Are you looking for a varmint hunting scope? You have arrived at the right reviewing page. We have analyzed the best Leupold scopes for varmint hunting that provide a range of features and technologies to meet the unique challenges posed by this exhilarating pursuit. The scopes will empower you to capture these elusive species with pride and confidence.
Varmint hunting can be a sport or a necessary part of caring for property. The activity requires precision and accuracy. It demands optics that are able to quickly acquire and track fast-moving objects and offers unsurpassed clarity and reliable performance.
There are many offerings on the market, posing a challenge when it comes to selecting the right unit. Worry not. This review will serve as a compass as it comprehensively delves into the world of the best Leupold scopes that stand out from the competitors.
Best Leupold Scopes for Varmint Hunting
1) Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9x40mm Riflescope
Our top product for the best Leupold scopes for varmint hunting is the VX-Freedom 3-9x40mm riflescope. The riflescope comes at a remarkably low price without sacrificing quality, performance, and reliability.
The rugged aircraft-level aluminum construction will impress you, as it is an indication it will last many years. It can take moisture and weather. You don’t have to fret about temperature fluctuations, either. This is thanks to the multi-proof technology incorporated in its design.
A matte black finish and scratch-resistant lenses are a nice touch that fortifies the durability of the unit.
The VX-Freedom has a lightweight design that makes it easy to maneuver as you scout for prey. The Twilight Light Management System maximizes brightness and clarity by striking a balance between light transmission, glare reduction, and image contrast leading to the best views ever seen on an optic, from first to last light.
The 40mm objective lens is sufficient for optimum light collection contributing to the crispness of the images seen. The 3-9x magnification allows you to hunt at close to medium ranges without hassle.
Because fully understanding your ballistics can be daunting, the proprietary custom dial system laser-etches the elevation dial of your scope to match your load, velocity, and conditions. This gives you the ability to aim dead on without worrying about holdovers or ballistic calculators.
Features
- One-inch tube diameter
- 40mm objective lens size
- Twilight Light Management System
- Variable 3-9x power
- Custom dial system
- Aircraft-quality aluminum construction
- Lenses are scratch-resistant
- Performs well in all weather conditions
- 1/4 MOA finger click adjustments
Pros
- Unsurpassed performance in low light
- Legendary Leupold ruggedness
- Sufficient eye relief
Cons
- No reticle illumination
- Unchangeable parallax
2) Leupold Mark 5HD 5-25x56mm Riflescope
The next recommendation is the Leupold Mark 5-25x56mm riflescope. It is ideal for the varmint hunter willing to dish out the cash for a high-quality hunting instrument. Its hefty price tag is justified as the incredible features in the scope are not found anywhere else.
First, the 5-25x magnification is splendid, allowing you to hit targets that are close or very far away. A throw lever allows you to change between power ranges in the blink of an eye.
Since hunting exposes you to various conditions, the Mark 5HD boasts a weatherproof design for effective use in the harshest weather and environments. It is made from immensely solid and resilient aircraft-grade aluminum to withstand whatever nature throws at you.
You can hunt in any lighting conditions without worrying about interference with the quality of your views because the Twilight Max HD Light Management System renders clearer and brighter images all day long.
Instead of the conventional multi-coating found on lenses, the riflescope uses DiamondCoat 2 external lens coating that fights off abrasion and ensures stunning images of your target.
Another parameter is the fast-focus eyepiece that keeps the reticle in sharp focus, facilitating the quick acquisition of the target. A side focus eliminates parallax, which can be an impediment to accuracy if not taken care of.
Features
- Massive 56mm objective lens
- Magnificent 5-25x zoom
- Twilight Max HD light management coating
- Fast-focus eyepiece
- Side focus for parallax elimination
- Side focus parallax adjustment
- Scratch-resistant lenses for protection
- Punisher tested for the greatest level of recoil resistance
- High-speed power selector with an integrated throw lever
- 35mm main tube
- Fast-focusing mechanism
Pros
- Wide adjustment range
- Reticle illumination
- Superior glass
- Robust construction for a lifetime of use
Cons
- No rings included
- Hefty price tag
3) Leupold VX-5HD 3-15x44mm Riflescope
Another excellent contender for our list of the best Leupold scopes for varmint hunting is the VX-5HD. This is a top-tier unit will all the offerings that varmint hunters demand to seal the deal.
To begin with, Leupold VX-5HD 3-15x44mm allows you to make precise and ethical shots without compromising accuracy, even in long ranges.
Glass quality is an instrumental aspect for each scope, and the quality of the one on the VX-5HD sets the bar high. The glass has HD elements for clear and distortion-free visuals. A guard-ion hydrophobic coating is applied to the lens to repel water, oil, dust, and fingerprints for permanency and effectiveness.
Further, the glass includes the exclusive Twilight Max Light Management System to optimize light collection and improve the color spectrum tuned for the naked eye. All these offerings result in phenomenal low-light performance.
The one-piece main tube is cast from aircraft-quality aluminum finished in matte black. The scope will not fail you even when faced with challenging conditions outside. Also, sealing methods and mixed gases on the inside maintain the waterproof and fogproof integrity of the scope.
As if that is not enough, this varmint-hunting Leupold scope has a generous eye relief of 3.8 inches which provides plenty of distance between the scope and the shooter to prevent scope bite.
Another facet to behold is the zero-lock system that locks the dial in place and prevents accidental rotation off zero. The zero-reset system is pretty easy to use. Both windage and elevation turrets have a low profile to minimize the chances of accidental bumps.
Features
- 6061-T6 aircraft-level aluminum build
- Side focus adjusts the parallax of the scope
- Adequate eye relief to prevent recoil-related injury
- ZeroStop system
- Fully waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof
- HD glass quality
- Twilight Max Light Management System
- Guard-ion rain-shedding coating on the lens
Pros
- Firm and positive clicks that stay put for unwavering accuracy
- Legendary durability and resilience
- Excellent clarity and contrast
- The zero-reset system is impressive
Cons
- The reticle is too fine
4) Leupold VX-6HD 4-24x52mm Riflescope
Leupold VX-6HD 4-24x52mm riflescope equips even the most demanding hunter to reach out with confidence and precision. The 4-24x zoom allows you to utilize every opportunity on a hunt regardless of the target’s distance.
The reversible throw lever allows fast and easy power adjustments on the go so that your eyes are always fixed on the target. The fast-focus eyepiece is lockable and quickens you up considerably so that you are always on your toes even when handling fats-moving animals.
Another interesting facet of this varmint hunting scope is the motion sensor technology that turns off the illumination after 5 minutes of inactivity and turns it back on automatically when there is movement.
The Twilight Max Light Management System improves light transmission to unimaginable extents to make sure that your pictures are always bright, clear, ad glare-free. On top of that, the lens edges are blackened to eliminate the dispersion of any strays of light.
That’s not enough; the lenses are coated with a Guard-ion lens coating that is tremendously durable, scratch-resistant, and keeps away oil, dirt, and moisture.
The mixture of argon and krypton gases on the inside boost the fogproof capability of the riflescope while the sealing technology makes it waterproof to prevent penetration of external impurities like moisture and dust.
The entire housing is built from aircraft-grade aluminum that is long-lasting and shockproof. The ZeroLock windage adjustment prevents accidental shifts while delivering an accurate return to zero each time after sighting in.
Features
- Matte black finishing
- Sealed and purged for weather protection
- Twilight Mx Light Management System
- Zero lock windage adjustment
- Motion sensor technology extends battery life
- The custom dial system tunes the riflescope to the rifle’s ballistics
- 52mm objective lens diameter
- Variable 4-14x magnification
- Guard-ion rain-shedding coating on the lens
- Twin bias spring erector system
- 34mm main tube
Pros
- Wide zoom range
- Generous eyebox
- Robust and weatherproof
- Extraordinary glass for striking images
Cons
- Heavily priced
5) Leupold FX-1 Rimfire 4x28mm Riflescope
If you are a hunter who loves fixed magnification scopes, Leupold FX-1 is for you. The magnification is set at 4x, which is versatile for taking on varmints.
This fixed power scope is configured with the multi-coat 4 lens technology that renders unsurpassed clarity from edge and edge and extremely bright images even in dismal lighting conditions.
Trust the FX-1 to deliver precise shots all the time thanks to the micro-friction 0.25 MOA dials that enable you to make precise windage and elevation adjustments on the fly for peak accuracy. A riflescope that provides seamless adjustment is a real treat since hunting conditions vary significantly, so you should always be equipped for all shapes and conditions.
Also, the scope is 100% waterproof and fogproof to excel in all climatic conditions. The 6061-T6 aircraft-grade aluminum construction is hyper-robust and shockproof. The scope will thus take a beating when the conditions are demanding.
The fine Duplex reticle is on the second focal plane. It is uncluttered and easy to understand and is handy when dialing in elevation.
Features
- 5 inches of eye relief
- Weatherproof
- Multicoat 4 lens system for exceptional imaging
- Fine Duplex reticle
- Fixed 4x magnification
- 28mm objective lens diameter
- Micro-friction 1/4 MOA windage and elevation dials
Pros
- Bright and clear optics
- Price-friendly
- Low weight
Cons
- Images appear a bit blurry
Different Types of Scopes for Varmint Hunting
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Variable Magnification Scopes
Variable magnification scopes support adjustment of the magnification power. They are perfect for hunting at various distances and taking down varmints of multiple sizes.
A scope with a magnification range of 3-9x is ideal for hunting within 100 yards, while a 4-12x will do the job when hunting within 200 yards. For 300 yards and above, look for a scope ranging between 6-18x. However, bear in mind that the ideal magnification boils down to your hunting needs and individual preferences.
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Fixed Magnification Scopes
Fixed magnification scopes are best for hunting varmints that are relatively consistent in size and those within a relatively small distance. The magnification strength you are using should work for the most possible distances. A magnification of roughly 4x is suitable for hunting within 100 yards. 8x is ideal for 100 to 200 yards, while 10x is perfect for 200 yards and beyond.
Choosing the Best Leupold Scopes for Varmint Hunting
You want an ideal scope to be successful in varmint hunting. Here are some elements to help you when shopping for the best Leupold scopes for varmint hunting:
Adjustability
The adjustment turrets of the scope you are eyeing should be easy to use. At the same time, you should not be able to accidentally shift them. When the adjustment is made, the turrets should also produce an audible and tactile click. Nonetheless, they should move smoothly between adjustment levels.
Durability
Scopes are exposed to a lot of abuse, so you need a model that can take some. The best Leupold scopes for varmint hunting should be toughly built with quality materials such as aircraft-quality aluminum. They should also be sealed and purged with gases for waterproof and fogproof integrity.
In addition, the lenses should be ultra-hard and scratch-resistant and have a lens that shields them.
Magnification
Varmint hunting rarely occurs at long distances. If you are taking them down at long ranges, you will most likely not exceed 300 yards. This implies that varmint scopes typically don’t have powerful magnification.
Similarly, varmints are often smaller than game species and may require a higher magnification than larger animals.
The most popular zoom range for varmint hunters is 4-14x, as it offers a wide field of view on the low end making close-range engagements easy. You can take advantage of the upper magnification when hitting varmints that are a bit far.
Related:
Low Light Shooting
Varmints are more active during the night, so you need a Leupold scope with a bright light setting. A scope with a large objective lens and proprietary coatings delivers a crystal-clear view of the target when shooting in weak light.
Eye Relief
You also need to look at eye relief when choosing the best Leupold scopes for varmint hunting. The eye relief is the distance between the scope and your eye as the shooter. Your riflescope should have at least 4 inches of eye relief to keep your eyebrow safe, especially from weapons with heavy recoil.
Final Thoughts
The best Leupold scopes for varmint hunting help you to land shots confidently and accurately so that you can fully embrace the excitement and thrill that varmint hunting presents. We hope this review has been insightful and has helped you make a purchase decision.