Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Long Range Hunting Leupold VX-3 4.5-14x40 CDS

I am in the market for a light weight scope with ballistic turret as posted earler. In checking specs on various scopes, I see that the Leupold VX-3, 4.5-14x40 has only a 19.9' FOV at lowest, 4.5 power, whereas the VX-3, 3.5-10x40 has a 29.8' FOV at lowest 3.5 power. Though it's 4.5 vs. 3.5 power, 10' seems like a big difference for a one power jump. The Z series Swaro's have near 30' FOV at respective lowest power,(4X for the Z3, 3.5X for the Z5).

Is there something lacking in the design of this particular Leupold VX-3? Or what am I missing here?

DF

Yes, couldn't tell you why, but the 4.5-14 leaves a lot to the 3.5-10. BTDT

Just the other day before i saw the recent posts i noticed the LACK of FOV on a 4.5-14x40LR i recently got from the custom shop. It is noticeable to me. I don't know why it is so narrow but i think if you look at the specs most of the various 4.5-14 offerings from Leupold have the same issue.

It is noticeable and one of the things I didn't like about mine. It's just a product of the optical design giving it a small FOV power for power compared with other scopes as well as the fact its actual magnification is higher than 4.5X on the bottom end.

There are actually some scopes that are 5X on the bottom end that have a larger FOV, and some 6X scopes come really close.

If you mostly use the higher powers it isn't as noticeable and doesn't bother many people.

Its definitely noticeable. My 3.5-10 VX3 is much better to look through than my 4.5-14 VX3.

I opted for the 3.5-10X40 CDS

Ebby: I have used my Leupold 4.5x14's for many years now and they work wonderfully well in the field.
I have Hunted all manner of Big Game (successfully!) with mine.
I have never noticed a problem with their fields of view hampering/slowing me in any way.
I do though carry my 4.5x14's on 4.5 power until I need to "pump up the power"!
Yeah the field of view of the 4.5x14's IS smaller than my 3.5x10's but when Hunting big country Elk, Mule Deer, Antelope and the like I opt for the higher power variables.
Your statement "much better to look through" does not give me a clue as to what you might think the problem is with the 4.5x14 - so I can't address your concerns directly. But again there are MANY circumstances where I would rather have/Hunt with my 4.5x14's than with my 3.5x10's.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy