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Old 11-03-2022, 05:04 PM
kokanee king kokanee king is offline
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Default Leupold ''Freedom'' scopes

I read these are a combination/replacement for the VX I and VX II series of scopes and are as tough as any Leopold makes at a reasonable price. I'm looking for a good, but reasonable priced scope, ($500.00 or under) for my Ruger Hawkeye .338 Winchester Magnum and these caught my eye. I don't need a fancy lighted reticle with a bunch of hash marks, a simple duplex will do nicely and I don't even need or want adjustable parallax or fancy turrets. Just a simple scope with great glass, positive adjustments, a 1'' tube 40mm max objective lens that I can trust not to fall apart on a moderately heavy recoiling rifle with long eye relief.

Anybody here have experience with the Leupold Freedom scopes and what is your opinion of them? (clarity, brightness, contrast, and rugged reliability)
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Old 11-03-2022, 08:05 PM
Pioneer2 Pioneer2 is offline
 
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Default I believe their low end scopes

Are made in China
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Old 11-03-2022, 08:20 PM
Smokinyotes Smokinyotes is offline
 
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I bought one. Not impressed with the adjustments. I can’t feel or hear the clicks so then your only guessing when trying to sight it in.
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Old 11-03-2022, 08:38 PM
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SakoAlberta SakoAlberta is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Pioneer2 View Post
Are made in China
Made in Oregon

https://www.leupold.com/shop/riflesc...m-rifle-scopes
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Old 11-03-2022, 08:39 PM
brewster29 brewster29 is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Pioneer2 View Post
Are made in China
Not true. They are made in Oregon just like all other Leupold scopes.
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  #6  
Old 11-03-2022, 08:48 PM
marky_mark marky_mark is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by brewster29 View Post
Not true. They are made in Oregon just like all other Leupold scopes.
With Chinese glass lol
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  #7  
Old 11-03-2022, 09:11 PM
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huntinstuff huntinstuff is offline
 
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Here is my experience

Cabelas had them on sale a few years ago. I encouraged two of my sons to buy one.

Both scopes have been returned to Korth for warranty. Reticles/spring was not adjusting on both after light use.

One son still uses his after the repair with no issues. Other son left his in the box from Korth, bought a Cabelas Pursuit $100 scope and is fine with it.

My 3x9 varix1 is at least 26 years old and has never failed me.
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Old 11-03-2022, 10:03 PM
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fordtruckin fordtruckin is offline
 
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Save up and jump to a VX3HD or go with an FX fixed power if you're putting it on a 338win mag. I had a VX3 and it was decent. I just managed to get a great deal on a VX5HD so figured to treat myself. Paid $600USD.
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  #9  
Old 11-04-2022, 07:35 AM
colroggal colroggal is offline
 
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I have a freedom 2-7. Been using it for a few years, jumping from rifle to rifle. Usually on a lever gun for load testing. Been on everything from a .357 to 45-70 without any issues.

It definitely doesn't have the same tactile clicks as some of the pricier loopy scopes, but it works. More susceptible to hanging up - there was a video posted here not too long ago about how to compensate for that - than my vx3. It's sort of a set it and forget it scope.

It survived some of the most punishing 45-70 loads I roll. Whether or not it would hold up to sustained use on a heavy recoiling gun I don't know.

Colin
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Old 11-04-2022, 10:56 AM
wallz wallz is offline
 
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I've only used the freedom line of scopes on my 22's.

Just recently added a 2-7 to a 44 mag, and a 4-12 to a 243. Both have been working out okay so far.

On a 338 with the heavy recoil, I think you should step up to the HD line up.
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  #11  
Old 11-04-2022, 11:02 AM
marky_mark marky_mark is offline
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HD relates to the glass
It doesn’t mean heavy duty
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  #12  
Old 11-04-2022, 11:34 AM
brewster29 brewster29 is offline
 
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The only Freedom scope I have is a 2-7 rimfire model living on my Marlin 1894 in 44 magnum. It's very bright and clear and is standing up well on the 44, no issues with changing zero. The reticle makes shooting 44 magnum loads possible to about 200 yards, if you enjoy a challenge. I can't speak to long term durability.

However, I have had VariX 111 for 30+ years, and now vx3 scopes on some pretty brutal and hard hunted rifles (like a 7lb 3 oz scoped weight 340 Wby launching 250's at over 2900) and their zero holding ability and toughness has been flawless.

If you wanted a Leupy I would be putting a VX3 3.5-10 on your rifle. My local Canadian Tire has the HD CDS model on for $700 right now.
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  #13  
Old 11-06-2022, 10:57 PM
raised by wolves raised by wolves is offline
 
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I have a 1-4X20 with the hog-led or pigplex reticle. So far it has been great. Seems to be equivalent to the VX2 but with better clarity in the glass. A buddy has the 2-7X33 that I mounted on his 308. So far a great scope for him as well.
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  #14  
Old 11-07-2022, 06:29 AM
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Nothing wrong with a freedom. Replacement for VX2. There was a time not that log ago where most thought a VX2 was pretty decent scope.
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Old 11-07-2022, 07:03 AM
elkhunter11 elkhunter11 is offline
 
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I have mounted a couple for friends, the adjustments are not crisp, but they are decent scopes for the price. We can no longer by a Conquest for $500, so there isn't anything that superior in the price range.
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  #16  
Old 11-07-2022, 08:58 AM
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Quest206 Quest206 is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by marky_mark View Post
With Chinese glass lol
Actually it's glass from the Philippines just like the rest of their scopes.
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  #17  
Old 11-13-2022, 02:01 PM
claykuch claykuch is offline
 
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Leupold is great but they gouge Canadians. Look at the US vs CDN prices, way more than the dollar exchange. I suggest going to another scope manufacturer that has respect for the Canadian market.
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  #18  
Old 11-13-2022, 02:11 PM
brewster29 brewster29 is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by claykuch View Post
Leupold is great but they gouge Canadians. Look at the US vs CDN prices, way more than the dollar exchange. I suggest going to another scope manufacturer that has respect for the Canadian market.
I agree we get hosed on Leupold optics, but I think it's less likely to be Leupold and more likely Canadian importers and retailers doing the gouging.

Realistically, 35-40% over US pricing would be fair to cover exchange and extra shipping, and a lot less than the 60-70% we see. Perhaps Clay from PR could fill us in- there may be costs like export permitting we don't consider.
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  #19  
Old 11-13-2022, 03:04 PM
Grizzly Adams1 Grizzly Adams1 is offline
 
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Everything in America is Freedom these days.

Grizz
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  #20  
Old 11-13-2022, 07:37 PM
338wea 338wea is offline
 
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You might want something a little more high quality if your gonna put it on a rifle with serious recoil
Just what ever you do do t get a Scorpion, mine lost zero and won't keep zero on a 22lr
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  #21  
Old 11-13-2022, 08:00 PM
marky_mark marky_mark is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Quest206 View Post
Actually it's glass from the Philippines just like the rest of their scopes.
Lol sorry my bad
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