or for 1/4 the price you can get a KonusPro with adjustable objective 3-9x32 AO. I have said Leupold on my VQ Summit for RFS matches too, was on my 10/22 for those matches before that. I like Leupolds so I spent the $ to have one top dollar rimfire scope. It's been perfect so far, the turrets don't "click" but they are positive and don't move. The Leupold is light weight, which helps me make the weight limit for RFS. I bought one of the Konus from a club member for $25 (because it was $25!), and recently bought another new one for $115. Frankly for shooting 50ft, 25 yards, and 50 yard matches so far it seems just as good. The Konus has a very fine wire duplex reticle, so I like that a LOT. The view is bright and clear. I put one on a 10/22 and a Kimber 82G and haven't shot either enough yet to score it for reliability, but so far so good. I had a KonusPro spotting scope for years and it never let me down.

I tried the Vortex 2-7x32 Rimfire because a friend has one and was able to use it at 50 ft. I tried one and couldn't see a clear target down to 50 ft. I also didn't like the fat wire reticle. Not sure if the Diamondback has a better reticle, but the Crossfire doesn't.

 

Vortex is not in Leupold league. That is a nice scope and you will be very pleased with it when used.

 

I've had one of the Leupold 3x9x33 EFR scopes on my Appleseed rifle for 4 years. It doesn't get abused, but it's not a safe queen either. I've never had a problem with it. I like it so much that I bought another one about a year later. No problems with it either.

You don't mention what type of shooting you plan to do with it. It may be a great scope or you may hate it.

For my purpose, shooting at known distances inside 100 yards, offhand seated and prone, I like it a lot. I think it would also be a good small game hunting scope. I zero it, cap the turrets and shoot.

Clear glass, simple reticle, lightweight at 12 oz. and adjustable objective.

For benchrest, long range and tactical style shooting games, there are better choices.

 

I have four Leupold 3-9x33 EFR scopes, they are fantastic for the price. The turrets are not intended to be "dialed", they are to be set and forget. Are there other scopes for less money with "better" (dial-able) turrets? Yes, but the glass on those all SUCK....and they are heavy.

 

Thanks for the replies. Its going on a CZ 457 American for varmints and plinking random object around my property. Turrets will be capped and not touched. I fully suspect it will serve me well. I had read complaints about the turrets, but assumed peoples standards were higher than mine. Wow they feel like crap though. I'll probably keep it, but it REALLY makes me wonder if Leopold is coasting on their name. Made in the USA, by itself, doesn't particularly sell me anymore. Not optics related, but I have returned US product and kept Chinese.

 

For your intended use, it will be a very good scope.

I don't think Leupold is coasting on their name. At the price point $350 to 400 it is a premium rimfire scope.

Compare the glass in various lighting conditions to your cheaper scopes.

 

I like my 3-9 efr but have pulled it off of my 22 and put it on a low powered air rifle. I went with with a Hawke 3-9 mil dot for my cz457 varmint. A 22 has too much drop for me not to have precise aim points for 75 and 100 shots. You never know when a groundhog will decide to present you with a longer shot and the cz457 is definitely accurate enough for longer shots.

Edit: I forgot to add that the turrets do suck but it’s a good scope and for 50 yard work and in, it’s perfect for me and probably at the top of my budget. I have heard that leupold will install a new reticle for a charge so I might look into that.

 

Is that gritty feel the graduations on the turrets, if you turn the turrets slowly will each grittiness be one mark on the turret?

 

I've owned quite a few of the older, pre-Freedom Leupold 3-9x33 EFR scopes, and I now own one of the Freedom versions. We all know exactly what you're talking about regarding the lack of a precision feel to the adjustments. I would add that the styling of the Freedom version makes it look more like something one would mount on an AR adorned with toothy Picatinny rails and other superfluous projections on every possible surface. It is for this reason the older ones, especially the gloss version, now command such a premium.

Still, the Freedom is light in weight (maybe the most desirable of all the Leupold scope virtues), the optics are very good, it will focus very close, and it comes with the legendary Leupold warranty. I also mounted mine on a FWB 300 Jr, and it is the perfect scope for that rifle. So, no worries, but it is aggravating that Leupold compromised on some features in the Freedom version of this otherwise outstanding scope.

 

Yes those particular turrets are certainly low-grade. I was first introduced to them on a couple of VX-1's. Sold them immediately and went to VX-2's - totally worth the upgrade for a few bucks more, for the turrets alone (let alone the optical upgrades). It's a shame that Leupold has stuck with those turrets on their low-end scopes, it really gives the rest of the design a black eye.

 

The objective is indeed smaller, but so is the ocular. This also allows lower mounting, and the ocular diameter can be an issue for bolt clearance in some rifle designs.

 

wait. a complaint here on RFC?! NO WAY.... Just kidding with you.


But seriously, Leupold has a lifetime warranty send it back,,,

 

I have one on my .177 air rifle and it is clear in dim light and the turret adjustments are precise. However, I don’t dial after sighting in, just use Kentucky windage.

 

Two main points about Leupold: light weight and warranty.

 

I wouldn't worry about the "feel" of the turrets. I have scopes from several different manufacturers that feel mushy, but the scopes do their job. Leupold turrets are known for being a bit soft, and I wouldn't be surprised if the scope doesn't adjust precisely, but once you get it there, you'll likely appreciate it.

 

Many years ago I started buying Leupold Vari-X 2.5 to 8 scopes for almost all my hunting rifles. This was for 300 WinMag down to 22Lr. I currently own 6 of them. They have parallax set at 150 yds. Frankly if you scope is mounted correctly on the rifle parallax should not be an issue. You gain much better glass, click adjustments that are repeatable and a scope that looks good on a 22 rifle.
Just a thought.

 

In the squirrel woods, I don't always have the luxury of perfect cheek placement. If you can't get everything perfectly aligned, that's when parallax gets you. Being able to set your scope's parallax to a distance close to your expected hunting range makes for a clearer picture and less distortion.

 

I have 5 of the Freedom versions so far They are my favorite .22lr scope for the woods.

I know the "matte" finish isn't for everyone; especially when it's a nice gloss blued rifle like Anschutz, Kimber, etc...but I can set the AO at 20 yards and everything is clear in the woods from 10-30 yards.

When I'm at the range I adjust them until they are perfect, but outside where a shot is not at a set distance they are very good.

I have them on Anschutz 1712AV, 1416AV, Cooper JSR, Kimber 82B, and Bergara BMR...will likely get more. I have a 6.5-20x40 EFR on my 1712 Silhouette; fantastic scope, but 6.5x is a little too much for the woods.

 

I have 5 of the Freedom versions so far They are my favorite .22lr scope for the woods.

I know the "matte" finish isn't for everyone; especially when it's a nice gloss blued rifle like Anschutz, Kimber, etc...but I can set the AO at 20 yards and everything is clear in the woods from 10-30 yards.

When I'm at the range I adjust them until they are perfect, but outside where a shot is not at a set distance they are very good.

I have them on Anschutz 1712AV, 1416AV, Cooper JSR, Kimber 82B, and Bergara BMR...will likely get more. I have a 6.5-20x40 EFR on my 1712 Silhouette; fantastic scope, but 6.5x is a little too much for the woods.

The matte is ok. I don't like the new "tactical" styling. It looks fine on my 457. Waiting on the barrel to get back from getting threaded and I'll post a pic.

 

Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9x33 (1 inch) EFR Airgun Duplex Riflescope 175075 For Sale | SHIPS FREE - EuroOptic

FREE SHIPPING on Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9x33 (1 inch) EFR Airgun Duplex Riflescope 175075

www.eurooptic.com

This one?

I prefer a Meopta on a CZ. Gain wider magnification range and side parallax adjustment.

Meopta Optika5 2-10x42 PA SFP

Meopta Specifications Quick Review magnification range: 2X to 10X scope weight: 20.8 ounces scope length: 12.1 inches eye relief: 3.6 inches scope finish: matte black illuminated: No

www.sportoptics.com

I know the Optika5 has resettable turrets, not sure about the Leupold.

 

Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9x33 (1 inch) EFR Airgun Duplex Riflescope 175075 For Sale | SHIPS FREE - EuroOptic

FREE SHIPPING on Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9x33 (1 inch) EFR Airgun Duplex Riflescope 175075

www.eurooptic.com

This one?

I prefer a Meopta on a CZ. Gain wider magnification range and side parallax adjustment.

Meopta Optika5 2-10x42 PA SFP

Meopta Specifications Quick Review magnification range: 2X to 10X scope weight: 20.8 ounces scope length: 12.1 inches eye relief: 3.6 inches scope finish: matte black illuminated: No

www.sportoptics.com

I know the Optika5 has resettable turrets, not sure about the Leupold. View attachment 420580
View attachment 420579
View attachment 420578

If weight is a concern, the Meopta is over 1/2 a pound heavier than the Leupold.

 

Haven't looked at the new freedom line, but I had more than a couple of the older vx 3-9×33 back in the late 90's. They were friction turret even then, so it's not like they cheapened em up, they were always friction turrets. Never caused any issues for me, they were bright, clear, light weight and reliable. As Cowpokey said, it's a set it and forget it design.

 

The cool thing is there are so many options you surely ought to be able to find what you want. If you are a twister that is in shooting situations where you can dial in your reticle for each shot, then the older Leupolds with friction adjustments aren’t for you, although they have wonderful glass and clarity, are made in the USA with a great warranty. If you are a sight-it-in precisely guy and use hold offs for wind and distance, they are perfect. I shoot 1000’s of ground squirrels with those scopes every spring.
Most scope makers appear to be making scopes now for mounting on black or synthetic stocked and matte finished rifles, so good used gloss scopes are big ticket items. When they were making the Leupold Compact 3x9 AO in gloss, you could find them for $200-250, now they often times bring $500 or more since they haven’t made them in several years. In my estimation, a perfect rimfire rifle scope.
If you need to twist for every shot or your interest runs toward the tactical look, it seems that’s what everyone’s buying. I have to confess that putting a huge 34mm tubed scope with all kinds adjustments and twisty things on a comparatively smallish rimfire is kind “strange” I guess. I sort of have the old school opinion that the rifle and scope ought to be “harmonious” like Wilford Brimley used to say.
Anyway, good luck and remember this is supposed to be fun.

 

Lot of ugly scopes being made nowadays, the European styling is positively ghastly to look upon. Magnification rings which rival the rings of Saturn in size but lack their beauty. Some look like they have been in a fire, I think they are on Meoptas. Main tubes the size of sewer pipes. Reticles that remind one of the contents of sewer pipes, turret housings that make cinder blocks look attractive. etc. Not much out there for a guy/gal wanting to scope up a nice wood and blued sporter . Lot more guys out there thinking they are going forth to take a beach head every day.

The second problem with buying used gloss Leupolds is that Leupold may very well refuse to repair it if something does go wrong at which time you will get something described above. Talk about being " done wrong!"