Leupold's VX-6 2-12x42mm CDS

There are scope snobs in this world who hang $3,000 scopes on lever action woods rifles and there are folks who live in denial and insist that a $49 box store special scope can serve acceptably on a 500 yard centerfire varmint rifle. The former pays for features and capabilities that will never be called upon and the latter will eventually experience scope failure or the scope’s limitations at the most inopportune time.

The Leupold VX-6 is premium scope, fit for a quality firearm, providing reliable function under a wide range of environmental conditions. A Leupold VX-6 needs no special accommodations for heat, cold, rain, fog, sloshing across a stream, shooting near or far, in low or bright light. The Leupold VX-6 is a reliable tool that joins a person with a firearm to form an effective shooting system.

For anyone with sufficient disposable income, the Leupold VX-6 might be selected for all scoped applications. Living within the confines of a more… measured budget, and owning firearms that fall into a wide spectrum from low cost to moderately expensive, I try to scope to each firearm’s capabilities and hunting environment. Subsequently, I would not mount a VX-6 on my Marlin 45-70 Guide Gun or Remington Model 7 260 Rem. They are both used for short range hunting, never for big and dangerous game, and always in familiar circumstances and surroundings. If the Guide Gun were selected for a trip to Alaska for brown bear hunting, I might replace its VX-3 with a VX-6 as a function of the investment in the hunt, the nature of the game and for use in extreme environmental conditions.

A custom 375 Ruger warrants a VX-6; big and dangerous game and extreme environments only, while a very pretty CZ-550 Lux full stock chambered for the 6.5x55mm also gets a VX-6 because anything less would be like drawing a mustache on the Mona Lisa. Yes, the latter is a bit of scope snobbery, but the rifle also happens to be very accurate and suitable for many applications.

The subject scope, a Leupold VX-6 2-12x42mm CDS, was installed on a Browning X bolt chambered for the 30-06 Springfield then moved to the 270 WSM Winchester Model 70 Super Grade, pictured above. Both were firearms under review for the Real Guns® publication.

Overview of features

The VX-6 has a large ocular lens which is enclosed within a streamlined housing. The eyepiece stays out of the way of bolt handles even with low scope mounting. The extreme fast focus eyepiece requires only one full turn to cover the entire adjustment range. Eye relief is long at nearly 4″. Magnification adjustment is smooth and requires relatively light effort, however, it stays put.

This VX-6 has pop up re-zero elevation and windage adjusters. They have a MOA click adjustment with a precise feel and each can be lifted and indexed to zero after a rifle is sighted in. This makes it easy to return to the original zero if adjustments are made under field conditions.

Leupold QR bases and rings were used on both the Browning X Bolt and, above, on the Winchester Model 70. Tough steel parts, high grade hardware pretreated with locking compound and no rough edges to scratch nice scope finishes. The fit between these parts is precise.

Installation was kind of a treat. The bases and lower ring halves went on. The scope plopped right into place in the lower ring saddles and the rings went on leaving just enough gap to assure the scope was secured. All hardware was light oiled and torqued to 28 in/lbs as specified by Leupold. Boresighting, two clicks down and two clicks left put the scope on mechanical zero.

This Leupold VX-6 is equipped with a second focal plane, illuminated FireDot LR Duplex reticle, which is one of the Ballistic Aiming System reticles. The scope also utilizes Leupold’s Custom Dial System.

The reticle’s position makes it easy to see close up against heavy cover and more fine lined at a distance so that it does not obscure the target. The reticle’s range compensating and range estimating features are accurate at full power for long range shooting.

The cost of one CDS dial is included with a scope purchase. With information provided by the customer, Leupold supplies an elevation cap indexed to the ballistics of the specified ammo. The feature permits  adjusting zero in the field to match ammunition and range. Additional dials run $59.

The FireDot LR is an illuminated reticle, powered by a 3v CR2032 battery. The reticle may be used with or without illumination. The 5 degrees of brightness and on and off control is set by pressing on the battery compartment cap. A built in motion sensor automatically shuts down the illumination circuit after 5 minutes of firearm inactivity, but will instantly illuminate at first motion if the reticle had been left in the on position. Battery condition can be checked by switching on the reticle; it will blink 10 times when first powered up if a change is required.

Optical excellence

The VX-6 is one of Leupold’s Quantum Optical System scopes; better design tools, better design analysis tools, improved control of production, better lead free optical glass. The Xtended Twilight Lens System utilizes coatings optimized to transmit low light wavelength, blue violet, without compromising full daylight green transmission. Lens edges are blackened to reduce flare in maintain high image contrast. Diamond Coat 2 also boosts light transmission while providing abrasion protection.

VX-6 scopes are waterproofed with pressurized Argon/Krypton gases. The combination virtually eliminates thermal shock and reduced gas diffusion. All VX-6 scopes include a scope sock, lens caps, systems manuals, and Leupold’s Lifetime warranty. Leupold scopes are machined and assembled in the U.S.A.

In use..

Using the Leupold VX-6 is a treat. Hot or cold weather, eyepiece focusing or magnification setting is smooth and settings stay put. The elevation and windage adjustments are precise and positive. Controlling the illuminated reticle is easy even with gloves. The scope finish does not scratch easily and it is such a good looking scope. Very nice optics, very high level of performance.