Rifle Scopes Leupold VXR Patrol 3-9 vs Mk4 LR/T 3.5-10

[ASH556]

Scoping a .308 gasser, Smith M&P 10. Rifle used for deer hunting in Georgia, occasional long range play to 700 at least, and anything else I might want it for. In the past I have had an older Vari-x III LR/T 3.5-10 M3 on a 700 .308 and enjoyed the simplicity and speed of the cam system. Because of where I live, long range opportunities are rare and I spend most of my time with a pistol and a 5.56 SBR with an Aimpoint. I did have a 2.5-10x32 Mil-dot Nightforce with a piggy back Docter MRDS on this rifle, but for as infrequently as I use it, I decided that much money in optics would be better placed into a backup Glock, a backup Aimpoint, and I still had enough to buy a VXR Patrol 3-9x40 Firedot TMR in an ADM mount. When I bought the VXR Partol, I was still deciding between it and the MK4 and just happened to come across a deal on the Vxr with the mount, so I grabbed it. Still, I'm not convinced about it. The Firedot seems like a good thing on 3X for closer range faster stuff. Turrets match the reticle too. Still, I really enjoyed everything about the Mk4 M3 and feel very confident with it.

Thoughts on one vs the other?
The rifle as it was with the NF

 

[hypno02]

That nightforce setup was definitely sweet, but I feel you when it comes to unused gear. I shot LR with a mil/Moa sfp 3.5-10 ml4 leupy for over 2000 rounds and I have nothing to complain about. Other than that fact that it wasn't mil/mil but then again nothin was at that time. I also have a couple hundred rounds through a vxr duplex on my father's AR. It would be much better with a tmr but like you said the firedot is very quick and usable on 3x. As far as buyers regret I wouldn't sweat it. If you want an upgrade in the future, I'd suggest a swfa 1-6, swaro 1-6, or a nf 2.5-10x42. Different price ranges and uses of course. But all great optics.

 

[ASH556]

Lots of looks, only one reply. Any more insight? Everyone just hates Leupold too much?

 

[Elite_KG]

I own the NF 2.5-10x42 and the VX-R Patrol 3-9x40. The NF obviously is a more we'll built optic, but with that said I have no real complaints with the Leupold. They both serve similar roles. The NF is more precise in that the reticle is much finer and has more incremental has marks (mil-rad version). However, on my NF I notice more curvature of field than with the Leupold. I was really surprised to find this as it is a pretty expensive optic and the Leupold has less distortion.

There is no comparison between the turrets; NF wins hands down. The Leupold turrets are mushy and adjusting zero with the 3 Allen lock screw is a somewhat inconvenient.

I do get some bleeding with the NF illumination toward the bottom of the reticle and it is exaggerated at higher brightness settings. the NF is full reticle illumination while the Leupold is a center dot illuminated. It will also bleed at higher brightness, but is is less noticeable until 8-10 bright power settings.

On a budget, the Leupold is adequate. The NF is quite nice, but falls short of its price tag for me since the distortion is quote noticeable and the bleeding of the illumination is just serious misstep given the expense. If NF could reduce the distortion and correct the illumination bleed, it would be perfect and we'll worth the price tag.

I have contacted NF about my concerns and am awaiting a response.