Any avid hunter knows Leupold is one of the best brands that manufactures exceptional rifle scopes. All Leupold rifle scopes are optimized for low light performance and built with durability in mind to fit in all hunting environments. below are the best Leupold scope for varmint hunting.
Buying a rifle scope that is purpose built for a specific application is key to making the most out of it. While varmint hunting is challenging and fun, it is best done with the right gear at hand. One of the most important items that you need for this kind of hunting is a rifle scope. And not just any rifle scope, but one that fits your hunting habits and fills an authentic need.
This is where Leupold rifle scopes come in to play. This brand has been in the optics market for decades. It strives to make premium quality rifle scopes that have all the features you will need to make your hunting expeditions a success.
Attributes of a Great Scope for Varmint Hunting
For a scope to be efficient and reliable for varmint hunting, it should have a variety of attributes which include:
Versatile Magnification
A good rifle scope for varmint hunting should have a magnification that will get you closer to the targets without being too bulky
Easy Reticle Adjustment
Choosing a scope with a simple reticle adjustment will give you quick targeting which is vital when hunting varmints
Long Eye Relief
Long and comfortable eye relief is another feature that a great scope for varmint hunting should have. It is essential for smooth target identification and comfortable glassing with or without eye glasses
Durable Construction
The best Leupold scope for varmint hunting should have premium construction to weather whatever abuse you throw at it and withstand heavy recoil, shock and impacts
Weatherproof Design
It is well known that Mother Nature is always unpredictable. As such, a good rifle scope should have a housing that is fully waterproof, dust proof and fog resistant for all weather use
Best Leupold Scopes for Varmint Hunting
1)Leupold VX-Freedom 4-12x40mm Rifle Scope
Leupold VX-Freedom 4-12x40mm is by far the best Leupold scope for varmint hunting. It is engineered and built to deliver legendary performance and reliability in all hunting fields at close to long ranges.
The scope is rugged and lightweight to get the job done on whatever rifle you have in your collection. It is built in a 30mm tube size which guarantees great strength and toughness. On top of that, it has an ultra-durable housing that is highly resistant to wear and tear.
Optical finesse is another attribute that makes this rifle scope ideal for hunting varmints. It is built around Leupold’s advanced optical system which delivers true light transmission in low light and the best glare reduction on harsh light.
Over and above that, the scope is 100% waterproof and fog proof so it is operable in all kinds of weather conditions. It also features a custom dial system which gives you the ability to customize your turret to your exact ballistics.
Features
- Scratch resistant lenses
- 4-12x total magnification
- Waterproof, fog proof and shock proof
- Second focal plane reticle
- Custom dial system
- Side focus parallax adjuster
- Advanced optical system
- Zero Stop system
- Twilight Light Management System
- 30mm tube diameter
Pros
- Lightweight
- Generous eye relief
- Excellent build quality
- Superb low light performance
Cons
- Non illuminated
2)Leupold VX-5HD 2-10x42mm Rifle Scope
Varmint hunting is fun and successful when you use a quality sighting tool like the Leupold VX-5HD 2-10x42mm Rifle Scope. This rifle scope will help you acquire targets and long-distance shots with unmatched accuracy in all kinds of hunting environments.
The variable 2-10x magnification is built in a second focal plane reticle. Across the entire zoom range, the scope provides a large field of view to help you find and acquire the varmints with ease. It also maintains a generous eye relief and forgiving eye box which provides incredible head position latitude.
Leupold is known for its ruggedized optics and this rifle scope is not any different. It features a 30mm main tube which offers unmatched strength and allows for greater range of both windage and elevation adjustment. The tube is crafted from aircraft quality aluminum which is durable yet ultra-lightweight.
Another facet that makes this rifle scope stand out is the Guard-ion rain shedding coating. This coating is extremely durable, scratch resistant and water repellent. Besides that, the scope has CDS-ZL2 elevation adjustment dials which make it easy to sight in and set for target ranges.
Features
- Pop up rezero windage adjustment
- 30mm main tube
- Waterproof and fog proof
- Second focal plane reticle
- 1/4 MOA impact point correction
- 2-10x magnification power
- Twilight Max Light Management System
- Aircraft quality aluminum housing
Pros
- Generous eye relief
- Lightweight and easy to use
- Great glass
- Big and easy to adjust knobs
Cons
- The mounting options are limited
- Too thin reticle
3)Leupold VX-3HD 3.5-10x50mm Rifle Scope
Designed with the avid hunter in mind, the Leupold VX-3HD 3.5-10x50mm Rifle Scope is an excellent tool for varmint hunting. It is equipped with an array of user-friendly features and an incredibly wide field of view for all your hunting needs.
The scope is built to be nearly indestructible. It has a rugged 6061-T6 aluminum body that is able to stand up to any abuse. On top of that, the scope features a Twin bias erector system that eliminates all the stress on the scope, for longer life.
In addition to the quality construction, the scope features proprietary argon/krypton gas blend which makes it fully fog proof. The tube is sealed on both ends with solid O-rings to prevent entry of moisture, sand and dust.
Even at the highest 10x power, the scope maintains a long eye relief which enhances glassing comfort. Furthermore, it has a light management system that delivers more usable light to the eye and generates bright, crisp and high contrast image views, even in the low level light settings.
Features
- Guard-ion rain shedding coating
- Scratch resistant lenses
- 1-inch main tube
- Fully waterproof and fog proof
- 6061-T6 aluminum housing
- Second focal plane reticle
- 5-10x total magnification
- Custom dial system
Pros
- Relatively lightweight
- Spacious depth of field
- Generous eye relief
- Great glass clarity and quality
- Superb low light visibility
4)Leupold VX-6HD 2-12x42mm Rifle Scope
Next in our list of the best Leupold scope for varmint hunting is the VX-6HD 2-12x42mm Rifle Scope. The scope is outstanding in terms of versatility. It is ideal for hunting all types of varmints in varying distance across all environments.
The scope is built with ease of use in mind. It has a built-in ambidextrous throw lever for easy magnification adjustment. It also has a lightweight design for convenient portability and a zero lock windage adjustment that ensures accurate and effortless return to zero every time.
Optically, the scope excels in virtually all lighting conditions. This is thanks to the Twilight Max HD Light Management System that maximizes light transfer in poor light settings and reduces glare in direct light. As a result, the scope yields high resolution sight pictures across the entire zoom range.
Moreover, the VX-6HD 2-12x42mm Rifle Scope is designed with high strength aluminum to guarantee great durability and longevity. It also has a shockproof design and scratch resistant lenses for added protection in the hunting fields.
Features
- Twilight Max HD Light Management System
- Twin bias erector system
- Guard-ion rain shedding coating
- Zero lock windage adjustment system
- Motion sensor technology
- 6061-T6 aircraft quality aluminum body
- 30mm main tube
- Waterproof, fog proof and shock proof
- 70 MOA adjustment range
- Fiber optics illumination
- Rear focal plane reticle
Pros
- Great magnification range
- Lightweight construction
- Sufficient eye relief
- Good glass
- Great low light performance
Cons
- Big budge
5)Leupold Mark 3 HD 4-12x40mm Rifle Scope
Lastly in our list of the best Leupold scope for varmint hunting is Leupold Mark 3 HD 4-12x40mm Rifle Scope. This is a variable powered rifle scope that is suitable for hunting varmints at all ranges in a variety of environments.
It boasts a wide field of view across the whole zoom range to help you find and acquire the targets without breaking a sweat. The spacious viewing angle is then complemented by superb light gathering ability so you can keep hunting all day long no matter the lighting condition.
Furthermore, this rifle scope has a 30mm body tube that provides sufficient room for adjustments and reticle travel. It is toughly built to last through thousands of rounds and be there for you when you need it the most. It also boasts scratch resistant lenses for extra shield in the field.
Not only is the build quality of this rifle scope exceptional, but also its protection from elements. It is waterproof, fog proof and dustproof to guarantee uninterrupted field use. The scope also brings to the table an ergonomic power selector which helps with ease magnification adjustment.
In addition to everything else, the scope features an ultra-lightweight construction to scatter heavy recoil effectively and be easy to mount, carry and shoot with.
Features
- Second focal plane reticle
- Waterproof, fog proof and shock proof
- 3:1 zoom ratio
- 30mm main tube
- Elite optical system
- Scratch resistant lenses
- High contrast MIL adjustment
- Ergonomic power selector
- 1 Mil Rad adjustment type
- 6061-T6 aluminum housing
Pros
- Ultra-lightweight design
- Multiple reticle options
- Forgiving eye relief
- Excellent construction quality
- Bright and crisp clear optics
Why Leupold Scope for Varmint Hunting
Leupold’s renowned reputation for rugged, functional and versatile rifle scopes makes it a top choice among avid varmint hunters. Here are some of the benefits that come with investing in the best Leupold scope for varmint hunting.
- Precision and Accuracy. The main benefit that comes with Leupold rifle scopes for varmint hunting is precision and accuracy in all kinds of hunting environments
- Rugged Construction. Leupold specializes in making high-end rifle scopes that are unmatched in terms of durability, rigidity and impact resistance
- Quality Optics. All Leupold scopes feature high-end glass elements and state-the-art anti-reflective lens coatings to enhance image quality, brightness and clarity
- Leupold also a lifetime warranty for its rifle scope which guarantees great quality construction. They also offer exceptional support for all their customers
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Criteria for Choosing the Best Leupold Scope for Varmint Hunting
Let’s now have a look at the key things you need to consider when looking to buy a Leupold scope for varmint hunting.
Magnification
Magnification is the most important factor to look out for. It is important to get a scope that offers a high magnification power especially if you will be hunting at long ranges. The high magnification aspect will get you closer to the targets and offer the precision and accuracy you need to bring down the varmints.
Durability
Generally, the durability of a rifle scope is directly co-related to its build quality. So, a scope with excellent build quality will stand up to wear and tear, and give you several years of use. Quality construction is a rifle scope is also vital in ensuring dependable performance in the less forgiving hunting environments.
Reticle
There are a ton of reticles available on the market today. They include mil-dot, crosshair, BDC reticle and MRAD reticle among others. Getting a scope whose reticle matches your specific hunting style is very important.
You will have an easy time placing the shot accurately and getting on target quickly. It is also wise to buy a scope with an illuminated reticle for easy aiming in the low level light settings.
Eye Relief
Eye relief is another parameter to check out. It shows the space your eye has to be from the eyepiece of the rifle scope during use. We recommend a long eye relief of above 3.5 inches for the best Leupold scope for varmint hunting. The longer the eye relief a scope has, the safe and comfortable it will be use.
Tube Size
Typically, there are three different tube sizes available on market. They are 34mm, 30mm and 1-inch. In terms of durability, 34mm and 30mm tubes are more durable than 1-inch counterparts. They also provide sufficient room for both windage and elevation adjustment while enhancing strength and rigidity.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the scope you get for varmint hunting depends on your hunting habits and the environment you will hunting. All the Leupold rifle scopes we have mentioned above are outstanding in durability, reliability and functionality. Look at each model in detail, see the features that make it a good purchase and settle for the model that will change how you hunt varmints for the better this season.