Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Redfield Revolution vs Leupold VX1 3-9x40

Doug has the Redfield at a special price. For the same money which would you consider to be the best scope between these 2. Would appreciate your response.

Not a gunwriter or professional of any sort but from a user standpoint my vote goes to the redfield.

While I almost have to agree with MarkFed as far as from a user standpoint, especially being able to get behind the Revolution quick, I think Leupold will tell you that since the last VX line update the VX1 SHOULD be optically superior as far as coatings and such.

John

I've always felt like my Redfield offered as much or more than a VX1 for less money.

However, our local gunshop has VX1 on sale for $169.......

I have a couple of 2-7 Redfields and like them very much. A few weeks ago I wanted a lightweight 3-9X40 and was set to buy another Redfield. When I compared it side by side to the VX-1 the Leupold seemed a tad sharper to my eye. I also couldn't get that particular Redfield to focus perfectly, but I dialed the VX-1 in with no issue. I bought the VX-1 and like it quite a bit so far. YMMV.

Not a professional by any stretch of the imagination, but to my eyes, they seem pretty much a wash. Go with the lower price. If they have the same price, flip a coin.

I bought a 3-9 early on due to the good reports from a writer I trust and the good price. Mounted it on a Higgins Model 50. The adjustments seemed to take a while to settle in, but once zeroed, held okay.

They may or may not be as good as the VX-1, but the Leupold is better looking to my eyes. I've had two Vari-X-I scopes, a 2-7 shotgun and a 4-12X40 and bought a VX-1 2-7 ML scope for my Knight. The 2-7s took a lot of .308s, 12ga slugs and ML rounds without a peep. The 4-12 has been on at least three .308s and a .204, and I just mounted it on a .223. While sighting it in on the .223, the friction adjustments were spot on. I was going to replace it with something a bit better, but now I think I'll just ride for while.

So I guess my answer to your question is that the Redfield is okay, but if I can get the VX-1 for anywhere near the same money, that's the one I'll buy.

I would always buy any Leupold with optics of VX-1 quality or better/higher in lieu of any current production Redfield. If the Leupold option was the Rifleman series I would buy on price.

I have 4 Redfield Revolution scopes, 2 of each 2-7x33 and 3-9x40, mounted on 2nd and 3rd tier rifles.

Thank each of you who have responded. It is good to hear from those who have used these scopes.

I have two Redfield Revolutions, and also a new VX3 on three of my rifles.

To my eyes, the Revolution beats the VX1, but is no better than the VX2.

Both have a lifetime warranty with Leupold, so even-steven there.

Note: you can't go wrong with how YOUR eyes see it, but here's mine from low to high:

VX1
Revolution
VX2
VX3


good luck!

If you believe the commercial for the Ruger American combo with the Readfield scope on it they say it's a 100% American made combo - including the scope LOL!

I bought both the Revolution and VX1 4x12x40 to compare and put on a 243. I ended up going with the VX1 because it seemed to have just a little better clarity than the Revolution and the power adjustment knob was more smooth. I also noticed the E/W adjustments on the VX1 seemed a little more positive in the adjustment and click. One of the pros I liked about the Revolution was the Accu-Range reticle over the VX1 LR Duplex. I really liked the center circle/small crosshair. I think you would be happy with either. For me the VX1 just edged out the Revolution. For what its worth, the specs on today's VX1 are almost identical to the VX II scope produced from 2001-2011. Glasswise, both have Multicoat 4 coating and 92% light transmission. Specwise very little difference. Here is a history chart of the Leupold scopes for you to compare.

FYI they just released this image showing their state-of-the-art tacticool erector facility in Beaverton.....

Just worked with the revolution on a buddies gun. The corrections were so tight I thought I would break the scope.


There have been issues with that gun not holding zero very well so I assumed bedding... which I did... It may not have been that, it may well be the scope.

I'd take an L any day over this one.

Though for 299 I'd buy a conquest every last day... they are cheap enough not to pay for other stuff.

That chart has several errors in it.

I have 3 Redfield Revolutions. Two are really good. One seems a bit less sharp . I noticed this when I was sighting all three guns in at the range , so, I did look at them side by side. Turning the back of the scope didn't do anything.

FWIW a couple of months ago I was on the phone with Leupold customer service and asked the rep the same question.

He said they were made side by side with the VX-1 but stopped short of saying they were the same.

Then he said that the VX-1 glass was a better grade of glass than the Redfield but that the Redfield had slightly better coatings, which in effect made it a wash between the two.

I have 2 Redfields, and one VX-1 and I can't tell a difference in the ones that I have. The redfield adjustments are very mushy and not precise feeling, but they adjust and hold after I get them sighted in.

But in most cases they are priced the same and I would go for the VX-1 for the same money.

Bob.

FWIW I have in hand both the VX-1 and Redfield Revolution 2-7x33s. There's just something sweet about the Redfield, it's easier to get behind. Resolution image etc seems about a wash.

Thanks again for sharing your thoughts and experience concerning these two scopes.