Bringing back a slightly old thread but I have an update and some observations related to this topic. Short answer: yes it will hold up, according to Leupold. Below are my detailed thoughts on this given my preferences.
I've been thinking about scope choice for my .375 H&H Model 70 Safari, and I see that most people say VX3 should be the minimum for a Leupold for a rifle with dangerous game as at least part of the intended use. I would be able to buy a VX3 or 5, for example, if I had a good reason. But I really don't like the look of the CDS dial, and don't have a need to dial for dangerous game range, and even for plains game I personally wouldn't want to shoot more than 150 yards because I seldom get an opportunity to practice at that range and I know my limitations. I'm not saying there's something bad about the CDS and for the right applications I think it's a great idea, I just don't personally like the look and don't have a practical application for it. So, that rules out the current VX3s for my taste.
The only practical option higher up in Leupold is the non-CDS VX-5HD 2-10. I know that's an excellent scope and many of you love it. But I don't need the extra travel that a 30 mm tube provides and prefer the look and lower bulk of a 1" tube.
Ok, I know that the VX-3 and VX-5 glass is much better than the VX-Freedom. However, the Freedom is pretty darn good. I am not at all saying the "jUst AS gOoD!!!" trope. But at least for what I'm accustomed to, the VX-Freedom optics are good enough, and given my preference for no CDS and a 1" tube, there are no other current Leupold offerings. (And I'm not aware of any other brands that meet those criteria for a simple hunting scope, and have eye relief as long as Leupold. A Swaro Z3 3-9 x 36 would meet most of my criteria with better glass, but I prefer the longer eye relief in Leupold.)
Anyway, I posed this question to Leupold tech support today, asking if there is any improvement in maintaining zero in the lines above VX-Freedom. They got back saying "All of our scopes are tested to the same impact resistance so there should be no issues with your Freedom line scopes on your dangerous game rifles." Some others have said this was their understanding, but I thought it would help to share this recent confirmation from Leupold.
I admit there could be scenarios where the better glass would make a difference seeing an animal in low light. But my impression of the likelihood of that doesn't outweigh my other preferences for a simple, capped, slim 1" scope. I think I'll stick with my two scope QD combo of VX-Freedoms in 3-9x and 1.5-4x.
I would consider picking up a used older model at VX3 level or higher in a 1" tube, but those are pretty rare at least in Canada. Also, another criterion I didn't mention above is finish. My Model 70 is a newer one with matte bluing, and I think it pairs much better with a matte scope. (Maybe I'm being too picky about looks, but I like what I like and I'm just not convinced that the incremental improvement in clarity would be worth it for me.)
