Leupold VX5HD 2-10 ZL2 Firedot

Hi guys,

Has anyone have any feedback on the VX5HD 2-10 scopes? Looking at getting one or something similar to suit a 308, is abit of a do it all rifle, 16inch tikka, you know, the one like everyone has in NZ, or should have :O_O:

Shooting 1-500yards, and shooting subs every now and then, hence the reason for the dial, can dial up for the subs when being used.

Requirements are that its also lightish and durable, would go to a 3-15 but these are a small abit heavier but also 25mm longer and 2 power i like in the bush,

Any suggestions/comments are welcome,

nice scopes but allot of money for a bushpig length gun

I run a 18" Tikka .260, was thinking the same as you when I was looking. I liked the 2-10 for the same reason as you - it has that lower power 2 vs the 3 of the 3-15. In the end I got swayed on 3-15 as it is not that much bigger/heavier than the 2-10 and the 3x is still not bad for closer stuff especially with the firedot - and probably the ultimate reason for me is the 3-15 has a side focus which I didn't think I would care about but I actually use quite a bit.

I am not sure how well a 16" 308 would shoot to 500 yards with decent velocity left for hunting but some of the lads on here probably have a good load that would get you there (feel free to correct me if I am wrong).

EDIT: this new VX3HD might be a good bushpig scope, pity it doesnt seem to come with a firedot. It has a CDS turret like you want too.

https://www.leupold.com/vx-3hd-2-5-8x36-cds-zl-duplex

having had a 16" 308, 500m is really asking too much. i would also be adding a suppressor or flash arrestor as mine put about 12" or more flames out of the muzzle.

168eldms @ 2600 makes 500 very doable. My recommendation is the 3-15 as you won't notice the difference between 2 and 3 in the bush but if you really want zoom at 3-500m a 15x blows a 10x away. I love my 10x scope but watching 2 fallow at 470m the other day would have been alot easier with a 15x

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Originally Posted by superdiver

168eldms @ 2600 makes 500 very doable. My recommendation is the 3-15 as you won't notice the difference between 2 and 3 in the bush but if you really want zoom at 3-500m a 15x blows a 10x away. I love my 10x scope but watching 2 fallow at 470m the other day would have been alot easier with a 15x

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Yea the projectiles seem to be the way forward, have a load for 178elds aswell that packs alot of punch out far. The 3-15 seems to be a common choice and the top end zoom did make me consider if it was worth the extra length. I have a Z5 on my magnum, but i feel the ZL2 would be better suited to more frequent dialing and has more MOA available.

Yup I have 18 inch 308 with 155 amaxs running 2785 for 500 is fairly easy bout about the limit of animal shots.

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Awesome scope for the money. Firedot rules for bush and dawn/dusk.
Attachment 165664

Nightforce shv 3-10x42 illuminated would be another good option

if you can find one have a look at the older VX6 2-12x42 . That would cover all your bases and then some. Firedot is the bees knees for low light and bush work.

I run a 2-10 duplex on my 308.

Shes a 20" barrel.

168gr TMK at 2680fps. Crunch those numbers. I've found it to be my favorite scope hands down. Just so simple to use and fantastic clarity. Plus their bloody tough.

You won't regret getting one.

The 2-10 is about perfect for your use, I've used a VX6 2-12 with Firedot a bit and it was great for close up hunting.

The new VX3HD 3.5-10x40 firedot at $1300 might be worth a look when they arrive in a month or 2

I had a 2-10FD on my short barrelled saum, nice scope but was annoyed I could see the suppressor on 2 power, not that it affected anything, but had to wind it up to 3 not to see it. Now got the 3-15FD for a bit more mag at range, and 3 power in the bush is mint with no more “seeing half the suppressor- great scope
Cheers

Excellent scopes. You dont need a "side focus"/paralax for any scope under 10X, and you will nearly always see your suppressor with any scope at 2X, sometimes 3X - its just the way optics work.

Z5i 2.4-12x50bt 4Wi reticle. Another option maybe?

Got the vx5hd 3-15 on my 16" 308 Tikka and I find it works well . I don't think 2 at bottom is really necessary , 3 works fine , at the cost of losing 5 at the top in my opinion . Never noticed the suppressor in sight picture at 3x .
Slightly off topic but I found mine didn't like the heavier rounds and seems happiest with 150's . I put it down to a slower twist rate in the tikka and lower velocity at 16" ?

Am beginning to think that the 3-15 may be worth more investigation, I just found the 2 power to be good but as many have mentioned the top end being lost may not be the best thing, a Vx6 secondhand could be worthwhile hanging out for as goes to the 12 power. Should of mentioned the budget is 2kish, hence the VX5HD. Firedot is a good thing I believe so will be preferring something with that

The 178s eldx load I have been given and witnessed seems to be very accurate, clovers at 100yards, and shooting out to 500. This is also through a 16" tikka. Will be checking mine out in the coming weeks

Just using factory ammo in mine so is probably a lot to do with it ....

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Originally Posted by Southerner223

Am beginning to think that the 3-15 may be worth more investigation, I just found the 2 power to be good but as many have mentioned the top end being lost may not be the best thing, a Vx6 secondhand could be worthwhile hanging out for as goes to the 12 power. Should of mentioned the budget is 2kish, hence the VX5HD. Firedot is a good thing I believe so will be preferring something with that

The 178s eldx load I have been given and witnessed seems to be very accurate, clovers at 100yards, and shooting out to 500. This is also through a 16" tikka. Will be checking mine out in the coming weeks

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@Southerner223 just one thing to remember for the older VX6 2-12x42 if you do go for it - it uses the older version of the CDS turret which is nowhere near as good as the CDS ZL2 turret on the HD series scopes for dialing in my opinion. The current model VX6HD 2-12 CDS ZL2 is really pricey.

I got a Vixen 2.5-15x50mm illuminated dot BDC10 reticle scope weight 580g 30mm tube on my 6.5 Creedmoor Tikka rifle and a mate got the 2.5-10x56 version weight 670g for his 308 bushpig very good in low light vixen seem to be value for money and have a lifetime warranty so worth looking at as an alternative

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Originally Posted by 308mate

@Southerner223 just one thing to remember for the older VX6 2-12x42 if you do go for it - it uses the older version of the CDS turret which is nowhere near as good as the CDS ZL2 turret on the HD series scopes for dialing in my opinion. The current model VX6HD 2-12 CDS ZL2 is really pricey.

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Leupold did make the older non-HD VX6 2-12 with a CDS ZL2 turret; my 308 currently wears one (firedot with windplex). It is a very good scope and I like that it’s a bit shorter and less bulky than the 3-15. But I think the 2-10 is a great option as well; 2nd hand 2-12s don’t seem to come up too often so you might have to wait a while..

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Originally Posted by Ftx325

Got the vx5hd 3-15 on my 16" 308 Tikka and I find it works well . I don't think 2 at bottom is really necessary , 3 works fine , at the cost of losing 5 at the top in my opinion . Never noticed the suppressor in sight picture at 3x .
Slightly off topic but I found mine didn't like the heavier rounds and seems happiest with 150's . I put it down to a slower twist rate in the tikka and lower velocity at 16" ?

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Every rifle is different as far as what it likes, but in theory a 1-11” twist 308 will easily stabilise 178gr match bullets, and a 16in barrel should be ok as well. Mine shoots the eldx exceptionally well from a 19in barrel

I have a 2-10 VX5HD firedot on my 6.5x55

10x is plenty at 500yds and the advantage of the 2-10 is it's smaller and lighter.

I like the 2x, with firedot on I can just keep both eyes open which I prefer.

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Originally Posted by 308mate

@Southerner223 just one thing to remember for the older VX6 2-12x42 if you do go for it - it uses the older version of the CDS turret which is nowhere near as good as the CDS ZL2 turret on the HD series scopes for dialing in my opinion. The current model VX6HD 2-12 CDS ZL2 is really pricey.

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I've got both and am unsure how you draw the distinction between the original VX6 2-12 ZL and the VX6 HD ZL2 turrets, apart from the newer version having 40 MOA of vertical adjustment versus 20 MOA for the original I don't notice any difference. In the case of the rifle the OP is considering fitting the scope to that extra 20 MOA is of no real consequence anyway. Maybe you are thinking of the non-zero lock version? You don't see a lot for sale. Another scope worth a look is the Burris Signature HD 2-10x40, dials but no illuminated reticle, 1" tube only $730 at 55six.

@38 South

This is the old VX6 CDS turret I was meaning - it does have a zero stop but no button release, it is a lot more fiddly to setup than the ZL2 and I found it a bit mushy in comparison.

https://youtu.be/HjGCUSVNnZg

I didn't realise there was also a ZL turret before the ZL2, my mistake, I thought there was just the above turret prior to the ZL2.

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Originally Posted by 7.62

Leupold did make the older non-HD VX6 2-12 with a CDS ZL2 turret; my 308 currently wears one (firedot with windplex). It is a very good scope and I like that it’s a bit shorter and less bulky than the 3-15. But I think the 2-10 is a great option as well; 2nd hand 2-12s don’t seem to come up too often so you might have to wait a while..

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I wish Leupold still did the FD Windplek reticle, I've been keeping my eye out for a 2nd hand one but they don't ever come up for sale.

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Originally Posted by Beetroot

I wish Leupold still did the FD Windplek reticle, I've been keeping my eye out for a 2nd hand one but they don't ever come up for sale.

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IMHO 3-15 FD windplex with ZL2 turret,I think that would be near the best all round scope going?

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Originally Posted by jono7

IMHO 3-15 FD windplex with ZL2 turret,I think that would be near the best all round scope going?

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Yeah it would be better all round but I like 2x for a scope that'll be used up real close.
Leupold did offer the FD Windplex in the 3-18 too.

I have the FD Windplex in VX6 2-12 and VX6 3-18 and find it's a very practical reticle, slightly heavier subtensions than the FD Duplex help in the bush and only need to turn one dial if you don't have a lot of time, an unfortunate omission from the range available.

sorry I'm starting to sound like a Swarovski salesman but the 4Wi reticle is pretty damn similar to the windplex, firedot combo.

its very easy to get ZL2 turrets for older model VX6's if you need the 2 turn feature.