements made to the optical performance of the VX-3i scope are some huge improvements made to the mechanical qualities, specifically tracking. The turret is finger friendly and can be turned by hand instead of with a tool. To read more articles like this, click here to purchase a print or digital copy of Red Dot. At 14X it has 10 MOA of adjustment in each direction. That is something that could be done before ever leaving the house to head out and hunt. For example, the scope I had was a VX-­3i 4.5-­14x40mm. This may sound like a bad thing, but what’s important here is the end result, which is an image with richer colors, richer mid-tones and better contrast for a high-definition image. I found the color coming through the RDS true to the environment but several shades darker. To adjust for 250 yards, put the large number on the dial to 2.5 and shoot. It’s like putting on a light-shade polarizing filter. For others, the debate goes on. I can see no difference in resolution between the two product lines. bullet traveling 3,100 feet per second. Getting all that for under $600 is unheard of. Despite being a production rifle, the Model 2020 should rival more expensive custom builds. Subscriber Services. Testing the durability of the RDS was outside the scope of the article, so I can’t state that it will take harsh abuse. The CDS enables you to actually match the set-up to your ammo, which in this case would be the Creedmoor 6.5 cartridges. But for the price and guarantee, it would be a no brainer to replace one of my current red dots with the RDS. All Rights Reserved. ZeroLock CDS-ZL2 (Custom Dial System) - Simplifies longer shots by eliminating the need for holdovers or ballistic calculations by using a dial that is customized to your rifle and ammo Twilight Max HD Light Management system - Adds up to 30 minutes of shooting light, best in class glare reduction, and edge to edge HD lens clarity Leupold VX-1 2-7x33mm Rifle Scope Similar Products opticsplanet.com Check price. Whether you are hunting whitetail from a treestand or stalking sheep in rugged terrain, the Leupold VX-3i 4.5-14x40mm Rifle Scope delivers a vivid image so you will bring home your trophy. To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine. The RDS is made of 6061 T6 aluminum and has a beefy 34mm main tube. The slide is lightened with a cut on the top, although the 10mm chambering probably doesn’t need it. For hunting, glass clarity and toughness become important. Like any Gold Ring scope that Leupold makes, the consumer gains the added comfort of knowing it is made in America and comes with a lifetime warranty that’ll likely never require use. Even if I had a lot of money to spend, this would still be one of my top picks for a hunting optic. Further, if the wind is howling, dialing the scope all the way down to 4.5X gives approximately 30 MOA of wind hold on each side of the reticle. For personal defense, a small red dot will do. This significant improvement is what’s allowed Leupold to put their Custom Dial System (CDS) on the scope. The Leupold RDS is made of 6061 T6 aluminum and has a beefy 34mm main tube. I tested this feature, and at five minutes, the light starts blinking and then disappears. As much as I think the CDS turret is a great feature to have on any hunting scope, Leupold’s Wind-­Plex reticle is equally important. This thing is designed to be knocked around and stay in place. There is no need to mess with a ballistic calculator or a range card in the field, which is nice because animals don’t usually stand around so that you can make the perfect shot. Built to last… The lens has a special Diamond Coat 2 coating, which is an ion-assisted lens coating. Every Leupold riflescope is designed to survive a minimum of 5,000 impacts on the Punisher, Leupold’s recoil simulation machine. The red-dot market is saturated. |   I found at the right illumination setting for the environment, the red dot was very crisp. Press the illumination button for several seconds, and the sight goes off. With this turret, the large numbers represent yards in hundreds. It offers 12 MOA of elevation gain per rotation. This significant improvement is what’s allowed Leupold to put their Custom Dial System (CDS) on the scope. One of the selling features of the optic is that it goes through the same arduous testing as Leupold’s military scopes. Leupold introduced the RDS sight earlier this year in two models: one with standard-MOA adjustments and one with a bullet-drop-compensator (BDC) turret. The Hornady 6.5 PRC (Precision Rifle Cartridge) is a "magnumized" 6.5 Creedmoor. The scope I hunted with was one of the first VX-­3i models that features the CDS turret. It comes mounted in Leupold's own AR mount, which has a substantially thick base. Since tracking is a scope’s ability to adjust in precise and repeatable increments, this becomes a compelling feature for anyone that wants to dial an elevation correction. The scope I’ve been hunting with sits atop a .270 Winchester, so I took advantage of the CDS system and had Leupold make a custom turret for it. Burris Scopes 2021 Top Picks Review. For some, this has been asked and answered already. In this segment of "Guns & Ammo TV," Gun Tech Editor Richard Nance and Pro-Shooter Jim Tarr head to the range to wring out the Umarex Air Ruger 10/22. We’ve got the full-length slide, and the 5.25" barrel inside, a barrel that is full ramped and supports the cartridge case as well as any can. All Guns and Ammo subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. Once the shooter fires, a quick spin of the turret will take it back to the original zero where it will stop and lock. Leupold DeltaPoint Micro Red Dot Sight for Pistols: New for 2021, Surefire XSC Micro-Compact Pistol Light: First Look, Trijicon RMRcc Reflex Sight Review – Perfect for Concealed Carry, Browning Citori 725 Trap Max Shotgun Review, First Look: Springfield Armory Model 2020 Waypoint Bolt-Action Rifle, Leupold DeltaPoint Micro Red Dot for Pistols: TESTED, Pulsar Thermion XG50 Thermal Riflescope - First Look, Trijicon RMRcc Reflex Sight – Perfect for Optics-Ready Concealed-Carry Pistols, Red vs. Green Lasers: Visibility in Bright Light. Each of these scopes ships with an exposed and locking elevation turret that adjusts in .25-­minute of angle (MOA) clicks. When I compared the Leupold with my other two red dots of similar price, the other red dots appear washed out. I can’t think of another scope that has a quality zero stop and a zero lock that’s anywhere near this price range. I expected the RDS to be a good optic and on par with my other similarly priced and sized red dots, but the clarity of the RDS is superior. The force of each impact is 3x the recoil of a .308 rifle . Small, lightweight and purpose-built for sub-compact carry guns, Surefire's XSC pistol light takes on EDC illumination segment. Just because the cartridge wasn't designed to go long doesn't mean Rifles & Optics Editor Tom Beckstrand won't take it there, using a large-format pistol, no less. For jumping out of helicopters and swimming through alligator-­infested swamps, you’ll want a red dot that can withstand punishment and be waterproof. To get an accurate CDS turret made, the following information is necessary: bullet weight, bullet brand, bullet type, ballistic coefficient (BC), muzzle velocity, temperature and elevation. Leupold’s precision manufacturing gets better every year, so the turrets that they make today are more precise than even the ones they made just 5 years ago. Added to the enhancements made to the optical performance of the VX-3i scope are some huge improvements made to the mechanical qualities, specifically tracking. This is most notable in full daylight. When it reaches its maximum brightness, the red dot flashes. The reticle subtends along the horizontal axis in 1-­MOA increments. Cycle backwards from bright to dim with repeated pushes. If you know anything about rifle scopes, you will recognize them as among the top brands in the industry. Armed with SIG Sauer's 9-inch-barreled MCX Virtus Pistol loaded with Black Hills' 125-grain TMK ammunition, Beckstrand attempts to ring steel at 600 yards with help from Hornady's 4DOF ballistic calculator in this segment of “Long Range Tech.”. Lower prices frequently mean fewer features and less capability. Choosing what’s best for you will depend on the task at hand. I compare the VX-­3i to the Mark 4 because the U.S. military still issues some Mark 4 scopes and many law enforcement agencies around the country have been using them for decades. I also think the VX-­3i scopes have better coatings than the old Mark 4 scopes because there is a slight increase in low-­light performance. Leupold VX-1 2-7x33mm Riflescope is the best in its class, offering hunters quality, accuracy, affordability, and a lifetime guarantee. All Leupold riflescopes are tested by us to perform from -40ºF to 160ºF. All Rights Reserved. To check out the accuracy of the SA58, I mounted a Leupold 1-6x20 mm Mark 6, an ultra-sturdy optic with a 34 mm tube. In this segment of “Cameras Don't Lie,” competitive shooters Patrick Sweeney and Jim Tarr head to the range to put the vaunted loads on record, and then consider the footage. When shooting single-colored targets on the range, the difference may not matter, but if you’re hunting or shooting for accuracy, a clearer, richer image is a distinct advantage. At 7X, that same scope and reticle has 20 MOA of adjustment in either direction. Before I gush over the 10mm, let’s review the features of the XD-M Competition.