leupold Mark 4 vs Mark 3HD questions

[sauersafari]

Hi guys,

I am new here. Looking for a tactical scope that could be used for 1000 yards , it should be robust and rugged.

I would like to know the build quality difference between leupold Mark4 Tactical M1 4.5-14x 50mm TMR ( old version, not the new Mark 4HD) to Leupld Mark 3HD 6-18x50 (30 mm) - P5 Side Focus TMR.

Anyone with experiences in those two scopes , please leave your comments!

Really appreciate it!

 

[redneckbmxer24]

One is an outdated dinosaur and one is a more modern turd. The Mark 3 line is probably the worst Leupold product I’ve ever used. The reticles are crazy thick, glow brown on bright days, the glass is like looking through a coke bottle, and the elevation knob only dials like 5 mils from zero. No way in hell I’d buy another, but I also wouldn’t buy an old MK4 anymore either. There’s just better stuff out there than both and no reason to settle for the shortcomings of either.

 

[Charmingmander]

TMR sucks. Leupold has had it's head in its ass for the majority of their product releases for over a decade.

 

[redneckbmxer24]

Why the Leupold hate. They are both great scope with excellent glass and superb tracking ability

The mark 3 is not a great scope, it’s a piece of shit that I wasted my money on and I’m not going to blow smoke up someones ass and tell them it’s something it’s not.

 

[Trigger Monkey]

Why the Leupold hate. They are both great scope with excellent glass and superb tracking ability

The last time I used a Leupold it was their VX3i LRP and it was pretty disappointing. The first one I received had a reticle that wasn't centered in the field of view. Leupold CS sent me a new one that arrived with the reticle not centered either but I ran with it. The glass wasn't that good compared to its contemporaries, it wasn't bright and clear with significant chromatic aberration. Tracking was just so so, I think it had about 0.1 or 0.2 error in 10 mils on a tall tracking test.

The only thing Leupolds seem to have going for them is name recognition and light weight optics.

 

[BCP]

Hi guys,

I am new here. Looking for a tactical scope that could be used for 1000 yards , it should be robust and rugged.

I would like to know the build quality difference between leupold Mark4 Tactical M1 4.5-14x 50mm TMR ( old version, not the new Mark 4HD) to Leupld Mark 3HD 6-18x50 (30 mm) - P5 Side Focus TMR.

Anyone with experiences in those two scopes , please leave your comments!

Really appreciate it!

I would say the glass quality and mechanicals are similar/same between those two neither is a really good choice for 1000 yard shooting. The only leupolds I really like are the older M2 and M3 models because the size/weight fits well on an AR15 most of the newer tactical scopes are 32+ ounces I hate having boat anchor optics on top of a 7lb rifle.

 

[redneckbmxer24]

what exactly do you hate about it ?

Go back and read the first post of mine that you quoted…

 

[smoothy8500]

I've had four of the Mk4 scopes over the years, and kept two. Three of them have had a trip back to Leupold for issues with elevation turrets going bad (tracking). I'll be the minority report here. The Mk4-16X M1 has not given me any issues (knock on wood) and gets used regularly for F-T/R NRA matches at 600 and 1,000 yds. For that type of shooting-no christmas tree needed since I don't do holdovers for elevation or windage, no illumination, it's fine. The Mk4 field of view is narrower than newer scopes, for sure. At the similar price range ($700) it's got better glass than my Vortex Viper PST gen II 3-15X. It's no Nightforce quality, but that's not in the price range. The Mk4 has become the budget scope of today unfortunately, but has less features than other budget scopes. The only parameter that Mk4 has going for it is slightly better glass than other cheaper scopes.

Gratuitous gun-porn:

 

[sauersafari]

Thank you Guys! Maybe I need to move to Nightforce?

 

[beetroot]

Thank you Guys! Maybe I need to move to Nightforce?

No offense but it's not 2005 anymore, there are a lot more choices than just Nightforce and Leupold.

If you could list what features you want (mag range, FFP/SFP, Mil/MOA,etc) and a budget then people could offer up suggestions.
There are so many options today that a a budget of $800 vs $1200 makes a massive difference.

 

[redneckbmxer24]

Thank you Guys! Maybe I need to move to Nightforce?

Or you could just buy a new MK4HD.

 

[chevy_man]

TMR sucks. Leupold has had it's head in its ass for the majority of their product releases for over a decade.

For a majority of people the TMR is a great simple reticle with enough info to get the job done without being a distraction.

I always teach people new to ffp on a TMR for that reason. If I put them behind a Christmas tree they have a panic attack and get lost.


The Mark 3 line is hot garbage. I'm considering a 4.5-18 Mark 4 to put on a gas gun to see.

But I really haven't bought anything but Mark 5 and vx3hd from them for a long time. (Vx3hd works great for a kids deer rifle, but it's limited by the single turn turret.)

 

[sauersafari]

No offense but it's not 2005 anymore, there are a lot more choices than just Nightforce and Leupold.

If you could list what features you want (mag range, FFP/SFP, Mil/MOA,etc) and a budget then people could offer up suggestions.
There are so many options today that a a budget of $800 vs $1200 makes a massive difference.

Hello,
I am looking for a scope should get the those features
1. 4x to 20x power x 50/56 mm , zero stop
2. would prefer 30 mm tube
3. FFP
4. MOA/ZMOA
5.WEIGHT more than 20 oz ( thicker scope body)
6.Brand prefer leupold, zeiss, nightforce,leica,trijicon
7.Budget $700 to $1600
8. More tactical than hunting scope.

Many thanks!

 

[sauersafari]

For a majority of people the TMR is a great simple reticle with enough info to get the job done without being a distraction.

I always teach people new to ffp on a TMR for that reason. If I put them behind a Christmas tree they have a panic attack and get lost.


The Mark 3 line is hot garbage. I'm considering a 4.5-18 Mark 4 to put on a gas gun to see.

But I really haven't bought anything but Mark 5 and vx3hd from them for a long time. (Vx3hd works great for a kids deer rifle, but it's limited by the single turn turret.)

I am only handle Mark 5 one time, very clear glasses, also very expensive

 

[chevy_man]

Hello,
I am looking for a scope should get the those features
1. 4x to 20x power x 50/56 mm , zero stop
2. would prefer 30 mm tube
3. FFP
4. MOA/ZMOA
5.WEIGHT more than 20 oz ( thicker scope body)
6.Brand prefer leupold, zeiss, nightforce,leica,trijicon
7.Budget $700 to $1600
8. More tactical than hunting scope.

Many thanks!

Assuming you're not in the US?

Most of us can't help you, as we're going to be unaware of anything not offered here.

I will say your weight comments are hilarious. You'd have to look hard to get under 30oz, 20oz is dreaming.
And why a 30mm tube? Never going to dial?

And moa is silly.

 

[beetroot]

Assuming you're not in the US?

Most of us can't help you, as we're going to be unaware of anything not offered here.

I will say your weight comments are hilarious. You'd have to look hard to get under 30oz, 20oz is dreaming.
And why a 30mm tube? Never going to dial?

And moa is silly.

His post says more than 20oz

 

[beetroot]

Hello,
I am looking for a scope should get the those features
1. 4x to 20x power x 50/56 mm , zero stop
2. would prefer 30 mm tube
3. FFP
4. MOA/ZMOA
5.WEIGHT more than 20 oz ( thicker scope body)
6.Brand prefer leupold, zeiss, nightforce,leica,trijicon
7.Budget $700 to $1600
8. More tactical than hunting scope.

Many thanks!

Is that budget USD? Where in the world are you as that makes a big difference also.
Are you sure you want MOA and most tactical scopes tend to be MIL so it’d probably be easier to find a FFP MIL scope.

 

[chevy_man]

His post says more than 20oz

I know. I was laughing at that because anything other than an airsoft scope that fits his criteria is going to be almost double that.

 

[gr8fuldoug]

I would recommend the Mark 4 4.5-18 cause of the need for ffp. The magnification range isn’t to 4-20 but close. Also this has a 34 mm main tube so will actually give for more adjustment. This scope will be around 27 oz and in moa.

Another option would be
Sightron S-TAC FFP 4-20x50 Zero Stop - Mil-Hash 4 IR
· Tactical Turrets
· Easy to set Zero Stop
· Zact-7 Revecoat® Multicoating for excellent light transmission
· Exclusive ExacTrack Windage and Elevation adjustment system
· 30mm one-piece tube design for maximum durability
· First Focal Plane Illuminated MH-4 Reticle design
· Lifetime Warranty

My Nightforce Rep replied:
1. 4x to 20x power x 50/56 mm - opinion Nx8 2.5-20 F1 Moar C622
2. would prefer 30 mm tube- Nx8 2.5-20 F1 Moar C622
3. FFP- Nx8 2.5-20 F1 Moar C622
4. MOA/ZMOA- Nx8 2.5-20 F1 Moar C622
5.WEIGHT more than 20 oz ( thicker scope body)
Nx8 2.5-20 F1 Moar C622 28~oz
6.Brand prefer leupold, zeiss, nightforce,leica,trijicon
-NFO
7.Budget $700 to $1600- nope 1950.00 not gonna find a NF that to these specs at this price.
All others are SFP/F2 and or same price range as nx8 C622
Example- NXS 5.5-22x50(same price range) and 5-20x50 SHV (cheaper but SFP)
8. More tactical than hunting scope.-
Nx8 2.5-20 F1 Moar C622
Hope this is helpful.. for $350 more he would get exactly what he needs.


Be happy to discuss this with you

 

[beetroot]

I know. I was laughing at that because anything other than an airsoft scope that fits his criteria is going to be almost double that.

Sounds to me like they are either stuck in hunter land or 2005. Not meant in an insulting way but there are lots of people out there who still think the Mark 4 (original) and NXS are the best scopes out there, and think anything that weighs more than 20oz is too heavy.

Hard to belive if you are a member here but there are lots of people who have never heard of cartridges like 6 Dashser and 6GT, or even company's like Vortex.