Q&A (#1) Leupold VX5-HD 3-15x44mm Field Eval

[Formidilosus]

See-

Thread 'Leupold VX5-HD 3-15x44mm Field Evaluation (#1)'

Aug 24, 2025

This is a field evaluation of the Leupold VX5-HD 3-15x44mm scope. This scope was sent to Ryan Avery for an evaluation.


The scope:



Turrets: Leupold’s Zero-Lock elevation turret. The button must be pushed to move them off zero. The windage turret is capped a d Leupold’s standard resettable.








Reticle:
Wind-Plex . 1 MOA per tick at 15x. 10 MOA from center to thicker outer posts.





Drop Evaluation RTZ and “Tracking”:


For an explanation see- Scope Field Eval Explanation and Standards


The...

• Formidilosus
• Replies: 1
• Forum: Rifle Scope Field Evaluations

 

[sherbert409]

It has not been a good day for Leupold scopes. That’s too bad. Really appreciate these tests and reading the reviews.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[JakeM51]

Mimics my experience with one, besides the fact that mine also came new with a canted ret.

 

[Formidilosus]

Mimics my experience with one, besides the fact that mine also came new with a canted ret.

Reread the eval….

 

[JakeM51]

Reread the eval….

I posted that literally one min before your post hit on my end lol.

 

[JakeM51]

Well, I'm glad you didn't get to miss out on the VX5 experience.

 

[MagnumHntr]

Glad the old turret tap finally got the erector to move for you

 

[llynbrmm]

Very disappointing to read after buying this scope last year at a Scheels' rep's glowing recommendation... I've seen a lot of people run a neoprene cover on their scopes that gets removed when shooting. Always thought that would be more of a pain in the ass than it's worth, but I would be curious to see a test of a scope that failed the drop test re-done with a protective cover and see if that changes anything... Once the Rokscope comes out I'll likely replace the Leupold but until then just trying to find a way to minimize the chances of failure....

 

[Bater]

Very disappointing to read after buying this scope last year at a Scheels' rep's glowing recommendation... I've seen a lot of people run a neoprene cover on their scopes that gets removed when shooting. Always thought that would be more of a pain in the ass than it's worth, but I would be curious to see a test of a scope that failed the drop test re-done with a protective cover and see if that changes anything... Once the Rokscope comes out I'll likely replace the Leupold but until then just trying to find a way to minimize the chances of failure....

Neoprene will not solve the problem, Leupold guts are beyond fragile. Luckily for you that scope will sell easily because lots of people are looking for a scope that “ has good glass” and other fluff that doesn’t matter.

 

[Huntin Fool]

I’d shoot with it before I wrote it off. I have 2 and will buy another one in the near future. One has been dialed up and down a bunch, and they still shoot coyotes 4-500 yard out just fine. Gets hunted with and sits in my pickup for 4 months out of the year. Oh and did I mention the cds dial works great. Don’t be afraid to try it and come to your own conclusions

Very disappointing to read after buying this scope last year at a Scheels' rep's glowing recommendation... I've seen a lot of people run a neoprene cover on their scopes that gets removed when shooting. Always thought that would be more of a pain in the ass than it's worth, but I would be curious to see a test of a scope that failed the drop test re-done with a protective cover and see if that changes anything... Once the Rokscope comes out I'll likely replace the Leupold but until then just trying to find a way to minimize the chances of failure....

 

[llynbrmm]

I’d shoot with it before I wrote it off. I have 2 and will buy another one in the near future. One has been dialed up and down a bunch, and they still shoot coyotes 4-500 yard out just fine. Gets hunted with and sits in my pickup for 4 months out of the year. Oh and did I mention the cds dial works great. Don’t be afraid to try it and come to your own conclusions

I've shot it quite a bit in the last year and honestly I've been very happy with it overall. Did have an issue when I first bought it, after 10 shots I noticed a crack in the glass. Brought it back to Scheels and they replaced it and haven't had any issues since. Said it was overtightened (they installed it....) I'm mostly concerned now about dropping it and not having a chance to verify if it held zero and missing an opportunity at game.

 

[Formidilosus]

I’d shoot with it before I wrote it off. I have 2 and will buy another one in the near future. One has been dialed up and down a bunch, and they still shoot coyotes 4-500 yard out just fine. Gets hunted with and sits in my pickup for 4 months out of the year. Oh and did I mention the cds dial works great. Don’t be afraid to try it and come to your own conclusions

I would love to see one that actually worked. I’ve shot and seen shot 30+. Not one has made it now than 300 rounds and 3 days in use before having to be rezeroed.