I am not a subject matter expert on rifle scopes. In fact, I am not well informed on scopes and I read posts about comparing scopes for clarity, light transmission, etc. But when I try to see for myself I generally can't see much difference between quality scopes.

I am going to install a scope that I already own on a Remington 700 .308 for hunting. While I might take a 400 yard shot on a hated hog, my longest shot on a game animal (deer, etc) would be inside of 300 yards and most inside of 200 yards. It won't help to recommend something I don't already own because I'm not buying another scope.

I rarely sell a scope so I have some choices on hand and would appreciate advice from folks that are better educated on these matters.

I have a Leupold VX-6(not HD) 3-18X50 CDS Illuminated w/Boone & Crockett reticle.

My other option is a VX-5HD 3-15X44 CDS-ZL2 Illuminated Firedot Duplex. Both scopes have side focus if that matters.

Does the HD glass on the VX-5 make it superior to the VX-6?

I would appreciate your recommendations.

In my opinion it is better. Some on here say otherwise. Leupold says it’s different glass as well. Plus the firedot duplex is the best hunting reticle I’ve ever used. My first ones were in VX-Rs then in in 5 & 6 HDs.

I can’t tell the difference in clarity between the two but low light performance is significant to my eye. The HD is better.

I killed a hog last year at about 300 yards, in extremely dim light. Luckily, I knew the distance, but that wouldn’t have helped much if I had not had the fire dot in the VX5 (same scope you have).

So, dim light, black hog, black crosshairs. The thing that mattered was the fire dot.

I have both, and like them equally, for different reasons. I bought my VX6 before Leupold came out with the "HD" designation. The size and weight of the VX5 HD on my 20" CTR in .308 makes it a great all around, practical in the field scope. The 50mm objective and 18x on the VX6 is fantastic when I want to shoot at something way out there. I can't tell the difference in the glass. They both seem to create light when there is none. I've killed a lot of stuff with both, but for my go to hunting rifle scope it would be the VX5 HD.

I have the VX5 HD and love it. Great clarity and the fire dot is a nice option. Don’t have the 6 so can’t help there but would buy another 5 HD if the right rifle comes along.

If your not married to SFP there are far better options out there. I’ll take tract torics all day over leupy. They are very overrated.

I would use the HD glass for sure.

I love them!