Of all the 1x scopes I have tried with my muzzleloaders the Leupold Freedon RDS was the one I wanted to work for me the most. The target style turret with zero stop and a 1 MOA aiming point is what drew me to this 1x scope. With these features, this red dot optic looked to be the best option to maximize the distance that I knew my Paramount was capable of shooting. Learn more about the distance my Paramount is capable of in this article: Go Long with the CVA Paramount Muzzleloader
All of the images shown here of the red dot aiming point were taken through my cell phone, aiming at a target and berm 300 yards away. The sun had just set, lowering the brightness of the daylight, yet still light enough to see the target. Lighting like this would be optimal for this 1x red dot at ranges beyond 200 yards, as you can turn the brightness down to its minimum setting, making the aiming point around 1 MOA... albeit difficult to see clearly with the light flare of the glowing dot and other reflecting objects within the optic. With the sun out, you have to crank up the brightness level further, inflating the lighting flare effect of the red dot.
Yes, I said other reflecting objects. There are quite a few internal components of the optic reflecting in your field of view that can be distracting. Make sure to watch the video above, it shows what it is like looking through the optic. You can really get an idea of all of the objects within the optic that are reflecting back into your vision in this video.
Leupold Freedom RDS on the Lowest Brightness Setting at 300 Yards
Leupold Freedom RDS on the Medium Brightness Setting at 300 Yards
The ringed flag shape and red dot are making the 11x17" target at 300 yards harder to see. The enlarged photo makes this look better than it really is. There is a distinct light flare around the red dot that covers up more than what you are seeing here in this image.
Leupold Freedom RDS on the Highest Brightness Setting at 300 Yards
The red dot in the brightest setting is just blown out.
I really hoped that this would be my favorite 1x scope for my muzzleloader, but it is just too difficult to clearly see the aiming point in all lighting conditions for me to feel comfortable with shooting, as well as I know I can shoot with my favorite 1x scope. I do think this is a good quality of scope and would be a great 1x scope option for a muzzleloader, just not as good as it needs to be to extend my shooting distance past 250 yards.
See where this scope ranks and what my top choice for my muzzleloader is in this article: Best 1x Muzzleloader Scopes.