Spy Photos: New 7-42X Leupold VX-6 Scope Revealed at Raton
Here’s a shocker — Leupold has built a 7-42X long range scope. This new scope has a 34mm tube, and target turrets with a zero stop for BOTH windage and elevation. That’s right, there’s a zero stop on the windage turret.
We were shown this new 7-42X Leupold by USA F-TR Team Vice Captain Mike Miller. Mike literally grabbed this editor’s arm and said “You’ve got to see this new Leupold — it’s fantastic.”
First Field Tests Show Great Promise
Mike has compared this new Leupold 7-42X scope on his rifles with high-magnification scopez from Nightforce and March and he told us: “You’re going to love this Leupold. It’s bright, really, really sharp and it has a great field of view”. Mike said that the new Leupold, when compared to a Nightforce at similar magnification, has a wider field of view: “I can see more of the range, more flags, with the Leupold.” Mike also praised the new, unique Windage Zero Stop: “With a stop on the Windage, I can just move back to my baseline and never worry that I’m off a full turn — that’s important for competition.”
How the Windage Control Works
Mike Miller explained that, while Leupold has used the terminology of “windage zero stop”, the feature is more an adjustable windage center. You can still go both ways (left and right) after setting the stop. However you have the ability to adjust the horizontal turret markings so the zero indicator on the windage dial is at true horizontal center — for your gun and barrel. That way you can dial to zero on the windage dial and know that your horizontal POI will be dead center for a no-wind condition. But you do have the ability to adjust both left and right. It is not an end-of-travel “zero stop” as that term is used for elevation turrets.
The new 7-42X is not in production yet. Mike reports: “Leupold has built just six (6) of these new scope and we’ll be testing a couple here at Raton.” We don’t know the exact weight of the new scope — Leupold has not provided detailed specifications. However, we couldn’t help but notice the big 34mm tube. Mike says there is over 50 MOA of elevation available. As for price — your guess is as good as ours. This is still a prototype, so we have no idea what the scope will cost, or when it will hit the market. But we can say that Leupold now has a scope to compete directly with the high-magnification scopes from March and Nightforce. We presume that the new 7-42X Leupold will eventually sell for less than the Nightforce 15-55x52mm Competition scope. Stay tuned for more information.
There’s a new Leupold VX-6 Long-Range Scope to compete with the Nightforce Benchrest and NXS Models. In a surprise unveiling, Leupold send a couple prototype 7-42X scopes to Raton.
This should be interesting to watch as it unfolds. Less than a Nightforce…I wouldn’t hold my breath for that. I think that Leupold is trying to beat them at their (and March’s) own game, not provide a more economical alternative.
And the price tag?
If you have to ask, you probably can’t afford it. The average working stiff certainly will not be able to.
“…will eventually retail for quite a bit less than the Nightforce” – Not a chance.
You left out the model reference. We guessed it would be cheaper than the new 15-55x52mm Nightforce competition, which retails for $2231.00. That scope is considerably more expensive than the previous generation 12-42X competition NF. Since it has less total power, we do expect the new Leupold to cost less than the 15-55x NF.
I am a leupold fan I have used them for 45 years. Their products are among the best if not the best in the world. It sure took them long enough the come out with a high power scope . I wish I had one of these to test.I can not wait until these are available.
My guess would be in the $1500-1700 range. Or $1999.99
Can’t wait till they come out.
My NF 15-55 was one of many to die at Raton. I gave it away before I left the range.
I think its great to finally see leupold get in the game. But 7 power who is going to use 7 power..come on we need more on the top end. say 10 to 50 power or 15 to 60 power. really no one will use 7 power. its not a hunting scope 34mm tube it’s a monster never going to put it on a hunting rifle to use 7 power.
I like the 7-42x gives ya options!
Can not use much more power than 42 anyway
On my new build, this IS the scope I will be putting on it. My rifle is a hybrid. I am going to hunt with it ie 7x. I want to shoot long range ie 42x. Great idea from leupold. I am a leupold shooter and I will wait, and I will pay.
this thing is magnificent, I love this scope with my AWM and M24 Sniper rifle. Also, I just see many images between 5x, 10x, 25x, 30x, 35x, and last 42x, there is big different b/w each of them.