Leupold VX-3HD 4.5-14x40 CDS-ZL

• 4.5-14x magnification range: covers the practical middle ground between woodland stalking and longer shots across open ground, giving enough low-end speed for closer targets and enough top-end precision for careful shot placement.
• CDS-ZL elevation dial: the lockable Custom Dial System with ZeroLock lets the shooter dial elevation with confidence and return to zero quickly, which is especially useful when switching between typical hunting distances and longer opportunities.
• Second focal plane Duplex reticle: the uncluttered SFP reticle stays visually consistent through the zoom range, making it fast to acquire in changing light and easy to use for hunters who prefer a traditional sight picture.
• Elite Optical System: designed for strong dawn-to-dusk light transmission, glare control, and clear contrast, helping the image stay usable when game is most active and light conditions are least forgiving.
• Lightweight 1-inch scope body: at 379.88 g with a 25.4 mm tube, it keeps rifle handling balanced and trim while still providing the adjustment range and durability expected from a serious hunting riflescope.

About the Leupold VX-3HD Series

Leupold VX-3HD is a hunting-focused riflescope series introduced in 2020 as part of the brand’s established VX line. It sits in Leupold’s current sporting optics range as a versatile option for hunters who want a scope that remains light on the rifle but still offers the optical and mechanical features needed for real field use. Across the series, the emphasis is on practical performance in low light, straightforward handling, and a broad choice of configurations for different rifles and hunting styles.

A defining feature of the line is Leupold’s Elite Optical System, which is built to improve dawn-to-dusk light transmission, reduce glare, and maintain image clarity when contrast is poor. The series also uses a 3:1 zoom ratio, giving each model enough flexibility to move between closer shots and more deliberate longer-range work without making the scope bulky. All VX-3HD models use a CDS ZeroLock elevation dial, and the range includes different reticle styles, including traditional hunting reticles and illuminated FireDot options, as well as side-focus variants for shooters who need more precise parallax control. The overall design philosophy is simple: dependable hunting optics with useful ballistic dialing features and no unnecessary bulk.

About the Leupold VX-3HD 4.5-14x40 CDS-ZL

The Leupold VX-3HD 4.5-14x40 CDS-ZL is built for hunters who need one riflescope to cover a wide spread of realistic field distances. Its 4.5-14x magnification range makes sense on general-purpose hunting rifles used for stalking, high-seat shooting, and open-country work where shot distance can change quickly. At the lower end, the image remains manageable for faster target acquisition, while the upper end gives enough magnification for more exact bullet placement on smaller targets or at extended ranges.

The scope pairs that flexibility with a 40 mm objective lens and Leupold’s Elite Optical System, which helps preserve brightness and contrast during the low-light periods when many hunters are still in the field. The fully multicoated lenses also help control glare, which matters when shooting into angled light or across reflective terrain. Its Duplex reticle sits in the second focal plane, so the reticle appearance stays constant as magnification changes. That gives a familiar, uncluttered aiming picture and suits shooters who prioritize speed and simplicity over holdover-heavy reticle designs.

Mechanically, this model is centered on the CDS-ZL system. The lockable elevation turret with Zero Stop is useful for hunters who dial for distance but still want a fast, positive return to their base zero. With 75.00 MOA of elevation and windage adjustment, it offers enough travel for a wide range of common hunting setups. The 1-inch tube, 321.81 mm length, and 379.88 g weight keep the scope trim and easy to carry, while the nitrogen-filled, waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof construction supports dependable use in changing weather and rough terrain.

About Leupold

Leupold & Volpel was founded in Portland, Oregon, in 1907 by Fred Leupold and Adam Volpel. Today, Leupold & Stevens, Inc. is headquartered in Beaverton, Oregon, United States, and remains a family-owned company focused on sport optics for hunting, shooting, and outdoor use. Its product range includes riflescopes, red dot sights, binoculars, spotting scopes, rangefinders, and thermal optics.

Leupold’s reputation in riflescopes is closely tied to its long development history in this category. The company introduced its first riflescope, the Plainsman, in 1947, and later introduced the Duplex reticle in 1962, a design that became widely established in hunting optics. Within its current lineup, Leupold produces VX-series riflescopes for sporting use and Mark-series riflescopes for tactical applications, reflecting a broad specialization in optical systems built for field durability and practical shooting use.

Main Features

• Magnification: 4.50 x - 14.00 x
• Objective lens diameter: 40.00 mm
• Main tube diameter: 25.4 mm
• Reticle position: 2. focal plane - SFP
• Turret type: Tactical - Lockable
• Turret locking: Yes
• Zero Stop: Yes
• Turret turns: MT - Multi Turn
• Turret rotation direction: CW
• Elevation adjustment range: 21.80 mrad / 75.00 MOA
• Windage adjustment range: 21.80 mrad / 75.00 MOA
• Eye relief: 3.60 mm - 4.40 mm
• Field of view: 3.80 m/100m - 1.40 m/100m
• Illumination: No
• Lens coating: Fully Multicoated
• Length: 321.81 mm
• Weight: 379.88 g
• Housing fill: Nitrogen
• Waterproof: Yes
• Fogproof: Yes
• Shockproof: Yes
• Color: Black

Warranty

10 years. This riflescope is covered by a 10-year warranty.