Leupold Redfield Revolution Scope Review

by Ed Hale

Perhaps one might think of scope testing on the Leupold VX scopes that should begin by running them over with a truck. Instead, I do the next best thing; I strap them to a M77 Ruger Hawkeye African Rifle in .375 Ruger with Cape buffalo loads. If that doesn't shake up a scope not much will.

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Redfield 3x9 40mm –A great value!


Leupold scopes earn their keep year after year, made by hunters, for hunters, and made right here in the USA. Newest of the Leupolds, is the Redfield Brand. I like the Redfield Revolution 3x9 40mm. You can't beat it for value, a no-nonsense $160.00 at many local retailers.

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VX III 4.5x14 40mm and Ruger M77 Hawkeye African


Here in the northeast, you just can't go wrong with a 3x9. The Revolution 3x9 has a system for long, easy to find eye relief, Illuminator Lens System for brightness and clarity, AccuTrac Finger Click adjust for windage and elevation. It is nitrogen filled for to prevent internal fogging and is 100% waterproof, and best of all it has a Redfield Full Lifetime Warranty. After all is said and done, it's a great scope for the money for local deer, bear and moose hunting. If you want to go on a big game hunt that will cost you thousands, then I would consider a Leupold VX model that gives you even more reliability. Yes, it will cost more, but you do get more.

I recently test fired a Leupold VX-III in 4.5 x 14 40mm on my Ruger M77 Hawkeye Safari Rifle in ".375 Ruger" at 100 yards. I was using a 260 grain AccuBond from Nosler.
Most of us shoot bullets in the 130 to 180 grain category. So yes, my bullet is much heavier, but the speed is nearly the same (2700 fps), resulting in lots of recoil. It seems my rifle was either shooting better or my Leupold at 14x helped me to shoot a nice 5/8" three shot 100 yard group, placing around 11,000 ft-lb through a hole the size of my little finger.

The key to shock absorbance on Leupold scopes like the VX series is the "dual" erector lens springs that act like shock absorbers. The erector lens is what takes the incoming image that is upside down and makes the image right side up. Gotta have a good support spring system on heavy recoiling rifles!

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