The Loadout Room
Menu
  • Shooting
        • Pistol
        • Pistol Accessories
        • Rifle
        • Rifle Accessories
        • Shotgun
        • Machine Guns
        • Air Guns
        • Ammunition
        • Optics and Sights
        • Weapon Lights
        • Tips & How-To
        • Concealed Carry
        • Holsters
        • Suppressors
        • Precision Rifle Shooting
        • Firearms Training
        • 1A Gun to Ride the River With: The Smith & Wesson 686
        • The Tristar folding shotgun is ready for your wilderness adventuresThe Tristar folding shotgun is ready for your wilderness adventures
        • maxim defense cqb stock (8)The Maxim Defense CQB Stock: Short and Sweet
        • Perfecting your zero | A little help goes a LONG wayPerfecting your zero | A little help goes a LONG way
    • Close
  • Gear Reviews
      • Mission Gear
      • Camping Gear
      • Survival Gear
      • Medical Gear
      • Adventure & Travel
      • Knives & Tools
      • Overland
      • Disaster Preparedness
      • Footwear
      • Womens Gear & Clothing
        • RIP-MVehicle Preparedness: Fast access to essential items | Grey Man Tactical RIP-M
        • Midland radioOverland Essential | Midland Radio MXT275 | GXT1000
        • ppGrab your gear and go | Here’s everything you’d need to build an adventure go bag
        • Scrubba Washbag: Keep your clothes clean in the fieldScrubba Washbag: Keep your clothes clean in the field
    • Close
  • Men’s Lifestyle
      • Fitness
      • EDC
      • Eyewear
      • Watches
      • Electronics & Technology
      • Downtime
      • Mens Clothing & Accessories
      • Manly Skills
      • Style & Grooming
      • Gentleman Drinks
      • Crate Club
        • The Outdoor Edge ParaClaw: A concealed stingerThe Outdoor Edge ParaClaw: A concealed stinger
        • How to determine how long you have before the sun setsHow to determine how long you have before the sun sets
        • fireWilderness survival expert breaks down how to build a fire
        • 5.11 Tactical Expedition Long Sleeve Shirt5.11 Tactical Expedition Long Sleeve Shirt, SWAT Tested and Approved
    • Close
  • News
  • Video Demo
  • Shop

Leupold VX-3i LRP 4.5-14x FFP | Precision optic quick-look

Leupold VX-3i LRP 4.5-14x FFP | Precision optic quick-look

November 30, 2017 by Jens "Rex Nanorum" Hammer Leave a Comment

Leupold has been a leader in the optics market for many years.  In the past decade, their dominance has come under fire from companies offering less-expensive optics, most of which are made in Japan.  The question many asked: “will Leupold cut corners to try and compete at lower prices, or maintain status as a premium manufacturer?”.  I’d say the Beaverton, Oregon based company has opted for the latter.  This is my first take on the Leupold LRP line, so I was excited to get it out and stretch its legs.

Leupold VX-3i LRP 4.5-14x FFP | Precision optic quick-look

The specific model I got a hold of to review is the VX-3i, LRP (long range precision).  This is a 4.5-14×50 power optic, with a mil-based reticle in the front focal plane.  The reticle has 10 mils of vertical and horizontal marks in .5 mil increments.  Internally, the scope has 29 mils of horizontal and vertical adjustment.  The finger-adjustable turrets have a zero stop, are resettable to zero and adjust in .1 mil clicks.  The vertical adjustment knob is exposed, but the horizontal adjustment knob is protected by a removable cap.  Parralax is adjusted via a side mounted knob.  The magnification adjustment ring has a small amount of stiffness to overcome, then glides very smoothly.  This is in part due to the throw lever on the ring, which gives better leverage and control.

leupold tmr lrLeupold VX-3i LRP 4.5-14x FFP | Precision optic quick-look
Magnification adjustment bezel and lever

The 30mm maintube is constructed from 6061-t6 aluminum, weighs in at 20 ounces and contributes to the moderate overall length of 12.6″.  The external lenses are protected by Diamond Coat 2 and are fog-proof, shock-proof and water-proof.  The Twilight Max Reticle (TMR) system is designed to maximize light transmission and color contrast, allowing the shooter to keep hunting when the light is starting to fail.  Leupold has really pulled out all the stops with the LRP and has pretty much every conceivable base covered.

TMR reticle. Excellent Mil-based reticle, but without the large, vision obscuring mil-dots. Photo courtecy of Leupold’s product manual

I mounted Leupold’s LRP to a Radian Weapons Model 1 using Leupolds one-piece Mark 2 mount.  This provides the optimal height for mounting on an AR pattern rifle.  While this isn’t the rifle with the most long-range potential that I own, it is the most accurate and is the one I have the best “feel” for.  It is an entirely predictable rifle, devoid of surprises.  I picked up a quick zero at 50 yards, then dialed it in at 100 yards.  Deciding the LRP needed a poor-mans “box test” to gauge repeat-ability in turret adjustments, I cranked each knob a full turn-and-a-half in each direction, then back to zero.  No problems there, the LRP had me back to zero.  When I started working out to 200 yards and beyond, the fog that had been on-and-off all day rolled back in, limiting my visibility severely.

Leupold VX-3i LRP 4.5-14x FFP | Precision optic quick-look

So while I wasn’t able to sling lead past 200 for long, I was able to do a lot of shooting between 50-150 yards and kept wrenching on the windage and elevation turrets all day long.  When I returned them to zero, the scope obeyed.  The glass was impressively clear and bright, despite fighting the fog and a gray rainy day.  The Leupold LRP is another bullseye out of Oregon.  While MSRP is $12934.99, street price is more like $949.  Check it out!

-Rex Nanorum

 

Share This

Filed Under: Optics and Sights Tagged With: DMR, leupold, Long-range shooting, LRP, Precision, Rex Nanorum, Rifle, Scope, sniper, TMR

About the Author

Avatar

Jens "Rex Nanorum" Hammer is an Alaskan Expatriate living in Oregon with his wife and kids. Growing up on commercial fishing vessels, he found his next adventure with the 2nd Bn, 75th Ranger Regt. After 5 tours to Afghanistan and Iraq, he roamed about the west coast becoming a commercial diver, rated helicopter pilot instructor (CFII) and personal trainer before becoming a staff writer with Loadoutroom.com

See All Jens "Rex Nanorum" Hammer Articles

More From The Loadout Room

Comments

What’s Hot

Top 8 upgrades every Kel-Tec Sub 2000 owner needs: MCARBO parts review
Featured

Top 8 upgrades every Kel-Tec Sub 2000 owner needs: MCARBO parts review

Ammunition

The Reasons Why FBI Went to Back to 9mm

AR Build Kits under $300
Firearms Technology

Peak AR: Davidson Defense AR Build Kits under $300

Firearms

Covert Operations Case - Keep Your SMG Discreet

SEAL CQBR
Rifle

The M4A1 and CQBR/Mk 18 5.56x45mm

Email Newsletter

Sign up to receive email updates daily and to hear what's going on with us!

In Case You Missed It

Firearms

Covert Operations Case – Keep Your SMG Discreet

February 26, 2021 Leave a Comment

Gear Reviews

KA-BAR LDK – Slash, Stab, and Escape

February 22, 2021 Leave a Comment

Firearms

The Flash 5 From Tactaload – Best Shotgun Stock

February 12, 2021 Leave a Comment

Firearms

The Romeo5XDR – Budget Blasting Red Dot

February 1, 2021 Leave a Comment

Get it on Google Play

© Copyright 2021 Crate Club Group · All Rights Reserved.

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Advertisers