Hunting scopes have become quite important whether you’re hunting for sports or competition. Hunters no longer want to spend days trailing their target only to miss out. This is why hunters are investing in quality hunting gear, starting from a rifle scope. One such hunting rifle scope is the Leupold VX-3i 3.5-10x50mm.
The Leupold VX-3i series is an improved version of the Leupold VX series. Before it was discontinued, the VX-3i series served the hunting populace and has continued to do so even as people can still buy from the aftermarkets. There are so many reasons to love this VX-3i 3.5-10x50mm scope aside from its hunting capabilities. It is an extremely lightweight scope with impressive image quality.
To get a detailed view of the Leupold VX-3i 3.5-10x50mm scope, read on as we dissect the features of the hunting scopes and see if you should consider getting one.
Table of Contents
Features of Leupold VX-3i 3.5-10x50mm Scope
Every scope has a set of features that guides it, and this Leupold VX-3i scope is not any different. Here are some of the characteristics of this scope:
1. Magnification
The magnification of the Leupold VX-3i 3.5-10x50mm scope is from 3.5 to 10x. With the help of the magnification ring, you can increase the image from 3.5x to 10x, allowing you to easily view medium to long-range targets. It sports a 3-in-1 zoom ratio with an easy turn power selector, helping to change the magnification even with gloves on.
As a variable magnification scope, you have the option of selecting a suitable power level for the distance you’re shooting. If your shooting is below 300 yards, you should get impressive shooting quality due to the magnification level.
2. Objective Lens Size
The objective lens size of this Leupold scope is 50 mm. This size is not something you see on scopes of this size, as it is mostly reserved for scopes with a maximum magnification of over 20x. So how is a scope with a maximum magnification of 10x sporting such a large objective lens?
Leupold has prided the VX-3i as a hunting scope with impressive visibility. However, it outdid itself for the 3.5-10x50mm scope with a large objective lens diameter that ensures a super bright and crisp image even at the highest magnification level. You won’t experience blurriness at any power level. Thanks in no small part to this large objective lens.
The objective lens takes in light from the atmosphere into the tube and uses that light to brighten images. When a sufficient amount of light, as in the case of this scope, enters the scope, the result is a clear image.
3. Reticle
One of the main characteristics of a hunting scope is a hunter-friendly reticle that embodies many of the hunting qualities available. It uses a scope that is considered the best hunting reticle in the market today. It consists of 4 crosshairs that thin out to draw the eye to the center, thereby helping to quickly focus the eye on the target.
The Leupold Duplex reticle used for this scope is quite common for hunting reticles, and there’s a good chance you’ve used one before. This means you don’t have to spend a lot of time getting accustomed to how it works. Its simple nature makes it perfect for newbies and pros alike. The reticle is not illuminated, nor is it compatible with night shooting. This means it is ideal for daytime shooting when there is enough light. Nevertheless, this also means it doesn’t need a battery, and you don’t have to worry about running out of battery when shooting.
The Leupold Duplex reticle was invented in 1962 and is defined by heavy posts. It is a second focal plane reticle placed behind the magnification lenses. Since the reticle is close to the eye, the image size appears to remain the same even when magnification is altered. There is a Ballistic Aiming System in the reticle that estimates range and makes shooting more accurate.
4. Build and Durability
The scope is finished with a black matte that does not reflect light, thereby reducing glare from its surface. Beneath that surface is a 1-inch tube made from anodized 6061-T6 aluminum alloy. Rugged and durable are some of the qualities of this housing.
The scope is 12.3 inches long and weighs only 14.7 ounces making it an incredibly lightweight scope. Lightweight scopes are highly beneficial for hunting as you may have to move around in thick bushes to reach vantage points.
It is a single tube design filled with a blend of argon and krypton to not only eliminate fog inside the tube but also reduce the effect of thermal shock. The scope is shockproof, fogproof, and waterproof.
Protection of the lenses is not left out here, with multiple coatings providing extra rigidity. The DiamondCoat 2 protective coating provides resistance to abrasion.
5. Lens and Optical Quality
The lens quality and features enable clear and crisp images, which is essential for hunting, especially with bushies sometimes obstructing your view of the target. Fitted with quality lenses, this Leupold VX-3i scope delivers great optical performances enabled by a couple of its features.
One of such features that improve the quality of its image is the extra-large objective lens for more than enough light intake into the tube. Not only does it have enough light entering, but the multiple coatings also ensure a better light transmission through the tube and prevent light reflection off the surface.
There is a Twilight Max Light Management System in this scope that aligns light wavelengths to provide good-quality images in low light. Seeing that it is not night vision enabled, this system ensures you can use the scope in low light conditions. The lens edges are blackened to improve contrast and reduce glare.
6. Turrets And Adjustments
Leupold VX-3i, 3.5-10x50mm scope, features the elevation and windage turrets. The turrets are finger adjustable with no need for tools when you want to zero your scope. There are 52 MOA adjustments available for windage and elevation, with each click measuring ¼ MOA. This helps you make adjustments to get as precise as possible without wasting a lot of time.
The maximum elevation adjustment range is 52 m while it is 100 m for the windage adjustment range. The turrets are easy to turn and are zero resettable. The scope has a fixed parallax-free distance of 150 yards.
Bonus Read: How to Adjust a Rifle Scope? – Do it the Right Way
7. Eye Relief And Field of View
Eye relief is the distance of the eye to the scope where you can still easily see your target without causing injuries. This scope features a great eye relief of 4.5 inches at the lowest magnification and 3.6 inches at the highest magnification. These levels ensure your eyes are not in any danger of injuries while also allowing you to take up odd positions while looking through the lens.
The field of view is the surrounding view you can see when looking at the target. The more surroundings you can see, the better your shooting will be. For this scope, the field of view at 100 yards is 29.8 ft at the lowest magnification and 11 ft at the highest magnification.
This means the higher the magnification, the smaller the surrounding you can see. There is also an exit pupil of 14.3 at 3.5x magnification and 5mm at 10x magnification.
8. Warranty
Leupold believes their products are durable enough and wouldn’t cause you problems; that is why they are offering a lifetime warranty of the Leupold VX-3i 3.5-10x50mm scope. This warranty can be passed down to any holder of the scope with no need for the receipt to unlock the warranty.
The warranty covers a lot of things, including errors from the manufacturer and defective parts. Your scope will be repaired or replaced without you paying a dime for it. The good thing about this is that many people do not even get to use their warranty as the scope features durable parts.
Pros and Cons of Leupold VX-3i 3.5-10x50mm Scope
Here are some of the advantages you’ll enjoy and some drawbacks of getting the scope.
Pros
- Variable magnification of 3.5-10x
- 3 in 1 zoom ratio
- Large objective lens diameter of 50mm for bright images
- Hunting specific Leupold Duplex reticle
- Quick target acquisition
- Twilight Max Light Management System for improved low light shooting
- No need for a battery
- Impressive lifetime warranty
- Long eye relief of 4.5 to 3.6 inches
- Lightweight scope weighing only 14.3 ounces
- Shockproof, fogproof, and waterproof scope design
- Multi-coated lenses that improve light transmission and prevent glare
Cons
- Not compatible with night vision
- The reticle is not illuminated, making shooting in the dark the more difficult
Summary
Leupold VX-3i 3.5-10x50mm scope is the ideal hunting scope with an extra bright image at any level and a lightweight design. Even though it is not compatible with night shooting, the twilight max light management system used here enables impressive low light shooting.
