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Pros - Provides accuracy of spread of 1 inch, compared to most products’ 14-inch spread accuracy - Fantastic magnification range for shotguns and muzzleloaders - Fully multicoated optics for optimal light transmission Cons - Reticle is only useful for muzzleloaders and shotguns - Does not include rings for mounting the scope

Welcome to our review of the Leupold UltimateSlam 3-9x40mm Riflescope. This scope is designed for muzzleloaders and shotguns, so don’t buy this if you plan on using it on your centerfire rifle, as well. The reticle is almost useless aside from using it on a muzzleloader or a shotgun. Let’s take a look at how well it stands up to use on those firearms, though.

What Are the Scope’s Dimensions?

This is an extremely lightweight scope, coming in at just 11.2 ounces. It’s 12.6 inches long, with a 1-inch maintube. It’s packed with a 40mm objective lens, offering superb light transmission.

The scope’s eye relief is a generous 4.2 inches, making it a cinch to mount and keep clear of your forehead when you fire your weapon.

How Much Magnification Do I Get From the UltimateSlam?

This scope offers variable zoom from 3X to 9X, and provides a clear, well-contrasted image in excellent focus throughout all power ranges. You’ll get up close and personal with that deer or moose, and have plenty of clarity to your image. The power selector rotates smoothly, with just enough resistance to keep you from bumping it. Even better, the tactile power selector makes it easy to precisely zoom in your scope without looking at the dial.

How is the Optics Quality on the Riflescope?

This scope features fully multicoated optics, so you’ll get the best possible light transmission out of your view. The generous eyebox and lockable fast-focus eyepiece round out the scope for almost a perfect combination of power and precision.

This scope features a rather unique reticle called the Sabot Ballistic Reticle. The circle represents how much you should expect your spread to cover, depending on what load you’re using. What’s really nice is that Leupold has provided the scope with different aiming points for different ranges, and the aiming circles are smaller for longer ranges. The center ring and circular aiming points are sized to correspond to three inches of target at their intended ranges, providing the most precise muzzleloader and shotgun reticle available. Other reticles on the market cover less of the target at short range, and more of the target at long range — exactly the opposite of what hunters need.

What’s the Light Gathering Capability Like on the Scope?

With its fully multicoated optics and 40mm objective lens, this scope offers terrific transmittance. I just wish the reticle was illuminated, but sometimes you just can’t have everything.

How Wide is the Field of View?

The UltimateSlam offers a generous 14.6-foot to 34.6-foot field of view at 1,000 yards, giving you plenty of viewable terrain to find and zoom in on your target.

How Easy is the Scope to Mount?

Once you get your scope and rings, it’ll be time to set out to mount it. Leupold makes this a relatively easy process, aside from the fact that you don’t get rings with the scope. Just about any set of one-inch rings will do the job, even low-profile ones on most shotguns and muzzleloaders.

Any Tricks or Tips About Mounting the Scope?

Nothing special to report here, folks! This scope mounts like a dream, so you just have to make sure you make the most of the scope’s generous eye relief. Otherwise, you might find yourself knocking your forehead when you fire your muzzleloader or shotgun.

How Easy is the Leupold Rifleman 3-9x50mm Riflescope to Sight In?

Once you’ve mounted the scope, it’s time to get down to business. Luckily, sighting in this scope is quick and painless, made even more so with the finger-turn elevation and windage controls. One-quarter MOA controls make getting a precise sighting job easy to accomplish. Just make sure you start off by using a laser bore-sighting tool. Otherwise, you’ll use much more ammunition (and time) than you really need to.

Once sighted in, the UltimateSlam holds zero for years, without much need for adjustment. The only time I had to adjust mine was after I removed it and then remounted the scope.

How Durable is the Scope?

The UltimateSlam is built from 6061-T6 Aircraft Quality Aluminum, for ultimate durability. The optics chamber is nitrogen-purged, and the lenses are O-ring sealed. The end result is a scope that is both waterproof and fogproof. You even get a set of lens covers, so you can keep your investment complete safe and secure when storing or transporting your firearm.