• Leupold VX-R 4-12x40mm Rifle Scope Review

    As I was sitting here organizing my notes in preparation of writing this review I couldn't help but chuckle at the question that popped into my head, "How did our predecessors ever get along without illuminated reticles?" One can't ignore the fact that most every optic manufacturer the world over offers at least one line of scopes with an illuminated reticle. Even leupold jumped into the fray a few years ago (2011) when they launched their all new scope line dubbed the VX-R Series.

    Today we are looking at the Leupold VX-R 4-12x40mm (SKU #119412) with the Multi-FireDot reticle. This model features a 6061-T6 aircraft grade aluminum 30mm main tube with 1/4 MOA finger-adjustable turrets for both elevation and windage. Additional features include Luepold's Custom Dial System (CDS) which allows the owner to upgrade the elevation dial with a custom knob that is specifically calibrated and marked for their pet load’s ballistics at an additional cost of $59.95. The ocular end of the scope is fitted with a one turn, non-locking extended range focus on the eyepiece to ensure a crisp, sharp reticle no matter how good or bad your eyes are.

    This particular model has a fixed parallax so there is no adjustable objective or side-focus dial. Overall length is 12.4-inches, which like most scopes today will be a challenge to mount on a long-action rifle if you don't use a picatinney-style mount. Both elevation and windage adjustments have a total range of 75 MOA, and eye-relief is listed as being 4.9-inches to 3.7-inches. MSRP price is $789.99.

    For testing purposes the VX-R was mounted on my Savage 93R17-GLV in .17 HMR and was shot at distances of 50, 100 and 200 yards.

    FireDot System:

    Where most illuminated scopes on the market have a large rheostat dial on the ocular bell, Leupold’s VX-R series of scopes locates the control function of the illuminated reticle into the main body by placing it where one would normally find a side-focus parallax knob. If that wasn’t unique enough, the VX-R uses a push-button control switch rather than a rheostat dial to turn the illumination on/off and adjust the intensity of the illumination. Press and release the button to turn the unit on and it will illuminate the reticle to the intensity it was set to the last time you used it. With the unit on, tapping the button repeatedly will run the intensity up and then back down through its range of eight intensity levels.

    To ensure you don’t get lost in the range of illumination intensity Leupold had the foresight to program the illuminated dot to flash five times when the highest and lowest intensities are reached. Additionally, the programming also includes a means to reverse direction without having to first go all the way up or down the scale. This is accomplished by holding in the button for two seconds. To turn the unit off, press and hold the button for at least three seconds.

    One of the biggest complaints I have always had with illuminated reticles is that without fail the battery is always dead when you need it the most because at some point you forgot to turn it off. Leupold thought of this as well and included Motion Sensing Technology (MST) to help prolong battery life which essentially works off of a motion sensor built into the scope. After sitting dormant for five minutes time the system will turn off the illumination and be in standby mode. As soon as the rifle/scope is moved even slightly the illumination will immediately reactivate. Brilliant! Leupold also thought to include a low battery warning system which will flash the illuminated dot ten times to let you know you will soon need to replace the CR2032 lithium battery.

    Leupold also has special elevation and/or windage caps available that are designed to hold a spare battery for quick changes in the field (not included with the VX-R series, but available through Leupold by calling 1-800-LEUPOLD). These are two-piece caps, and the part numbers are as follows:

    #67557 Cap Bottom
    #67555 Cap Top
    *Note: Both parts are needed for one turret. If you want to carry two spare batteries, you will need to order two of each.

    Impressions:

    I should probably note right up front that generally speaking I am not a fan or advocate of illuminated reticles. I have owned numerous scopes with illumination over the years, but I can't ever recall a single instance where I truly needed it in the field. That's not to say I never used it, but rather that I could have gotten by without it just as well. Now that that's out of the way...

    While the Multi-FireDot ballistic reticle is designed for high power centerfire cartridges (i.e. common deer and varmint hunting cartridges), it still worked out fairly well on my 17 HMR rimfire rifle. According to the manual the stadia lines are spaced at approximately 2.2 MOA to the first line, 4.8 MOA to the second line, and 7.8 MOA to the top of the bottom post. Applying that to the trajectory of the 17 HMR cartridge with a 100 yard zero you get 175 yards for the first line, 240 yards for the second line, and 295 yards at the top of the bottom post. The 17 HMR really isn't effective on any type of game past 300 yards so this works out pretty well.

    Optically I found the VX-R 4-12x40mm to be of the quality that I have come to expect from Leupold. The fully multi-coated index matched lenses provide for a crisp and clear picture all the way out to the edges with no noticeable distortion or chromatic aberration. The contrast and resolution were tested using a brush pile at approximately 190 yards. Picking out individual limbs and twigs within the pile was quite easy with the VX-R at 12-power. Depth of field was roughly 3-4 feet at this range before the limbs and twigs started to fade out of focus.

    As always with Leupold products the build quality and finish on the VX-R is top notch. The matte finish is uniform and the turrets provide a nice solid detent and audible click for each 1/4-minute adjustment and move smoothly. The magnification ring isn't overly stiff or loose and moves smoothly without a hint of grittiness like one finds on some lower end optics. Last but not least, the fast focus eye-piece offers sufficient range to focus the reticle no matter how good or bad your vision may be.

    Tracking proved to be accurate and predictable during both sight-in and while running the box test. The illumination system works flawlessly and offers plenty of intensity settings to cover most any light condition you may encounter, and the auto stand-by feature is a Godsend to prolong battery life.

    Regarding the illuminated reticle I like what Leupold has done here by only illuminating the intersecting points rather than the entire crosshair. On their lowest setting the dots only give off a slight bit of glow or fuzziness rather than washing out the entire field-of-view in a red haze. It's still bright enough to ruin your night vision on the lowest setting, but that's a given on most any illuminated scope. The controls function well, though as much as I hate the big bulbous knob being located on the ocular bell it's clearly a more ergonomic location than the left side of the midsection of the scope as is the VX-R's case. Not that it's awkward or unwieldy, but rather just unfamiliar and odd feeling. Functionally it did everything it was supposed to do with no disappointments or surprises.

    Conclusion:

    The VX-R 4-12x40mm is yet another shining example to the craftsmanship and quality that Leupold puts into their products. It does everything it is supposed to do extremely well and its solid construction should provide years of dependable service. Combine that with Leupold's Limited Lifetime Warranty and you can rest easy knowing that you've just made a good investment. If I were in the market for another scope with an illuminated reticle (I already own a VX-R 1.25-4x20mm FireDot Pig Plex model) the VX-R series would be at or very near the top of my list.

    About the only significant thing I could find to complain about with the VX-R would be the price as it is a little steep, but that extra bit of money gets you an American made product rather than one imported from China, the Philippines or Taiwan.


    Additional Photos: