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Posted By: Theoldpinecricker Leupold VXIII 1.5X5 - 08/11/22
Anyone use one of these 1.5x5 little optics? Just picked one up and have thoughts about using it. I like the compact size and it's an early form of our current LPVO.
Posted By: elkaddict Re: Leupold VXIII 1.5X5 - 08/11/22
Its predecessor, the vari-III version is one of my all time favorites! Mine sits on a 10/22M and is just about the perfect jackrabbit rifle:). Planning on picking up another for hunting whitetails in the woods.
Posted By: bigbuck77 Re: Leupold VXIII 1.5X5 - 08/11/22
I have 3 all on top my Marlin levers,I know scope on a lever when the eyes get old you do what you have to. But I love them great piece of equipment!!!!
Posted By: bowmanh Re: Leupold VXIII 1.5X5 - 08/11/22
I have one with a German #4 reticle that I've used on a .375 H&H. It works well for me as a scope for inside 200 yards.
Posted By: JDK Re: Leupold VXIII 1.5X5 - 08/11/22
I’ve had 2. One on a Marlin336 and the other on a 7600 carbine. Nice scopes and I had zero problems. Gave both to my sons who have also had no problems. Wish I kept one.
This one is the VXIII version and I've been thinking about using it on my CZ 452 the old Marlin Papoose or one of my 375 rifles. Won't say what I paid for it but it was reasonable.
Posted By: scottishkat Re: Leupold VXIII 1.5X5 - 08/11/22
All oof mine are older and functioning well. They've been used on everything from rimfires to slug guns.

Good luck and shoot straight y'all
Posted By: MontanaMarine Re: Leupold VXIII 1.5X5 - 08/11/22
I had one put together with a mildot reticle and target turrets back around 2002, by a now defunct company called Premier Reticles.

It has made the rounds on many different rifles over the last 20 years. Good solid scope. Nowadays I'm using it on my 22 rimfire rifle.

[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]
Posted By: one horn Re: Leupold VXIII 1.5X5 - 08/12/22
I own a couple of VXIII and a Vari-x III. All are on big bore marlins and have held zero 100%. Great scopes for the kind of hunting I do with those rifles.
Posted By: Bristoe Re: Leupold VXIII 1.5X5 - 08/12/22
They're very proper for a lightweight AR.

[Linked Image from i.postimg.cc]website hosting image
Posted By: EdM Re: Leupold VXIII 1.5X5 - 08/12/22
Originally Posted by Bristoe
They're very proper for a lightweight AR.

[Linked Image from i.postimg.cc]website hosting image


Nice scope. I have the same on my lightish 416 Rem.

[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]
Posted By: Hammerdown Re: Leupold VXIII 1.5X5 - 08/12/22
I have one on my 338-RUM.
Posted By: Potsy Re: Leupold VXIII 1.5X5 - 08/12/22
I have the older vari x iii model on my #1 .45-70. I love it on that rifle. It ain’t overly bright, but it’s bright enough to do what I’ll do with it.
The VX units had a different lens coating (iirc), and may be a bit brighter.
Posted By: erich Re: Leupold VXIII 1.5X5 - 08/12/22
I use the Leupold 1-4x20 on a variety of different coyote calling rifles mostly on my combos a drillings. This year I put together a little lightweight bolt-action coyote calling rifle, 20P on a 700 action. I put a 2-12x42 on it, but it felt a little big for what I wanted so it got a VX-3 1.5-5x20 on it and it is perfect. I'm headed out to sight it in today. I really like the feel of the rifle and it will get a lot of trigger time this winter.

My nephew has a VX3 1.5-5x20 with a German #1 on it on his Model 70 Featherweight in 243 and it is one of his favs for calling coyotes.

I find that calling coyotes FOV trumps X's yet these little scopes are still 300 yard capable as the rifles we put them on are flat enough shooting to hold on fur that far, no need for cany reticles or knobs.
Posted By: Windfall Re: Leupold VXIII 1.5X5 - 08/12/22
There is one with the heavy Duplex on my 99F and that rifle and scope combination points like my index finger it is so fast. One of its best attributes is a huge exit pupil diameter, so that you can get the entire fov very quickly with a less than perfect cheek weld. That combination would make for a perfect whitetail tracking rifle, but alas, that isn’t how most of us hunt these days. That scope with the heavy Duplex isn’t a target scope, but there is no losing that reticle in fading light or heavy brush.
Posted By: Starbuck Re: Leupold VXIII 1.5X5 - 08/12/22
I currently have 5 1.5-5's of various iteration. Had more through the years. Other than sometimes being difficult to sight in, none of them have given me any trouble, including the couple that were on 375 H&H's and 45-70 +P's. Some have had a lot of toting around and bouncing on rough roads. I consider the 1" models a great scope for levers and "woods" rifles with which you'll sometimes need to take quick shots at moving game in heavy cover. Wishing I'd have had a few converted to #4's back when it was cheap and easy to do.
Posted By: hasbeen1945 Re: Leupold VXIII 1.5X5 - 08/12/22
I picked up an vari X model a while back. Still setting in the safe . Thinking about putting it on one of my 22’s. Hasbeen
Posted By: MikeL2 Re: Leupold VXIII 1.5X5 - 08/14/22
I have several of the Vari-X III versions mounted on a 700 Classic 350 RemMag, a Savage 99F .308, and a Ruger Mini-14 .223. Also put one on my brother's 99F 300 Sav. Good scopes!
Posted By: TX35W Re: Leupold VXIII 1.5X5 - 08/15/22
For a long time it was probably the best in its class. Very light, decently bright, fast to use at low power. I have a few with #4 reticles and I'll never get rid of them. The only thing I can think of that's comparable now is maybe the 1-4 trijicon TR24, which is a little heavier and also 2x the price.
Posted By: rmb721 Re: Leupold VXIII 1.5X5 - 08/15/22
I have Vari-x-III, VX-III and VX-3. I use heavy duplex ones on my crossbows and a Marlin 336. Regular duplex on a 11/87, 870, and a Savage 222/20 OU.
Posted By: miguel Re: Leupold VXIII 1.5X5 - 08/17/22
I have several on rifles intended for woods hunting. A Remington 7600 carbine, a Marlin 336 35 REM, a Marlin 1895 G .45-70, and a Winchester 94AE trapper in .30-30. I just bought a Winchester 88 carbine in .308. I’ve been agonizing over how to scope it, but I just put in an order with Doug at Cameraland for a new VX 3 1.5-5 with the cds. This will be my first new Leupold in a few years but I have great confidence it will perform satisfactory. That huge field of view and very forgiving eye box is why I settled on these scopes for my woods guns years ago.
Posted By: Hammerdown Re: Leupold VXIII 1.5X5 - 08/18/22
I have one on my 338-RUM. I was thinking, I would like one for my 338-06. I'm thinking it fits all my needs.

Then again, could use one on a specialty rifle.
Posted By: OSU_Sig Re: Leupold VXIII 1.5X5 - 08/19/22
I have one on a Ruger mini 30 (6.8 SPC) ranch rifle that works perfectly for hogs and coyotes.
Posted By: yukonphil Re: Leupold VXIII 1.5X5 - 08/31/22
i have one in german 4 on my dr valmet 9.3x74r. one spare too.
Posted By: cra1948 Re: Leupold VXIII 1.5X5 - 08/31/22
I have a 1.5 - 5 VXIII with duplex crosswire on a Ruger 1B in .308. It has been perfect on that rifle, making a nice, trim package for hunting in the woods.
Posted By: waterrat Re: Leupold VXIII 1.5X5 - 08/31/22
I have 3 of them here, 35 Gibbs,411 KDF. and an Old Ugly clone 458 win mag. Great scope!![Linked Image from i.imgur.com]
Posted By: mathman Re: Leupold VXIII 1.5X5 - 08/31/22
Originally Posted by waterrat
I have 3 of them here, 35 Gibbs,411 KDF. and an Old Ugly clone 458 win mag. Great scope!![Linked Image from i.imgur.com]

If my eyes don't deceive me, the magnification adjustment ring looks more like the one for a VX-II 1.5-4x20.
Posted By: waterrat Re: Leupold VXIII 1.5X5 - 09/01/22
Your eyes are deceiving you,,,,,,,
Posted By: bluestem Re: Leupold VXIII 1.5X5 - 09/01/22
Originally Posted by EdM
Originally Posted by Bristoe
They're very proper for a lightweight AR.

[Linked Image from i.postimg.cc]website hosting image


Nice scope. I have the same on my lightish 416 Rem.

[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]

That buff sure looks light in the body.

He does have nice horns. Mind saying what part of Africa he was taken?
Originally Posted by waterrat
I have 3 of them here, 35 Gibbs,411 KDF. and an Old Ugly clone 458 win mag. Great scope!![Linked Image from i.imgur.com]
That looks outstanding.

I've got to decide what to put this on. 375 Ruger? 375h&h ultra light arms, or Ruger 338win alaskan? Anyway I think it will be fine for the $25 I'm into it.
Posted By: reivertom Re: Leupold VXIII 1.5X5 - 09/03/22
Originally Posted by miguel
I have several on rifles intended for woods hunting. A Remington 7600 carbine, a Marlin 336 35 REM, a Marlin 1895 G .45-70, and a Winchester 94AE trapper in .30-30. I just bought a Winchester 88 carbine in .308. I’ve been agonizing over how to scope it, but I just put in an order with Doug at Cameraland for a new VX 3 1.5-5 with the cds. This will be my first new Leupold in a few years but I have great confidence it will perform satisfactory. That huge field of view and very forgiving eye box is why I settled on these scopes for my woods guns years ago.

I have that scope on a Marlin 336 in 38-55. It is plenty scope for any rifle you would hunt with in a wooded setting. I once had it on a 30-06 and it was plenty. I like them on a lever gun because of the compact size compared to many scopes....very handy.
I have one on a Marlin 336. I can’t see well enough to hunt without a scope past bow range. Huge FOV I can see the barrel on 1.5 power.
Posted By: marlinshooter1 Re: Leupold VXIII 1.5X5 - 09/03/22
I have one on my kimber adirondack and rem 7600 carbine.
Posted By: GuideGun Re: Leupold VXIII 1.5X5 - 09/03/22
They are ideal sized and weight for a compact hunting rifle. I have one on a Marlin Guide Gun. There's nothing out there with a comparable size and weight with a 1" tube. Everything today has shifted to bulky 30mm tubes and overall bigger size.
Posted By: TRexF16 Re: Leupold VXIII 1.5X5 - 09/03/22
[/quote]
That looks outstanding.

I've got to decide what to put this on. 375 Ruger? 375h&h ultra light arms, or Ruger 338win alaskan? Anyway I think it will be fine for the $25 I'm into it.[/quote]
Ha! You said you wouldn't say what you paid for it! Just couldn't take the pressure, eh?
Tell you what, I'll double your money and pay the shipping too!

;o)
Rex
I got one that spent 30 years on my 35 Whelen AI - now it sits on my .375. Great scope.
Posted By: Puddle Re: Leupold VXIII 1.5X5 - 09/03/22
I have one on my .375 H&H and one on my #1 400 Jeffrey. The H&H has close to 1,000 rounds thru it and the scope just keeps chugging along nicely.
Posted By: 260Remguy Re: Leupold VXIII 1.5X5 - 09/03/22
Originally Posted by Theoldpinecricker
Anyone use one of these 1.5x5 little optics? Just picked one up and have thoughts about using it. I like the compact size and it's an early form of our current LPVO.

I have them on 2 woods rifles, my Ruger 44 International and 77 RSI tanger in 308.

They work fine within their niche, but I prefer the 2-7x28 and 2-7x33 Leupolds. Low magnification combined with a heavy/thick reticle is just the ticket for hunting in heavy cover under low light conditions, or at least those attributes have worked well for me for a long time.
Posted By: Clarkm Re: Leupold VXIII 1.5X5 - 09/04/22
I bought one here on the fire in 2013 for $265, made in 1985.


It is alive and well on a 1956 Win 61 [22 pump]
Posted By: EdM Re: Leupold VXIII 1.5X5 - 09/04/22
Originally Posted by bluestem
Originally Posted by EdM
Originally Posted by Bristoe
They're very proper for a lightweight AR.

[Linked Image from i.postimg.cc]website hosting image


Nice scope. I have the same on my lightish 416 Rem.

[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]

That buff sure looks light in the body.

He does have nice horns. Mind saying what part of Africa he was taken?

Matetsi in Zimbabwe.
Posted By: erich Re: Leupold VXIII 1.5X5 - 09/04/22
The campfire touts the 6x as the greatest scope ever made, killing critter from your shoelaces to beyond where you can see them. With 1x less you should be able to kill critters as far as you can see them. It wouldn't be my choice for ground squirrels out across the pasture but coyotes on up it works well past woods range.

[Linked Image from imagizer.imageshack.com]
One of my 2 favorite scopes since the early '80s. About 8-10 rifles in my safes wear one of these. I find it just about perfect for stillhunting the NE woods on 1.5X. On 5X, its plenty at 250-300 yds.

The other favorite is the VXll 2-7X33. Even out west, I don't feel like I need more magnification out to 300-350 yds, which is my limit on game.
Posted By: SuperCub Re: Leupold VXIII 1.5X5 - 09/08/22
I have a gloss one in the safe not being used. I'll be keeping it as a spare for my 721.

It's been on a few rifles over the years. I like it.
Posted By: Aagaardsporter Re: Leupold VXIII 1.5X5 - 09/10/22
Perfect for Michigan deer hunting!
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