Leupold VX-3HD 6.5-20x40mm Riflescope
- Rifle Scope
- 40 mm
- 6.5x
- 20x
A bright, consistent mid-range hunting scope that repeat buyers keep coming back for, though at least one unit arrived with a parallax defect.
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How it ranks among the 359 rifle scopes we track
4.4★ across 16 Amazon ratings, Bayesian-smoothed toward the category average.
16 Amazon ratings, weighted on a log scale so huge counts don't drown everything.
Brand identity, imagery, description and spec coverage.
The ProductDome score is separate from the Amazon rating shown above: it combines the Bayesian-smoothed Amazon rating with evidence volume, tracked demand, and data quality across the 359 rifle scopes we track - how the scorecard works · full rifle scopes data report. Confidence: limited - limited rating history.Last refreshed Jun 22, 2026. Data-computed, not a hands-on test. Compiled by the ProductDome Research Team.
Overview
The Leupold VX-3HD 6.5-20x40mm (model 182502) is a matte-finish rifle scope with a Fine Duplex reticle, an EFR CDS-T custom dial system, and a front parallax focus ring that one reviewer adjusted down to 25 yards.
The CDS-T custom dial is built around a specific load, letting a shooter dial for distance instead of holding over, which is the draw for anyone who already knows their ballistics. Repeat-purchase reviews stood out here, with one buyer on their fourth unit using it across air rifles and general hunting. One buyer did receive a scope that looked used with a malfunctioning parallax adjustment and returned it to Leupold for repair.
- EFR CDS-T custom dial system
- Fine Duplex reticle
- Leupold Elite Optical System
- Made, machined, and assembled in the USA
Who it's for
Fits a hunter or shooter who wants a dial-your-distance CDS-T scope with Leupold's optical clarity for general hunting or plinking. Less suited to someone unwilling to deal with an occasional quality-control miss, given one buyer's report of a used-looking unit.
What buyers say
From Amazon customer reviews.
Repeat buyers, including one on their fourth unit, praised the brightness and consistency for hunting and general shooting, with one noting close parallax adjustment down to 25 yards. One buyer reported receiving a scope that looked used with a broken adjustable objective.
Strengths and trade-offs
Drawn from this product's published specifications.
- Bright, consistent glass across repeat purchases
- CDS-T dial removes holdover guesswork at known distances
- Parallax adjusts down to 25 yards, per one reviewer
- One buyer received a scope that looked used with a broken parallax adjustment
Specifications
| Brand | Leupold |
|---|---|
| Model | 182502 |
| Dimensions & fit | |
| Objective Lens Diameter | 40 mm |
| Item Weight | 1.14 pounds |
| Construction & materials | |
| Material Type | Aluminum |
| Color | Matte Finish |
| Compatibility & installation | |
| Mounting Type | Rimfire |
| Compatible Devices | Handgun |
| Included components | |
| Included Components | Riflescope |
| Warranty & support | |
| Warranty Description | Lifetime |
| Other details | |
| Magnification Minimum | 6.5x |
| Magnification Maximum | 20x |
| Sport Type | Hunting |
| Reticle Type | Fine Duplex |
| Night vision | No |
| Product Style | Fine Duplex EFR CDS-T (182502) |
| Field Of View | 14.3 Feet |
| Item Type Name | Riflescope |
Other Leupold rifle scopes
How it compares
This product against the closest alternatives we track in rifle scopes.
| Product | Amazon rating | Ratings | ProductDome score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leupold VX-3HD 6.5-20x40mm RiflescopeThis product | 4.4 / 5 | 16 | 2.7 / 5 |
| UTG 3-12X44 30mm Compact ScopeUTG | 4.5 / 5 | 3,000 | 4.4 / 5 |
| Vortex Optics Diamondback Second Focal PlaneBrand | 4.7 / 5 | 1,500 | 4.3 / 5 |
| PINTY Tactical Rifle Scope Combo: Illuminated OpticsPinty | 4.4 / 5 | 1,100 | 4.3 / 5 |
| Firefield RapidStrike 1-6x24 SFP Riflescope KitFirefield | 4.5 / 5 | 900 | 4.3 / 5 |
Similar rifle scopes from other brands
Questions about the Leupold 182502
Common buyer questions answered straight from the product spec data - no fluff, no "it depends".
What does the CDS-T dial do on the Leupold VX-3HD?
It is a custom dial matched to your load and distance, letting you dial for range instead of holding over with the reticle.
How close can the VX-3HD parallax focus?
One reviewer reported adjusting the front parallax focus down to 25 yards.
Has anyone had quality problems with this scope?
One buyer reported receiving a unit that looked used with a malfunctioning adjustable objective and sent it to Leupold for repair.