Hands-On: Leupold VX Freedom 3-9×40 Review (2024)

The VX Freedom line delivers the same accuracy and quality as all Leupold Gold Ring rifle scopes

Our armory contains dozens of rifles for almost any shooting purpose. They are all “working” rifles, used regularly for their intended purpose. Most of them are scope sighted.

When huntingmark.com asked me to review the Leupold VX Freedom 3-9x40mm scope, it was a no-brainer. Just go to the gun room and pull one off of the rack. This review is for one of my favorite scope lines from one of my favorite scope makers, the Leupold VX Freedom scopes series. This rifle scope review will tell you what you need to know about this scope.

Why should you buy the LEUPOLD VX FREEDOM 3-9×40?

WIth excellent optical quality, mechanical design and construction, the Leupold VX Freedom 3x9 40mm is a back to basics workhorse of a scope. It serves as the perfect scope for a new hunter as a first deer rifle as well as a light-weight field rifle as a fast point-and-shoot solution for all but the longest shots for the experienced hunter.

Leupold, A Premier US Scope Maker Unveils the VX Freedom Scope series.

In 2018 Leupold introduced the VX Freedom Scope lineup. It replaced the VX-1 and VX-2 lines which were phased out. The design concept for the Leupold VX Freedom 3-9x40mm is straightforward. Make a scope with superb optics in a simple, rugged package at a competitive price point.

One that delivers the performance, durability and dependability that hunters and shooters have demanded for decades. The Leupold VX Freedom 3-9x40mm scope delivers all of that in spades.

The Leupold VX Freedom 3-9x40mm was an “editors pick 2018” by the American Rifleman, and for good reason. Leupold scopes are legendary for their quality construction and optical clarity. The Leupold VX Freedom 3-9x40mm scope is no exception.

Leupold stands behind their scopes with a full lifetime guarantee. If your scope doesn’t perform, Leupold will repair or replace it for free - whether you're the original owner or not. You don’t need proof of ownership or a warranty card, and there’s no time limit. What’s not to like?

Leupold VX Freedom 3-9x40 Review 

Construction

The Leupold VX Freedom 3-9x40mm has a 1” main tube machined out of a solid piece of 6061-T6 aircraft-grade aluminum. The scope has a matte black scratch-resistant finish and weighs in at a slim 12.2 oz. The 40mm objective lens gives a field of view 33.1 - 13.6 ft at 100 yds

The scope is nitrogen purged and features fog proof lens coatings in an enclosure with all weather waterproofing. The 3:1 zoom erector system adjusts the reticle in a smooth and repeatable manner.

The Leupold VX Freedom 3-9x40mm comes with the Leupold duplex reticle. The bottom duplex post is a handy 4 MOA subtension below the crosshair.

Leupold VX Freedom 3-9x40mm Reticle and Turrets

In 1962, Leupold invented the standard Duplex Reticle, which many riflescopes now use. The Leupold VX Freedom 3-9x40mm comes with the Duplex Reticle and ¼ MOA turrets.

For elevation adjustment, Leupold offers a Custom Dial System® (CDS®) top turret marked in yards that helps you easily compensate for bullet drop and make quick adjustments on the fly.

The turrets have a positive tactile feel which lets you make adjustments with confidence. Windage and elevation are clearly marked and the erector system has a 60 MOA adjustment range. Once adjusted and capped, the scope has a low profile with medium height rings.

The Leupold VX Freedom 3-9x40mm Duplex Reticle draws the shooter's eye to the center of the image in a natural way. In the brush or in low light the bold outer posts make for quick centering on the intended target. This reticle is great for hunting varmints up to big game in almost any condition.

The reticle is centered with Leupold’s 3:1 zoom ratio erector system in a shockproof mount for repeatability and dependability over a lifetime of extreme use.

With 125 gr 6.5 Creedmoor ammo, when sighted in at 200 yards, the bullet path is ± 1.6 inches out to 270 yards. The bottom post at 4.2 MOA is right on at 325 yards. Great for those long range shots. No muss, no fuss just point and shoot.

Leupold VX Freedom 3-9x40mm Glass Quality

All VX-Freedom rifle scopes have Leupold’s Twilight Light Management System The system combines various lens coatings and lens elements to maximize low-light imaging and reduce glare and diffusion.

The multi-coat process tunes the light spectrum through the scope to match the visual characteristics of the human eye. This technology allows you to get a really good image at dusk and dawn. Details come into sharp contrast with bright, crisp color rendition even in low light conditions.

Recent advancements in lens making technology have resulted in a reduction in the cost of quality lenses. Leupold uses a variety of lens makers under strict quality control and inspection. Their glass has first-class clarity and great light transmission due to proprietary coatings, lens design, and internal construction. The Leupold VX Freedom 3-9x40mm price point reflects the savings to the buyer in a good basic scope.

In the field, I found the scope to be bright and crystal clear. There is little or no distortion even at maximum magnification. Colors really pop and details are crisp. Ocular adjustment is by way of fine threads and lock-ring. There is no parallax adjustment. Parallax is fixed at 80 yards but the image is clear from 30 yards to infinity.

Evening shots on hogs from our hunting stand 165 yards away are a snap, even in dusk conditions. The Twilight Light Management System on the Leupold VX Freedom 3-9x40 really works as advertised.

Shooting With The Leupold VX Freedom 3-9x40mm - Moment of Truth

Our Leupold VX Freedom 3-9x40mm lives on top of a Savage Model 11 Lady Hunter chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor. Our ammo of choice is Winchester Deer Season 125 gr Extreme Point.

The Savage Lady Hunter was bought as a hunting rifle for my daughters although they enjoy range shooting with it as well They both use it with great results on our North Texas whitetail deer and feral hogs.

On range day, my oldest daughter was on the trigger. Eye relief is 3.7-4.2 in with a generous eyebox. This scope will not intimidate novice shooters. Sighting in was quick and easy. We sighted in the bore-sighted scope at 100 yards in three shots. The ¼ MOA turrets produced the expected shift in POI.

This “no excuses” gal produced 5 shot groups of less than 1 MOA at 100 and 200 yards. That’s talent! I had similar results when I could finally pry “her” rifle out of her hands. An 8 click box test produced an exact return to zero with ¼ MOA POI shift on the money.

My Score on The Leupold VX Freedom 3-9x40mm Scope

Usability (4 out of 5)

On range day, my oldest daughter was on the trigger. Eye relief is 3.7-4.2 in with a generous eyebox. This scope will not intimidate novice shooters. Sighting in was quick and easy. We sighted in the bore-sighted scope at 100 yards in three shots. The ¼ MOA turrets produced the expected shift in POI.

Optical Performance (4 out of 5)

The Leupold VX Freedom 3-9x40mm out-performs most scopes with objective diameter: 40mm in its price range. Leupold did not sacrifice optical quality in this basic hunter package. Sure there are scopes with better glass, but they come with bigger price tags as well.

Mechanical Design & Construction (5 out of 5)

Legendary mechanical design and durable construction are hallmarks of the Leupold company. The Leupold VX Freedom 3-9x40mm is no exception.

Value (5 out of 5)

In the sub $300 price point category, the Leupold VX Freedom 3-9x40mm is a real standout. I don’t know of many scopes that deliver more bang for the buck.

Warranty & Support (5 out of 5)

Lifetime warranty, no questions asked. Nuff’ said.

Final Score (4.5 out of 5)

At a sub $300 price, The Leupold VX Freedom 3-9x40mm serves up a first-class image for not a lot of money.

Alternative Product

Weaver Kaspa 3-9X40 Ballistic-X

The Weaver Kaspa 3-9x40 Ballistic-X is an entry-level scope that will be a nice scope alternative for Leupold vx2. The scope is made up of closed turrets and as such is a good general-purpose plinking and light-duty hunting optic.

Making use of ¼ M.O.A. clicks for windage and elevation, the Weaver is easy to zero or make changes in sight settings.

This scope is nitrogen-filled, waterproof, and fog proof within certain limits. The scope is built to be shockproof within reason and retains a matte finish to reduce glint. It uses the Weaver Ballistic X reticle.

Bottom Line: Who Should Buy This Scope?

The new hunter shopping for a scope for their first deer rifle can’t go wrong here. Mount it, zero it, go hunting, no distractions.

The Leupold VX Freedom 3x9 40mm will also serve the experienced hunter on a light-weight field rifle as a fast point-and-shoot solution for all but the longest shots.

The Leupold VX Freedom 3x9 40mm is a back to basics workhorse of a scope. For hunting dawn-to-dusk, this scope has everything you need and nothing you don’t. The Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9x40 scope can be used with the Henry Big Boy 44 Magnum rifle as a scope. In fact, it is a popular choice for this rifle due to its reliability, durability, and optical clarity.

Check out our detailed redfield revolution 3-9x40mm review if you are looking similar options