Unleashing Precision: The Leupold VX-3HD CDS-ZL Burnt Bronze 4.5-14x40mm Rifle Scope

For hunters and precision shooters who demand uncompromising performance without unnecessary bulk, the Leupold VX-3HD CDS-ZL Burnt Bronze 4.5-14x40mm 1" Tube Wind-Plex Reticle rifle scope stands as a testament to American engineering excellence. This optic is meticulously crafted to deliver legendary clarity, rugged dependability, and intuitive functionality, making it an indispensable tool for a wide array of shooting scenarios, from the dense timber to open plains, and from the shooting range to the most challenging hunting expeditions.

Are you searching for a rifle scope that combines lightweight design with heavy-duty performance? Do you need an optic that offers quick, precise adjustments for varying distances and wind conditions, ensuring ethical shots every time? The Leupold VX-3HD series, and specifically this Burnt Bronze 4.5-14x40mm model, is designed to solve these exact problems, empowering shooters with confidence in the field.

Who Benefits Most from the Leupold VX-3HD CDS-ZL?

• Big Game Hunters: Whether pursuing deer, elk, or moose, the 4.5-14x magnification range offers versatility for both close encounters and longer shots, while its robust construction ensures it can withstand the rigors of any hunt.
• Varmint and Predator Hunters: The ability to dial in precise elevation adjustments with the CDS-ZL system is invaluable when engaging small, distant targets, and the clear optics aid in target identification.
• Mountain Hunters: Every ounce counts in the backcountry. The VX-3HD’s remarkably lightweight 13.40 oz design significantly reduces overall rifle weight, making long treks less taxing.
• Target Shooters and Recreational Shooters: For those who enjoy testing their skills at moderate ranges, the crisp optics and reliable adjustments provide an excellent platform for improving accuracy.
• Shooters Seeking a Balance of Power and Portability: If you need a scope that’s powerful enough for ethical long-range hunting but compact enough not to be cumbersome, this 1-inch tube, 40mm objective model hits the sweet spot.

Core Technologies That Set the VX-3HD Apart

The Leupold VX-3HD 4.5-14x40mm is packed with innovative features, each contributing to its superior performance and user-friendly experience.

The Revolutionary CDS-ZL (Custom Dial System ZeroLock)

One of the most compelling features of this scope is its Custom Dial System ZeroLock (CDS-ZL). But what exactly is it, and how does it revolutionize shooting?

• Custom Ballistic Dials: The CDS-ZL system allows users to order custom ballistic dials from Leupold, precisely matched to their specific rifle, ammunition, and environmental conditions. Instead of calculating MOA or MIL adjustments, you simply range your target and dial the turret to that yardage. This drastically simplifies long-range shooting, transforming complex calculations into a straightforward, intuitive process. Imagine being able to make a precision shot at 400 yards by simply turning your elevation dial to "400."
• ZeroLock Mechanism: The "ZL" in CDS-ZL stands for ZeroLock. This innovative feature prevents accidental dial rotation. Once you've set your zero, the dial locks securely in place, ensuring that your settings remain consistent no matter how rough the terrain or how much your rifle jostles. To make an adjustment, you simply press a button to release the lock, make your turn, and it locks back down automatically. This eliminates the frustration and potential for missed shots caused by inadvertent turret movement.
• Speed and Confidence: The combination of custom dials and the ZeroLock mechanism means faster, more confident adjustments in the field. You spend less time fumbling with ballistic charts and more time focusing on your shot.

Leupold’s Elite Optical System: Unmatched Clarity and Low-Light Performance

At the heart of any great rifle scope is its optical system, and Leupold’s Elite Optical System is truly exceptional. This scope delivers:

• Brilliant Light Transmission: The 40mm objective lens, combined with Leupold’s proprietary lens coatings, ensures maximum light transmission, providing a bright, clear image even in challenging low-light conditions—crucial for dawn and dusk hunting.
• Superior Glare Reduction: The system effectively minimizes glare, allowing for a crisp sight picture even when facing direct sunlight or bright snow.
• Unrivaled Resolution and Clarity: Experience edge-to-edge clarity and stunning resolution, allowing you to identify targets with precision and discern fine details, which is critical for accurate shot placement.
• Color Fidelity: Colors are rendered naturally and accurately, enhancing target identification against various backdrops.

The Versatile 4.5-14x Magnification Range

The 4.5-14x magnification offers a fantastic balance between wide field of view at lower powers and significant magnification for detailed observation at higher powers.

• 4.5x Magnification: Ideal for quick target acquisition in dense cover or for close-range shots where a wide field of view is beneficial (19.90 ft at 100 yds).
• 14x Magnification: Provides ample power for identifying targets at extended ranges and for precise shot placement, while still maintaining a reasonable exit pupil for easy eye alignment (7.40 ft at 100 yds).
• Optimized Objective (40mm): The 40mm objective strikes a balance between light gathering capability and compact design, avoiding the bulk of larger objective lenses while still performing admirably in varied light conditions.

The Intuitive Wind-Plex Reticle (Second Focal Plane)

The Wind-Plex reticle is a clean, versatile reticle designed for rapid target acquisition and holdovers.

• Second Focal Plane (SFP) Design: In an SFP scope, the reticle remains the same size relative to your eye as you change magnification. This means the subtensions (the spacing of the marks on the reticle) are only accurate at a specific magnification (typically the highest setting). For the Wind-Plex, this is beneficial as it keeps the reticle fine and uncluttered at lower magnifications, ensuring it doesn't obscure your target. At 14x, the Wind-Plex offers precise windage hold points without the complexity of a highly graduated reticle.
• Simplicity and Effectiveness: The Wind-Plex features fine crosshairs with hash marks on the horizontal stadia, allowing for windage hold-offs without adjusting your turret. This is perfect for quick follow-up shots or for scenarios where speed is critical.

Built Leupold Tough: Durability in Extreme Conditions

Leupold has built its reputation on producing optics that can withstand the harshest environments, and the VX-3HD is no exception.

• Robust Aluminum Construction: Crafted from aircraft-grade aluminum, the scope's 1-inch main tube provides exceptional strength and rigidity, ensuring long-term durability and reliability.
• Waterproof and Fogproof: Thanks to Leupold’s exclusive Argon/Krypton gas blend, the internal components are completely protected against moisture and thermal shock. This advanced gas mixture nearly eliminates the effects of thermal shock, ensuring your scope remains fog-free regardless of temperature fluctuations or humidity. It is rigorously tested to perform in the most demanding conditions, submerged in 33 feet of water and enduring rapid temperature changes from -40 degrees F to 160 degrees F.
• Scratch-Resistant Lenses (Guard-ion Lens Coating): The external lens surfaces are treated with Guard-ion, an incredibly durable and hydrophobic coating. This means water, dirt, and fingerprints simply bead up and roll off, making the lenses easy to clean and protecting them from abrasions, ensuring a clear sight picture even after extensive use in challenging environments.
• Lockable Eyepiece: The lockable eyepiece ensures that your focus setting remains consistent, even under recoil or during transport, eliminating the need for constant readjustment.

The Aesthetic Appeal: Burnt Bronze Finish

Beyond its performance, the Burnt Bronze finish of this particular Leupold VX-3HD adds a distinctive, ruggedly elegant look. This durable, non-reflective finish not only protects the scope but also complements a wide range of firearm finishes, allowing shooters to customize their setup with a touch of unique style. It's a subtle yet impactful detail that sets this model apart.

Why Choose This Leupold VX-3HD for Your Next Adventure?

When evaluating rifle scopes, several factors come into play: reliability, optical performance, ease of use, and value. The Leupold VX-3HD CDS-ZL Burnt Bronze 4.5-14x40mm excels in every category.

• Unwavering Reliability: Leupold’s reputation for producing virtually indestructible optics is legendary. This scope is designed, machined, and assembled in the USA, undergoing rigorous testing to ensure it performs when it matters most.
• Simplified Long-Range Shooting: The CDS-ZL system alone is a game-changer, removing the complexity from elevation adjustments and allowing you to focus purely on the shot.
• Exceptional Clarity in All Conditions: The Elite Optical System provides a bright, clear, and high-contrast image, giving you the edge in critical moments, especially during low-light transitions.
• Lightweight and Durable: At just 13.40 ounces and featuring a compact 12.70-inch length, this scope won't weigh you down, yet its construction is built to last a lifetime.
• American Heritage and Lifetime Guarantee: Leupold stands behind its products with a legendary Lifetime Guarantee, providing peace of mind that your investment is protected for generations.

Investing in a Leupold VX-3HD means investing in confidence. It means knowing that when that critical moment arrives, your optic will perform flawlessly, helping you make the shot you’ve practiced for. Whether you're a seasoned hunter needing an upgrade or a new shooter looking for a reliable, high-performance optic to start with, the Leupold VX-3HD CDS-ZL Burnt Bronze 4.5-14x40mm is an outstanding choice that consistently delivers precision and clarity.

For those ready to elevate their shooting experience with an optic that blends classic Leupold ruggedness with cutting-edge technology, the Leupold VX-3HD CDS-ZL Burnt Bronze 4.5-14x40mm 1" Tube Wind-Plex Reticle is available exclusively through DEGuns, where quality and customer satisfaction are paramount.

Detailed Product Specifications

Feature	Specification	Key Benefit
Brand	Leupold	Trusted American manufacturer with a legacy of quality.
Model	VX-3HD CDS-ZL	Advanced optical system with custom dial technology.
Magnification	4.5-14x	Versatile range for various hunting & shooting distances.
Objective Lens	40mm	Excellent light gathering in a compact form factor.
Tube Diameter	1"	Lightweight, compact, and compatible with common rings.
Reticle	Wind-Plex (SFP)	Clean, simple, and effective for windage hold-offs.
Finish	Burnt Bronze	Durable, non-reflective, and visually distinctive coating.
Material	Aluminum	Aircraft-grade for superior strength and light weight.
Firearm Type	Rifle	Specifically designed and tested for rifle applications.
Field of View	19.90 - 7.40 ft @ 100 yds	Wide view for close quarters, precise view for distance.
Adjustment Size	.25 MOA	Fine, precise click adjustments for accurate zeroing.
Focal Plane	Second	Reticle remains constant size relative to eye; ideal for quick, clean sight picture.
Windage Adjustment	75 MOA	Ample adjustment range for varying conditions.
Elevation Adjustment	75 MOA	Extensive range for ballistic compensation at long distances.
Length	12.70"	Compact design for balance and maneuverability.
Parallax Adjustment	150 yds	Pre-set for general hunting distances, clear focus.
Weight	13.40 oz	Extremely lightweight for mountain hunting or extended carry.
Exit Pupil Diameter	4.40 - 3.60mm	Comfortable eye relief and clear viewing.
Windage/Elevation	Adjustable	User-adjustable turrets for zeroing and compensation.
MPN (Manufacturer Part Number)	180621	Unique identifier for this specific model.
UPC (Universal Product Code)	030317028435	Standardized barcode for product identification.