Leupold Reticle Recommendations

For the VX-5HD series, I would try and get TMOA; it's simple enough to use hunting but still gives you all the data you need for more technical shooting. HOWEVER, the 3-15x44 I want doesn't come in that reticle, so I'd recommend HTMR in that case. It's basically
the same thing except it's in MILS.

Duplex is simple, but I think too simple. Windplex is fine too, but I find the crosshairs and stadia too fat for my liking.

Roger21 said:

Hello all,

I'm looking for recommendations for reticle for a Leupold VX5HD 3-15x44 to mount on a 300 win mag (Duplex, Windplex, HTMR, Illum FireDot Duplex, Boone & Crocket, Impact -29 MOA. I'm only looking for hunting purposes (elk) and anticipate a variety of shooting ranges from up close out to 400-500 yards. As someone that grew up on simple cross hairs, I'd appreciate and thoughts on which reticles may be most beneficial for hunting. While the CDS sounds nice, I can imagine there may not always be time to dial in the range. Thanks to anyone for taking the time to respond.

Roger.

Click to expand...

All depends on if you like to hold off for shots, or Dial. For me I chose the windplex reticle, as I dial all further shots, and shoot in open country that is often windy. Leupold gives you one free custom turret to match you're particular cartridge. Having some sort of reference on the horizontal line for wind is a key. Some complaint about the thickness of the lines, but they're that way for a reason- quick acquisition, and easier to find in low light.

Two of my rifles have a VX-5 HD 3X15 and one has a VX-6 3X18 HD. All three have the duplex or firedot retical . I use my rifles for hunting and shooting at a 600yard range and I like the simplicity of the duplex.

Roger21 said:

Hello all,

I'm looking for recommendations for reticle for a Leupold VX5HD 3-15x44 to mount on a 300 win mag (Duplex, Windplex, HTMR, Illum FireDot Duplex, Boone & Crocket, Impact -29 MOA. I'm only looking for hunting purposes (elk) and anticipate a variety of shooting ranges from up close out to 400-500 yards. As someone that grew up on simple cross hairs, I'd appreciate and thoughts on which reticles may be most beneficial for hunting. While the CDS sounds nice, I can imagine there may not always be time to dial in the range. Thanks to anyone for taking the time to respond.

Roger.

Click to expand...

Buy a moa or mil reticle scope with parralax adjustment. So of the choices the impact moa. Once you buy a moa or mil reticle scope stick with it, dont buy a moa and then a mil and go back and forth. Learn one or the other. Only way to make precision shots is mil or moa scopes. Once you learn the holdovers and holdoffs for wind its repeatable. Buy a Kestrel wind meter and a decent ballistic app and 500 just became super EZ. I can shoot at 750 ft attitude at home and my ballistic app corrects for 7500 ft altitude in elk country and is spot on. But I still verify it every year.

Duplex

Most of my rifles have duplexes ,that's what I used for 50 years. Bought 2 vx 5's just like you"re looking at with wind plex and really like them , It makes no sense to switch all of my gun over to new scopes ,

I have the Impact-29 on mine and I really love it!! I'd much rather hold than dial most of the time.

For where I hunt in the SE, 500 yrs is max and most shots are less than 400 yrds, I like the fire dot a lot. Duplex keeps it simple and fire dot is handy in the last minutes of the hunt. With a 200 yrd zero, I use the MOA dail if shooting past my max dead hold.

I'm a big fan of the CDS type of turret or B&C reticle. If time won't allow for ranging use the guess and hold over. Not all hunting situations will be perfect

I have used Holland's ART for several years now on a VX3 4.5-14X. I don't dial for distance and find this quick and easy. I didn't buy my scope from Holland, I sent my scope to Leupold and they installed it for me.

https://www.hollandguns.com/advancedreticletechnology.html

For the ranges you are talking, I'd get the Windplex and the CDS dial after you settle on a load and true your velocity at the longest distance possible. If you're close enough to not have time to dial elevation it shouldn't matter anyway and then just hold wind with the hashmarks.

I choose H-27 or H-59 Horus reticles when I can get it in any scope.
in Leupold's arsenal of reticles I like CCH, Impact-60 MOA, and PR2-MOA in addition to the H-27 and H-59.
makes wind and range estimating and follow through great, but makes second shots very quick.

Roger21 said:

Hello all,

I'm looking for recommendations for reticle for a Leupold VX5HD 3-15x44 to mount on a 300 win mag (Duplex, Windplex, HTMR, Illum FireDot Duplex, Boone & Crocket, Impact -29 MOA. I'm only looking for hunting purposes (elk) and anticipate a variety of shooting ranges from up close out to 400-500 yards. As someone that grew up on simple cross hairs, I'd appreciate and thoughts on which reticles may be most beneficial for hunting. While the CDS sounds nice, I can imagine there may not always be time to dial in the range. Thanks to anyone for taking the time to respond.

Roger.

Click to expand...

Good day Roger, on my 338 win mag have a Leupold VX3 long range 4-20 x 50 with an impact 60 MOA reticle and with a 200 yard zero there is no need for adjustments and you can just use the reticle way past the ranges you want to shoot at. The Impact 29 MOA is similar and should work well within your defined range. Although Leupold is a great brand as I have gotten older have migrated to reticles that I do not have to move once setup for longer range shots. The impact-60 is a bit of an over kill but it works for me I use the FFP models and I had it on a 300 win mag for a while until the rifle was re-barreled to the 338 win mag and at 400-600 yards for the 300 win mag it worked well for me and with the scope and rifle, would have been comfortable going for longer shots but never had an opportunity for a longer shot. I also have a TMR reticle version of a Leupold Mark V 3.6-18 x44 FFP also works well within your defined range and beyond and is not as busy of a reticle. It works very well and is a much better optic. With a kestrel for the wind and environment conditions adjustment and range finder either of these work well for you at that range and beyond.

I'm a Leupold fan and have become fond of the Varmint Hunter reticle. It's hard to find but like Yogibear, I don't like a lot of clutter in my view.