Leupold has moved the bar again with the VX-R Patrol. A crystal clear image, auto illuminated Tactical Milling Reticle with green firedot, and target knob dials in a compact package designed to last. This has to be one of the best all around scopes you can buy. Deer, varmints, night hunting, short or long range, this scope can handle any hunting situation. The FireDot comes on automatically when you move your rifle, and goes off automatically when the rifle is motionless for over 10 minutes. No switches to remember, so the battery lasts much longer. The FireDot can be turned completely off or the brightness can be adjusted with a button on the left side of the scope.
Leupold TMR Reticle Half Mill Increments
Seeing this reticle on paper really does not do it justice. It appears cluttered, but in reality it is not. The scope picture is outstanding and with .5 mil increments, it is much more useful to the average hunter than the standard mildot. The green firedot is even better than the red version, especially in sunny conditions.
Although this reticle is not considered a bullet drop compensating reticle, the average deer rifle (270, 243, 30’06) zeroed at 200 yards puts the first hash mark on target at approximately 250 yards, and second hash mark at 1 Mil will put you on target at 300. Of course you can calculate drop for your particular cartridge but for the average hunter, this reticle will give you a distinct advantage over a standard duplex. You can also order custom CDS dials for standard V-XR but not the Patrol.
Leupold’s Description of the TMR Reticle
•Expands on existing Mil Dot reticle design
•Utilizes hash marks instead of dots for increased ranging and hold-over precision
•Provides aiming points for both wind and bullet drop compensation
•1 MIL is approximately 3.6 inches at 100 yards
•Hash marks are spaced .5 MILs apart, transitioning
•Non-caliber specific
•Mil based systems are the current military standard
Awesafe Single Bedside Gun Safe $65 at AMAZON
Awesafe 2-Handgun Bedside Gun Safe $119 at AMAZON
VX-R Patrol vs. Standard VX-R
I have been using two Leupold VX-R scopes for the past couple of years, a 2×7 on my AR15 and a 3×9 on my Ruger American Predator 243 shown above. Last week I traded for VX-R Patrol 4x12x40 and I think I like it even better than the other two. The primary differences in the Patrol and regular VX-R, is that the Patrol has range and elevation measured in Mills, the FireDot is green and it also has low target type dials. Standard VX-R scopes have a red FireDot and the range and elevation adjustments are in inches . Each click moves the crosshair 1/4” @100 yards. Standard VX-R scopes have the option of the Leupold CDS dial system, while the Patrol is a non-caliber specific milling dial.
On the Patrol, the crosshair moves 1/10 mill per click, which is .36”, or about 1/3”. So if you are the average hunter used to standard MOA dials, the only thing different you have to remember is that 3 clicks instead of 4 to move the crosshair an inch at 100 yards. If on the other hand, you are a skilled rifleman and take the time to fully understand the the milling system, you can take advantage of all the great features of the VX-R Patrol.
