44mm vs 56mm

I’m looking a purchasing a new scope for hunting. Specifically a Leupold Mark 5HD. However, I’d like to know if anyone has taken a good look in a low light (hunting) situation and been able to make out a discernible difference.
As a fellow Alabamian, don't buy a Leupold... I know we grew up hearing how it was the best thing in the woods, but things change.

What is your max budget, and what magnification ranges are you wanting, and I can help you find something better than the Leupy...
 
I’m looking a purchasing a new scope for hunting. Specifically a Leupold Mark 5HD. However, I’d like to know if anyone has taken a good look in a low light (hunting) situation and been able to make out a discernible difference.


Hello Shane, I can give you some guidance if you wanna give me a call tomorrow at 916-628-3490. - Richard
 
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I’m not married to a Leupold. Budget is 2kish. Also looking to be 18-25x max. Maybe even 16x
This is your perfect hunting scope, and the glass is absolutely phenomenal. Better than the MK5HD, IMO... I have the 6-36x56 version, and it's an incredible optic. The 4-25x50 is a perfect compromise for weight, length, magnification, glass quality, and features. It's great as a crossover scope, and will work equally well in the woods, as it will be on a range shooting steel. The specs are on the website below, and I think you'll like what you see. The field of view and lowlight performance of the S3 is incredible, too. Contact @Euro.Connor here on the site, and he might can probably get you hooked up with an even better deal.

 
The 3.6-18x44 Mk5 is quite bright, and I had no problems shooting 45 min before or after sunrise/set with the one I had. It was pretty comparable to my 4.5-27x56 Gen 2 Razors that I had at the time.

As another option, the 4-16x42 ATACR is also bright enough for legal daytime hunting, and can be found for sub $2k in the PX.

As a curve ball, I’ve seen some ZP5s (both 3-15 & 5-25) in the PX for $2k or less. They are at the upper weight limit for me, but worth considering.