Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics How many use the Leupold VX1 3 to 9x40 for hunting?

I am interested in comments from those who actually use or have used this scope for hunting purposes.

How do you like it ?
Any issues with it holding Zero?
Any issues with use in low light,30 minutes before sunrise and 30 minutes after sundown in hunting conditions?


Obviously I am asking about this scope only and not interested in scope comparisons.

I Have heard that the VX1 is essentially the same as the older Vari X II.
Is that correct?

Thanks
Craig

Optically speaking, I believe that the current VX-1 is the same as the later/improved 2005-2011 vintage VX-II.

I have several Leupold 3-9x40s, from pre-1974 Vari-X to VX-1. My VX-1 3-9x40 is the shotgun version with a heavy duplex. It is on a Savage 220 20 gauge slug gun that I use to hunt deer in Iowa.

To answer your three questions:

1. They're OK
2. No
3. Not with the heavy duplex

I've killed a lot of stuff with 3-9X40 Leupold scopes in Vari-Xii, VX-I, and VX-II models without a criticism on my part. They're not chic, but they work quite well.

got one on a Savage 99 in 284 win, nothing wrong with it that I have ever discovered. lets me see as early as I want to get up and lets me stay long enough to stumble out in the dark.
bullets always seem to go where the hairs cross if I figure the yardage right and I didn't have to take a second mortgage to buy it.

Craig I've been thinking of buying one myself lately and putting it on my little 250Ackley. I have to think they're better than whatever's in second place in that price range. powdr

No - I do not use a VX 1 3-9x40 for hunting.

I do, however, use a 4-12x40 VX 1 for hunting.

Based on this:

Do I like it? Yes.
Any issues at zero retention? No.
For low light, I would want, in fact am going to get, a Heavy Duplex.

Summary -

I would, w/o hesitation, recommend a Leupold VX 1 3-9x40 with HD for hunting.

I think the new VX1 3-9x40 is the best scope value out there.

I used two of them this past deer season and they performed perfectly.

Have never had a problem with the old VX II scopes , nor these new VX 1 scopes holding zero.

As for low light capabilities, I was leaving the deer stand about 5 minutes past legal shooting time this past December when I saw a dark "blob" about 45 yards out. Couldn't make out what it was with the naked eye. Picked up the rifle, looked through the VX 1 and could clearly see a doe and two yearlings. Plenty of low light capability 35 minutes after sun set!

Liked those two scopes enough that I bought another to put on whatever rifle I get next.

I have a couple of them, the VX-I and VX-1 were my son's entry level hunting scopes.

I do like them, I have never had an issue with holding a zero and I have no complaints with low-light performance.

I don't think there is a better value out there right now than the VX-1.

I have had two of them. They upgraded them in the middle of the time that they have been available. I had one with the older coatings, one with the newer coatings (Multicoat 4).

There was a very noticeable difference between them when comparing side-by-side. The newer coatings were clearly brighter and lasted longer at lowlight.

I sold both. If you want a brighter scope, save another $75 and get up to the new VX2 with even better coatings.

My wife and daughters guns carry this scope in the older vx-I in 2-7x33 they are just fine for shooting past legal light never had a zero problem. My daughter shot a bull elk this year more than a half hour after sunset at 280 yards with hers. one shot right were she wanted it. Best scope for the money imo

Thanks for the input guys

I have tried the heavy duplex and while It was ok I didn,t like it as well as the standard Duplex.

Although there are brighter scopes than the VX1 it sounds like the VX1 is bright enough .

I am getting a VX1 with standard duplex.

Thanks again for input from all
Craig

For myself, I replaced a VX1 with a cheaper Weaver K6 and things got all kinds of brighter for me. May get flamed for saying it but certainly was evident in the field. Better adjustments too. If possible save up a bit more and get a VX2 if you can. You will not regret it. I bought "bright enough" my first cope and have been going brighter with each subsequent one. Wish I would have just saved the money I spent on my first and applied half of that to get better.

If you already have the VX1 and want to use it go ahead, It isn't terrible, but don't go in the field with it cranked up max power. Leave at 5 or 6x and I think you will be happy.

I will try it when I get it and see what type of target /reticule resolution there is 30 Minutes before sunrise and 30 minutes after setset.I will try it from 3x to 9x.

Then I will get back with the forum and let ya know how it works for me.

I have four and my dad has three or so. It's what I use, period. I have other brands and variables but when all is said and done the VX I, Vari-X II is what I end up looking through. As far as I can tell they are the same thing and I have yet to have one fail. My dad put one on a high power air rifle and that supposedly screwed it up do to the recoil on the air rifle???? I guess the piston on an air rifles recoils the opposite way and screws with scopes designed for rifles. That was the only mishap in 40+ years and I haven't been all that nice to them. Some have been beaten harder than others depending on what rifle they are on but none have disappointed. I'm not sure if you can get target turrets installed on them but that isn't all that important to me as all my shots are 300 yards and under. At that distance turrets are a waste of time IMO.

Good choice. I like mine and it suits me great at 55 with 20-20 and no magnification needed so it should be the cat's delight if you are younger.

Wish I were younger ! I am 55 just like you

Sometimes I do too. But I can't complain.

I have a couple VX1 3-9x40 scopes that I mounted on my rimfire squirrel hunting rifles and for the money they are hard to beat, I have no complaints with mine, as has already been said the VX 2 is a noticeably better optic and well worth the extra $75..........Hb

Yes I realize the VX2 is a better scope.
Do you believe you could kill more squirrels with the VX2?

The vx1's glass suck.