Leupold VX-6HD Gen 2 Sets A New Standard — SHOT Show 2025

in Riley Baxter, SHOT Show 2025

Published On: January 21, 2025 Updated: January 21, 2025 BY Riley Baxter

Leupold released a new and improved Gen 2 VX-6HD lineup at SHOT Show 2025. This new product line is the same as the VX-6HD that you know and love, but with a new turret system. Well, there’s more to it than that, but this is the most obvious change.

The VX-6HD Gen 2 also has an improved internal geometry that creates space for more elevation and windage travel as well as a slight change in appearance of the illumination button and throw lever.

CDS-SZL2 Dial

Closeup of a rifle scope from the ocular lens side. — Notice how the Alumina flip-back lens cover has neodymium magnets and a lever that aids in keeping the cover closed and opening it, respectively. These Alumina lens covers are made from aluminum and thread into the optic for maximum strength.

The new VX-6HD Gen 2 comes with two CDS-SZL2 dials from Leupold which can be handy in many scenarios.

Thanks to the new SpeedSet dial technology that provides easy and toolless dial removal and zeroing, you can now have DOPE for 2 different ammunition types, two different locations, or two different temperatures, and the list goes on.

This dial is easily removed with the press of a button and the lifting of a lever on top of the dials themselves. Once that has been done, the dial can be simply lifted off the optic or an adjustment to the zero can be made.

Close up look at the turret system of a rifle scope. — These are the most unique turrets that I have ever seen. Pushing in a button on the dial and lifting the lever it is attached to will allow the dial to be removed or adjusted.

Different Models Available

Leupold offers several magnification ranges with the VX-6HD Gen 2, ensuring you have the right scope for your specific needs. Whether you’re going for a closer shot or taking aim from long distances, there’s a configuration for you:

1-6×24 for close-range shooting
2-12×42 for a bit more flexibility
3-18×44 and 3-18×50 for mid-range and long-distance shots
3-18×56 and 4-24×52 for those times when you need ultimate clarity at extreme distances

These options make it easy to tailor the scope to your hunt, giving you the flexibility you need without compromising performance. This new and improved Gen 2 line costs a few hundred dollars more than the original model, but you get many improvements for this additional cost.

The VX-6HD Gen 2 has an MSRP that ranges from $1,999.99 to $2,699.99, depending on the magnification range you select. Another thing that varies depending on the magnification range you choose is the weight. These optics weigh between 17.4 and 26.2 ounces.

Superior Coatings, Illumination, And Durability

The VX-6HD Gen 2 is tough. It’s designed to be waterproof, fogproof, and is guaranteed to perform for life. Leupold puts these scopes through their Punisher testing process to ensure they can handle heavy recoil and extreme conditions.

Whether you’re in a downpour or dealing with dusty conditions, you can rely on this scope to keep performing.

Peering at the rifle scope from the objective lense side, a scope cap is open and the shiny glass lens can be seen. — The advanced coatings on the lenses of the VX-6HD Gen 2 are the same as the previous generation, which means the same toughness and clarity are guaranteed.

Hunting at dawn or dusk means dealing with tricky light, but the VX-6HD Gen 2 comes with features that help you out. It offers illuminated reticles, including the FireDot® option, which makes it easier to get a visible aiming point in low-light conditions.

Whether you’re tracking game early in the morning or late at night, the illumination keeps the reticle easily visible. And with Motion Sensor Technology (MST™), the scope’s illumination system automatically turns off when you’re not using it, saving battery life when it counts.

Key Features

Professional-Grade Optical System
6:1 zoom ratio
SpeedSet™ Dial Technology
30mm and 34mm maintubes
Fast-focus eyepiece
Guard-ion lens coating
Scratch-resistant lenses
Ultra-lightweight design
Alumina® Flip-Back lens covers
Integrated throw lever
Waterproof
Fogproof
Guaranteed for life

The parallax knob of the rifle scope is shown on the left side. you can also see the locking button on the elevation turret. — The illuminated reticle is powered on with the press of the button located on the parallax knob. The brightness can also be adjusted with additional presses of this button.

Illuminated Reticle Features

Motion Sensor Technology (MST™)
Electronic Reticle Leveling
Available FireDot® illumination
Push-button illumination
8 illumination settings
CR2032 coin cell battery

Available Reticles

My Single complaint about this rifle scope comes into play in this section: reticle selection. Leupold has produced an incredibly capable and versatile long-range centered optic.

Still, they did not provide any updated, modern reticles. Instead you have the options of the Illuminated FireDot Duplex®, Illuminated

Closeup look at the elevation and windage turret of the rifle scope. The locking button for each is visible. — The elevation and windage turret both feature a locking button and the SpeedSet dial technology.

TMOA™, Illuminated FireDot Boone & Crockett™, And Illuminated FireDot Twilight Hunter. Of these, the Illuminated TMOA reticle is probably the most capable and useful for identifying shot corrections.

Also, keep in mind that all of these optics are second focal plane, meaning the subtensions only accurately represent their value on the maximum magnification.

Still, there are a lot of cool features that make this an excellent choice as a hunting optic.

Learn more about the Leupold VX-6HD Gen 2 here.

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