Leupold Riflescope Owner's Handbook Manual
You’re Part of the Tradition
In a sport rich in tradition, Leupold® has earned its place as one of the classic
names in hunting and shooting. To be sure, the Golden Ring® scope you now
own is the finest example of Leupold heritage.
Frederick Leupold came to Portland, Oregon, from Germany in 1907, and quickly
established a firm to manufacture and repair surveying transits. Fred’s son, Marcus,
broadened the company’s focus in the late 1930s after the avid outdoorsman
missed a buck on the soggy western slopes of Oregon’s Cascade Range. (His scope
had fogged, as was common for scopes of that era.) Frustrated by the experience,
Marcus set out to build a better scope. The rest, as they say, is history.
Marcus Leupold’s quest for quality has continued on to the present. In the words
of the firm’s founder, Frederick Leupold, “We solemnly promise never to let down
on quality; the customer is entitled to a square deal.” This is why we build every
Leupold Golden Ring product to be worthy of the Leupold Full Lifetime Guarantee.
It’s the best customer protection in the business, and it’s the best way we know to
thank you for buying Leupold.
Contents
Know Your Scope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
How to Install the Scope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
How to Sight-In . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Making Precise Windage and Elevation Adjustments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
What You Should Know About Variable Power Scopes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
Using the Illuminated Reticle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32
Changing the Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Leupold Means Minimal Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Leupold Product Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39
The Best Consumer Protection in the Business . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Français . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Español . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Deutsch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54
Italiano . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59
1
Know Your Scope
Riflescopes have become far more sophisticated over the years, but the four
most basic parts have remained the same. Working from front to back they are:
1. The objective lens (or front lens) is critical to a superior sight picture.
2. The internal erector lenses which right the image.
3. The reticle, often referred to as the crosshair, provides the aiming point.
4. The ocular lens (or eyepiece lens) works with the other lenses to magnify
the image, provide correct eye relief, and make diopter corrections.
HOW SCOPES WORK
As light passes through and beyond the objective lens, the resulting upside
down image is sent to the internal lenses. Known as erector lenses, these
internal lenses return the image to a right-side-up position. Finally, the ocular
lens makes a final enlargement of that image and sends it on to your eye.
Your Leupold scope was designed, manufactured, and tested to ensure that,
when properly mounted and sighted-in on your firearm, you will enjoy
2
3
5
6
9
7
8
10
4
2
1
1 Objective Lens
2 Windage Adjustment
(opposite side of scope)
3 Elevation Adjustment
4 Erector Lenses
5 Power Selector Ring
6 Eyepiece Lock Ring
7 Ocular Lens
8 Eyepiece Assembly
9 Reticle Housing
10 Side Parallax Adjustment
exceptional performance. A solid mount is critical to satisfactory performance
of your scope. If you have problems or questions, please contact Leupold
Product Service (see page 36).
PARTS OF THE SCOPE
3
PLEASE READ THIS ENTIRE HANDBOOK
BEFORE MOUNTING YOUR SCOPE.
THE LOWER THE SCOPE, THE BETTER
A scope mounted close to the rifle ensures proper cheek weld on the stock for
a stable firing position and allows for rapid target acquisition. We recommend
using the lowest possible ring height. No specific clearance is required, but the
How to Install the Scope
CAUTION
Always check and be certain that the firearm is unloaded before
undertaking any work upon it.
4
scope must clear the bolt handle, hammer (on lever actions and handguns),
sights, and barrel.
When installed, be sure that your scope does not interfere with firearm
operation and does not contact anything except the mount rings.
INSTALLING THE BASE, RINGS, AND SCOPE
Please refer to the instructions included with the base and rings for their
proper installation on the firearm.
If necessary, it is safe to position the rear mount ring directly on the exposed
threaded area near the eyepiece, but only after focusing the eyepiece. This
allows a more forward placement of the scope. See page 8 for more details.
NOTE: The windage and elevation adjustments on new Leupold scopes are
centered as part of the assembly process. If you are mounting a scope that was
previously mounted on another rifle, you should center the adjustments (please
see “Centering Windage and Elevation Adjustments” on page 17 for more details).
NOTE: Use care in mounting the 2.5x28mm Scout riflescope. It is necessary to
place the back edge of the rearmost ring at least 3/4" forward of the ocular bell/
tube juncture to avoid possible reticle damage. Because of the longer eye relief
of this product, mounting the scope back slightly will not in any way impair its
function or effectiveness.
5
ESTABLISHING EYE RELIEF ON
RIFLES AND SHOTGUNS
Because of the safety considerations associated with proper eye relief, Leupold
strongly recommends that you mount your scope as far forward as possible.
Beyond that, follow these steps:
1. With the scope as far forward in the mounts as possible, hold the rifle in
your normal shooting position. (Variable power scopes should be set at
the highest magnification for this process.)
2. Slowly move the scope to the rear just until you can see a full field-of-view.
3. Position your scope here for maximum eye relief.
4. Proceed to COMPLETING THE INSTALLATION.
NOTE: To confirm that your scope is mounted in the best possible position, try
assuming various positions: kneeling, seated, prone, and aiming both uphill and
downhill. Remember that aiming uphill typically reduces eye relief. Wearing
hunting/shooting specific clothing is recommended as this may alter eye relief
considerations slightly.
6
Leupold riflescopes are
engineered to provide
a generous 3" to 5"
eye relief, depending
on the model and the
magnification level.
WARNING
If a scope is mounted too far to the rear, the eyepiece can injure the
shooter’s brow. Shooting at an uphill angle also increases this hazard
because it shortens the distance between the brow and the rear of
the scope. For this reason, Leupold scopes are engineered to provide
generous eye relief. Therefore, when mounting your scope, we
recommend positioning it as far forward in the mounts as possible
to take full advantage of this generous eye relief.
7
The eye relief of handgun
scopes is more forgiving
than that of riflescopes.
Nevertheless, it is
important that the eye relief
is compatible with
your shooting style.
ESTABLISHING EYE RELIEF ON HANDGUN SCOPES
Since handguns are typically fired from an arms-extended position, eye relief
is less of a safety issue than with riflescopes. However, it’s still important to get
the eye relief right for you.
1. Holding the handgun in your normal shooting stance, position the scope
in the rings to achieve a full field-of-view.
2. Proceed to COMPLETING THE INSTALLATION.
8
Unlike riflescopes, adjustments to the eyepiece in handgun scopes affect the
eye relief as well as the reticle focus. Turning the eyepiece clockwise increases
eye relief and turning it counterclockwise decreases it.
COMPLETING THE INSTALLATION
1. Without disturbing the optimal eye relief position, rotate the scope until
the elevation adjustment dial is at the top of the scope.
2. From a firing position, check to be sure that the vertical hair of the reticle
aligns with the vertical axis of the firearm. Misalignment will not affect
accuracy at moderate distances but it can diminish long range accuracy.
3. When you are satisfied, tighten the ring screws evenly and securely.
FOCUSING THE RETICLE
Secure the scope and firearm in a firm rest. Safely point the scope at a light
colored background object. With the scope approximately four inches from
your eye the reticle should appear sharp and crisp; if it does not, it is necessary
to adjust the focus by means of the eyepiece.
9
If your Leupold scope is one of our models with an eyepiece that has a lock
ring, follow these simple steps:
1. Grasp the eyepiece with your hand and back it away from the lock ring.
Once the lock ring is free from the eyepiece, turn it clockwise away from
the eyepiece to keep it out of the way during the adjustment.
2. If you tend to hold things away from yourself to see them clearly (you
are farsighted) turn the eyepiece counterclockwise a couple of turns. If
you hold things close to yourself to see them clearly (you are nearsighted)
turn the eyepiece clockwise a couple of turns.
3. Looking through the scope when pointed at the sky, take a few quick
glances at the reticle. The focus of the reticle should be noticeably
different from when you started. Continue this process until the reticle
appears clear and sharp.
4. When you are satisfied with the image of the reticle, turn the lock ring so
that it rests firmly against the eyepiece.
10
If your Leupold scope is one of our models without an eyepiece lock ring,
follow these simple steps:
1. All adjustment is made with the eyepiece.
2. Look through the scope with quick glances while focusing the reticle
image. If you tend to hold things away from yourself to see them clearly
(farsighted) turn the eyepiece ring counterclockwise until the reticle is
clear and sharp. If you hold them close to yourself to see them clearly
(nearsighted) turn the eyepiece ring clockwise until the reticle is sharp
and clear.
If your eyesight changes, readjust the eyepiece. As we age, eyesight normally
changes. You may want to check the sharpness of the reticle on your scope
every few years to ensure it is still adjusted correctly for your eye.
NOTE: To protect the integrity of the waterproof seal of every Leupold Golden Ring
scope, an internal mechanism prevents the eyepiece from being removed.
The primary function of a scope is to aim the firearm. Never use the scope as
a substitute for binoculars. Never watch another person through the scope. As
always, the Golden Rule applies.
11
How to Sight-In
USING A BORE-SIGHTING COLLIMATOR
To save time and ammunition, start out in your shop or gun room with a
bore-sighting collimator. Follow the directions included with the collimator for
specific instructions on its proper use. Remember, when possible, it is better
to make the initial windage adjustments to the mount base before using the
scope’s windage adjustment.
NOTE: Bore-sighting alone is not sufficient to sight-in a scope. You must make final
adjustments by shooting the firearm using the same ammunition you use in the field.
USING THE LEUPOLD ZERO POINT
ILLUMINATED MAGNETIC BORESIGHTER
This tool fits any rifle, shotgun, or pistol, and helps you get “on the paper”
fast, without barrel spuds. It works with any optical sight, and can even be
used to recheck your zero, without firing a shot. See your Leupold Golden Ring
Dealer or visit www.leupold.com for more information.
12
TRADITIONAL BORE-SIGHTING (BOLT ACTIONS)
Preliminary sighting-in can also be accomplished
by bore-sighting at the firing range using a
target from 20 to 50 yards away.
1. Position the firearm on the bench, using
sandbags to steady the firearm.
2. Remove the bolt from the firearm.
3. Looking through the bore itself, move
the firearm to center the bull’s-eye of
the target inside the barrel, as shown in
Figure A.
4. Hold the rifle steady. With the bull’s-eye
centered when viewed through the bore,
make windage and elevation adjustments
to the scope until the very center of the
reticle is aligned with the bull’s-eye of
the target, as shown in Figure B.
Target as seen
through the bore.
Figure A
Figure B
13
THE FINAL STEP: THREE-SHOT GROUPS
Whichever bore-sighting method you’ve used, the next steps are the same on
the firing range. To ensure reliable results, always fire from a rested position
when performing these steps. (If you are using an adjustable objective or side
focus model scope, perform any correction for parallax before continuing, as
explained in “Understanding Parallax” on pages 24-27.)
1. Fire a shot or two.
2. If you are several inches off center, make an appropriate amount of
adjustment to move the reticle to the center of the target.
3. Carefully fire a three-shot group.
4. Use the center of that group as a reference point for the final
adjustments to windage and elevation.
14
On the sample target, the center of the group is two inches low and three
inches right. Assuming you’re sighting-in at 100 yards, you should make a
2-MOA adjustment up, and a 3-MOA adjustment left. Your next three-shot
group should be very close to the center
of the target. To learn about making
final adjustments, proceed to the
upcoming section on windage and
elevation adjustments.
15
Making Precise Windage
And Elevation Adjustments
The style of elevation and windage adjustments on Leupold riflescopes
varies with specific models. Each, however, is clearly marked in easy to read
increments. If, for example, there are four hash marks from zero to (and
including) the number one on an adjustment knob, then the value of each
increment of adjustment on that knob is 1/4-MOA. It is the same with all
Leupold adjustment dials. One-MOA moves the point of impact at 100 yards
by 1 inch. At 100 meters, it moves 29mm.
The letters found on the windage and elevation dials refer to the direction
that the point-of-impact of the bullet is moved when an adjustment is made.
16
ADJUSTING WINDAGE AND ELEVATION
ON VX
®
-7 RIFLESCOPES (SPEEDIAL™)
The adjustment cover is integral to the adjustment mechanism. To make
a correction, simply rotate the adjustment cover counterclockwise until it
“pops up,” fully revealing the adjustment indication markings, and make
the appropriate correction. To secure the adjustment cover, push down
while tightening the cover.
17
ADJUSTING WINDAGE AND ELEVATION
ON TARGET AND TACTICAL SCOPES
Leupold Target, Competition, and most Tactical scopes have micrometer-style
windage and elevation adjustments.
A click for each adjustment division can be both heard and felt so adjustments
to the scope can be made without looking at the dials. Indicators on the
micrometer portion of the dial show the number of complete 360˚ rotations
that have been made.
Target style adjustments
for range and wind
adjustments in the field.
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