I have been a Leupold fan and owner for many years. I recently bought a 25-06 and want to put a 4 x 12 on it with the intention of using the same rifle for groundhog hunting in summer and deer hunting in winter. OK, so here is the question: what is the difference between the Rifleman line and the Vari-I? I have read the specs and I can find so difference. The price is the same in most retailers. Why would Leupold offer two scopes that are so similar?
Thanks in advance.
SteveFinMD

I own a few leupold's vari-x's and rifleman. From what I can tell the vx-1 is a gloss finish and the rifleman is matte. Eye relief the same optical quality the same. My rifleman 2x7x32 has held up quite well on my rem 7600, 35 Whelen for about 300 rds now. Don't think I'll have any problems.

thndrchicken,
Your are partially correct. The Rifleman is only available in matte finish but the Vari-I is available in either matte or glossy. I am going to guess they are trying to appeal to those customers who are familiar with the "Vari" name and are reluctant to try a new line such as the "Rifleman". I have studied their web site and cannot reach any other conclusion.

You can always e-mail Leupold for any additional questions. They have very good response time when it comes to questions by e-mail.

Seems that they have5 different models. Their 30mm line,Vari-X III, II, I, and the rifleman series. Therifleman series is the economy line, mainly because of the quality of lenses and the lenses coatings involved.
My guess anyway.

Most of the leuoplds (VX1, VX11, VX3, LPS, Competition, Rimfire, and 30mm) are made in USA. Although I believe the glass is ground in China or the Phillipines. I suspect the rifleman is made in China under leopolds supervision. Leupoldimports most of thier binocs too. Itis probably a very good scope for the money and is backed by Leupold's excellent warranty. But the rifleman probably does not haveE.D. glass, the coatings are probably inferior to the higher models. It is always hard to tell the limitations of a scope until you compare said scope with higher quality ones side by side under field conditions.