Leupold 3-9x33 EFR

[Sam Vimes]

Just a quick one, no danger of a full review as all I've done is an HFT setup and I've yet to use it in anger. There's still a good chance of it all going horribly wrong but the following points will remain true even if it does.

1) Bought for HFT as I like to see what I miss. You want depth of field? This scope has it in spades, the greatest DOF that I've ever seen on a scope and that includes a Leupold MK4 3-9x36. perfectly usable with a 20 metre px setting from 12 to 55 yards. It's just starting to blur at around 10 and 45 yards.

2) Optics, as good as you would expect from Leupold. Sucks in the available light very, very well giving a nice bright sight picture. Yet to be tried looking into really shaded spots in woodland but here's hoping that the ret doesn't disappear or the picture darken too much! Made my favourite HFT scope, the Nikko 10x42 Sniper look pretty bloody awful even though I know it's far from bad.

3) Adjustments, Front PA is very smooth but as it'll be used for HFT chances are that it won't be moved very much once I settle on the final setting.
Turrets, weird this one, there are no clicks. Not a big drama but quite unusual as far as I'm concerned. I found it a little disconcerting to start with but I'm sure I'll get used to it.
Mag zoom, damned stiff, bloody awkward to actually turn. Pleased that it's for HFT and won't move as it's damned near impossible to move!

4) Reticle, not a standard duplex affair on this puppy. It's a scope that I've been hoping to acquire for quite some time. I don't suppose that there are many about, and there won't be any more, as it's a Premier Reticles Mil-dot conversion. As far as I can tell, I've yet to get the proper test pattern out, it's true on 9x, unlike the Leup custom shop version. It's also an unusual USMC mil-dot pattern. The dots are actually elliptical and the cross hairs seem a little finer than many.

5) Finish, it's a second hand scope of a reasonable vintage but the quality still oozes out of it. A lovely gloss finish that has stood the test of time and still looks excellent.

I hope that Tim F got it right when he said that this little EFR could possibly be the best HFT scope available, provided it was made available with a true Mil-Dot/TMR reticle. So far so good, lets see how well it stands up to the rigours of competition. Hopefully I won't end up going back to the Nikko Snipers but I'll be keeping hold of them for quite some time yet, just in case.
Despite the standard model only being available with variations on the duplex reticle I'm a little surprised that there aren't more people using these scopes on air rifles. There are still plenty of people out there that prefer duplex. Last time I checked these can be bought from the USA for around the £200 mark (not inc P+P or potential customs charges). At the price you can do an awful lot worse. I suspect that the fashion for high mag, large objectives, target turrets and sidewheel PX will keep them pretty much ignored though.

[Davestate]

The only problem with the EFR is when it comes to shooting in dark backgrounds, wooded areas and the likes. You'll only then realise how little light actually gets into the scope.

[The Pie Man]

Good read, look forward to your results after a good testing.

[Sam Vimes]

Good read, look forward to your results after a good testing.

Lets hope my experience doesn't match yours!

[The Pie Man]

The quality is superb, the scope in gloss finish is brilliant, the clarity was out of this world, but unfortunately not all scopes suit all eyes.
I hope its suits you mate.

[jinx]

The only problem with the EFR is when it comes to shooting in dark backgrounds, wooded areas and the likes. You'll only then realise how little light actually gets into the scope.

Having the Leup Vari XIII EFR 6.5-20x40, i would have to disagree with this. I was using a Falcon Menace 10x42 and a Bushnell 3200 elite 10x40 prior to the Leup for hft. As Shepreth's course is in the woods and sometimes quite dark when the trees are fully covered, i found the Leup coped much better and still appeared brighter, also i lose the ret a lot less than previously.

With the better quality glass, i find it is much easier to identify the edge of the kill zone once it has been turned into a big grey splat and rarley have to pull the string to give me a clue.

[Sam Vimes]

In Dave's defence, I suspect that he was talking purely about the 3-9x33 EFR model and not both EFR models. You've got an extra 7mm of objective lens which is bound to improve the light gathering capabilities of the bigger of the two EFRs.

[Davestate]

In Dave's defence, I suspect that he was talking purely about the 3-9x33 EFR model and not both EFR models. You've got an extra 7mm of objective lens which is bound to improve the light gathering capabilities of the bigger of the two EFRs.

Exactamundo. Jinx, do keep up dear chap.

[The Pie Man]

I didnt want to say anything..

[blackscale]

I have the 33mm EFR...brilliant scope!
I personally think it keeps it's sight picture very well even in dark conditions!
i guess you will always trade light gathering for DOf but with this sort of quality glass...No worries!

PS i have a duplex ret, if you sell your's can i have first refusal!?
Thanks Mike.

[steveggg]

Nice review Chris,

I have 2, 1 with Duplex, 1 with Leup Custom Shop Midot, the dots are eliptical and are 3/4 Mildot.

Used the Mildot last Sunday, after putting it on a new gun and zeroing on the Friday.

Took 3rd in Springer at the Sizzler, very impressed with the scope, shame i can't shoot as well as the scope/gun performs.

Looks like the Duplex is of to Leupold for a new reticle.

[jinx]

Exactamundo. Jinx, do keep up dear chap.

Which you did not state in your post

[Sam Vimes]

Anybody tried to find Butler Creeks for these little scopes? What a PITA, not many places stock such little BCs these days. I ended up getting the front end one at one place and the rear at another. The front end one was such old stock we had to blow the dust off the packaging and it's the old type with that little bit of self adhesive foam to act as a buffer.
Reinforced my suggestion that little scopes are so far out of fashion it's untrue. Perhaps like other fashions it's time they made a comeback.

[Davestate]

Which you did not state in your post

Didn't think I needed to as the OP was reviewing a 3-9x33 and I referenced "the EFR"...

Regarding Butler Creeks, I'll dig my 3-9x33 EFR out tomorrow and tell you which size fits. Also, I have a set of Leupold Alumina covers that I'll sell as I prefer the BC's. Also have a Stoney Point Target knob...

[Sam Vimes]

Dave,
I managed to find them in the end. Had to try three different shops to get both though.
How do the Alumina flip ups fit?