Rick's "box" shooting test of the new VX-L scope proved that it was right on the money.

I fired a three-shot group on a clean Leupold 100-yard target then moved the turret knob for 16 clicks of upward point of impact shift. I fired another three shots, moved right 16 clicks, and fired three shots. I moved down 16 clicks and fired three shots, then left 16 clicks to fire the final three shots.

The ammunition I used for this test was from Hornady and loaded with the 150-grain Spirepoint InterLock bullet. I had not fired the rifle before, so I had no idea how the rifle would group with any factory ammunition or handloads. I chose the Hornady ammunition because I have found it to shoot well in other rifles.

The test requires 15 rounds of ammunition and reveals a couple of things. For one, it's important if the first shot after scope adjustment is right where subsequent shots are. You may have experienced other scopes where it takes a shot to jar the crosshair over to where the turret knob was supposed to have moved it. It is important that movements be positive both right and left and up and down without requiring a shot to jar the crosshair into position.

The other thing this test reveals is whether the point-of-impact adjustments made in the scope turret knob show up on target as they should. The three-shot groups should form a square, and the final three shots should impact right among the first three shots fired.

The new Leupold scope scored right on the money on all aspects of this test. I fired groups measuring from 1.75 inches to less than an inch, and the scope adjustments were as precise as could be determined by the rifle's groups. The barrel was getting pretty hot during the test, and I waited for it to cool for the final three shots. The last three shots impacted among the first three shots, and the rifle fired a very tight group for these final three rounds. The rifle was likely still settling into the new stock during the first few shots.

The VX-L's turret knob is clearly marked in gold.

I was surprised that the large-objective scope really looks good on a rifle. It's almost as if the scope is truly mated to the rifle with the lens housing accommodating the barrel.

If you want added light gathering capability but have avoided large objective scopes because they cannot be mounted low, check out the new Leupold VX-L. It does what no other scope can.