Rifle Scopes Anyone have experience with a Mark 6 3-18x44 m5c2

[LRhunter13]

I'm considering a Mark 6 3-18x44. It would be going on a Bergara B-14 hmr 6.5 creedmoor that gets used to hunt but will also see a few matches every year prior to hunting season, but will always be a backup gun if my primary match gun goes down.

How has the scope held up for guys using it in a similar fashion? Any issues to consider with this optic?

 

[5RWill]

Of all the optics i've owned this has been my least favorite and quickest to sell. On paper the idea seems great, though it didn't really pan out.

The glass FWIW while good was lacking IMHO for what the MSRP on those things are, granted i only paid 1750$ IIRC but it still suffered from severe CA much like my old ERS. The knobs on the M5B2, which are the pinching/unlock turrets were terrible and an utter mess. They were the most mushy knobs i'd ever used and the play in the turret whilst locked was ridiculous you could nearly turn it .05. Not they're notorious for not tracking well. Of which mine was no exception and was 2/10ths off at 10 mils. The eye box is the most sensitive i've used to date, with the exit pupil diameter at full mag being something like 2.4mm it's utterly miserable to get behind at 18x. Really should be a 15x scope.

 

[LRhunter13]

Of all the optics i've owned this has been my least favorite and quickest to sell. On paper the idea seems great, though it didn't really pan out.

The glass FWIW while good was lacking IMHO for what the MSRP on those things are, granted i only paid 1750$ IIRC but it still suffered from severe CA much like my old ERS. The knobs on the M5B2, which are the pinching/unlock turrets were terrible and an utter mess. They were the most mushy knobs i'd ever used and the play in the turret whilst locked was ridiculous you could nearly turn it .05. Not they're notorious for not tracking well. Of which mine was no exception and was 2/10ths off at 10 mils. The eye box is the most sensitive i've used to date, with the exit pupil diameter at full mag being something like 2.4mm it's utterly miserable to get behind at 18x. Really should be a 15x scope.

Thanks for your input. It's funny you mentioned an ERS as an clarity comparison. I have an ERS and compared the two tonight. I think the clarity is better in my ERS.

 

[LRhunter13]

Is there a better option in this price range that has similar features?
Size
weight
capped or locking windage turret
low pro elevation turret with zero stop
mil/mil

 

[5RWill]

Thanks for your input. It's funny you mentioned an ERS as an clarity comparison. I have an ERS and compared the two tonight. I think the clarity is better in my ERS.

Yeah i traded mine for the ERS. I thought the ERS was better as well. The glass for the Mark 6's suggested retail is very underwhelming.

Is there a better option in this price range that has similar features?
Size
weight
capped or locking windage turret
low pro elevation turret with zero stop
mil/mil

That depends on what price you're getting it for really. I'll say if you could get the leupy at like 1300$ or so with M5C2 knobs, that's not a bad buy assuming it tracks. Less you have a Mil/LEO discount i'm assuming you're looking at 1700-1800$. For the attributes you're wanting excluding weight the NF ATACR 4-16 is the scope that comes to mind. Only catch is that it's 30oz and finding one below 2200$ new from a retailer is pretty hard. NF doesn't really seem to move much on their MAP. That said as of late in the last couple of months there had been a couple going for 1800/1900$ in the Optics section here. Truthfully if i hadn't started graduate school i'd certainly have one for my hunting rifle that i'm trying to have done.

Premium, compact, lightweight, mid-mag, FFP, Mil/Mil optics in the 2000$ range are honestly a rarity in the market. Granted i'm thinking from a hunting perspective which is why these attributes are attractive to me. You have the LRHS on the lower tier, which in and of itself is a wonderful optic by all means, for the money they're incredibly hard to beat. Then this huge void excluding the ATACR, but even then it's not sub 30oz, and then there is the S&B Ultra short, yet again right at 30oz but also on the high end of the price range at 3500$. Last but not least there is the TT315M which is not quite as compact but pretty much hits the nail on the head in every other category, though again in the upper echelon of price.

 

[LRhunter13]

I've considered going the 4-16 atacr route, just trying to find something that was more affordable. But I've owned a couple NF before and it's hard to step down in quality. I'd be happy getting close.

 

[longshot2000]

Of all the optics i've owned this has been my least favorite and quickest to sell. On paper the idea seems great, though it didn't really pan out.

The glass FWIW while good was lacking IMHO for what the MSRP on those things are, granted i only paid 1750$ IIRC but it still suffered from severe CA much like my old ERS. The knobs on the M5B2, which are the pinching/unlock turrets were terrible and an utter mess. They were the most mushy knobs i'd ever used and the play in the turret whilst locked was ridiculous you could nearly turn it .05. Not they're notorious for not tracking well. Of which mine was no exception and was 2/10ths off at 10 mils. The eye box is the most sensitive i've used to date, with the exit pupil diameter at full mag being something like 2.4mm it's utterly miserable to get behind at 18x. Really should be a 15x scope.

That has not been my experience -- like many on this forum, there are lots of opinions -- I have this scope, and love it. I also have others in the magnification range, so I can compare. I will agree with Will, that I hated the squish M5B2 knobs. I sent the scope back to Leupold, and they replaced with the M5C2 (I think I have that correct), which is what they now sell on this line-up. Much better knobs. I find the scope to be hardy, reliable, and fast to acquire targets and very clear glass. I also did not pay retail, but let's leave cost aside. I also have the ATACR in this magnification range, and like it a little better, but it was also a little costlier.

I have used Athlon Ares (liked it a first, but would not do it again), NF SHV (good scope, but not as good at Luppy), PST Gen2 (just not a fit for me, I know others like it), Burris XTR-2 (not a fan in this magnification, although, I like their lower-mag scopes). I also liked the Bushnell LRTS, but not so much the higher mag scopes.

What stands out with the Luppy and the ATACR are clearness of glass and durability, and ease of use of the turrets.

 

[LRhunter13]

That has not been my experience -- like many on this forum, there are lots of opinions -- I have this scope, and love it. I also have others in the magnification range, so I can compare. I will agree with Will, that I hated the squish M5B2 knobs. I sent the scope back to Leupold, and they replaced with the M5C2 (I think I have that correct), which is what they now sell on this line-up. Much better knobs. I find the scope to be hardy, reliable, and fast to acquire targets and very clear glass. I also did not pay retail, but let's leave cost aside. I also have the ATACR in this magnification range, and like it a little better, but it was also a little costlier.

I have used Athlon Ares (liked it a first, but would not do it again), NF SHV (good scope, but not as good at Luppy), PST Gen2 (just not a fit for me, I know others like it), Burris XTR-2 (not a fan in this magnification, although, I like their lower-mag scopes). I also liked the Bushnell LRTS, but not so much the higher mag scopes.

What stands out with the Luppy and the ATACR are clearness of glass and durability, and ease of use of the turrets.

Thanks Longshot2000. I appreciate the comps with the other optics. My main goal is to have a compact, quality optic for my hunter but use it as a match backup. It's now coming down tho the cost difference between this and an atacr 4-16.

 

[Wyfox]

I have one that I ran on my AR and just recently put on my 6.5 saum. It works great in my opinion especially for a lighter weight tac optic on a hunting rifle. I've never noticed the "eye box" being difficult to get behind. I'd have no problem buying another.

 

[Poorboyr]

I think Long Shot and I are probably the only two people on this forum that really like Leupolds. I have a Mark 6 and think it is a great scope for it's intended purpose. I have mine on a precision AR build. The C2 turrets are a much better feel than the B2. Optically, I think it is the same as the other scopes priced in this category. My opinion is if you can get one for around $1,500 then it's worth it.

 

[5RWill]

The Mark 6 doesn't exactly have the best rep anywhere to my knowledge, mainly for tracking issues and partly for what i described. I'm sure some are happy with their purchase. My hat is off to you, i wish i would've felt the same way as on paper that scope seems amazing. However it didn't pan out. I thought it was me, friends got behind the scope said the same thing. I looked through a friends to see if maybe i had gotten a dud last time i shot with him before K&M, same thing. Mushy horrid knobs (M5B2), tight eyebox, and again glass that simply doesn't justify it's MSRP or quite frankly it's dealer price at 1750-1800$. I'll put it this way in the 1500-2000$ optics the Mark 6/ERS are pretty similar, DMR2/LRHS/LRTS a step above, and the Cronus is by far the best glass i've looked through under 2000$ retail IMHO.

I wasn't impressed with the glass, CA out the wazoo. The Mark 8 however is very nice but it's not in a 3-18x44 26oz format.

Nik if you can, find one to look through maybe at the local range. Then you'll know for certain whether it's the scope for you or not.

 

[RFutch]

I have a B2 model with the pinch turrets. My two complaints are the B2 turret and the clarity at max power. The others pretty much covered the negatives on the turret. Make sure you get a C2 model as they are a lot better.

The glass is almost as good as my NF NXS but not as clear on 18x. I don't have any problems with eyebox but it does get a little cloudy.

Mine tracks and returns to zero as it should. All in all it's a good scope but I like my NXS and SS SWFA 5-20 better.

 

[LRhunter13]

I have one that I ran on my AR and just recently put on my 6.5 saum. It works great in my opinion especially for a lighter weight tac optic on a hunting rifle. I've never noticed the "eye box" being difficult to get behind. I'd have no problem buying another.

Thanks Wyfox. I'm really into the compact size and weight. I think if I can get this one for the right price it'd be a deal. What do you think the value is on a used c2 turret model?

 

[LRhunter13]

I think Long Shot and I are probably the only two people on this forum that really like Leupolds. I have a Mark 6 and think it is a great scope for it's intended purpose. I have mine on a precision AR build. The C2 turrets are a much better feel than the B2. Optically, I think it is the same as the other scopes priced in this category. My opinion is if you can get one for around $1,500 then it's worth it.

The scope I'm looking at is C2 turrets as well. I've seen a used one on here recently. What are you thinking the used C2 models are going for?

 

[LRhunter13]

The Mark 6 doesn't exactly have the best rep anywhere to my knowledge, mainly for tracking issues and partly for what i described. I'm sure some are happy with their purchase. My hat is off to you, i wish i would've felt the same way as on paper that scope seems amazing. However it didn't pan out. I thought it was me, friends got behind the scope said the same thing. I looked through a friends to see if maybe i had gotten a dud last time i shot with him before K&M, same thing. Mushy horrid knobs (M5B2), tight eyebox, and again glass that simply doesn't justify it's MSRP or quite frankly it's dealer price at 1750-1800$. I'll put it this way in the 1500-2000$ optics the Mark 6/ERS are pretty similar, DMR2/LRHS/LRTS a step above, and the Cronus is by far the best glass i've looked through under 2000$ retail IMHO.

I wasn't impressed with the glass, CA out the wazoo. The Mark 8 however is very nice but it's not in a 3-18x44 26oz format.

Nik if you can, find one to look through maybe at the local range. Then you'll know for certain whether it's the scope for you or not.

I looked at the actual scope today. It's not mounted on a rifle so it's a little tough to get an idea of how the eye relief looks in comparison to others. I like the c2 turret. But, the only optic I have to compare to is my ERS and a tango 6. I like the way the glass looks, but I see where it gets a touch less clear than my others at full power but it's still good. Now it's just coming down to what they're used value is and if anyone has any issues with it's function as durability after a fit of time with one.

 

[Monstershot]

That has not been my experience -- like many on this forum, there are lots of opinions -- I have this scope, and love it. I also have others in the magnification range, so I can compare. I will agree with Will, that I hated the squish M5B2 knobs. I sent the scope back to Leupold, and they replaced with the M5C2 (I think I have that correct), which is what they now sell on this line-up. Much better knobs. I find the scope to be hardy, reliable, and fast to acquire targets and very clear glass. I also did not pay retail, but let's leave cost aside. I also have the ATACR in this magnification range, and like it a little better, but it was also a little costlier.

I have used Athlon Ares (liked it a first, but would not do it again), NF SHV (good scope, but not as good at Luppy), PST Gen2 (just not a fit for me, I know others like it), Burris XTR-2 (not a fan in this magnification, although, I like their lower-mag scopes). I also liked the Bushnell LRTS, but not so much the higher mag scopes.

What stands out with the Luppy and the ATACR are clearness of glass and durability, and ease of use of the turrets.

I'm looking for a scope for my 6.5 Grendel AR. I'm trying to keep it under 30oz, and have been looking at the Vortex Gen 2 3-15, and the Mark 6. I'd really appreciate any more thoughts you have on comparing these two. I know the Leupy is in a different class, but I'm trying to decide if it's worth the extra money over the Vortex.

 

[blbennett1288]

Ilya rated it last, might want to look at the Steiner T5Xi 3-15 at 29.8oz?

 

[Tango down]

Got one, like it. Is it the best around? Don't know and according to some, it is not...but it works well for me. It's light, compact, glass is clear; I can live with the pinch elevation turret but Leupold can switch it, for the ones who do not like it. Got the illuminated TMR reticle with the dot (wouldn't mind a H59 either). TMR is thin enough for allowing decent precision shooting, thick enough for not losing a moving target passing in front of a dark background. The illuminated reticle knob is alternating the On and Off clicks, allowing the shooter to always have his favorite illumination set up ready, one click away. To be fair, still have not run a tracking test on it, so cannot talk about it but I didn't notice anything off and it looks like it is coming back right where it started when using the turrets. If for any reason the tracking was to be off, Leupold CS can fix it at no cost. A good warranty is always a good thing to have. Leupold, Nightforce, Vortex and many other brands have great lifetime warranty, some others...not so good,. or not so long.
Bought mine used, on the Hide, got a great deal on it.
There are many good scopes nowadays; wish we could try them all before buying, wouldn't that be nice?

 

[lennyo3034]

Never used the Mark 6 so I can't comment on it. I have been running a March F 3-24x42 on a DMR gun for a 2 years and took 2 DMR series with it. It's a trickier optic to get behind and set up but it works for me.

At around 12" and 24 oz it's more compact than most mentioned here.

 

[Crazy1323]

I have the Mk6 on a light weight hunting rifle. Is it as good as a 5-25 ATACR, no. But for the purpose of a lightweight scope, I love it. I think the tracking issue has been fixed. Read lowlights review on it.

 

[longshot2000]

Ilya rated it last, might want to look at the Steiner T5Xi 3-15 at 29.8oz?

I have that scope, and like it alot. Can you send a link to his eval ? I like reading his work.

 

[blbennett1288]

I have that scope, and like it alot. Can you send a link to his eval ? I like reading his work.

It is linked in my above post but here it is again

http://opticsthoughts.com/?p=1673

 

[drum13]

I think Long Shot and I are probably the only two people on this forum that really like Leupolds........

I still like my old MK4 Leupolds and keep going back to them.

OP, try the MK6 with the C2 knobs. It's got everything you're looking for and there's not much else with the same features in that price range.

The issues with the early models with the B knobs have been worked out with the newer models. They sell fast here in the for sale section if you decide that don't like it.

 

[m6z]

Have you looked at the Bushnell LRTS 4.5-18?

 

[Duffman1975]

i went with the Mark 6 3-18 with the M5C2 dials on my 6.5x47L and couldn't be happier. I didn't like the M5B2 dials at all.

 

[Wyfox]

$1800 is the going rate for a used mk6 with m5c2 turrets.

 

[plong]

$1800 is the going rate for a used mk6 with m5c2 turrets.

Not trying to be a dick... just the facts... I paid less than that for a new one. Liberty Optics has them for just a hair over that on their website right now.

 

[Wyfox]

$1850 at Liberty, that is a great price! Good to know.

 

[Skunk]

I have to use the Mk6 M5C2 at work, but I'll never own one. Would much rather have a Schmidt or Kahles 3-12, or the NF 4-16.