Leupold Vari X Series Instructions Manual

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A click for each adjustment division can be both heard and felt so adjustments
to the scope can be made without looking at the dials. Indicators on the
micrometer portion of the dial show the number of complete 360˚ rotations
that have been made. 
BULLET DROP COMPENSATION DIALS
Special bullet drop compensation (BDC) elevation dials are featured on
selected scopes. These dials are calibrated to achieve adjustment to specific
distances rapidly by distance indicators marked directly on the dials.
Detailed information on the use of BDC dials is available in the Bullet Drop
Compensation Dial Supplemental Instructions. 
						

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ZEROING THE WINDAGE AND ELEVATION
DIALS AFTER SIGHTING IN
All Leupold scopes feature adjustment dials, either numbered or with an
indicator, that can be repositioned to align the marked zero of the dial with
the position indicator without changing the adjustment setting of the scope
that was achieved when sighting-in. This allows the shooter to know the original
zero of the rifle in the event that further adjustments are made in the field.
To reposition the dials on VX
TM-I and Fixed Power models, move the outer-
mostdial so that the zero aligns with the stamped line indicator mark on the
top of the adjustment screw that is perpendicular to the coin slot.
VX-I and Fixed Power 
dials adjust easily to indicate 
the new zero position. 
						

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VX-II and Vari-X III models have a pointer dial that moves with the
adjustment slot. This dial also can be moved independently to align with the
zero on the outermost dial. To reposition this dial simply rotate it until the
pointer is aligned with the zero.
To reposition the dials on Target and Tactical models:
1.
Loosen the set screws that surround the top of the knob until the cylinder
turns freely. 
2.
Move the cylinder dial by hand to align the zero with the white 
perpendicular mark at the base of the cylinder.
3.
Tighten the set screws until the cylinder is secure.
Target-style dials 
can be adjusted 
to the new zero 
position by 
loosening the 
set screws, rotating the dial,
and tightening the set screws. VX-ll and 
Vari-X III dials
have a separate 
pointer dial 
that can be
adjusted to indicate the 
new zero position. 
						

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CENTERING WINDAGE AND ELEVATION ADJUSTMENTS
TO ACHIEVE OPTIMUM ADJUSTMENT TRAVELMaking windage and elevation adjustments moves the entire erector system
horizontally and vertically inside the scope. If the erector system is off to one
side – as a result of having been mounted on a non-adjustable mount – the
adjustments won’t provide equal travel in all directions. To regain full balanced
travel, you must recenter the adjustment as follows:
1.
Turn the windage adjustment to the point that it stops moving.
2.
Counting the clicks or hash marks, turn it all the way in the other direction.
3.
Turn the dial back half the amount of clicks or hash marks counted.
4.
Repeat this process for the elevation adjustment. 
						

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[
W
hat you should know 
about variable power scopes
]
Leupold variable power scopes allow you to select from a range of magnifi-
cations to suit your particular rifle, cartridge, and shooting needs.
WARNING:Do not loosen the screw in the power selector ring. 
Doing so will release the internal nitrogen that keeps the scope fog-free.
Loosening the screw will also disconnect a pin that controls the internal
operations, causing other problems that would require factory repairs. 
Do not lubricate the power selector ring; doing so is unnecessary.
All variable power scopes have a power selector ring in front of the 
eyepiece assembly. Turn the ring to align the number indicating the desired
magnification with the gold dot on the body of the scope. 
						

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RANGE ESTIMATING WITH
VARI
-X III 
SCOPES
Selected Vari-X III scopes have a built-in range estimator. This system uses
the Duplex
®reticle in combination with an additional set of numbers on 
the power selector ring. In scopes with this feature the space between the tip
of the thicker post of the Duplex reticle and the center of the reticle covers
16 inches at 200 yards (the size of a Whitetail buck from backbone to brisket).
NOTE:The Duplex reticle was designed to estimate ranges based on the back-
bone to brisket dimension of a Whitetail buck. The distance of other game with a
body dimension that is known to be 16 inches (or 32 inches if the measurement is
taken from post to post
instead of post to crosshair)
may certainly be estimated. 
It is always helpful to 
know the physical size of 
your target whenever you 
estimate range.
Range
Power
Figure F 
						

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Bracket the animal from 
backbone to brisket.
On scopes with this feature, the numbers facing forward show the scope’s
magnification settings. The numbers facing the back are for ranging and
show the distances in yards, as shown in Figure F.
To estimate range, follow these steps:
1.
View the target through the scope.
2.
When targeting an animal with a body that is 16 inches from backbone
to brisket, adjust the power selector until that area of the animal’s body
fits between the center of the crosshair and the top of the lower heavy post.
3.
Read the number on the power selector ring to determine the approxi-
mate distance in yards. 
						

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UNDERSTANDING PARALLAX
Parallax is the apparent movement of the target relative to the reticle when
you move your eye away from the center point of the eyepiece. It occurs
when the target does not fall on the same optical plane as the reticle.
Maximum parallax occurs when your eye is at the very edge of the exit
pupil. (Even in this unlikely event, our 4x hunting scope focused for 150
yards has a maximum error of only 8/10ths of an inch at 500 yards.)
At short distances, the parallax effect does not affect accuracy. (Using the
same 4x scope at 100 yards, the maximum error is less than 2/10ths of an
inch.)  It is also good to remember that, as long as you are sighting straight
through the middle of the scope, or close to it, parallax will have virtually 
no effect on accuracy in a hunting situation.
ABOUT FIXED PARALLAX DISTANCE SCOPES
Any fixed focus optical system can be adjusted to be parallax free at 
only one distance. Most Leupold scopes are adjusted at the factory to be 
parallax-free at 150 yards.
However, there are exceptions: 
						

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1.
Leupold Compact RF Special scopes are set to be parallax-free at 60 yards.
2.
Leupold Shotgun scopes are set to be parallax-free at 75 yards.
3.
Leupold Handgun (EER) and Compact 2.5x scopes are set to be 
parallax-free at 100 yards.
4.
Leupold Turkey Ranger scopes are set to be parallax-free at 40 yards.
THE ADVANTAGE OF ADJUSTABLE
PARALLAX SETTING SCOPES
Target shooting and varmint hunting demand extreme accuracy. You must
have a scope with a parallax adjustment dial for precise shooting at various ranges.
To adjust the parallax distance, 
turn the focus ring. 
						

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The parallax adjustment can be located either at the objective end of the
scope or on the side of the adjustment turret housing. The adjustment moves
a lens within the scope causing the image and the reticle to fall on the same
optical plane. This ensures optimal accuracy at the distance of the target.
To eliminate parallax in adjustable objective scopes, follow these steps:
1.
The reticle should be clear (focused) before adjusting the focus ring. 
If it is not, follow the instructions under “Focusing the Reticle.”
2.
Estimate the distance to the target in yards. Turn the focus ring to
match the number indicating the estimated range.
3.
With the firearm in a stable position, look through the scope, 
concentrating on the center aiming point of the reticle. Move your 
head slightly up and down. The aiming point should remain in
exactly the same position against the target; if it moves, slightly 
rotate the focus ring until it becomes stable.
NOTE:Settings may vary slightly per individual preferences, air temperature, 
and atmospheric conditions.