For Leupold, 2007 marks its 100-year anniversary and the introduction of a line of scopes labeled Golden Ring VX-7, whose innovative features have fueled hopes that its scopes will rival even the Old World’s finest optics manufacturers. Leupold fans have long been pleased with the company’s line of riflescopes, even with the transition from Vari-X to VX lines a few years ago. The new VX-7 line is vastly different from its lesser-priced VX cousins, incorporating many significant features combined to make a user friendly yet high-quality riflescope.
The innovative Xtended Twilight Lens System incorporates unique lens coatings that generate the image quality needed for low-light conditions when shooting or hunting—brightness, crispness and clarity. Constructed of lead-free glass, the lenses have been precision-ground and highly polished to improve resolution and contrast while the edges have been blackened to diminish any stray light refraction. The lenses are protected by DiamondCoat 2 to defend against scratching. In addition, the krypton/argon gas purging of the main tube ensures water- and fogproof reliability.
Leupold’s SpeeDial system follows a new trend of making adjustments easier for the hunter or shooter. In the field, when windage or elevation changes are called for, the SpeeDial system allows the shooter to adjust without using tools or fumbling to remove the scope caps. Rotating the captive cap one-half turn from its locked position enables the user to lift the cap and turn the adjustment knob for 1/4-m.o.a. adjustments. The titanium nitride/stainless steel adjustment mechanism is made with tighter tolerances, therefore better maintaining desired windage, elevation and parallax adjustments. After using the VX-7 on an African safari one staffer found the SpeeDial knobs to be more user-friendly than traditional style adjustment knobs.
The pop-up, easy-to-use, SpeeDial knobs combine the cap and adjustment turret, so you can’t lose the cap.
Leupold has engineered the VX-7 series with an “eyebox” that is extremely forgiving, allowing the shooter to quickly get on target while at the same time minimizing scope shadow and blackout. The European style eyepiece rotates 1.5 revolutions from lock-to-lock positions. Also, contributing to the handy design is an Alumina rubber eyepiece guard that protects the shooter’s face in the event of the scope hitting it under recoil.
Using the VX-7 1.5-6x24 mm on safari in Namibia, we found the experience satisfying whether shooting long distances across the red sands of the Kalahari or shorter distances in the brushy hillsides of the Khomas. In the bright African sunlight or in the purplish haze of dusk, the light transmission seemed quite efficient, and animals appeared clear and well defined with every shot.
The following VX-7 scopes are available: 1.5-6x24 mm, 2.5-10x45 mm, 3.5-14x50 mm Long Range, L 3.5-14x56 mm Long Range and L 4.5-18x56 mm Long Range. The two VX-7L models have the rather unique crescent-shaped bell or Light Optimization Profile introduced in 2006. Standard VX-7s, like the 1.5-6x42 mm evaluated here, have 30 mm main tubes, but the VX-7L models will have 34 mm main tubes. All VX-7 scope tubes are machined from a single piece of aircraft-grade aluminum.
Leupold offers a variety of reticle options in the VX-7 line depending on model. The VX-7 1.5-6x24 mm is available in XT Duplex, German No. 4 and circle dot. Reticle options for the VX-7 2.5-10x45 mm include XT Duplex, German No. 4 and Boone & Crockett Big Game. For the VX-7 3.5-14x50 mm Long Range XT Duplex, German No. 4, Boone & Crockett Big Game and Varmint Hunter’s reticles are available. The VX-7L 3.5-14x56 mm Long Range is available in XT Duplex, Boone & Crockett Big Game and Varmint Hunter’s reticles. Finally the VX-7L 4.5-18x56 mm Long Range reticle options include Fine Duplex, Boone & Crockett Big Game and Varmint Hunter’s.
Manufacturer: Leupold & Stevens, Inc.; (800) 538-7653; Leupold.com
Model: Leupold Golden Ring VX-7 1.5-6X 24 mm
Magnification And Objective: (actual): 1.5X to 5.8X
Tube Diameter: 34 mm
Finish: matte-black anodized aluminum
Field of View: 16.9 (9X) to 62.1 (3X) ft. at 100 yds.
Eye Relief: 4.5" to 3.8"
Click Value: 1/4" at 100 yds.
Maximum Internal Adjustment: 60 m.o.a. windage and elevation
Reticle: German No. 4
Length: 10 1/2"
Weight: 15.3 ozs.
Suggested Retail Price: $1,689
