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Burris vs Leupold Scopes: Comparing the Best Scopes for Hunting and Shooting

burris vs leupold scopes
Written by Dan Goldsmith
Last Update: August 11, 2023

When it comes to choosing a scope for hunting and shooting, there are a lot of options on the market. Two of the most popular brands among shooters and hunters are Burris and Leupold. Both brands have a reputation for producing high-quality scopes that are durable, reliable, and packed with features. But which brand is the better choice for you? Which one is the best between Burris vs Leupold scopes?

Here we will take a closer look at Burris and Leupold scopes debate and compare them across a number of key factors to help you decide.

Burris vs Leupold: Comparison of Features

When it comes to scopes, the quality of the optics is arguably the most important factor. After all, a scope is only as good as the image it produces. Both Burris and Leupold scopes are known for producing clear and bright images, but there are some key differences to consider.

Optical Clarity

Burris scopes use high-quality lenses with multi-coated surfaces that help to reduce glare and improve light transmission. Leupold scopes, on the other hand, use a proprietary lens coating called the Twilight Max Light Management System. This coating is designed to enhance image brightness in low-light conditions, making Leupold scopes ideal for early morning and late evening hunts.

Durability and Build Quality

Both Burris and Leupold scopes are built to last. They hold high standards in terms of durability and build quality.

Burris scopes are constructed with aircraft-grade aluminum, and so are the Leupold scopes. Both are lightweight yet extremely strong.

Reticle Options

Another important factor to consider when choosing a scope is the reticle. Reticles are the crosshairs or other markings that you use to aim the scope.

Both Burris and Leupold offer a wide range of reticle options, but there are some key differences to consider. Burris scopes tend to have a more traditional duplex reticle, which is a simple crosshair design that’s easy to use.

On the other hand, Leupold scopes tend to have more advanced reticles, such as Mil-Dot or TMR (tactical milling reticle). These types of reticle are more suitable for long-range shooting.

Adjustability and Ease of Use

Burris and Leupold scopes are easy to use and offer a wide range of adjustability options.

Burris scopes use a simple finger-adjustable system that makes it easy to adjust in the field.

Leupold scopes, on the other hand, use a more advanced adjustment system, which is still easy to use but offers a greater range of adjustability.

Turret Adjustment

Leupold is known for its finger-adjustable turrets that can be easily adjusted in the field. Burris also offers finger-adjustable turrets, but they have a bit more resistance, which may be a con for some shooters who prefer a smoother adjustment.

Leupold also offers zero-stop turrets that allow for quick and easy return to zero after elevation adjustments.

Eye Relief

Eye relief is the distance between the eyepiece and the shooters eye where the full field of view can be seen.

Burris scopes offer a generous eye relief of up to 4 inches, making them suitable for a wide range of shooting positions.

Leupold scopes also offer a generous eye relief, but some models may have a slightly shorter eye relief of around 3.5 inches, which could be a concern for some shooters who prefer longer eye relief.

Warranty

Both Leupold and Burris offer excellent warranty on their scopes. Leupold limited two year guarantee to the electronic products and limited lifetime guarantee to performance eyewear.

And when it comes to Burris, all of their products have the Burrs forever warranty, except the thermal products. This means, they will either repair your product or replace it. This warranty also gets automatically transferred to future owners.

Check Out Our Pro-Recommended Leupold Scopes!

Product Name Thumbnail Features Price
Burris Fullfield II Burris Fullfield II
  • Magnification: 4.5-14
  • Objective Lens Diameter: 42mm
  • Field Of View: 7.5ft.
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Burris Eliminator III Burris Eliminator III
  • Magnification: 4-16
  • Objective Lens Diameter: 50mm
  • Field Of View: 9ft.
Check Price
Leupold VX-3i Leupold VX-3i
  • Magnification: 5-10
  • Objective Lens Diameter: 40mm
Check Price
Leupold VX-Freedom Leupold VX-Freedom
  • Magnification: 2-7
  • Objective Lens Diameter: 33mm
  • Field Of View: 17.8ft.
Check Price

Burris vs Leupold Scopes for Different Firearms

Depending on the type of firearm you have and the type of shooting you’ll be doing, one brand may be a better fit for you than the other.

Burris vs Leupold for Rifles

Both Burris and Leupold offer a wide range of scopes that are suitable for rifles.

Burris scopes tend to be more affordable, and they offer a wide range of reticle options that are easy to use.

Leupold scopes, on the other hand, tend to be more expensive, but they offer more advanced reticle options and greater adjustability.

Burris vs Leupold for Shotguns

Burris scopes tend to be a better fit for shotguns, as they offer a wide field of view and a generous eye relief, which is important for quick target acquisition.

Leupold scopes also offer a wide field of view and a generous eye relief, but due to their price, the Burris may be a better option for you.

Burris vs Leupold for Handguns

When it comes to Leupold vs Burris handgun scopes, the former tends to be a better fit, as they offer a more compact and lightweight design.

Burris scopes, on the other hand, tend to be larger and heavier.

Comparison of Price Range

There are a variety of options available from both Burris and Leupold when it comes to price.

Entry-level Scopes

If you are looking for an amazing scope that won’t put a dent in your wallet, Burris’ entry-level scopes could be the perfect fit for you. Not only are they loaded with features, but they come at a very reasonable price point that won’t break the bank.

Leupold also has some great entry-level scopes; however, they may be a bit pricier than those from Burris.

Mid-range Scopes

When it comes to the mid-range section, there are plenty of great options to choose from both Leupold and Burris scopes. That being said, Leupold scopes tend to be a bit pricier – but their quality is worth the extra cost!

High-end Scopes

When it comes to high-end scopes, Leupold offers some great feature-rich options. They are designed for long-range shooting. These scopes are built to withstand the toughest hunting and shooting conditions and offer a high level of adjustability.

Alternatively, high-end scopes from Burris tend to be less expensive compared to the Leupold ones.

Product Name Thumbnail Features Price
Check Out Our Pro-Recommended Burris & Leupold Entry-level Scopes!
Burris Fullfield IV Burris Fullfield IV
  • Magnification: 2.5-10
  • Objective Lens Diameter: 42mm
  • Style: Ballistic E3 Reticle
Check Price
Leupold VX-Freedom Leupold VX-Freedom
  • Magnification: 2-7
  • Objective Lens Diameter: 33mm
  • Style: UltimateSlam Reticle
Check Price
Check Out Our Pro-Recommended Burris & Leupold Mid-range Scopes!
BURRIS Eliminator III BURRIS Eliminator III
  • Magnification: 4-16
  • Objective Lens Diameter: 50mm
  • Style: Eliminator III
Check Price
Leupold VX-3 Leupold VX-3
  • Magnification: 2.5-8
  • Objective Lens Diameter: 32mm
  • Style: VX-3
Check Price
Check Out Our Pro-Recommended Burris & Leupold High-end Scopes!
Burris RT Series Long Range Rifle Scope Burris RT Series Long Range Rifle Scope
  • Magnification: 5-25
  • Objective Lens Diameter: 56mm
  • Reticle: SCR Mil
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Leupold Mark 5HD 7-35x56mm Rifle Scope Leupold Mark 5HD 7-35x56mm Rifle Scope
  • Magnification: 7-35
  • Objective Lens Diameter: 56mm
  • Reticle: Mark 5HD
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Pros and Cons Of Burris vs Leupold

When it comes to scopes, both Leupold and Burris have their own unique set of pros and cons.

Pros of Burris Scopes

  • Affordable prices
  • Wide range of reticle options
  • Easy-to-use adjustability
  • Durable construction
  • Generous eye relief
  • Limited lifetime warranty

Pros of Leupold Scopes

  • High-quality optics
  • Advanced reticle options
  • Greater adjustability
  • Built to withstand tough hunting and shooting conditions
  • Finger-adjustable turrets
  • Zero-stop turrets
  • Lifetime warranty

Cons of Burris Scopes

  • Less advanced reticle options compared to Leupold
  • Less adjustability compared to Leupold
  • Turrets have more resistance
  • Limited lifetime warranty

Cons of Leupold Scopes

  • More expensive than comparable Burris scopes
  • Less budget-friendly options
  • Shorter eye relief on some models

Which one should you choose?

Both scopes are of high quality and packed with features, making either a great choice for hunting and shooting. However, depending on your needs and preferences, one brand may be a better fit for you.

If you’re looking for an affordable, easy-to-use scope with a wide range of reticle options, then a Burris scope may be the best choice for you.

But if you want a scope that’s built to withstand tough hunting and shooting conditions, offers advanced reticle options, zero-stop turrets, greater adjustability and lifetime warranty, then a Leupold scope may be the best choice for you.

Ultimately, the choice between Burris and Leupold scopes comes down to personal preference, budget and what you’re looking for in a scope.

Final Thoughts

The final decision between the Burris vs Leupold debate comes from personal preference. Both offer some great scopes for shooters and hunters. But ultimately, the choice should match your needs. Take your need and budget into consideration and mix it with the info we have provided regarding the two and make your decision.

About the author

Dan Goldsmith

Hi, this is Dan. We all know firearms are dangerous, but only when one doesn’t know how to use and care for them. I have 30+ years of experience with different types of guns and for the last 10 years, I have taught numerous people how to hold and shoot a gun while staying safe and keeping the surroundings unharmed.

My neighbors are some of my biggest admirers who enjoy talking to me about their guns, firearms safety and maintenance.

Whenever I am able to catch a moment of free time, you will find me enjoying my family or heading to the range on my motorcycle. I have enjoyed shooting sports ever since my dad introduced them to me as a child.

I like to think of myself as an outdoorsman who lives his life to the fullest. I hope you will benefit from my efforts to create valuable resources on this website. Happy reading!

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