Rifle Scopes Leupold Mark 4 4.5-14x50mm ER/T M5 Front Focal

Jig Stick

Gunny Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Aug 27, 2010
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Pittsburgh PA
Does anybody have any experience with this scope? Or Leupold in general? I know their hunting scopes are highly praised but havent heard much about their tactical stuff.

This scope seems to have all the features that I want except an illuminated reticle. I was considering the Nightforce Front Focal scope, but this Leupold seems to have the same features. I especially like the mil/mil setup and 1/10 mil click adjustment. I plan on using this on a Remington 700P 300 Win Mag. Thanks.
 
Re: Leupold Mark 4 4.5-14x50mm ER/T M5 Front Focal

What would the better options be in the $1000- $1300 price range to get the same features? I'm not active duty. But I can get this scope for $1300 brand new.
 
Re: Leupold Mark 4 4.5-14x50mm ER/T M5 Front Focal

1300.00 is a good price. My statement was based on the MSRP of almost 1600.00 for which I would say Nightforce.

Good deals can be found on IOR, USO, and Nightforce here if you are patient.

If it were me I would (and have several times) opt for a USO ST-10 over a MK4. I just dont have a warm fuzzy over the new Loopys but I would not hesitate to have another older one or one converted by PR.
 
Re: Leupold Mark 4 4.5-14x50mm ER/T M5 Front Focal

I just ordered one of the FFP 6.5-20x M5 scopes. My personal opinion is that for 15x and under I don't need a FFP scope. It is either at max power or at the lowest for a mover or low light.

At 15x my SFP reticle is correct. At lower powers I am not "using" the reticle. Mostly I am just watching a larger/closer target or tracking a mover. Above 15x I tend to play with the power adjustment more.
 
Re: Leupold Mark 4 4.5-14x50mm ER/T M5 Front Focal

The IOR 2.5-10 x 42 30mm Tactical First Focal Plane, MP-8 Dot Illuminated Reticule scope can be had for $1395. These scopes seem to be praised highly as well. The only real difference I see between this IOR and the Mark4 is in the magnification and objective. Is the IOR generally more clear? I wouldnt mind the higher magnification of the Mark4 with my 300winmag
 
Re: Leupold Mark 4 4.5-14x50mm ER/T M5 Front Focal

There are a few guys in the optics center here on the hide selling the Leupold 3.5-10 FFP for 1000 and under I would look at those before going with an IOR. As for the Leupold m1 4.5-15 mark 4 those came on as standard issue on the m821a1 .50 cals. They however where not FFP. Those did take quite the beating being thrown in the truck hitting stuff being dropped plus the recoil of the .50 no issues. Pretty good for a mid price optic. If you want some real glass get a USO or Nightforce. They also hold value better than Leupolds.
 
Re: Leupold Mark 4 4.5-14x50mm ER/T M5 Front Focal

I think someone on here reviewed an m5 6.5-20 but I can't seem to find it, sorry. I do remember that what I read was more or less positive.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Anchor Zero Six</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
Good deals can be found on IOR, USO, and Nightforce here if you are patient.
</div></div>

Yeah that's what was suggested to him in another thread. Lots of people hard up right now = lots of good deals.
 
Re: Leupold Mark 4 4.5-14x50mm ER/T M5 Front Focal

Slowrider, my good friend and gunsmith are hunting pals with the leupold rep that covers where I live. The rep is giving me that price. I'm just so worried about buying a leupy be because of all the negative opinions on the hide. My friends have never had a problem with their leupy and use them and nightforce on their bench and rail guns.
 
Re: Leupold Mark 4 4.5-14x50mm ER/T M5 Front Focal

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: slowr1der</div><div class="ubbcode-body">How much of a discount do you get if you are active duty military? I have a friend that's curious. </div></div>
at least 25% off for a Leupold Mark 4 4.5-14x50mm ER/T M5 Front Focal it would be $1250
 
Re: Leupold Mark 4 4.5-14x50mm ER/T M5 Front Focal

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Jig Stick</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> I'm just so worried about buying a leupy be because of all the negative opinions on the hide.</div></div>

why do they get bad opinions on here? are you paying more for the name than the quality or something? just found out that leupold actually makes ffp mil/mil scopes so im interested also
 
Re: Leupold Mark 4 4.5-14x50mm ER/T M5 Front Focal

I think people hear of a few failures and the increase in price and they then get a bad rap....There are probably more Leupolds on the market than any other brand so if afew break down from use then you hear about it..GUys like Lowlight who use the equiptment to its fullest extent and experiences will see more scopes go down then most people, so we hear about it....also since everyone wants the greatest and baddest like a NF, Premier or S$B etc,,, they just bash the other models.

Leupold is a great scope but not on the same level as a S$B, for example, and since alot of guys here are internet commandos and weekend warriors that have to drink the Koolaid....have to have the best out there and anything less is crap. We got guys here that would buy a Leupold before they use a USO..everyones got their preferences. I got friends who all used NF in california and are all going to PRemier now....take it for what its worth.

Lots of guns in the military have Leupolds from M24 to Barrets..so they arent bad...just not as great as the super high end scopes. you get what you pay for.



I am interested in the 4-14M5 as well...Anyone got pics of em mounted on a rifle?? I think it would be the perfect scope for a semi .308
 
Re: Leupold Mark 4 4.5-14x50mm ER/T M5 Front Focal

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: slowr1der</div><div class="ubbcode-body">How much of a discount do you get if you are active duty military? I have a friend that's curious. </div></div>

Call Steven DiGregorio (Tactical Sales Service Rep.) at 1-503-526-1602. He is awesome to deal with directly. I've ordered directly through him for my Federal individual purchases. The program is highly confidential, so I can't provide you with specific discounts. I will say this, however, the discounts are very difficult to pass up. Mark 4 scopes at such great discounts are my way of saving money for "everything else."

Also, you'd be surprised how many other scope and firearms manufacturers(Burris, Leupold, Nightforce, PARA, Smith and Wesson, etc) offer direct discounts to Military/Federal personnel. And despite what other forum members say that their dealers are being short-handed, it's just plain crap.....

Cheers!!!!!!!!!!!
grin.gif
 
Re: Leupold Mark 4 4.5-14x50mm ER/T M5 Front Focal

Jigstick,

I have had this scope in 6.5-20 for over a month, and have been doing an Extensive "Box" test on the tracking with an Expensive, very accurate .22 trainer and its tracking just fine. Layed out on a mill spaced grid and a Big piece of card board and its been fantastic so far.

I feel its a great "Value" for FFP and Mill/Mill configuration
 
Re: Leupold Mark 4 4.5-14x50mm ER/T M5 Front Focal

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: vprtoad</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Jigstick,

I have had this scope in 6.5-20 for over a month, and have been doing an Extensive "Box" test on the tracking with an Expensive, very accurate .22 trainer and its tracking just fine. Layed out on a mill spaced grid and a Big piece of card board and its been fantastic so far.

I feel its a great "Value" for FFP and Mill/Mill configuration </div></div>

+1

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Mason @ CST
 
Re: Leupold Mark 4 4.5-14x50mm ER/T M5 Front Focal

Yes, I bought it for my wife's ar and it's great glass. I own it's SFP twin, and the glass is brighter with the FFP scope, albiet just a little. Adjustments are positive and repeatable. I have not used it much, and I don't think my wife will actually test it's durability. I have used Mk4's on multiple combat deployments and they worked great. My personal bolt gun wears a Mk4 4.5-14 and I have abused it on occasion and it still gets the job done. I have no fears about these scopes holding up to a lifetime of use. I would buy again without hesitation.
 
Re: Leupold Mark 4 4.5-14x50mm ER/T M5 Front Focal

I was interested in the 4.5-14x50 until I saw one in person.
The section of the tube ahead of the turrets is very short (1.6"), and since I have a two piece base, it was a no-go to get the necessary eye relief and natural POA. The 6.5-20 was no problem however.
 
Re: Leupold Mark 4 4.5-14x50mm ER/T M5 Front Focal

I just got the 6.5-20 FFP Leupold with the H58, I'm shooting it on my XM2010 .300win mag. The glass is pretty good, parallax adjustment is crisp and clear, It tracks pretty well but I've only shot it to 800 meters. I'll keep the one I have and I'd recommend one to a friend.
I wouldn't recommend a SFP scope to a tactical shooter, unless he was on the other side of the glass from me. Too many cons not enough pros.
 
Re: Leupold Mark 4 4.5-14x50mm ER/T M5 Front Focal

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: feenix</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I was interested in the 4.5-14x50 until I saw one in person.
The section of the tube ahead of the turrets is very short (1.6"), and since I have a two piece base, it was a no-go to get the necessary eye relief and natural POA. The 6.5-20 was no problem however. </div></div>

i run a seekins 20 moa base, you think i would run into this problem?
 
Re: Leupold Mark 4 4.5-14x50mm ER/T M5 Front Focal

I am glad to see that as I bought the MK4 ER/T 8.5-25X50 M5 and wondered if I should have bought the 6.5-20. I can't wait to until I come home and can actually try it out.
 
Re: Leupold Mark 4 4.5-14x50mm ER/T M5 Front Focal

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jackh</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: feenix</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I was interested in the 4.5-14x50 until I saw one in person.
The section of the tube ahead of the turrets is very short (1.6"), and since I have a two piece base, it was a no-go to get the necessary eye relief and natural POA. The 6.5-20 was no problem however. </div></div>

i run a seekins 20 moa base, you think i would run into this problem? </div></div>

just realized you run a two piece base. my seekins is a one piece so i guess this would not be a problem with me.
 
Re: Leupold Mark 4 4.5-14x50mm ER/T M5 Front Focal

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: J.J. McQuade</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The glass is pretty good, parallax adjustment is crisp and clear, It tracks pretty well but I've only shot it to 800 meters. I'll keep the one I have and I'd recommend one to a friend. I wouldn't recommend a SFP scope to a tactical shooter, unless he was on the other side of the glass from me.</div></div>This Thread is quickly becoming a cult classic. I will attempt an intervention: Is anyone here other than Mike, who has meaningful experience using a Leupold tactical scope, willing to contribute specific and useful information that may be important to a puchaser or owner of the scope mentioned in the topic section of this Thread?

Something like:

1) What makes 'pretty good' glass? Lenses? Grinds? Coatings? Color resolution issues or lack thereof? Maybe the glass is 'pretty good', but how do you know and why? What do I look for in (my Leupold) scope glass?

2) The parallax adjustment is 'crisp and clear'. OK. Clearly, it's a knob on the left side of the scope. Clearly, one turns the knob to crisply focus the image. Good so far. And I assume that there's value added in the feature that the image can be made clear by manipulating that knob, so I take it that the scope isn't broken. Must a user turn it to infinity and then back to the desired lesser range? If so, why or why not? Is the parallax adjustment accurate to the range desired? How do you know? How do you test it?

3) It tracks 'pretty well'. OK. So the elevation knob isn't siezed. What does 'pretty well' mean? Does it track accurately? If so, what units does it adjust in? If not, what does it do improperly and when? Is the tracking inconsistent? If so, is it constant throughout a range? Come to think of it, what is the adjustment range on this scope and how was it tested?

I shoot SFP in tactical comps and have since day one. So has Terry. It didn't hurt him any, and I would never want him 'on the other side of the glass' from me. SFP has its advantages. Some of those advantages are why I use one. On the other hand, SFP also has its disadvantages. Can anyone who is willing to recommend a scope briefly elborate on the secrets of what are these advantages and disadvantages? Doing so might help me make a decision as to whether or not I want this particular Leupold.

On choosing a scope, check out Ian's article:
http://www.shootingvoodoo.com/index.php/articles/practical_optics_selection/

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: J.J. McQuade</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Too many cons not enough pros.</div></div>This post was not meant to pick on you, just to use the info you gave as an example. I have no doubt that your motives were good, but on this last point we happen to agree.
laugh.gif


 
Re: Leupold Mark 4 4.5-14x50mm ER/T M5 Front Focal

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jackh</div><div class="ubbcode-body">can this scope be had with zero stop? </div></div>
As far as i know no. It also cannot be had with an illuminated reticle which would have been a nice touch. At least Leupold is starting to catch up, or at least progress in the right direction.
 
Re: Leupold Mark 4 4.5-14x50mm ER/T M5 Front Focal

seems like nobody ever has anything good to say about leupold in the tactical world.

are these scopes well built? will they last me? whats leupolds warranty like? ive never owned one of their scopes but a lot of my friends swear by them. the price is much more attractive than most other comparable ffp mil/mil scopes ive priced.

and i guess if it takes 10-12 mils to get out to 1000, i shouldn't really worry about a zero stop. i will never be shooting that distance under a time crunch, so i should be able to remember "i just shot 1000 yds, turn elevation down two turns"
 
Re: Leupold Mark 4 4.5-14x50mm ER/T M5 Front Focal

Last April I was offered a chance to T&E a new M5
I have been doing my best to bust this optic with out right abusing it.
Its been frozen
Its been baked in the Vegas sun
Its been dragged through the dirt and sand.

Its been dialed out to 1,000m and back to zero countless times


To date the scope has been mounted on
1-338 Lapua Magnum
4 -Ar-10s
2- 5.56 AR-15s
3- 6.5 Creedmoor Bolt Guns
2-6.5 Creedmoor Gas Guns

1-.223 Bolt Gun



The scope been subjected to over 2,200 rounds fired with out issues.



The glass is clear.
The TMR is good as any.
The turret clicks are positive.

All and all its a good piece of kit.



Things I would like to see...Left side windage adjustment,"Old Man Font" option on the turrets and some form of zero stop.


In some circles Americas Optic Authority has been gotten a bad rap,,,however setting that aside.
Strides have been made on Leupods part to address areas of concern for the end user.

Keep up the good work Leupold ...."KONG"

 
Re: Leupold Mark 4 4.5-14x50mm ER/T M5 Front Focal

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: "KONG"</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Last April I was offered a chance to T&E a new M5
I have been doing my best to bust this optic with out right abusing it.
Its been frozen
Its been baked in the Vegas sun
Its been dragged through the dirt and sand.

Its been dialed out to 1,000m and back to zero countless times


To date the scope has been mounted on
1-338 Lapua Magnum
4 -Ar-10s
2- 5.56 AR-15s
3- 6.5 Creedmoor Bolt Guns
2-6.5 Creedmoor Gas Guns

1-.223 Bolt Gun



The scope been subjected to over 2,200 rounds fired with out issues.



The glass is clear.
The TMR is good as any.
The turret clicks are positive.

All and all its a good piece of kit.



Things I would like to see...Left side windage adjustment,"Old Man Font" option on the turrets and some form of zero stop.


In some circles Americas Optic Authority has been gotten a bad rap,,,however setting that aside.
Strides have been made on Leupods part to address areas of concern for the end user.

Keep up the good work Leupold ...."KONG"
</div></div>

Is the reticle straight? That's one of the main things that has bugged me with all my leupies over the years.
 
Re: Leupold Mark 4 4.5-14x50mm ER/T M5 Front Focal

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: "KONG"</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The scope been subjected to over 2,200 rounds fired with out issues.
The glass is clear.
The TMR is good as any.
The turret clicks are positive.

All and all its a good piece of kit
In some circles Americas Optic Authority has been gotten a bad rap,,,however setting that aside.
Strides have been made on Leupods part to address areas of concern for the end user.

Keep up the good work Leupold </div></div>

This is as good of a review as I've seen for a leupold in a while, between your review and CS tactical's I'm thinking of getting a 6.5x 20 ER/T M5 for my .300WM
 
Re: Leupold Mark 4 4.5-14x50mm ER/T M5 Front Focal

Ive been abusing my Mark 4 on my 300winmag recently and it seems to be holding up well. Ive had the scope since October. Hunted with it all through the fall, and Im going yote hunting with it tomorrow.
 
Re: Leupold Mark 4 4.5-14x50mm ER/T M5 Front Focal

No type of zero-stop on the M5...? Really....?

I have Leupold's with M2 and M3 turrents. Both can be set to stop at zero.

Would prefer the M5 to be the same. Oh well...
 
Re: Leupold Mark 4 4.5-14x50mm ER/T M5 Front Focal

It would be nice if they had a 0-Stop but it is not a must. The 0-Stop on the M2 and M3 also work as an Up-Stop so for the M5 this would only give 5mil of travel. I know there are other ways they can make it work but it would add cost to it. I know they have other scopes they are working on also.

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Mike @ CST