Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Leupold VX-III 4.5-14x40mm LR

I have a line on a slightly used Leupold VX-III 4.5-14x40mm Long Range, Matt 30mm side focus, Standard Duplex, #55120. The cost to me, plus sending it back to Leupold for dual M1 Turrets ($130.)is still less than the street price (about $660), for a New VX-3 same spec's, without any turrets.

Further a #52218 Leupold MK4 3.5-10x40mm duplex is over $900, and the strangely cheaper #56140 Leupold 4.5-14x40 Mark 4 LR/T 30mm is $725. w/target turrets, but not the M1's.

My intended use is both target bashing and varmints on a Remmy XCR Compact in 223.

Now for my questions:

1) I have read here some obtuse indications that any of the 4.5-14x40mm Leupold scopes are inferior to the 3.5-10x40mm variety, but I cannot discover exactly why and how it is inferior?

3) How much better is the MK4 variation, or the new VX-3 variation, than what I'm planning to buy?

4) If I buy the planned scope, and add the M1 turrets, is it the equal of the MK 4 flavor; or is the MK4 built differently internally, and how?

5) I am not at this point seeking advice on other brands/models to buy, but I am looking for your experience's and knowledge in regards to only Leupold 3.5-10x40mm regular 1" or MK4, vs Leupold 4.5-14x40MM LR and MK4, VX-III and/or VX-3

Thanks,

Bob

Shadow,

I can only answer #5 on your list of questions, because I have never owned a 3.5-10, nor a MK4... and thats due to me loving the two 4.5-14MM LR Model VXIII's that I own.

To me, its the perfect scope. I love the side focus, and could never imagine messing with a AO scope again. The glass is wonderful, and I dig the ergonomics - weight and size are just right. I just recently purchased one with a M1, so this will be my first time to play with that. Looking forward to it. Good luck to getting more of your answers. I can tell you, with first hand experience, I'm having a hard time finding another scope I love this much. The low end (4.5X) is great for close range, and the top end (14X) gets me comfortable going long.

Ditto

Have same, but with Varmint Hunter for a 300 Ultra match. Plan on an M1 as well down the road. Never been a fan of a 50mm, but probably because I couldn't afford one. I like the low-pro aspect of the 40mm and the side focus is nice as the objective bell is clean. I read the same negative press in researching the 14LR here. Never did figure it out, so I just pulled the trigger. And I am too poor to have 20+ Leupolds, so my research was not just tire kicking. I had to make the right choice the 1st time. I would not think you will be dissappointed.

Shadow - I will take a poke at answering #1. I have Leupolds in both the power ranges mentioned. I don't think anybody has been saying the 3.5-10 is necessarily a superior scope, just that it's better suited for some purposes. I have the 4.5-14 on what's strictly a varmint rifle. I have the 3.5-10 on a hunting rifle. For me, the 3.5-10 is about the biggest, highest power scope I would put on a carry-around hunting rifle. (I've had no experience with some of these extended zoom-range scopes now on the market.)

Shadow,
I own about 20 4x14 Leu. I settled on that scope for all of my hunting rigs with the exception of my tactical and true varmint rifles. I just need more power than 14x for the longest ranges, however, for normal hunting out to 600 i think the 4x 14 to be just about perfect for my needs and eyes. Sounds like you have decided that too. Like you , i send mine back for the M-1 turrets and if they don't have a standard duplex i have that changed too. The fine duplex is just too fine in darker light conditions.
Bill