Leupold MK4-5?

[7mm-08 Freak]

I think I need some new glass on my 7 PRC. Right now I’ve got a Swarvoski Z5 5-25. I just don’t like it. There’s something about it. I am considering one of the Mark 4 or 5 Leupold in 25x or 35x or so. Anybody running one of these high-end Leupold scopes for long range?

 

[powdahound76]

Lots of people running both.

All depends on features you want and how much you want to spend.

Neither would be the limiting factor in making hits or not.

The high mag ability can be nice.
That said I have 1 scope that goes to 36x.
Several that go to 12x, 15x, and 18x.
I like the high mag for group shooting on paper.
Usually use 18x, occasionally 24x, if shooting far.

 

[SnowMan]

I got one each of the MK5's. I use mostly sfp scopes. The 25x is ffp and the reticle doesn't seem to big on 25x and I like it just fine. The 35x is sfp and I like it. I think the reticle could be a little thinner but it doesn't get in the way. To me the 35x ffp reticle gets way to big at max power. The only MK5 offered in sfp is the 35x. I like the NightForce better but for my type of shooting one works just as good as the other. You can get a demo MK5 from EuroOptic at a good price. Just my opinion for what it's worth.

 

[7mm-08 Freak]

Lots of people running both.

All depends on features you want and how much you want to spend.

Neither would be the limiting factor in making hits or not.

The high mag ability can be nice.
That said I have 1 scope that goes to 36x.
Several that go to 12x, 15x, and 18x.
I like the high mag for group shooting on paper.
Usually use 18x, occasionally 24x, if shooting far.

So am I wasting money on a 36x piece? most of mine it paper but some will be hunting

 

[powdahound76]

How far you gonna shoot?

But really its up to you.
See if you can look through some at the range to help you decide.

I like lower mag for hunting.
lowest mag of 6 or 7 is a no go for me.
Stand hunting is different than what we normally do here, and still, 100 yd shot on 6x is a lot of mag.

 

[7mm-08 Freak]

How far you gonna shoot?

But really its up to you.
See if you can look through some at the range to help you decide.

I like lower mag for hunting.
lowest mag of 6 or 7 is a no go for me.
Stand hunting is different than what we normally do here, and still, 100 yd shot on 6x is a lot of mag.

I have a feeder at 50 yards and a few senderos that are 1000+. if im going to feeder hunt i take a 44mag Marlin LOL

 

[SnowMan]

That's something you will have to decide. Those 25x/35x Leupolds and NightForce's are big bulky scopes and the low end is like 6x-7x, not your ideal hunting scopes. Sometimes trying to compromise leaves you short in both areas. Should I suggest getting a completely different rig for both?

 

[7mm-08 Freak]

That's something you will have to decide. Those 25x/35x Leupolds and NightForce's are big bulky scopes and the low end is like 6x-7x, not your ideal hunting scopes. Sometimes trying to compromise leaves you short in both areas. Should I suggest getting a completely different rig for both?

sure I may already have it in the safe

 

[fatmat27]

I run both the Leupold Mark 5 and Nightforce ATACR both in 7-35x56.

Both are solid and the newer designs of both don’t tunnel inside of 8x magnification so your FOV is comparable to an older S&B or Nightforce 5-25x56.

I do have an extra Leupold Mark 5 7-35X56 (still in wrapper) If you’re interested..

 

[tacoman69]

So am I wasting money on a 36x piece? most of mine it paper but some will be hunting

Yes. 15x or 18x would be my max

 

[Hecouldgoalltheway]

I have found that my ideal hunting scope range for most applications is a 2-12, or a 3-18. The 2-12 can leave you wishing for a little more high end when you go beyond 500y or so, or when laying down groups at 200y or beyond, and the 3-18 can have you wishing that you had a 2x or even a 1x when you have a coyote run by at 10y, but since they don't make a 1-50x yet, we have to compromise. So, if I'm going to be hunting in tight cover, I'll use a 1-10 lvpo on an ar. For mid range stuff, a 2-12 or similar, and for the open western stuff, or long fields, a 3-18 is ideal. Even at 1k yards, a quality optic at 18x will not make you feel unprepared.