24 minute read
Leupold Summer 2019 Consumer Guide
RELENTLESS CONSERVATION
CREATING ACCESS FOR ALL
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Bruce Pettet, CEO, Leupold & Stevens, Inc.
We are incredibly blessed to live in a country that has so much land available for hunting, shooting, camping, hiking, and fishing. That’s why Leupold & Stevens has always done more for sportsmen’s rights than any other optics company in the world, and we don’t plan on slowing down, either.
Whether it’s protecting the public lands we already have access to, opening areas we can’t yet explore, or creating more private land access opportunities, we will continue to support the conservation organizations that are making a real difference in sportsmen’s lives.
If you want to hunt or shoot, we want to help make sure you have the access to do so. In some cases, it may be a financial commitment that we make, while in other cases, Leupold team members will be on the ground helping to preserve our hunting and shooting heritage.
It’s not enough to just be relentless in your outdoor pursuits. We believe you should also relentlessly protect the land you have access to.
So go ahead, Be Relentless.
LEUPOLD LIFETIME GUARANTEE
Our optics are tested under the harshest conditions to make sure you can use them under the harshest conditions without fail. If for some reason your Leupold riflescope, binocular, spotting scope or mounts don’t perform, we will repair or replace them for free – whether you’re the original owner or not.
WATERPROOFING AND FOGPROOFING
From torrential downpours to crossing rivers, you’ll never have to worry about a Leupold scope leaking or fogging up. Our proprietary gas blend and seals are tested to a 33-foot depth and a multitude of pressure changes.
IMPACT TESTED AND VERIFIED
Each scope design has to survive 5,000impacts on the Punisher, Leupold’s recoilsimulation machine. The force of each impact is3x the recoil of a .308 rifle. If the scope doesn’tperform in any way during the tests, we makeadjustments to the design and test it again.
EXTREME CLIMATE EXPOSURE
We make sure our optics perform at the highest level in the harshest conditions by ensuring they will survive from -40 degrees Fahrenheit all the way up to 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
PICKING THE RIGHT SCOPE
DON’T OVERCOMPLICATE IT
AVERAGE SHOT DISTANCE
Knowing your average shooting distance helps determine which magnification range is right for you.
BUDGET
Prices are primarily based on the optic’s light management system and the versatility of the magnification range.
SPECIAL FEATURES
Features like the Custom Dial System (CDS) and illumination can affect the price and functionality of the scope.
VISIT LEUPOLD.COM/OPTICSFINDER TO FIND THE LEUPOLD THAT’S RIGHT FOR YOU.
NEW FOR SUMMER
Whether you’re hitting the local range orexploring the backcountry, our new opticsand mounts won’t let you down.
Professional guide Ryan Leef packing out a full load on Vancouver Island.
FREEDOM RDS
We’re changing the game when it comes to accuracy and durability with a rugged red dot sight (RDS) that won’t break the bank.
MARK IMS MOUNT
Our Integrated Mounting Systems (IMS) continue to dominate long-range with upgraded designs that will lock down your scope.
VX-FREEDOM 4-12x40
We added more advanced features to this Gold Ring workhorse, including a side focus, illumination, and a 30mm maintube.
SX-4 PRO GUIDE HD
HD quality, Leupold durability, and all-day comfort are now within reach for every hunter and shooter looking to see a little farther this season.
VX-5HD 4-20x52 AND 7-35x56
One of our most versatile scope lines just got a little bigger, so you can test your long-range limits from dawn through dusk.
ALL. DAY. LONG.
With multiple new designs, improved optical performance, and tried-and-true reliability, we’ll help you get the most out of each glassing session.
Will Wilks, Brian Call, and Leupold’s Michael Wunnicke seeking out Sitka blacktails from dawn to dusk.
SEEING IS BELIEVING
ON THE SURFACE, GLASSING A CLEARCUT OR A DISTANT RIDGELINE SEEMS SIMPLE ENOUGH. YOU GRAB YOUR OPTICS, GO INTO THE WOODS, AND LOOK FOR THINGS, RIGHT?
In fact, it’s an extension of what you do every day. When you’re at the supermarket, you’re looking for soup. On the drive home, you’re looking for hazards around the road. At the park, you’re looking for your wild kid. But what seems like a simple task on the surface can often be frustrating, especially when you’re cold, tired, or wet.
Luckily, we know a thing or two about optics that will make your next glassing session morecomfortable and more effective. From picking the right tools for the job to picking apart the nextdraw, here are a couple key things to consider.
Alaskan guide Cole Kramer putting the SX-5 Santiam HD through the paces on Kodiak Island.
BUYING THE RIGHT OPTIC FOR THE JOB
MORE MAGNIFICATION ISN’T ALWAYS THE ANSWER
There are a couple of factors that go into choosing the right magnification. Your environment is the first thing to consider. If you’re going to be in thicker vegetation, a lower power bino or spotter is probably your best bet. They will be lighter, more compact, and easier to carry. If you’re not glassing past 400-500 yards, you can probably leave the 12-powers on the shelf.
Field-of-view will be your second consideration. A lower magnification generally provides a wider field-of-view. When you’re glassing through broken timber, being able to see more real estate at once might mean the difference between spotting that cagey whitetail working your peripheral or missing him. And the same, of course, can be said for spotters. The more you crank up your magnification, the easier it will be to lose your spot on the ridge. The bottom line; resist the temptation to buy more magnification than you need.
SEE THE WHOLE PICTURE
It’s easy to only pay attention to the center of an image when you’re checking out a new binocular or spotting scope in the store. But is that really how you’ll be using them in the field? Efficient glassing requires you to look at the entire image. Quality optics will have a clear image all of the way to the edge of the glass. If your glass isn’t as clear on the edges, you’ll experience more eye fatigue. Prolonged eye fatigue can lead to headaches and even nausea. What seems like a minor issue in the store can lead to serious consequences in the field.
GUARANTEED PERFORMANCE TRUMPS ANY WARRANTY
Lifetime warranties are great. We should know; we invented them 70+ years ago. But the reason we’ve been able to sustain our business for so long is that we know you probably won’t have to use our Lifetime Guarantee. We know that a promise to replace a product won’t do you any good when you’re eight miles deep in the backcountry. That’s why we build our optics right the first time and then guarantee them for a lifetime of performance – plain and simple.
GETTING THE MOST OUT OF YOUR OPTICS
GLASSING TIPS & TRICKS
Professional photographer Steven Drake finds himself on the other side of the lens during his Arizona mule deer hunt.
1. BINOS FIRST, THEN THE SPOTTER
Most of us have used binos and spotters before, but the real question is when should you use them? The general rule is to use binos first for glassing large areas and spotting movement. Then, once you detect movement, switch over to a spotter for better identification. Trying to scan a large area with a spotter is difficult and inefficient because you lose a lot of field-of-view. Of course, if you see a section of terrain that should hold bedded-down animals, don’t hesitate to bring out the spotter even if you haven’t detected movement yet.
2. DON’T FORGET ABOUT THE AREA RIGHT AROUND YOU
The ability to see incredible detail at long distances can keep you glassing ridge after ridge for hours. But don’t forget to look at the area right around you. There’s a chance that what you’re looking for is bedded down close by; something you might miss if you’re only concentrating on faraway terrain. To help remind you of this, try “Gridding” the area around you. Divide the landscape into sections roughly the size of the visible FOV, this will vary depending on the distance. Keep your optic steady and move your eyes from left to right (not the optic), starting on the upper-left side of the grid. Repeat this pattern until you have reached the lower-right side.
3. GET COMFORTABLE. GET STABLE.
This might seem like common sense, but it’s ignored all too often. The more comfortable you are, the less strain you’ll put on your body, which, in turn, means more time observing rather then re-positioning and stretching. Use a tripod, walking sticks, your knees, or whatever else you can find to rest the binoculars on. This will keep you more comfortable throughout the day and help stabilize the image for more efficient glassing. Being comfortable and stable just might mean the difference between leaving early and spotting that cagey bull just before dark.
4. LEAN INTO IT
Adjustable eyecups are great, but don’t feel compelled to twist them all the way out. This reduces your field-of-view and makes it harder to lean into your optics while glassing. Try this: Twist the eyecups all of the way in. Rest the top of the eyecups on your brow, and slightly tilt your head down while leaning into the binoculars. This puts less pressure around your eye sockets while allowing for a more comfortable neck position. You can stabilize your optics even more by using your fingers to create contact points on your hat brim. This might feel funny at first, but after a couple of glassing sessions, you’ll wonder why it took you so long to make the change.
THE BEAR ESSENTIALS
Whether you found success in the woods this spring or came home empty handed, these Leupold essentials will give you an advantage when you go after your next bruiser.
David Frame catches this spring bear by surprise in Southwest Washington.
Every hunter has a different idea of what their effective shooting distance is. Regardless of how close or far you plan on being when you squeeze the trigger, we have the right optics for the job.
BX-5 SANTIAM HD 12x50
Spotting the right bear takes time and often a lot of glassing.The BX-5 Santiam HD is designed for all-day glassing comfort, so you can stay out as long as it takes.
SX-5 SANTIAM HD
Distinguishing the difference between a big sow or a mature boar from several ridges away could save you time and wasted miles hiking. Remove all doubt with the right spotter.
VX-5HD 3-15x44
The versatility of a 5:1 zoom ratio allows us to build a scope that can dial down to 3x magnification for close encounters and all the way up to 15x magnification for longer shots.
VX-FREEDOM 3-9x40
The VX-Freedom is a true workhorse. Its new30mm maintube lets you extend your shooting distance, while its tried-and-true durability will outperform every other scope in its class, for life.
GO DRY GEAR DUFFLE
Weather is always a question mark during the late spring and early summer months. Don’t worry, our Go Dry Gear Duffle won’t let an unexpected rainstorm soak your gear.
GO AFIELD BINOCULAR HARNESS Keeping your binos secure while you trek through the woods keeps your hands free and your glass protected. It’s a simple add that makes a big difference mile after mile.
MORE FREEDOM. MORE OPTIONS.
The new VX-Freedom 3-9x40 riflescopecombines some of Leupold’s best featuresin a lightweight, budget-friendly package.
• Waterproof, fogproof, and guaranteed to perform for life
• Superior ruggedness is verified through Leupold’s Punisher testing process
• Offers an ultra-lightweight 30mm maintube for increased adjustment travel
• Creates a visible aiming point in low-light conditions with
• FireDot illumination
• See more in less light with the Twilight Light Management System
GET ON TARGET
CLOSE QUARTERS TACTICAL
Cut through the clutter with former Army Ranger Garett Schwindel.
Garett Schwindel conducts a shootand-move drill in Western Oregon.
IF WE JUMPED IN OUR TIME MACHINE AND TRAVELED BACK TO 2005, YOU WOULD SEE A LARGE NUMBER OF ARs
BEING SOLD, BUT WHAT YOU WOULDN’T SEE IS A LOT OF RED DOTS ON TOP OF THEM.
A mere 10-15 years ago, red dots were viewed as a luxury item; something only elite operators or guyswith too much money would run. But fast forward to now, and you would be hard pressed to findsomeone shooting an AR without one. The “luxury” label has been dropped and replaced by “necessity.”
Of course, the term red dot now covers a wide array of sights. It can honestly be a bit overwhelming when trying to decide which one is best for you. A quick Google search of “cheap red dot” returns results as cheap as $20! Conversely, on the high end, you can spend up to $1000 on something that doesn’t look all that different. So what should you really look for in a red dot and how should you set it up? We called in a heavy hitter in the Close Quarters Battle (CQB) training world to dish out some truth.
Garett Schwindel served in the elite 2nd Ranger Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment and has 14 deployments under his belt. While serving, he also acted as a U.S. State Department Lead Firearms Instructor. This means he didn’t just use the gear, he instructed thousands upon thousands of US military members, private contractors, and foreign military and police how to use it. Here’s what Garett looks for in a quality red dot.
FEATURES THAT MATTER
DURABILITY
Durability is one of the things I appreciate most when it comes to a red dot. It’s a difficult thing to produce a sturdy red dot that’s lightweight, not overbuilt, ergonomic, and reliable. It needs to be able to survive extreme conditions and repeated use. I’m a firm believer in the “buy once, cry once” mantra. Skimping on firearms related equipment is definitely not an area where being thrifty is a good thing.
FIELD-OF-VIEW
Field-of-view is important when engaging targets. Many red dots have very thick housings or even multiple housings for ruggedness. This often creates dead space when looking through your red dot. I prefer a thinner housing which reduces the amount of area that I can’t see. If I am engaging targets out at farther distances, and they are in hidden among the terrain, I want every advantage I can get.
WEIGHT
In the military, they say that ounces make pounds and pounds make pain. I learned early on that there is a balance between performance and weight. I prefer to go as light as possible on anything that I may be carrying without sacrificing too much performance.
SET IT UP. DIAL IT IN.
Now that you’ve picked out the perfect sight, hereare three quick tips from Garett to help you get upand running in no time.
MOUNTING
When mounting a red dot, there are multiple factors to consider. I tend to mount mine towards the rear of the firearm for multiple reasons - less weight on the end of the gun gives you more barrel control. It allows you to snap the weapon up quicker when acquiring a target. It also allows for quicker deceleration when stopping on the target. Another reason I prefer mounting my red dot towards the rear of the firearm is that the closer the window of the red dot is to your eye, the larger your field-of-view will be when looking through it.
ZEROING
Your zero is very critical, especially if you want to be accurate at distance. When zeroing, consider what type of environment and distances the majority of your engagements will take place, and then learn what your round is doing at 100-yard increments after that. I personally like a 36-yard zero because I get a 15-inch combat effective hit all of the way out to 400 yards without having to make any adjustments. If I aim center mass and have no left to right deviation, I will get hits. At 500, I just hold at the top of the target and the round will hit center mass again. I prefer to keep things as simple as possible with the least amount of info to remember.
When zeroing, have your dot’s brightness turned down as low as you can get it before it starts to disappear. If you try to zero with your dot on high, it will cover up more of your target and keep you from making precise shots. Remember that your eyes are muscles and they fatigue, so if your dot starts to disappear, either stop and close your eyes for a bit or turn your dot up another notch.
MECHANICAL OFFSET
Mechanical offset is the difference between your aimpoint and where the bullet impacts when you’re shooting at targets that are closer than your zero distance. For example, if you’re shooting at a target that’s 15 yards away and your zero is at 36 yards, your shots will be a little low. You can account for mechanical offset by adjusting your aiming point as you get closer to your target. A good rule of thumb is adjusting your aim point by the same distance your optic is mounted above your barrel. So if your optic is one inch above your barrel, aim one inch high for closer shots.
RED DOT REVOLUTION
Whether you’re just getting started or a seasoned professional, we make a red dot sight or a close-quarters scope that will get you on target fast, without fail.
FREEDOM RDS
Ready for any range. Priced for any firearm.
LEUPOLD CARBINE OPTIC (LCO)
Closed housing construction that’s tested military tough.
DELTAPOINT PRO
Low-profile. Crystal clear. Guaranteed for Life.
MARK 6 1-6X20
Designed for active duty. Available to the masses.
VX-6HD 1-6X24
Close-quarter speed. Mid-range flexibility.
A CLOSER LOOK AT THE FREEDOM RDS
Redefining durability, this red dot sight will perform shot after shot, day after day, year after year.
• Provides accurate mid-range engagements with pre-calibrated .223 Rem/5.56 NATO BDC dial
• Waterproof, fogproof, and guaranteed to perform for life
• Extends battery life with Motion Sensor Technology (MST)
• Delivers a clear and precise aiming point with a 1 MOA dot
• See more in less light with the Twilight Red Dot System
THERMAL OPTICS: SEE THEM BEFORE THEY SEE YOU
PACK HEAT IN ANY SITUATION
Thermal optics aren’t just for the military. From home defense to camping to ranching, these small, affordable, handheld devices will change the way you see your surroundings.
FIVE WAYS LEUPOLD THERMAL OPTICS (LTO) ARE CHANGING THE GAME
1. IN THE LINE OF DUTY
- OFC T. Allen, Aurora Police Department
2. AROUND THE HOUSE
- Chad, Oregon Homeowner
3. UNDER THE STARS
- Brian, Nevada
4. OUT AND ABOUT
- Shooting Illustrated
5. ON THE RANCH
- James, Eastern Oregon Rancher
FIELD TO TABLE
Hunting wild turkeys gives you the opportunity to stay afield well through the spring months. Listening to distant gobbles long before sunrise still sends thousands of hunters into the woods each year eager to tag out.
Now that spring has come and gone, there’s a good chance you’re sitting on a nice surplus of truly organic poultry. The big question is how are you going to cook it up?
Amanda Caldwell tags out on her first Eastern Oregon turkey hunt
MICHELE EICHLER’S MEXICAN WILD TURKEY TINGA
While most hunters covet the more tender breast meat, Michele Eichler recently offered up a simple way to turn that leg and thigh protein into a festive dish that’ll have you going back for seconds in no time.
INGREDIENTS
• 2 skinned and cleaned wild turkey legs with thighs attached
• 4 large carrots cut in Half
• 6 - 8 celery stalks
• 2 medium or one large onion peeled and quartered
• 6 large whole peeled garlic cloves
• 1 bunch of Italian flat leaf parsley (approx. 1 packed cup)
• 2 cups of shredded wild turkey meat
• 1 lb of bulk Mexican Chorizo Sausage
• 2 10 oz cans of diced tomatoes with green chilies
ADDITIONAL TOPPINGS
• Lime
• Cilantro
• Red onion
• Cotija cheese
• Corn tortillas
• Sour cream
• Jalapeños
STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS
1. Place the turkey, carrots, celery, onions, and garlic in a large stock pot and add enough water to cover the ingredients
2. Boil for several hours until the turkey legs are tender and meat is easily pulled from the bone (You will need to add water several times to keep all the ingredients covered while cooking)
Pro Tip: Using an Insta-Pot will drastically reduce your cooking time
3. When the carrots are tender, pull them out and set them aside
4. When the turkey legs are tender, set them aside
5. Continue to cook until broth is decreased by half and set aside
6. Remove all the meat from the bones and shred the meat
7. Sauté Chorizo sausage until browned
8. Add shredded turkey meat and mix thoroughly
9. Add two 10 oz cans of tomatoes and green chilies and simmer together for 5 minutes until heated thoroughly
10. Serve up and enjoy!
LEUPOLD PRO GEAR
COMPLETE YOUR SUMMER LOOK
New designs. New colors. Same great brand. Shop our complete line of Leupold Pro Gear at LeupoldShop.com.
DISTRESSED RETICLE TEE
Just like our scopes, this shirt is tough as nails.
LEUPOLD BEAR HUNTER TEE
For those who refuse to hibernate. Premium cotton/poly blend, athletic fit. Black.
LADIES AMERICAN CRAFTSMAN PREMIUM TEE
Because there’s 700 craftsmen building the world’s best optics in Beaverton Oregon.
OPTICS GO BAG
Never forget essential optical equipment again; this case protects and stores it all.
GO DRY GEAR DUFFLE
Large enough to accommodate a couple sets of extra clothing or anything else that needs to stay dry.
GO AFIELD BINO HARNESS
This rugged, feature-rich harness will keep your binoculars and small accessories safe, secure, and accessible.
RETICLE FLATBILL SNAPBACK TRUCKER
Yes, your friends may try to steal this one from you.
NON-STRUCTURED SNAPBACK
A tip of the hat to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.
LEUPOLD SNAPBACK TRUCKER
This may seem like just a hat, and it is. But it says Leupold on it, which makes it infinitely better than other hats.
VISIT LEUPOLDSHOP.COM FOR MORE GEAR
YOU ARE THE #LEUPOLDCORE
Share your stories. Show your grit. Tag your photos with #LeupoldCore and mention @LeupoldOptics for a chance to be featured on Leupold’s social media platforms.
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