James, I think you are right on all acounts. I read in a post that a e-mail was sent to Leupold asking if they were going to be replacing the VX-lll. In a nut shell the relpy from Leupold Customer Service, Laura Peter. Said they were replacing the VX-lll with a improved VX-lll Golden Ring.

She went to explain the improvments, New index matched lens system, highly precise finger adjustment elevation and windage and reticle focus will be faster and easier with the lockable fast focus.

The reason for the changes were because sales on the VX-lll have droped and more hunters were buying the Zeiss Conquest and Kahles scopes.

I wonder what the price will be on those new VX-lll Gold Rings???