The Leupold VX5 HD 2-10×42 would make a great rifle scope on a centrefire for stalking – but deer manager and restauranteur Mike Robinson has fitted it to his .17HMR.
“This is a cracking scope which I’d happily use on my main deer rifle. It goes up to 10x magnification, it’s got awesome glass, and all the features of a serious stalking scope,” he says. “There’s a fully adjustable, dialable turret with a zero stop, and it’s got the FireDot reticle so if I press the button I get a lovely red dot right in the centre.”
Mike has the Number 4 reticle, with wide outer posts and a fine crosshair in the middle. The scope doesn’t have a turret for windage, but Mike finds he doesn’t need to adjust windage for each shot on this particular rifle.
He’s particularly impressed with the eye relief on modern Leupold scopes – both this one and the VX6 HD 4-24×52 scopes that he uses on his main deer rifles. “In the past people found that some US scopes had very critical eye relief. You had to have your eye in the perfect position to see properly. Not with these scopes though. They come straight up to your eye and you get a lovely wide field of view.”
What Mike really likes about this scope is the build quality. “Like all Leupolds it’s immensely robust; it’ll take a knock,” he says. “I’ve never had to put this scope back on zero. It’s reliable and great value for money. An epic bit of kit.”
Read Mike’s review of the Leupold VX6 HD 4-24×52 here.
Similar model Leupold VX-5HD 3-15×44 retails in the UK at £1,185, or £1,250 with the FireDot duplex reticle. Find out more at Vikingshoot.com and at Leupold.com
