BigJimFish
Written: Oct 12, 2025
Desk of Contents:– Background– Look and Really feel– Reticle– Comparative Optical Analysis– Mechanical Testing– Abstract and Conclusion-Your Professional and Con Breakdown:
Background:
Those that learn my Leupold Mark 5HD 5-25×56 scope assessment from again in 2021 know that it’s considered one of my most really useful scopes. The first purpose for that is the large crossover searching/precision rifle enchantment it has over most of its opponents, owing to its distinctive turret locking system and remarkably gentle 30oz weight. This added crossover performance prices the consumer little or no from both the standpoint of the primarily searching man or the primarily precision rifle man. In some circumstances, the options that make the Mark5 enchantment to the searching crowd truly profit the precision rifle guys as properly. For example, matches that require rifles to make a weight restrict have grown much more widespread just lately, and guess which scope possibility provides you essentially the most flexibility in making that weight? Yeah, it’s the Mark5 HD, and, unsurprisingly, it is usually the preferred scope right now for opponents in sensible lengthy vary rifle sports activities.
As such, when the Mark 4 line launched in 2024 with comparable options and crossover enchantment, I used to be fairly to get my arms on one. Who doesn’t need an possibility with all that juicy crossover enchantment at a distinct worth level? I talked about it sufficient within the lead as much as the assessment {that a} taking pictures buddy of mine ended up shopping for one earlier than I even completed the assessment, leading to me having each the 4.5-18x52mm assessment pattern supplied without charge for this assessment from Leupold and his 6-24x52mm scope bought although the primary responders program to look at. Let’s see what sort of optical efficiency we get on the Mark4 worth level and what function modifications have been made between the Mark4 and Mark5 traces.
Look and Really feel:
Leupold clearly takes notes. The Mark5 HD is a wildly profitable optic, however it has a number of options that individuals discovered annoying and one they discovered limiting. All these have been modified for the Mark4 HD line. For example, the Mark4 HD elevation knob is 10 mils per flip as a substitute of 10.5, which means the numbers on every flip line up in a way that’s much more intuitive and acquainted than on the Mark5. Equally, the windage knob now has the zero marking within the standard centered place as a substitute of offset ~45 levels. I preferred that offset concept on the Mark5, however the angle on the marking made it very onerous to make out precisely which click on was aligning with the marking. I may also point out right here that the windage now has a knob equally styled to the elevation and with an analogous lock at zero as a substitute of the capped low profile one on the Mark5 that, as soon as capped, is roughly the identical measurement anyway. Gone on the Mark4 is the unusual 35mm Mark5 tube measurement. The Mark4 HD is the way more widespread 34mm for a greater diversity of ring choices and a a lot better probability you have already got a spare set. Lastly, and maybe most significantly, the Mark4 HD will focus as shut as 25yds as a substitute of 50yds, making it a much better selection for rimfire use. I keep in mind a time when Leupold was not properly attuned to altering market calls for and suggestions from its prospects. We’re clearly in a complete completely different period now. These options are precisely what the individuals requested for.
As for the shape issue of the precise two Mark4 HD fashions we shall be , the 4.5-18×52 and 6-24×52, they’re nearly similar. They’re each 27.5oz, 14.6” lengthy with have 52mm targets. It’s fairly straightforward to combine them up – I hope I gave my buddy again the correct one 😉 The Mark5 HD line was very completely different, with the three.6-18×44 being simply 26oz and 12.1” lengthy, whereas the 5-25×56 is 30oz and 15.7” lengthy. The Mark 5 line very clearly had a precision rifle measurement larger energy possibility that was gentle sufficient to make use of as a searching scope and a searching sized decrease energy possibility with all of the options essential to compete with supplied you didn’t need huge magnification. The Mark 4 line may have executed with a bit extra of this differentiation. By the way, the fashions on both facet of those two within the Mark4 HD line do get larger or smaller, it’s solely these two which can be the identical measurement and weight.
There may be little or no change in styling or options between the Mark5 HD and Mark4 HD. Each function the now widespread quick focus, non-locking, euro model diopter, and each are stiff sufficient to forestall unintended adjustment. Each scopes even have an influence ring with a detachable throw lever stud. This stud is included with each the Mark5 and Mark4 scopes, although the Mark4 doesn’t embrace the ornamental plug you could optionally put in place if you happen to’re not utilizing the stud. The facet focus parallax on the Mark4 is barely bigger than on the Mark5 HD, and including illumination, although nonetheless expensive on the Mark4 HD scopes, is considerably cheaper than it was on the Mark5s at $200 as a substitute of $500. On Mark4 HD fashions, this $200 illumination additionally contains an digital scope stage sensor that blinks the illumination when the scope is just not stage, a function not current on the Mark5 HD regardless of the upper price for illumination. Having used scopes beforehand that featured a built-in digital stage, I can attest to the worth of this function. Not having to divert your consideration from the sight image or shift your eye from behind the scope to verify the extent is kind of useful. Additionally of be aware is that illumination seems to solely be supplied within the Mark4 HD line as much as the 4.5-18x magnification. There don’t look like 6-24x or 8-32x illuminated fashions.
As talked about beforehand, the elevation knob on the Mark4 HD is 10 mil per flip as a substitute of 10.5 in order that base 10 numbers now align on every rotation, as I believe everybody prefers. In any other case, the elevation knob is fairly comparable with a non-translating pin model zero cease system and a lock that solely engages at zero. As with the Mark5, the knob has three turns, leading to 28.7 mils of purposeful journey (the Mark5 had 30.0 owing to its 10.5mils per flip) and the overall inside elevation of the 4.5-18x52mm model of the Mark4 is listed as 36 mils (I measured extra), providing you with a considerable little bit of leeway in what angle scope base you should utilize whereas nonetheless with the ability to get the complete 28.7 mils of purposeful journey the knob permits. The elevation knob on the Mark4 HD can be very barely shorter and smaller in diameter than the Mark5 and doesn’t have the redundant third flip pop up. As an alternative, the turret-locking button is the one flip indicator. It’s prolonged on the primary flip, flush on the second, and recessed on the third. The Mark4 has a set .5 mils of elevation journey under zero and, as on Mark5, makes use of two setscrews to set the zero. The texture of the elevation knob is sort of similar between these fashions, although the clicking sound of the Mark4 is quieter and decrease in pitch. The clicking drive relative to the between click on drive is properly calibrated to permit the consumer to discern every particular person click on and never skip over any, although some will say the texture is on the squishy facet and never tremendous tactile. In my expertise, that is the higher facet to be on, as tremendous onerous staccato clicks usually trigger skip over and lack of depend. The windage knob feel and appear is similar because the elevation. It additionally features a lock at zero and presents 5 mils of journey every approach and a lock at zero. This cease is ready within the knob and never internally so you’ll not lose windage journey in case your zero is a long way from optical zero.
Reticle:
The Mark4 HD 4.5-18×52 is out there in considerably fewer reticles than I’m used to seeing from the Leupold SKU manufacturing unit. The illuminated model is available in solely the PR1-MOA and PR1-Mil, and the unlit model is available in solely the PR2-MOA and PR2-Mil. SKU administration issues greater than individuals suppose for price management and clearly Leupold is targeted on aggressively pricing the Mark 4HD. I think the PR1 sequence was chosen for the illuminated model as a result of they’ve slightly thicker stadia and can present the illumination higher. Utilizing the PR2 for the unlit mannequin supplies extra selection for the buyer with the identical variety of SKUs.
The PR1 sequence are non-tree model reticles with a floating dot heart, stadia in all 4 quadrants, and quite simple markings. The MOA model has markings each 1 MOA and labels each 10 MOA and the Mil model has markings each .2 mils with labels each 5 mils.
The PR2 sequence are tree reticles with a largely open 12 o’clock and extra complicated graduations. For the PR2-MOA, on the horizontal stadia, the 1 MOA graduations now have an alternation up, down, and each methods marking scheme with labels each 4 mils on the primary stadia and no labels in any respect within the Christmas tree part. On the vertical stadia, MOA divisions are alternately denoted by hashes, gaps within the stadia, after which full Christmas tree branches at each 4 MOA. So, the alternation goes, department, hole, hash, hole, department. The divisions are mainly all 1 MOA divisions, however I’ll admit the huge variety of completely different kinds of marking appears a bit a lot and is fairly more likely to confuse the shooter.
For my assessment pattern, I went with the PR2-MIL. This was the identical reticle I checked out once I reviewed the Mark 5HD in 2021, so this article will sound very acquainted to these of you who learn that assessment. The PR2-Mil design is the results of a collaboration between a variety of Leupold’s prime aggressive shooters, together with John Pynch, Dan Bertocchini, and Doug Koenig. I believe it is a nice idea that extra scope makers ought to make use of when designing their competitors targeted reticles. Typically, scope makers merely intention to repeat the essential look of others’ profitable reticles and find yourself messing it up as a result of the man doing the interpretation doesn’t actually perceive which parts of the reticle to be emulated had been an important and the way every component interacts with the others to kind a cohesive complete. The result’s usually a reticle which has comparatively unimportant features straight up copied with necessary stuff haphazardly modified for the more severe. Having people who find themselves profitable examples of your meant viewers truly design the reticle is an effective approach to verify it really works, on the very least, and will even get you some design innovation as a bonus. You need to preserve this reticle’s pedigree in thoughts when studying my opinions, as these guys are, frankly, quite a bit higher and extra educated shooters than I’m.
On essentially the most fundamental stage, the PR2-MIL reticle has most of the commonest parts present in lengthy vary reticles right now. It’s a mil Christmas tree reticle with floating dot heart and what I’d name medium line thickness. Like most of the latest designs, the PR2 subsequent removes all however 2mils of the 12 o’clock submit. It additionally slims down the traces each different mil on the Christmas tree portion to simply very small dots each half mil. Each on the windage and elevation markings, the PR2 goes out slightly additional than most scopes, with 10 mils absolutely marked every approach in windage and 32 mils whole in elevation (although the Christmas tree stops at 10). The PR2 lastly departs some from the most typical reticle patterns in being graduated in .25 mil increments for many of the reticle and having a tiny hole on the intersection of these markings with the primary crosshair.
The components I like greatest concerning the PR2’s design are the open 12 o’clock and absolutely graduated 6 o’clock. I’m an enormous fan of open 12 o’clock reticles as I believe you get extra out of getting some unobstructed area than you do having one other part you should utilize for measurements, because you by no means realistically maintain beneath a major distance. The 12 o’clock space is a very good place to have that open area as you want all the assistance you may get on the subject of attempting to look at hint. I ended up liking the absolutely graduated 6 o’clock for 2 causes. The primary of those was a bit surprising: the graduations made for a scarcity of a thick submit at 6 o’clock and I discovered this accentuated the thick posts at 3 and 9, form of making a horizon impact at decrease powers. I’m undecided if this truly helped me to be extra stage in observe because it all disappeared once I dialed to the ability I shoot most targets at, however I preferred the impact at low powers. And if you happen to begin observing your goal at decrease energy when finding it within the scope, you might discover that this horizon helps with protecting issues stage even at larger energy as you might retain a really feel for the lay of the land across the goal. Conceptually, I additionally like the concept of getting graduations for extra potential drop. In observe, I anticipate that actually solely the ELR guys would possibly ever get to the purpose of exhausting their elevation knob and nonetheless needing a ton of drop compensation, however I’m drawn to the ‘why not’ of it regardless that in observe I didn’t exhaust the substantial elevation journey of the Mark 5HD at any level in testing.
With out query, the trickiest a part of the PR2-MIL reticle is the .25mil commencement scheme. Reviewing as many scopes as I do, I exploit many alternative reticles with various commencement schemes on a reasonably common foundation. For no matter purpose, I’ve discovered these .25mils to be tougher than most different mil schemes to regulate to. I assumed it might be fairly just like taking pictures one of many varied .5mil graduated scopes that I’ve used, however it didn’t appear that approach in observe. Be ready for some adjustment. I keep in mind John mentioning the adjustment interval on his podcast and, positive sufficient, it was greater than I anticipated. In the long run, he stated he has grown to favor having much less graduations with the .25 mil divisions. Individually, I’ve come to appreciate that I mainly suppose in tenths of a mil and barely extra thought appears to be required to mesh this with .25 mil graduations than with .2mil or .5mil.
Comparative Optical Analysis:
Since I had a couple of riflescope from the Mark4 HD lineup out there to me throughout this assessment, and that’s fairly unusual, I’ll begin the optical analysis by speaking about that. I imagine that is solely the third time I’ve had the benefit of a number of samples whereas doing a assessment. The 2 Mark4 HD examples I had at my disposal throughout this assessment had been completely different magnification ranges, 6-24x52mm and 4.5-18x52mm. Maybe resulting from this or maybe resulting from easy sample-to-sample variation, I did discover a really slight edge to the 6-24x52mm in decision at 18x (no distinction at 10x). This edge was very slight, slight sufficient that I didn’t even discover it in all circumstances. Much more marked than the exceptionally slight distinction I generally famous in decision between the 2 completely different magnification ranges of Mark4 HD scopes was their distinction in area of view (FoV). For these , I’ve created a condensed statistic for this. I name it the FoV multiplier (FoVX). (See, I can do acronyms, too!) The FoVX is calculated ((max energy * FoV @ max magazine in ft) + (min energy * FoV @ min magazine in ft)) / 2. This offers a quantity that mainly averages how good the FoV of a scope is at each ends of its energy vary. For this statistic, the Mark4 HD 4.5-18×52 scores a 98.78 and the 6-24×52 tallies 108.3. Neither of those is nice, however the 6-24×52 is about common on the worth level whereas the FoV 4.5-18×52 is considerably under. The Mark 5HD line additionally has lower than stellar FoV efficiency with the 5-25×56 at 103.5. FoV is clearly not one of many optical variables most optimized for by Leupold of their designs. On the brilliant facet, all of those Leupold designs carry out remarkably properly at dealing with stray gentle, an attribute that unsurprisingly usually correlates with a smaller FoV. All the six or so Leupold scopes I’ve reviewed through the years have excelled at avoiding blooming or washout in tough stray gentle circumstances. Clearly this has all the time been one of many prime optical efficiency traits optimized for in Leupold’s designs. Stray gentle dealing with is an important attribute, as a major stray gentle downside simply renders moot every other optical traits a scope might need, since you wouldn’t be capable of make out the goal in any respect in difficult circumstances: all you’ll see is a whiteout. In my expertise, these circumstances, and scopes that undergo from them, are extra widespread than you would possibly suppose. Outdoors of those two features of optical efficiency, decision and area of view, optical efficiency was so shut that I’ll deal with these two Mark 4HD fashions as in the event that they had been one scope, although I did the optical comparisons with each.
Along with evaluating the 2 Mark4 HD fashions at my disposal to one another, I selected to run them in opposition to their dearer sibling, the Mark 5HD 5-25x56mm ($2.2k). I additionally selected two different scopes from the ~$2k scope lineup, the Sightron S6 5-30x56mm ($1.9k) and the Sig Tango6 5-30×56 ($1.8k). Lastly, I added one of many higher performing scopes from the sub ~$1k lineup, the Athlon Ares BTR 4.5-27x50mm (~$769 for the mannequin that changed this discontinued one). As the costs of those check scopes differ extensively, I’ve chosen to incorporate their avenue retail costs on the time of this writing to tell the reader. The Mark4 HD sits in a really unpopulated part of the associated fee spectrum with the 4.5-18×52 at $1.4k and 6-24×52 at $1.5k. Fashions of scopes within the $500 – $1k vary are widespread, as are scopes from $1.7k – $2.5k vary. For no matter purpose, there are surprisingly few choices from $1k to $1.7k. I selected the broad spectrum of in another way priced scopes used on this optical comparability to offer us a large area of efficiency in opposition to which to measure the optical efficiency of the Mark 4 relative to its price as a substitute of the direct head-to-head comparisons usually made once I do a roundup of scopes at close to price parity with one another.
As per regular, I’ll begin off the optical comparisons with decision. This I examined at 10x, 18x, and 24x (for the 24x max mannequin). This decision comparability was very shut and really fascinating between the Mark 4HD and the ~$2k scopes. The scopes had a bent to commerce locations at differing magnifications, with the Mark 5HD dominating the 24x and 18x however the Sig, a poor performer at 24x, truly being the very best at 10x. I discovered this buying and selling backwards and forwards of the decision crown each very fascinating and likewise indicative of how shut the resolving efficiency was between a variety of these optics. The Mark 4HD carried out its strongest relative to the opposite scopes within the lineup at 10x, however nonetheless bested one of many ~$2k scopes at every of the upper resolutions. It’s a powerful efficiency for the value. Leupold clearly optimized for decision within the design.
One other space of fantastic efficiency was depth of area. This was true of the Mark 5HD as properly. The Mark 4HD got here in proper behind its massive brother for second place within the lineup for depth of area efficiency. Bear in mind that, simply as with the Mark 5HD, the Mark 4 seems fairly delicate to off-center eye place when you’re benefiting from that depth of area and have your parallax set to the mistaken distance. You’ll be able to simply throw a shot a number of tenths with poor head place whereas nonetheless having a reasonably clear view of the goal between each the wonderful depth of area and a cushty eye-box.
One other space of optical efficiency during which the Mark4 excelled was efficiency outdoors of the middle of the adjustment vary. Little or no degradation was famous because the changes had been moved removed from heart. I’ll point out low gentle efficiency right here as properly. The Mark4 landed the place you’ll anticipate, slightly behind the 56mm scopes and slightly forward of the 50mm Athlon. Coatings are good these days, guys! There simply isn’t a lot magic on the subject of low gentle efficiency and, fairly frankly, the little extra gentle you get from larger targets doesn’t add as much as a lot actual world utility both.
Now let’s speak concerning the areas during which the Mark 4HD is much less aggressive with the ~$2k class of scopes. We must always clearly begin with the 4x erector ratio right here. All the optical comparability scopes have a 5x or 6x erector ratio. A 4 occasions multiplier between the bottom and highest magnification is properly under common lately. That being stated, besides on LPVOs, a excessive erector ratio doesn’t provide a variety of actual world profit and sometimes leads to some fairly poor optical efficiency. Just a few years in the past, 8x and 9x erector ratio fashions at absurd costs had been all the craze in alpha scopes. These fashions shortly received a repute for poor optical efficiency. Many (in all probability most of them) are not even manufactured, and the very best promoting alpha scopes have a 5x ratio. My opinion is that the shoppers within the high-end market have correctly judged erector ratio in non LVPOs as being of low significance in comparison with optical efficiency. It’s nonetheless value mentioning the 4x multiplier although.
Chromatic aberration is a much more necessary side of optical efficiency, and the Mark 4HD shows extra of it than each its massive brother, Mark 5HD, and the Sightron S6 for example. It was even slightly behind the a lot decrease price Athlon although a bit higher than the Sig for which chromatic aberration can be a wrestle. Additionally a little bit of a wrestle for the Mark 4HD are each distinction and colour rendition. Colours look notably much less vibrant although the Mark 4HD scopes than by means of the Mark 5 or different ~$2k scopes.
On the entire, I’d choose the general optical efficiency of the 2 Mark 4HD scopes I checked out as commensurate with what I’d anticipate on the worth level. On stability they had been the small quantity behind the $2k scopes and great amount forward of the sub $1k scope. Optical efficiency of the Mark 4HD is par for the value in my judgment. The upper price Mark 5HD is a considerably stronger performer optically, accurately given the value. Lastly, I’ll speculate right here that the identical designer or design group did each the Mark 5HD and Mark 4HD designs, because it appears to me very very like the identical optimization selections have been made – and, why not, these selections have been very properly acquired.
Mechanical Testing:
Most scopes have some deviation from good adjustment magnitude, although they’re doing much better now than just some years in the past. This adjustment magnitude error will differ from instance to instance inside the identical mannequin of scope. It is because it isn’t a product of design errors, however quite variances launched inside manufacturing and meeting. So, the efficiency of my check samples is a chunk of knowledge with solely restricted worth resulting from representing just one, or on this case two, examples. Usually we measure adjustment magnitude error as a proportion such {that a} scope whose reticle strikes 10.1 mils when adjusted 10.0 mils tracks at 101% and one whose reticle strikes 9.9 mils when 10.0 is dialed tracks at 99%. Having each reviewed and examined fairly a variety of scopes from a big number of producers, I can inform you that the common deviation in adjustment magnitude from very best is sort of precisely 1% if the 2 previous scopes that failed monitoring (and due to this fact can’t be linearly assessed) will not be included. Reticle measurement deviation is near that of changes at .9%. The typical reticle cant measured is .07 mils in 10 mils traveled or .4 levels.
Let’s begin off mechanical testing with the Leupold Mark 4HD 4.5-18x52test scope. From heart, ittracked up 10.0 mils on the changes however 10.2 mils on the right track for a 2% adjustment deviation and a .98 sight scale think about utilized ballistics. Full up was 19.5 mils from heart of which the final .2 mils had been ghost clicks with no optical motion. Down from heart measured 22.8 mils with no ghost clicks. Seems to be like I used to be a mil and alter from optical heart initially. In any case, it provides as much as a complete elevation journey of 42.3 mils. That could be a whole lot greater than the 36 mil spec, although in observe, you may solely make the most of a most of 28.7 mils with the three-turn elevation knob. There was no measurable spline slop when switching adjustment route. On the windage adjustment, you get 5 mils every route earlier than hitting a cease. This cease is within the adjustment knob and never within the scope physique although, so once you set the zero on the knob to your rifle you’ll not unfastened adjustment vary in both route. There was no tubing out conduct with the Mark 4 on the adjustment extremes (that is when you may get elevation change when adjusting windage if the elevation knob may be very near maxed out as a result of the erector tube is impacting the within of the primary tube physique). There was additionally no change in level of intention with adjustment to diopter or energy ring. I may probably not choose parallax as a result of it is rather delicate to go place when not targeted to the right distance so, in observe, it would appear to be it’s transferring although I don’t suppose it’s. The reticle measurement on the Mark 4HD 4.5-18×52 was barely giant. 10.0 mils on the reticle corresponded to 9.8 on the goal. The reticle was canted .05 mils in 10 mils of journey, or a couple of quarter diploma clockwise.
Subsequent let’s speak concerning the testing on my buddy’s Leupold Mark 4HD 6-24×52. From heart, ittracked up 10.0 mils on the changes however 10.2 mils on the right track for a 2% adjustment deviation and a .98 sight scale think about utilized ballistics. Full up was 20.7 mils from heart with no ghost clicks. Down from heart measured 20.9 mils with no ghost clicks. This offers a complete elevation journey of 41.6mils. That is once more greater than the 36 mil spec additionally listed for this mannequin and once more, when dialing for drop, you may make the most of a most of 28.7 mils with the three-turn elevation knob. There was no measurable spline slop when altering route of adjustment. There was no tubing out conduct with the Mark 4 on the adjustment extremes. There was additionally no change in level of intention with adjustment to diopter or energy ring and I nonetheless can’t choose the parallax. The reticle measurement on the Mark 4HD 6-24×52 was barely giant. 10.0 mils on the reticle corresponded to 9.8 on the goal. The reticle was canted .3 mils in 10 mils of journey, or about 1.75 levels counterclockwise.
Clearly, a 2% deviation in each reticle measurement and changes for each scopes isn’t nice. The typical deviation for all scopes I’ve examined is about 1% for changes and rather less for reticle measurement. On the brilliant facet, on each scopes, the deviation within the changes and reticle match such that what you see on the reticle will match what you modify on the changes. I’m undecided how a lot that issues as observe up shot changes are typically just some tenths however it’s technically true and fascinating. Talking of issues that don’t matter quite a bit, that two p.c deviation doesn’t actually matter both. Once you dope your rifle at distance it’s going to finish up being corrected for by some mixture of your BC worth and your muzzle velocity in your ballistics solver. What’s extra problematic is the reticle cant within the 6-24x52mm instance. Including .3mils of windage when adjusting 10 mils of drop is extra cant than I wish to see and much more than I often see. I may defiantly see this costing missed pictures particularly with a .22lr the place you might be usually adjusting massive elevation numbers with out having correspondingly massive and unsure wind calls that may find yourself being mistakenly blamed.
Abstract and Conclusion:
The function set of the Leupold Mark 4HD 4.5-18×52 is difficult to argue with. It shares the function wealthy “zerolock” low profile, non-translating, and switch indicating, elevation knob design that made its older brother the Mark 5HD so widespread amongst each hunters and aggressive shooters. It even improves this design barely by making it rather less more likely to confuse the shooter on subsequent turns by making all the bottom 10 numbers align on every flip. This was considered one of many options improved from the already widespread Mark 5HD together with a extra widespread 34mm tube measurement, a better 25yd minimal focus distance, a “zerolock” model windage, and an inside digital stage in illuminated fashions. As with the Mark 5HD sequence, the Mark 4HDs make each glorious searching optics and glorious precision competitors optics. They’ve all of the options of a precision rifle with far lighter weight and smaller stature than is widespread amongst that class, with the 4.5-18×52 weighing in at 27.5oz and measuring 14.6” lengthy. It’s a lightweight svelte optic and appears good on the ultralight 350L deer rifle I mounted it to for many of the testing.
Optically, I discovered the Mark 4HD to carry out proper had been you’ll anticipate a high quality optic to carry out at that worth. I didn’t really feel that it excelled its worth level optically in the way in which that the Mark 5HD did, however quite that it’s on par with the optical efficiency I anticipate of a high quality optic at that worth. On stability, it was just a bit behind the gang of check scopes on the ~2k worth level I in contrast it to and approach forward of one of many above common ~$1k comparability. It was obvious in testing that the Mark 4HD shares a variety of optical design philosophy with its massive brother and this actually confirmed with glorious efficiency in decision, stray gentle dealing with, and depth of area testing. The Mark 4HD’s weak factors had been chromatic aberration, area of view, and colour rendition. Out within the area, the Mark 4HD was a pleasure to shoot. As all the time, I significantly appreciated how properly Leupold handles stray gentle. You actually can’t wash them out even when an excellent little bit of direct daylight hits the target.
Mechanically, the M5C3 changes are properly calibrated to supply tactical and audible suggestions whereas nonetheless additionally permitting you to depend every click on and never skip previous clicks too simply. Nevertheless, I wish to see tighter QC requirements for measurement magnitude. Each of my check scopes had been under common on nearly all mechanical testing measurements and the 6-24x52mm scope had a reticle canted by nearly .3 mils in 10 mils of journey. That’s greater than I wish to see making QC and leaving the manufacturing unit.
In just about each respect the Mark 4HD may be very a lot a extra price range pleasant Mark 5HD. You might be primarily giving up some optical efficiency, equipment, and the big variety of SKUs that gave you quite a few reticle, colour, and illumination choices for the lower cost and people good up to date options. What you’re nonetheless getting is similar killer crossover function set, American manufacture, and Leupold guarantee service that made the Mark 5HD such successful. I just like the Mark 4HD, and I anticipate to be recommending it to a variety of shooters simply as I proceed to do with it’s massive brother.
Your Professional and Con Breakdown:
Execs:– Tremendously good function set, styling, and weight for crossover searching / precision rifle enchantment– Nice updates from the Mark 5HD together with 25yd shut focus, 34mm fundamental tube, and 10mil / flip turrets– “ZeroLock” function wealthy light-weight, low profile, non-translating, and switch indicating, turret– Optical efficiency the place it must be for a high quality scope on the worth– Made within the USA– Leupold’s lifetime guarantee
Cons:– The three flip turret makes use of solely 28.7 mils of the 42.3 mils whole journey I measured. A rimfire may truly use one other flip– One of many check scopes had a reticle cant of .3mils in 10mils journey. I wish to see tighter requirements – Comes with solely a scope bra, fairly sparse on the included extras.
