Leupold Westerner – Adjustable 6X & 8X Varmint Scopes (1955–1959)
Overview & Design
Introduced in 1955, the Leupold Westerner marked a major step forward in scope design. It was Leupold’s first model to offer both internal windage and elevation adjustments along with an adjustable objective for parallax correction — features that set it apart as a precision tool for long-range and varmint shooting.
The Westerner came in fixed 6X and 8X configurations and was built on a 7/8-inch steel tube with fully nitrogen-sealed internals. It featured long eye relief, clear optics, and your choice of reticles, including fine crosshairs and dot styles. Unlike earlier scopes that relied on mount-based windage adjustment, the Westerner was fully self-contained and reflected Leupold’s move toward modern internally adjustable optics.
“Adjustable objective corrects parallax error — Leupold Westerner: made for the serious varmint hunter who demands perfect sight picture.”
Specifications
- Maximum Magnification: Fixed 6× or 8×
- Objective Lens Diameter: ~40mm (estimated)
- Tube Diameter: 7/8 inch (steel construction)
- Length: Approximately 12 to 12.5 inches
- Weight: Approximately 10 oz (varies slightly by model)
- Eye Relief: 2½ to 4½ inches
- Adjustment Style: Internal windage and elevation turrets
- Parallax Adjustment: Yes – Adjustable Objective
- Reticle Options: Medium Crosshair, Dot, Crosshair/Post, Tapered Post
- Mount Compatibility: 7/8" rings, including Leupold Detacho-Mount
- Fogproofing: Fully nitrogen sealed
- Finish: Gloss black (blued steel)
- Focal Plane: First focal plane (assumed)
- Original Price: Around $99.50 (dot reticle no extra charge by 1958)
Note: Objective lens diameter was not listed in Leupold catalogs or ads during the 1950s. The ~40mm value is an estimate based on known examples and physical proportions. Standardized mm listings became common during the 1960s.
Legacy
The Westerner set the stage for modern precision scopes. With its internal turrets, adjustable focus, and reliable mechanics, it bridged the gap between Leupold’s early fixed-power hunting scopes and the fully modernized M7 and M8 series that followed. Target shooters and varmint hunters praised it for its clarity, tight tolerances, and rugged durability.
Although production ended around 1959, the Westerner remains a sought-after collectible for fans of classic American optics — especially those interested in the transition period between the Adjusto-Mount era and Leupold’s modern Gold Ring lineage.
Discontinued: Circa 1959