I have seen this repeated many times on the optics forum concerning the 4.5-14x40 field of view. I own both scopes and find them both great performers in the field.
The 3.5-10x40 and the 4.5-14x40 are not apples to apples. The actual magnification for the 3.5-10x40 is 3.3x - 9.7x, and the 4.5-14x40 is 4.9x - 14.2x. You are essentially comparing a 3x and 5x scope which the 3x should always win.
The field of view for the 3.5-10x40 is 29.80 ft @100 yards on the low end and 11.00 feet @ 100 yards on the high end. The field of view for the 4.5-14x40 is 19.90 feet @ 100 yards on the low end and 7.4 feet @ 100 yards on the high end. 20 feet is plenty of field of view.... you could have 3 deer standing from nose to rear and they would all be visible.
I guess my style of hunting differs from others who posted, but I would like to understand how this scope doesn't work in their neck of the woods.
Compare the FOV numbers of said Leupold to others in same/similar mag range and educate yourself.
Then educate yourself on larger FOV benefits,
First I want to say it's your money and you should buy what you like. I do the same. I am not picking on you or anyone else which differs with me, but the numbers don't add up.
Here are the numbers for FOV set on 5x for the competitors compared to Leupold @ 19.9':
Nightforce ATACR 5-25x 56mm 17.96'
Nightforce SHV 5-20x 56mm 17.9'
Nightforce Beast 5-25x56 18.7'
Schmidt & Bender Police Marksman II 5-25x56 17.4'
Swarovski Z6 5-30x 50mm 23.7'
Swarovski Z5 5-25x 52mm 21.9
Steiner T5Xi Tactical Tube 5-25x 56mm 23.7'
Zeiss Conquest HD5 5-25x 50mm 21'
Nikon MONARCH 3 5-20x 44mm 20.1'
Nikon MONARCH 5 ED 5-25x50mm 20'
Vortex Optics Razor HD 5-20x 50mm 22'
Minox ZA 5 HD TAC 5-25x 56mm 19.5'
Trijicon AccuPoint TR23 5-20x 50mm 19.1'
Bushnell Elite Tactical LRS 5-15x 40mm 21'
Nikko Stirling Targetmaster Rifle Scope 5-20x 50mm 22'
Barska Hornet 5-15x 40mm 18.85'
The Leupold seems to be line with the other offerings I could find. Even, if you compare the biggest difference in numbers with Swarovski Z6 being 23.7' it is only a 17% increase.
I am not trying to sell you on Leupold. I own several brands and I see advantages and disadvantages to all brands.
Sorry to the OP for the tangent in discussion.