Elevate Your Precision: The Leupold VX-5HD 4-20x52mm CDS-ZL2 Rifle Scope for Discerning Shooters

For hunters and precision shooters who demand unparalleled versatility and performance across diverse environments, the Leupold VX-5HD 4-20x52mm CDS-ZL2 rifle scope stands as a premier choice. This advanced optic is engineered to deliver crisp, clear images from dawn till dusk, empower rapid and accurate adjustments for challenging shots, and withstand the harshest field conditions. If you're grappling with the dilemma of needing a scope that performs equally well in densely wooded areas for close-range opportunities and offers the magnification and precision required for ethical long-distance shots across open plains, the VX-5HD 4-20x52mm is your definitive solution.

What makes a rifle scope truly exceptional? It's the harmonious blend of superior optics, intuitive mechanics, and unwavering durability. The Leupold VX-5HD series embodies this philosophy, providing a robust tool that simplifies complex shooting scenarios. This particular model, with its expansive 4-20x magnification range and large 52mm objective lens, ensures that whether you're tracking game through thick timber or dialing in a shot on a distant target, you have the clarity, light-gathering capability, and precise control you need to succeed.

Why Choose the Leupold VX-5HD 4-20x52mm for Your Next Hunt or Shooting Session?

The decision to invest in a high-quality rifle scope often comes down to addressing critical questions:

• How do I ensure accuracy at both close and extended ranges? The 4-20x magnification provides a broad spectrum of utility, allowing for a wide field of view at 4x for quick target acquisition in tight spaces and powerful 20x magnification for identifying and engaging targets hundreds of yards away.
• Can this scope perform in low light conditions? Absolutely. The VX-5HD's 52mm objective lens, combined with Leupold's proprietary Twilight Max HD Light Management System, excels at gathering and transmitting light, extending your effective shooting hours from the earliest dawn to the latest dusk.
• Is it easy to make precise adjustments for different distances? The Custom Dial System (CDS-ZL2) is a game-changer. It allows for quick, exact elevation adjustments tailored to your specific ballistic data, effectively eliminating the need for complex holdovers or calculating bullet drop in the field.
• Will it withstand harsh weather and rigorous use? Built to Leupold's legendary standards, the VX-5HD is rigorously tested to be completely waterproof and fog proof, ensuring reliable performance regardless of rain, snow, or extreme temperature fluctuations. Its robust construction can handle significant recoil without losing zero.

These are just a few of the challenges this scope is designed to overcome, providing a reliable and intuitive experience for every shooter.

Unrivaled Optical Performance: Clarity That Changes Everything

At the core of the VX-5HD's superior performance is its advanced optical system. Leupold engineers have meticulously crafted every element to deliver a vivid, high-definition image that makes a discernible difference in target identification and shot placement.

• Twilight Max HD Light Management System: This isn't just a marketing term; it's a critical technology for hunters. It significantly enhances light transmission, particularly in the blue and red spectrums where light is scarce at dawn and dusk. This allows you to discern details and identify targets earlier in the morning and later in the evening, when game activity is often at its peak. This system is a key factor in extending your effective hunting window.
• High-Definition Lens Coatings: The lenses are treated with multiple layers of proprietary coatings, which reduce glare, improve color fidelity, and enhance contrast. The result is an image that is not only bright but also incredibly sharp and true-to-life, even when looking into shadowed areas or against bright backgrounds.
• Guard-Ion Lens Coating: Protecting those pristine lenses is paramount. Leupold's Guard-Ion coating is an ion-assisted lens coating that creates a durable, scratch-resistant surface. More importantly, it sheds dirt, water, and fingerprints, making maintenance easier and ensuring a clear sight picture even in adverse conditions. This hydrophobic coating means rain beads up and rolls off, keeping your view unobstructed.

Mastering Precision with the CDS-ZL2 and ZeroLock Dials

One of the most praised features of the Leupold VX-5HD is its Custom Dial System (CDS-ZL2) and the accompanying ZeroLock dial. This system revolutionizes how shooters manage elevation adjustments for varying distances.

• Custom Dial System (CDS): Imagine a system where your elevation dial is custom-engraved to match your specific bullet's ballistic trajectory. That's precisely what CDS offers. Once you provide Leupold with your firearm and ammunition data, they can create a custom dial that corresponds directly to yardage increments. This means instead of converting MOA or MIL clicks, you simply range your target, turn the dial to that yardage, and shoot. It's an incredibly fast and intuitive way to make precise long-range shots. The "2" in CDS-ZL2 indicates that this particular dial allows for two revolutions of elevation adjustment, catering to extreme long-range scenarios without running out of travel.
• ZeroLock Dial: The ZeroLock feature ensures that your elevation dial remains securely in place at your zero setting. This prevents accidental rotation while moving through rough terrain or during transport. To adjust the elevation, you simply press a button, make your adjustment, and release the button to lock it back into place. This offers peace of mind, knowing your zero is always protected.
• Zero Stop: Complementing the ZeroLock, the Zero Stop mechanism prevents the elevation dial from rotating below your established zero. This means you can quickly return to your initial zero setting without having to look at the dial or count clicks, which is invaluable in dynamic shooting situations or when moving between different distances.

Together, the CDS-ZL2, ZeroLock, and Zero Stop create an unparalleled system for rapid, confident, and precise elevation adjustments, simplifying the art of long-range shooting.

The Duplex Reticle: Time-Tested Simplicity and Effectiveness

The Leupold VX-5HD 4-20x52mm features the classic Duplex reticle in the Second Focal Plane (SFP).

• Duplex Reticle: This iconic reticle design, pioneered by Leupold, is renowned for its simplicity and effectiveness. It features a fine crosshair center for precise aiming, transitioning to heavier posts towards the edges. This design provides a clean sight picture that doesn't obstruct your target, while the heavier posts guide your eye quickly to the center, especially in low light or against busy backgrounds. It's a fantastic choice for a wide variety of hunting and shooting applications where speed and clarity are paramount.
• Second Focal Plane (SFP): In an SFP scope, the reticle remains the same size relative to your eye across all magnification settings. This means the subtensions (the distance between reticle marks) are only accurate at a specific magnification (usually the highest magnification). For a Duplex reticle, where holdovers are typically done with the Custom Dial System, the SFP design is highly advantageous. It maintains a consistent, usable reticle thickness, preventing the reticle from becoming too thick and obscuring the target at high magnification or too thin and disappearing at low magnification. This is often preferred by hunters who value a constant, uncluttered sight picture.

Built for the Field: Rugged Durability and Thoughtful Design

A high-performance optic is only as good as its ability to withstand the rigors of real-world use. The Leupold VX-5HD is constructed with uncompromising durability in mind.

• 34mm Main Tube: The robust 34mm main tube provides increased strength and durability compared to smaller tubes. It also offers a greater range of internal elevation and windage adjustment, allowing for extreme long-range shooting capabilities. Crafted from aircraft-grade 6061-T6 aluminum, the tube is designed to resist deformation and maintain its structural integrity even under harsh recoil or accidental impacts.
• Side Focus Parallax Adjustment: Located conveniently on the side of the scope, the parallax adjustment allows you to precisely eliminate parallax error from 50 yards to infinity. This ensures that the reticle and target appear on the same focal plane, improving accuracy, especially at high magnifications and extended distances. The side-focus design is ergonomically superior to objective-mounted adjustments, allowing for quick tweaks without breaking your shooting position.
• Matte Black Finish: The non-reflective matte black finish helps prevent glare and reflections that could spook game or reveal your position, maintaining a low profile in any environment.
• Unwavering Proofs: Leupold's commitment to durability is evident in its guaranteed fog proof and waterproof performance. Each scope is nitrogen-purged and sealed to ensure internal fogging never occurs, and it's tested to be completely submerged without water ingress. This ensures crystal-clear vision in any weather condition, from torrential rain to freezing temperatures.
• Optimal Eye Relief: With a generous eye relief of 3.70" - 3.80", the VX-5HD provides a comfortable and safe viewing experience, protecting your brow from recoil, even with magnum calibers. This consistent eye relief across the magnification range is a hallmark of quality design.

Real-World Applications: Where the VX-5HD Shines

The versatility of the Leupold VX-5HD 4-20x52mm makes it an ideal choice for a multitude of shooting disciplines:

• Big Game Hunting: From open-country elk hunting where long shots are common, to dense whitetail woods where quick, close shots are the norm, the 4-20x magnification range adapts seamlessly. The low-light performance is critical during prime hunting hours.
• Varmint and Predator Control: The high 20x magnification allows for precise target identification and engagement of small targets at extended ranges, while the CDS-ZL2 system makes rapid adjustments for varying distances incredibly efficient.
• Long-Range Target Shooting: For enthusiasts looking to push their limits on the range, the precise .25 MOA adjustments, generous 75 MOA of windage and elevation adjustment, and the Custom Dial System provide the tools necessary for consistent hits at significant distances.
• Mountain Hunting: Its relatively light weight for its capabilities (23.50 oz) combined with its robust construction makes it suitable for arduous backcountry hunts where every ounce matters and reliability is non-negotiable.

Leupold's Legacy of Excellence and Lifetime Guarantee

For over a century, Leupold has been synonymous with optical excellence, manufacturing rugged and reliable rifle scopes right in Beaverton, Oregon, USA. Their commitment to quality is backed by the Leupold Lifetime Guarantee, a testament to their confidence in their products. This guarantee ensures that if your Leupold product ever fails, they will repair or replace it for free, regardless of who owns it. This unparalleled commitment provides peace of mind and reinforces the trust placed in every Leupold optic.

Choosing the Leupold VX-5HD 4-20x52mm CDS-ZL2 means investing in an optic that is built to perform, built to last, and backed by a company with a long-standing reputation for quality and customer satisfaction. It's an investment in precision, reliability, and ultimately, your success in the field or on the range. For those seeking a top-tier rifle scope that blends advanced technology with user-friendly features, the Leupold VX-5HD is a truly outstanding option.

Leupold VX-5HD 4-20x52mm Product Specifications

Feature	Detail
Brand	Leupold
Model	VX-5HD
Magnification	4-20x
Objective Lens	52mm
Tube Diameter	34mm
Reticle	Duplex
Focal Plane	Second
Finish	Matte Black
Material	Aircraft-Grade Aluminum
Light System	Twilight Max HD
Lens Coating	Guard-Ion
Eye Relief	3.70" - 3.80"
Field of View	7.70 - 28.40 ft @ 100 yds
Adjustment Size	.25 MOA
Elevation Adj.	75 MOA
Windage Adj.	75 MOA
Focus Type	Side Focus
Parallax Adj.	50 yds - ∞
Proofs	Fog Proof, Waterproof
Length	14.70"
Weight	23.50 oz
UPC	030317012809
MPN	171701