Thread: Leupold VX-5HD scopes/Firefly reticle?

So I was in seeing GregHud at Custom Guns (Invercargills best gunshop) this morning and allowed that I might be interested in a Leupold VX-5HD 3-15 when they hit the shops. I was sorta expecting a wait of some months, so it was a pleasant surprise when he said he was expecting one any day.

I wandered off only to be hollered at from a range of about 70 metres (ex Aussie footballers can sure "roar") . . . and there was the courier van backing out his lane. Dammit if he didn't have the carton opened by the time I got back and he handed me the VX-5 to un-box.

Very nice scope, looks like it should really suit NZ conditions, its a nice size and not too heavy (530 grams). Glass looked real nice (I'll go back when its just getting dark to really get a feel for it) and certainly a step up from the VX-3's I've previously looked at/owned. Seemed to function nicely, the two turn elevation dial with a zero stop is even better in the flesh than it seems on paper. With a CDS included I think its a winner especially if you don't have a 20 MOA rail on your rifle (not so easy to do on a CZ or Sako for instance). Priced under $1800 (I think).

The model I looked at had the firefly illuminated reticle. I'd be really interested to hear opinions on this - is it a practical hunting tool for NZ conditions?

Cheers
Foster

No takers On the firefly question.

How close would it focus ?

Firefly??? Thats a Bushnell thingy. Do you mean Firedot? I use the Firedot on my VX-R and find it awesome for point & shoot at close range, especially at low light in the bush. I would think that all the Firedot style Leupold reticles would offer the same advantage. The VX-5 & VX-6 do have a wider amount of brightness adjustment than the VX-R models.

Originally Posted by Mathias

Firefly??? Thats a Bushnell thingy. Do you mean Firedot? I use the Firedot on my VX-R and find it awesome for point & shoot at close range, especially at low light in the bush. I would think that all the Firedot style Leupold reticles would offer the same advantage. The VX-5 & VX-6 do have a wider amount of brightness adjustment than the VX-R models.

Yeah I love the illum reticle on my 300 ar, really helps quick eye acquisition in the gloom

Oops - Yes Firedot . . . I'm gonna find out, have pushed the buy button on it and will report in due course.