Leupold’s CDS-ZL2 system offers custom turrets for specific loads/cartridge (sold separately) and a locking mechanism that prevents inadvertent turret movement.
Forty-some years ago, when trapping money started flowing as a teen, my rifles wore nothing but Leupold scopes when I could help it. I mounted M8-6X straight-power scopes mostly, and believing a big-game hunter needed little else, later trying a Vari-X II 2-7x 40mm because I liked its compact lines. More recently, my tastes have run toward mega magnification for the varmint shooting that captures more of my attention today. My most recent Leupold acquisition, is a covered-turret VX-3i 8.5-25x 50mm to top my .204 Ruger Mossberg MVP Varmint. That scope is ideal for that cartridge/rifle combination, offering surgical precision on distant burrowing rodents.
My latest Leupold experience involves the new VX-5HD 4-20x 52mm, another long-range riflescope with the latest bells and whistles from the company. This scope follows the new trend of shooting big game at ever distant ranges. It provides the ability to get the job done in densely wooded areas or while occupying a whitetail stand, or the magnification needed to confidently reach across an open green field, mountain canyon or open prairie. Magnification values are marked 4 through 9, with a line running through 10/11 areas, and then 12, 14, a gap, 17 and 20x. The ultra-wide 5:1 magnification zoom is the epitome of versatility. The ocular reticle focus is aluminum and well knurled, making it easy to bring the Duplex reticule into tack-sharp focus. Duplex reticles are defined by heavy outer posts and fine center crosshairs, introduced by Leupold in 1962 to help stand out in low light or cluttered cover.
The magnification ring of Leupold’s VX-5HD series is metal and knurled for a sure grip when wet or while wearing gloves.
For all this capability, the scope compliments any hunting rifle without becoming burdensome. The 4-20x 52mm version under review here weighs just 23.2 ounces, or 1.45 pounds, and measures 14.7 inches long. The ocular end is 1.8 inches in diameter, the objective 2.4 inches in diameter. It almost goes without saying, but the scope is fog and waterproof via Leupold’s advanced gas purging and sealing technology, and highly resistant to shock resulting from hard knocks or intense recoil. Like all Leupold products, this riflescope is guaranteed for life.
Patrick set the VX-5HD 4-20x 52mm CDS-ZL2 Side Focus Duplex riflescope in Leupold’s quality, steel PRW2 Precision Fit Rings for testing.
Of course, Leupold’s Professional-Grade Optical System and large 52mm objective lens, all designed, machined and assembled in the U.S., offers exceptional light transmission in low light and the latitude to pierce deep midday shadow. Leupold’s renowned glare reduction technology maximizes twilight factors, while also ensuring clear images while sighting into harsh sunlight. No starbursts or washout, just sharp images allowing shooters to take their best shot. Lens surfaces are also treated to a Guard-ion coating, a hydrophobic application that repels dust and moisture, requiring less frequent cleaning and ensuring clear viewing.
This is a second focal plane (SFP) scope includes a 34mm main tube, allowing 75 MOA/22 MIL of windage/elevation travel applied at 20 MOA per full revolution for elevation and 15 MOA per revolution for windage. Movements are made at ¼-inch per click, with a 38 MOA elevation travel limit from center. I actually prefer a SFP scope, as it keeps crosshairs small in relation to the target, obscuring less aiming area and allowing fine holds. A side parallax dial is provided to focus from 50 yards to infinity, with yardage places marked to 600 yards.
The windage adjustment of Leupold’s VX-5HD 4-20x 52mm CDS-ZL2 is covered by a screw-on cap and offers 15 MOA of movement per revolution.
The windage turret is covered by a screw-on aluminum cap, while the elevation turret is exposed and includes Leupold’s CDS ZeroLock 2 dial. The windage dial features tool-less, pop-up re-zero capabilities, while re-zeroing the top turret requires loosening three set screws set at 120 degrees around the turret edge. Custom Dial System, (CDS), allows customizing elevation turrets to meet individual ballistics and environmental needs. Custom dials are ordered separately, each laser marked for specific cartridges, loads and atmospheric conditions, allowing shooters to range the target, turn the dial to a marked yardage, and hold dead-on. The new-style CDS-ZL2 (ZeroLock 2) elevation dial allows two revolutions of elevation adjustment while eliminating inadvertent dial movements, as the push button ZeroLock system locks adjustments in place until the top, spring-tensioned release button is depressed. A setscrew-controlled ZeroStop system creates a hard bottom when returning to an established zero following big corrections. Dual stack/etched elevation markers eliminate confusion on big corrections.
The Leupold VX-5HD 4-20x 52mm CDS-ZL2 includes state-of-the-art optical coatings and a generous 52mm “front window,” allowing exceptional light gathering in dim settings.
The VX-5HD 4-20x 52mm offers a generous 6.2 inches of mounting latitude to accommodate a variety of base and ring options. With 2.1 inches of mounting space up front and 2.6 inches on the rear, shooters won’t have to compromise to find that just-right eye relief. The test scope was mounted in Leupold PRW2 medium Precision Fit Rings atop a Picatinny rail, providing streamlined mating. The scope provides a generous 3.7 inches of eye relief at its lowest magnification and 3.8 inches at its highest.
Leupold cut a CDS turret for my 1:9 rifling twist Remington Model 700 VTR SS (Varmint Target Rifle, Stainless Steel) .223 Remington to allow shooting my long-range/windy day load of 25 grains of Vihtavuori N140 beneath Rocky Mountain Reloading’s 69-grain 3-Gun Hunter sent at 2,924 feet per second under the varmint-shooting conditions I face most often. While in the open clearcuts of northern Idaho, I was able to put the system to the test. Though far from scientific, I would locate isolated rocks or grass clumps resting in the cut banks of old skid roads, laser ranged from 200 to 500 yards, dialing and shooting off a bipod. While not all were direct hits, most shots were close enough to offer satisfaction. Without the smallest amount of familiarization, I was also able to shoot a handful of Columbia ground squirrels to almost 400 yards after sighting in a 200-yard point of impact. The CDS was pretty much on the money, or at least good enough for casual varmint shooting.
Entire scope at a 90-degree angle.
In the world of precision long-range optics, the Leupold VX-5HD 4-20x 52mm CDS-ZL2 scope is relatively affordable at $1,599.99. It gave me the ability to instantly pick up a ground squirrel at 80 yards on a lower power, or confidently pluck a squirrel off its sunning stump at 385 yards. Learn more by visiting leupold.com.
