Best Leupold Scope For AR15
The AR15 is a very popular rifle with the National Shooting Sports Foundation estimating that nearly 15 million are owned by civilian shooters. Due to this incredibly huge number, the market is flooded with all kinds of aftermarket accessories, including scopes. This makes finding the right optic for your AR15 feel a little overwhelming. However, if you have already narrowed it down to a particular brand, and the brand is Leupold, this review is for you. You will most certainly find the best Leupold scope for AR15 here.
We have listed the best six with a comparison table below to make it easy for you to choose one that you like.
Comparison Table
| PRODUCT | IMAGE | MAGNIFICATION | OBJECTIVE LENS | PRICE |
| #1) Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9X40mm Riflescope |  |
3-9X | 40mm | |
| #2) Leupold VX-5HD 3-15x56mm Riflescope |  |
3-15X | 56mm | |
| #3) Leupold VX-3i 4.5-14x40mm Riflescope |  |
4.5-14X | 40mm | |
| #4) Leupold VX-3i LRP 6.5-20x50mm Side Focus Riflescope |  |
6.5-20X | 50mm | |
| #5) Leupold VX-Freedom 450 Bushmaster 3-9×40 Riflescope |  |
3-9X | 40mm | |
| #6) Leupold Mark 6 3-18x44mm Riflescope |  |
3-18X | 44mm |
Best Leupold Scope for AR15 Reviews
#1) Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9X40mm Riflescope
If you are looking for the best Leupold scope for AR15, the VX-Freedom 3-9X40mm is what you are looking for. It is an incredibly reliable and effective scope that comes with the Twilight Light Management System. This technology is spectacular for the fact that it adds up to 10 extra minutes of light especially in low light conditions like at dusk or at dawn. Additionally, it helps in reducing glare for high image quality. This scope is fitted with scratch-resistant lenses. The scratch-resistance of the lens surfaces meets military standards for high abrasion. It is housed in high-quality aluminum and is punisher tested to assure great performance even under harsh recoil. Key Features
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#2) Leupold VX-5HD 3-15x56mm Riflescope
If you are looking to improve your performance, the Leupold VX-5HD 3-15x56mm is just the perfect scope to do that. It is made for high reliability and incredible performance in the field. We understand not everyone has the financial capacity to get this scope, but if you can, it is well worth your money. Built to perform even under the harshest weather conditions, the scope is fog proof and waterproof. It comes with the proprietary Twilight Max HD Light Management system that adds up to 30 minutes of shooting light and gets rid of 90% more glare for crisp and clear images. What is more, the scope is fitted with Guard-Ion lens coating that ensures the lenses are free from water and dirt. We also love the push-button zero lock system that ensures you do not accidentally make dial adjustments. Key Features
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#3) Leupold VX-3i 4.5-14x40mm Riflescope
The Leupold VX-3i 4.5-14x40mm Riflescope is one of the best, if not the best Leupold scope for AR15 on the market. It comes with the ideal magnification range and objective lens for the AR15. Built to last a lifetime, this scope is made with 6061-T6 aircraft-grade aluminum. It has DiamonCoat 2-Ion-assist lens coating that ensures the light transmission is maximized and offers a high level of abrasion resistance to the lens. Leupold also added the Twilight Max Light Management system that provides extra 20 minutes of shooting light in those critical low light conditions like dusk to dawn. The system also reduces glare for crisp images. Additionally, the scope comes with the twin bias erector spring that, to put it simply, prevents point of impact movement. Key Features
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#4) Leupold VX-3i LRP 6.5-20x50mm Side Focus Riflescope
Although the AR15 is not recognized for its long-range capabilities, it can successfully hit targets at 500 yards out when chambered for the newest rounds. The VX-3i LRP will help you hit targets at extended distances for its magnification range. This scope is one of the best long-range scopes on the market today. Made for the hunter who wants to hunt under any conditions, it is fog proof, waterproof, and shockproof scope. It is fitted with the elite optical system that reduces glare, enhances light transmission, and increases image resolution.
Key Features
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#5) Leupold VX-Freedom 450 Bushmaster 3-9×40 Riflescope
This is a high-quality scope that has been reasonably priced for the hunters who are on a tight budget. It comes with a 3-9X magnification range and a 40mm objective lens. The duplex reticle is very easy to use which makes it an ideal scope for hunting varmints to elks. This scope is completely fog proof, shockproof, and waterproof. It is also very reliable under extreme temperatures. If you love hunting deer, you will appreciate the Twilight Light Management System that adds extra shooting light at dusk and dawn and reduces glare. This makes images crisp and clear. This scope’s bullet drop compensation elevation dial is optimized for .450 Bushmaster. Key Features
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#6) Leupold Mark 6 3-18x44mm Riflescope
This super light, high-performing is one of the best Leupold scopes on the market. It is a high-end scope that has scratch-resistant lenses which measure up to military standards. We also love Leupold’s proprietary Twilight Max HD Light Management system that adds up to 30 minutes of extra shooting, reduces glare, and enhances image clarity. Its lightweight design ensures it disperses recoil energy making it a very durable and high-performing scope. What’s more, this scope performs extremely well in varying temperatures. Key Features
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Factors to Consider When Looking for The Best Leupold Scope For AR15
There are several factors you should consider when looking for a Leupold scope for your AR15
Magnification– For beginners, the numbers you see before the X in a scope’s description show the magnification range of the scope. For example, 3-9X means the scope has a magnification range of 3-9. The higher the number, the more you can zoom in to see more detail of a target at extended distances. However, for an AR-15, a higher number does not necessarily mean better. Sometimes, too high a number can be more of a problem than of help.
If your AR is chambered in a cartridge like the .22 Nosler, then a scope with high magnification is ideal. However, if it is chambered in a standard cartridge like .223, a scope with over 9X might be too much.
First Focal Plane or Second Focal Plane- When looking for the best Leupold Scope for AR15, you will choose either the FFP or SFP scope.
FFP, First Focal Plane means a scope’s reticle is located on the first focal plane and SFP, Second Focal Plane means the reticle is located on the second focal plane. The difference between the two is that an FFP reticle appears to change with a change in magnification while with the SFP the reticle appears to remain the size whether magnification increases or decreases.
The SFP reticle is very popular with hunters but the FFP is steadily increasing its popularity especially with the long-range hunters.
While the FFP reticle appears to change in size with a change in magnification, the reality is quite different. Throughout the magnification range, the reticle retains the same perspective as the size of the target. What this means is that the holdover points do not change regardless of changes in magnification. For example, a 2MOA line is at 2 MOA at the highest magnification, and at the lowest setting, it does not change.
On the other hand, an SFP reticle, only at one magnification setting (mostly at the highest setting) is the holdover spacing accurate. This means if you set the magnification at the lowest setting, the size of the reticle in relation to the target will change, as will the spacing increment. This makes hunting with an SFP reticle a bit complicated as you have to calculate the spacing at each magnification setting. However, you can comfortably use this scope for long-range hunting with the magnification setting at its highest.
The advantage with an SFP reticle in comparison to the FFP reticle is that, for the SFP, you can easily see the reticle even at the lowest magnification setting. For the FFP, the reticle appears thin and small at low power and thickens at high power, making it difficult to perceive at low power and covering too much target at high power. However, some FFP scopes come with illuminated reticles which is great when the magnification setting is at its lowest.
All in all, both reticles will operate perfectly when using the dial-up approach for long-range shooting because the dial adjustments are unaffected by the reticle type.
Objective Lens
The numbers after the X usually show the objective lens in millimeters. For example, 3-9X40 means the scope has a magnification range of 3-9 and its objective lens is 40mm in diameter.
A larger objective lens maximizes light transmission and in turn, you get bright and clear images especially in low light conditions. However, large objective lenses come with one disadvantage, they make the scope heavy. For your AR-15, the best scope comes with an objective lens no more than 40mm. The best Leupold scope for AR15 is one that does not exceed 40 mm, unless you are shooting extended ranges from a bench rest then you can even get a 56 mm objective diameter scope as you will not be moving around with it.
Best Leupold Scope for AR15 FAQs
What Leupold scope does the military use?
The Leupold Mark 5HD 5-25x56mm was first chosen for use with the United States Army’s M110 Semi-Automatic Sniper System and the Leupold Mark 5HD 3.6-18x44mm was later selected for use by the Army Precision Sniper Rifle Program.
What is the best Leupold scope?
The Best Leupold scope for AR15 or any other platform can vary between hunting enthusiasts. However, the top 6 are:
1. Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9X40mm Riflescope
2. Leupold VX-5HD 3-15x56mm Riflescope
3.Leupold VX-3i 4.5-14x40mm Riflescope
4. Leupold VX-3i LRP 6.5-20x50mm Side Focus Riflescope
5. Leupold VX-Freedom 450 Bushmaster 3-9×40 Riflescope
6. Leupold Mark 6 3-18x44mm Riflescope
What magnification is needed for ar15?
3-9X magnification is okay but you can go higher depending on your shooting needs and distance.
Conclusion
The AR 15 is a very effective platform that has been used for very many years by the military and civilians alike. It is accurate and reliable especially when you pair it with a great optic. We have compiled a list of our favorite Leupold scopes for your AR15 and if you are looking for the best Leupold scope for AR15, we are confident you will find one here.
Happy shooting!