Thread: Leupold VX5HD 2-10 ZL2 Firedot

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 ....

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

@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

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.

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..

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" ?

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.

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.

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.

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..

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.

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.

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

Originally Posted by jono7

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

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.