Leupold VX-3HD 3.5-10x40 CDS-ZL

HuntingSFPMOA1-inch tube

The Leupold VX-3HD 3.5-10x40 CDS-ZL is a 3.5-10×40 SFP scope on a 1-inch tube with a Duplex reticle and 0.25 MOA clicks. Across its range the exit pupil runs from an estimated 11.4 mm down to 4 mm at 10×, where the twilight factor is 20. It is the lightest of the 8 hunting scopes here, at 13.1 oz.

Approx. price: ~$599
Magnification: 3.5-10×
Objective: 40 mm
Weight: 13.1 oz

Best for

Big-game hunting inside about 400 yards

Manufacturer’s product page — not an affiliate link. Price and availability there may differ from our snapshot.

Derived optics

estimated

Exit pupil: 11.4–4 mm (3.5×–10×)
Twilight factor: 20 at 10×
Zoom ratio: 2.9×

Exit pupil and twilight factor are computed from the published magnification and objective diameter, not measured. Real exit pupil is also capped by the erector at low magnification, and coatings and glass quality move low-light performance in ways the formula cannot see — read these as comparisons between layouts, not verdicts on scopes.

Specifications

Manufacturer-published figures, read from leupold.com. MOA/MRAD conversions use 3.438 MOA per mil.

Magnification: 3.5-10×
Objective lens: 40 mm
Focal plane: SFP
Reticle: Duplex
Illuminated: No
Turret unit: MOA
Per click: 0.25 MOA (0.26″ at 100 yd)
Elevation travel: 55 MOA (≈16 MRAD)
Windage travel: 55 MOA
Zero stop: Yes
Turrets: Capped
Parallax: Fixed 150 yd
Eye relief: 3.6–4.4″
Field of view: 29–11 ft at 100 yd
Tube: 1-inch
Length: 12.67″
Weight: 13.1 oz
Country of origin: USA
Warranty: Lifetime Guarantee

Features

SFP
MOA
1-inch tube
Zero stop
Capped turrets
Fixed parallax
Under 16 oz
Lifetime warranty
Made in USA

For it, on paper

+ 13.1 oz on a 1-inch tube, one of the lightest dialable hunting scopes at this magnification
+ CDS-ZL elevation dial: a single-revolution dial that only turns when the ZeroLock button is pressed and returns to a hard zero
+ 3.6-4.4 in of eye relief leaves margin on hard-kicking rifles
+ Custom Dial System lets you order a laser-marked drop dial matched to your load
+ Designed, machined and assembled in the USA with a lifetime guarantee

Against it, on paper

− Fixed 150 yd parallax with no adjustment, so the image cannot be sharpened inside about 50 yd or on small targets at 10x
− 1-inch maintube limits total travel to 55 MOA, versus 75 MOA on the 30 mm VX-5HD
− Only the elevation dial is a CDS-ZL; windage stays a capped turret