Leupold Redfields

[mshootnit]

So the Redfields that were made by Leupold in the early 2000's-2010's. Were they just a Leupold Rifleman in different clothing? Or an upgrade?
I have one on an older Rem 700 and dang if it isn't nicer than it has a right to be.

 

[Bartojc]

That was the rumor back then, but I believe they were different. An upgrade ? Not sure about that. Someone will surely correct me if I am wrong.

I have one on a hunting rifle and its good for what I do with it. When I put it on there it was a step up from the Bushnell that I originally had.

-Jeff

 

[2ndtimer]

My son and I have 4 of them, a pair of 2-7x33’s and a pair of 4-12x40’s, Redfield Revolutions. They have given good service over the years and IMO were sort of between the Rifleman and VX-1 Leupolds. Really decent scopes for the $. Have had them mounted on an AR, a .243 Win, .338 Federal and .300 Win Mag.

 

[NuclearMeltdown]

I'm a huge fan of these. I think I have three of them. Until two years ago you could get used ones on eBay for right around $100. I think the first new one I got was about $150.

They have click adjustments. I think they're more like the VX series than like Rifleman.

I wish they had done a 1-4x20 but now the line is discontinued. I liked the styling of the Refield Revolutions and the VX1/VX2 series. The sharp corners on the VX-Freedoms don't do it for me.

 

[Milt1]

I have a Leopold Rifleman scope that came on a rifle I purchased. I’ve yet to shoot the rifle but would like to know more about the scope if you own one.

 

[mshootnit]

Never owned a rifleman, just the Redfields, VX2 etc.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

I have a Leopold Rifleman scope that came on a rifle I purchased. I’ve yet to shoot the rifle but would like to know more about the scope if you own one.

My main hunting rifle wears a 3-9x40 Rifleman.
My wife's rifle has a VX-1.

The Rifleman is just as good. I've had it for probably 10 years now and not one complaint. It was $199 at Wally World back then and worth every penny.

 

[Milt1]

Thanks Arkansas Paul!

 

[jmr40]

Initially the VX-1, the Rifleman, and the Redfield Revolution were the same scope with different badges. The VX-1 cost a little more because it was available with some options as to which reticle you could get and a few other things such as CDS dials. The Rifleman and Redfield had no reticle options.

The Redfield Renegade was a cheaper scope made in China. That scope isn't nearly as good.

I'm not sure of the timeline, but Leupold upgraded the VX-1 a couple of times and later versions of the VX-1 were a better scope. They never upgraded the Rifleman nor the Redfield. They were still good scopes, but for just a few dollars more the VX-1 was a better scope.

This would have been just during the last few years before Leupold dropped both the VX-1 and VX-2 and replaced them with the VX-Freedom. Which isn't a bad scope at all.

 

[mshootnit]

If you had to compare and contrast a VX2 with a VX-3i what would you say.

 

[2ndtimer]

The Rifleman and Redfield had no reticle options.

Actually the Redfield Revolution did offer two different reticles: a standard duplex and their “Accu-Range” which had a duplex with a circle and a dot for holdover.
http://letstalksurvival.com/redfield-revolution-2-7x33mm-accu-range/
That’s the one I have mounted on my S&W M&P-15 Sport.

 

[LoonWulf]

If you had to compare and contrast a VX2 with a VX-3i what would you say.

the 3i is noticeably better optically than the vx2 but not as good as the 3hd.
Ill also be upfront that the 3hd is the first leupy ive really liked.
The image thru the Varis all looked yellow to me, and the vx-1,2 Vx-F (i couldnt tell much of a difference) and 3i (some noticeable difference side by side) were all fine, as were the Mk4s.
The Freedom was fine especially in the sub-200 range.
The Revolutions ive used were about as good as the vx-1 or 2, but cheaper.

Personally the only reason i can see to buy an older Leupold, or a Revolution, is because you got a good deal.....which is why ive owned as many as ive had.

 

[GooseGestapo]

IIRC,
The Chinese Redfield scopes were sold by Simmons. They were JUNK! I had a 2.5-10x that would not focus.
Dumped it. Circa 2003

The later iteration of the Redfields sold by Leupold were made in the Philippines and are decent scopes. I have a 6-18x mounted on a Remington M700 Tactical.
It was made circa 2010.

 

[22250Rem]

I purchased one of the Redfield Revolutions brand new from a local shop back in Sept. 2011. Still had the receipt in the box so I was able to properly date it. Sure enough made by Leupold but never knew what Leupold scope it was most closely related to. It's a 4-12x 40mm Revolution with the optional Accu-Range reticle but I forgot how much extra that reticle was. Since then its been on 3 different rifles and IMHO it's a superb scope for the money. .. ..Currently on a T/C Encore rifle in 7mm-08 and I like it so much it's not going anywhere anytime soon. .. .. Any of you more knowledgeable and experienced Leupold folks see any similarities as to what type of Leupold this might be?

 

[GooseGestapo]

It’s a Redfield. Not an original, but “bargain” priced scopes so as to not sully the Leupold brand.
A LOT got mounted on the .308MX, .308MXLR and .338Marlin rifles. Good scopes, equivalent to BuckMaster series of Nikon scopes popular at the time.

Unlike mine, it was assembled in Oregon using supposedly Japanese sourced glass. Leupold marketed them. Box says they carry Leupold warranty. The Revenge line were essentially the same line but built in the Philippines.

Good scopes at their price point. I have one on my Remington M700 .270. It works well.


As to how they fit in the Leupold line, they were below the Rifleman line which was the basic entry level Leupold. They were more similar to the current Burris Droptine line.
I have three of those. 4.5-14. They too are excellent scopes for the money and have a no-question lifetime warranty.

 

[JeeperCreeper]

All I know is I love mine. It's on my main hunting rifle. Got it for $50 on clearance

 

[BigBL87]

I got a Redfield Revenge crossbow scope off eBay for $95, and at that price it was one heck of a deal. Night and day difference from the included no name scope that came with the package, which is no surprise. But for $95 it was a steal.

 

[dranrab]

Redfield Revolutions were made in the USA at the Leupold factory. When I compared the specs to a Leupold Rifleman to a Redfield Revolution, every single spec was exactly the same. I have no idea if they were the same scope. The specs on the Revolution were different from a VX-1. I have 4 Revolution scopes. I like them very well. They could be a bit weird zeroing in, as many Leupolds can, but they stay once I get them there. The Redfield Renegade and Revenge were not made in the USA and were a step below the Revolutions.

 

[NuclearMeltdown]

When I compared the specs to a Leupold Rifleman to a Redfield Revolution, every single spec was exactly the same. I have no idea if they were the same scope.

The Rifleman scopes are friction adjustments, and the Revolutions are click. The kind like the newer VX1s had where you don't need a tool to adjust -- just turn the knob.