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Are Leupold VARI X III scopes click or friction adjustment? I

Click

I was thinking you could find them either way. Depending on year of manufacture. Hasbeen

Vari X III Scopes are going to be pretty old, they changed to VX-3 many years ago. All I've seen were click adjustable. The Vari-X II and even VX-2's were friction adjustable until about 2012.

Vari X III scopes are all click adjustments.

Early Vari-X III's were friction turrets AND had magnesium fluoride lens coatings, not Multicoat 4. The lens system was advertised as "computer designed anastigmatic" in design. I had one, a 2.5-8x model. Had a problem, sent it in to Leupold, and they sent me back a newer Vari-X III which had clicks on the adjustments and multicoat. I do not know what year the Vari-X III was improved. Someone would have to ask Leupold that one I think.

There is a chart showing the attributes of the older Leupold scopes on the Leupold sight, but it has some inaccurate information on it.

I have 4 old Vari-X IIIs, 2 of each of the 1.5-5x20 and 2.5-8x36 from 1995 thru 1998 that all have click adjustments.

I have more than a dozen of these scopes and thought the earlier models were friction but I was wrong. my oldest Vari x III 3.5-10X40 was made in 1984 and has click adjustments. It also has dreadful glass compared to the newer models

It would be interesting to find out just what years Leupold did their model changes. In between the Vari X III and the VX-3 they made a VX-III for a few years

Early Vari-X III scopes did have friction adjustments. I have one of them.

I have 1 6.5-20 and at least 1 3.5-10 that have friction adjustments. Both have the older "bluish" lens coatings as well.

I’ve owed a dozen or more (still have 2) and they’ve all been friction. Back in the day, without dropping serious $, these things were the top of my list (lightweight, clear and held zero). Ironically, as I type, my wife is at the post office returning a 3.5x10 AO that quit holding zero last week (it’s been on a 340wby for 25+years). If they choose not to repair, it will be interesting to see what the exchange it for. I’m not sure they offer the AO in the VX-3i series.

I still use a Vary-X-III with gloss black finish in 1.5-5 that I purchased in the late 70's and put on an original steel receiver BLR in .308. It has friction adjustments. I still use it today and have never had any problems.

This topic is interesting to me, as mentioned earlier mine was made in 1984 and has click adjustments. for those of you that have friction dials what year was your scope made or what is the first letter in your scope's serial # ?????????
Thank You B

N

1982 I believe.

Thanks for the info.

Learn something new everyday.

In my defense I am a bit of a one trick pony with the 4.5-14 in the VX line.

Yeah, it's always been interesting trying to keep up with the variations in Leupolds, even those of the "same" model.

JB,

Leupold in the "later" changes was pretty good about what was different.

Of course a lot of that was how much easier it is to disseminate info.

The changes from Vari X III to VX III to VX-3 to VX-3i are pretty easy to find.

Apparently the very early change to clicks from friction to clicks was less published.

Anyone ever seen a 4.5-14 VariX with friction?

Just asking.

I do as well. 2.5X8 , bought 1994

Still works . Sits on my go to rifle, boring 30/06

What is its date of manufacture?