Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Opinions on Leupold FX-3 6x42 HD

I'm w/ ya Robert on the scopes and the Swaro 7x42's.

Have one on my .338. Have been slamming steel all summer with it and 1/2 in on paper ain't what its about.

I like the HD too.

LOL!! Good one John, though I think a lot of women would argue the point.
One point I don't see discussed much about the 6X42 is the exit pupil. Schmidt und Bender make an 8X56 as does Zeiss. I've learned from information I read on this board that those scopes were made for moonlight boar hunting. What I've also read over the years in shooting rags (I even asked my ophthalmologist) is most, not all, but most young people can only use about the amount of light that would reach your eye with a scope that had a 7mm exit pupil. After age 40, this number declines to approximately a 5mm exit pupil, and unfortunately our ability to use the available light declines as we age.

The 8X56 has a 7mm exit pupil, the theoretical maximum anyone could use. IOW, a 4X56 would have an exit pupil of 16mm, but half of that light would be wasted, so a scope designed as such would be a poor design.

The 6X42 Leupold has a 7mm exit pupil as well. Not only does it have a huge eyebox, it maximizes the usable light. I�m certain the majority of regulars here knew that, but I never see it discussed.

Some things just flat out work.

whats better about the HD when comparing it to the Post and Duplex, seems like the P&D would do just as much with less

Can't speak for the others but with handgun sights I have always liked wide and flat.

The "aim small hit small" for me pertains to the target; subtention on the HD for ranging also seems better to my eyes...

Just personal preference I guess.

Silent Crusader: Welcome to the CF!

I have had both the 6x42 and found it optically a great scope....I like the 6x36 a wee bit better myself because scopes any larger than they need to be drive me nuts,and I have killed all my elk and many of my whitetails with 4x Leupold scopes, or variables set on 4X.

I can't really comment on the HD because although I have owned them I have never hunted with one.

I have never suffered the misfortune of being unable to kill anything because the light ran out on me and the scope was not up to the task, but understand it can and does happen to folks.

I think that 6X42 would be a great choice for what you wanna do.

I've a few 6x42's. I prefer the standard duplex for most applications but the HD doesn't preclude the ability to shoot small groups or at longer ranges.
I can't really think of too many circumstances one would give a real advantage over the other.
Which ever reticle you choose it isn't going to hold you back.
The 6x42 is a awesome scope. Bright, light, and with a very forgiving eye box making target acquisition a non issue even up close and personal,IMO. Granted you shoot with both eyes open like you are supposed to.

I'm not too shot with the HD reticle, as I've never had a problem in dim light seeing the regular duplex. The 6x42 is a fine scope, but more bulky than I prefer for a walking rifle. Also, I've yet to feel handicapped by a 4x, and that's become my main hunting scope with some rare exceptions. I especially like the older long tube Leupold 4x28s.

The HD/PD principle why was answered early in the thread, if that's ones hunting conditions. Yet they also work in the open on BG sized animals. Don't always have them on a BG rifle, but if I could only have one choice that is what it would be.

Wouldn't be my first choice if I was one of the xlr crowd, but I'm not.

Contrary to what others have said, there is no issue shooting tiny groups with HD reticles. Holding in one corner of the reticle is easy and using a target sized properly for the reticle is easier yet. I prefer a target large enough to show a tiny point in each corner of the crosshairs. The eye does a wonderful job of making them uniform all by itself.

The main thing I have noticed and many that have been around me have noticed it; but my night vision is significantly better than average. Presbyopia is having its way with acuity, big time, but my night vision remains outstanding.

So I do not see the advantage to the HD, just the negatives.
art

Today with a 6x36 post/duplex and 1.5-5x20 with 3min dot.
Combined with those no good Leupold QR's. Condensed to one target for viewing.

Any missing will not be due to reticle, scope or mounts. Great day to shoot. No wind and flat light combined with good rifle.

Bottom right: 100yd-6x36 P/D-5shots-scope removed and replaced once:

Top right: 100yd-replace with 1.5-5 with Dot. 3 shots:

Center: 100yd-6x36 back on-3shots:

Top Left: 100yd-1.5-5 with Dot back on-4shots:

Bottom Left: 200yd-6x36 P/D back on-4shots:




Not your typical campfire system, but I'm OK with that.

.308W-130gr ttsx-W748 50.5gr-Nosler brass-Federal LR Match.

An update:

I picked up my rifle today. Just too sweet of a deal on a stainless featherweight in '06.

I also had a friend pay a debt with a NIB FX-II 4x33 today. Not really what I wanted, but I still have plenty of budget for the 6x42 if I end up still wanting it.

I 'glassed' a herd of mule deer at about 300 yards the other evening looking through a FX3 6x42 LR. Excellent scope and I would have been comfortable taking the shot(past legal 'light') at that range using the scope.
It is bright and clear, if a guy really is nitpicky there's a very slight halo around the edge of the lense when it gets pretty dark.

And FWIW, I stuck it in the scabbard for a few hours that same day and couldn't feel one bit of difference from the 6x36. Big surprise with that whole 6mm increase and all....(grin)

You got a dandy; don't scorn the 4x33 until you've used it. It's bright, big, non-critical eye box, tough. I have a couple from the M8 era, right before they went to click adjustments and the FX series. Both are great, no issues. The only thing to watch out for is your mounting arrangement, as these don't have much fore/aft leeway.

Just shot my 5x5 yesterday using the 6x42HD. Running at about 120 yards. Worked great.

SC, I have the same scope with the post & duplex reticle on order from Leupold's custom shop for my 7mm-08 pump. You can have Leupold change the reticle to a thicker one.

how thick in comparison are the posts in the post and duplex to the heavy duplex? I looked at an image and the thin portion looked very thin while the thick portion looked thicker than the heavy duplex.

The picture comparison posted above represents them quite accurately IMO.

The thin portion of the PD is quite thick, a good inch at 100 yards. The open "gate" portion is narrower like the original duplex, about 9" total at 100 yards.

The thin portion of the HD is a good inch at 100 yards. However, the open "gate" portion is wider than the original, about 18" total at 100 yards.

These measurements come from older M8 6x42 models; it may be changed nowadays.

I'm another fan of the 6X42HD Leupold. My No.1 elk rifle, a custom mauser in 30'06, wears one. I'm in Montana and using it just for that as I post this. The rifle has Leupold's tough detachable mounts for a different scope, but I have yet to acquire one for it.
My other, "do it all" big game rifle, a custom .280, has an earlier M8, 6X42 with the Heavy Duplex reticle.
I prefer the HD reticle because it seems to pick up a hair faster, or easier, and works in the worst light. I like the idea of being able to use my scope at night if I need it.
I have no trouble shooting small groups as long as I use an appropriate target spot. I've had no trouble acquiring a moving buck at 20 yds. Just make sure you mount the scope so it acquires easily with various shooting positions or layers of clothing.
They are pretty tough. Never had on change zero on me in spite of some getting knocked around a good bit. E