By Dave Domin

The popularity of long range shooting has dramatically increased over the last few years. Firearm manufacturers are fueling this trend by developing and distributing high quality precision rifles at an affordable price. For the most part, riflescope manufacturers have not followed suit. Typically, scopes designed for long range shooting far exceed the price of the firearm, leaving many enthusiasts apprehensive about stepping into the long range shooting world. For this reason, Leupold has taken their 70 years of precision optics experience and developed the VX-3i LRP, Long Range Precision, line of riflescopes. These scopes are available in both front focal and rear focal plane configurations, making them ideal in competition or out on the hunt.

The VX-3i LRP is an extension of the popular VX-3i line that was introduced in 2016. Both scope models are very similar internally. They begin with a one-piece, 30mm maintube crafted out of aircraft grade aluminum for unrivaled durability. Like the VX-3i, the LRP is built around Leupold’s Twilight Max Light Management System which balances all available light wavelengths, eliminates glare, and pushes resolution to the limit. Beginning with lead-free lenses, Leupold applies Twilight Max lens coatings. These coatings optimize the red and blue frequencies of light, those found at the very first and last moments of the day, while maintaining a high transmission of the light at the center of the spectrum, delivering exceptional contrast and low light performance. These lenses are then topped off with guard-iON coatings; a hydrophobic material designed to repel water, dirt, and fingerprints. The next step is the elimination of glare. Although not often said, this step actually lowers overall light transmission by removing or absorbing stray light, only transmitting useful light to your eye, creating an improved sight picture. This is accomplished by first precision machining the VX-3i LRP’s interior and then by blackening the edges of key lenses within the scope.

Form and function is what differentiates the LRP from its hunting counterpart. When the box is first opened, this becomes blatantly apparent. The power selector, with its bold and easy to read numbering, is equipped with a removable throw lever which makes magnification changes a breeze. If the shooter doesn’t want to use the throw lever, it can be easily removed and replaced with the included threaded plug. With the throw lever removed the bold shape of the power selector will still allow a positive grasp, even with gloved hands.

Next will be the oversized elevation adjustment dial and capped windage adjustment. The elevation dial is etched in either ¼ MOA or .1 MIL increments, more about this benefit later. This easy to read dial is equipped with an adjustable zero stop and elevation travel indicator, which is marked in 5 MOA or 5 MIL increments. So, getting lost in your dial rotations is a thing of the past. The covered windage dial is also marked in ¼ MOA or .1 MIL increments. For those that prefer to run with the windage dial exposed, Leupold includes a knurled thread protector to use in place of the cover.

As stated earlier, The VX-3i LRP comes with MIL and MOA adjustments. The same holds true for the reticles. MOA scopes are available with three reticle choices T-MOA, Impact 32 or Impact 29, while the MIL scopes are available with Leupold’s Tactical Milling Reticle (TMR), and the new CCH reticle. Available in 4.5-14x50mm, 6.5-20x50mm, and 8.5-25x50mm, all LRP’s feature side focus parallax adjustment.

Lastly, the VX-3i LRP is oxygen purged and then filled with Leupold’s second generation Argon/Kryton waterproofing, which more effectively resists thermal shock to ensure a 100% fog proof and waterproof seal. Built for a lifetime of performance, the LRP is backed by the Leupold Full Lifetime guarantee.

So there you have it. If you are interested in upping your game in long range precision shooting without breaking the bank, stop by your local Sportsman’s Warehouse and ask to see the Leupold VX-3i LRP today.