Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Leupold VX-3 4.5-14x40 CDS (30mm vs 1")

Debating between these two scopes for a relatively lightweight elk/deer rifle. Is the 30mm version worth the extra coin and ounces in weight? For what it's worth, I anticipate shots out to a self-imposed maximum of approximately 400 yards.

If you must go that way, the 30mm version is the better scope.

IMO you're better off with a 3.5-10x40.

I'm not locked into the two choices that I originally mentioned. Would you mind expanding on why you favor the 3.5-10?

No need for parallax adjustment, and much friendlier eye relief characteristics. The 3.5-10 is easier to "get behind" than the 4.5-14 which has more of a "tunnel vision" characteristic.

Since it's a big game application and your limit is 400 yards, the negatives of the higher mag scope more than offset the advantage of a little more magnification.

Recently I've been shooting at 300 yards using a black square as a target. It is 1 MOA on a side, just over 3". Using a 6x scope and holding center, I shot groups of .33, .58, .27, .52 and .45 MOA. For the same look at the target I could put it out at 500 yards with 10x. Compared to that 3" box a deer is huge.

IMO it just doesn't take that much magnification for big game at 400 yards.

i second the tunnel vision effect of the 4.5x14x40's. i had the 30mm version and though it was a good scope, if you were not perfectly aligned behind it, it was very frustrating...traded it away..just my opinion

A 3.5-10 will certainly do all you need for what you describe.
As far as the long touted and jump on repeating of the "tunnel effect" aspect of the 4.5-14x40 in the 30mm version I don't see it.
I've compared, as it gets thrown around so much,side by side with multiple 3.5-10's I have and if you kept the 4.5-14 at the same power as the 3.5-10 there wasn't a hill of beans difference in eye relief or tunnel effect.

Disagree, by a long-shot. I have both types, too, and if you set both scopes on 4.5, 6, or 9 power the 4.5-14's field of view is noticeably narrower.

I see no tunneling whatsoever in a 4.5-14 VX3 LR version I have. As a matter of fact I find it more user friendly than the comparable 4-14x50 Conquest.

I use a 4.5 X 14 on my TAC 20 400 yard shots on Prairie Dogs is a cinch.

Tunneling what is this stinken tunneling you're talking about?

Have both and never compared. Hard to beat a 3.5-10x40 though and all of our longer range rigs presently have those, with the one exception having an older Vari iii X 4.5-14x40.

I have I believe 3 4.5x14x40 A.O (1") and the eye box is a bit finicky, but it's never cost me a shot.

Also have a VX-3 4.5-14x40 LR that I had a CDS put on, haven't used it a whole lot. Eye box isn't so much an issue on it and I like the scope, but for your intended purposes I'd also recommend the 3.5-10 (heck of a scope)

+1, good post. I really like my vx3 3.5-10x40 with cds as well. I've been using 2 for about a year now and they are working great. Mine have the 1" tube and work good enough for my eyes and needs...For the OP, his 400 yard max range would easily be accomplished with this scope. Weight isn't bad either at 12.6 oz's (only a few ounces heavier than the 2.5-8x36)...

I've got several of each, and love the LR, but only for prairie dogs with the VHR reticle. To me, light weight and 30mm tubes don't go together. While there's only 2.5 ounces difference, with the added weight of 30mm rings, your pushing a 1/4 pound difference.

I'd go 3.5-10x40 CDS. Went to 600 the other day with a couple of them, and have complete confidence in those set-ups.

+1

Elk/deer to 400 yds?

3.5-10x40 CDS

OR VX2 3-9x40 CDS

To me the 3.5-10x40 CDS is the pick of the litter.

DF

Or even farther..my 7mm wears a 3.5-10x40 cds in moa..i use that rifle out to 1200 yards on gongs..not ideal but if you pay attention to your cheek weld there is plenty of x's to do it..for me anyway

Leupold makes two versions of the 4.5-14X40, one inch. One has an Adjustable Objective and one comes without. The one w/o the AO is made for big game hunting. The difference is a greater depth of focus in the non AO version vs. the parallax you'd get at magnifications over 10x.
The 30mm version has even less depth of focus than the AO, one inch, but you can remove parallax while in your shooting position.
I, too, like the 3.5-10X40 alot better than any of the 4.5-14X Leupolds. More eye box at any magnification. E

yup, 3.5x10 will suite you better IMO

I use a 4.5-14 mark 4 which is the same scope we are talking about. this scope is on my long range coyote gun. I spend alot of time in the field looking through the scope, using it, making shots at various distances, what I am trying to say is this scope gets used way more than your typical guys deer rifle scope.

honestly I don't really like the scope at all, alot of times I look through it and check to see if the scopes power is turned down all the way, its really that bad of FOV it is about like looking through a toilet paper tube. the scope is really closer to 5x on the low end rather than a true 4.5x, the scope isn't that friendly getting behind. so why do I use it, its because of the features, mine has had a TMR reticle added, windage turret replaced with a capped one and I have fashioned a zero stop that works with. the scope is about right with 14x on the high end and because I haven't brought myself to pay full price for a nightforce yet. as an FFL holder I don't pay full price for anything but nightforce has the pricing locked down tight.

if I was only going to shoot to 600 yards I would get a 3.5-10 model with CDS this scope is plenty capable of making those kinds of shots on big game animals at that range. or wait and check out the new 3-18 vx 6 leupold.

I appreciate everyone's input. That certainly helps with my decision making process.